THIS is the title of the memoirs of Khwája 'Abdu-l Karím Khán of Kashmír, which contain a very full account of the proceedings of Nádir Sháh in India, and of the reigns of Muhammad Sháh and Ahmad Sháh. Part of this work has been translated by Mr. Gladwin, and an abstract of the author's pilgrimage to Mecca has been given by M. Langlès in his Collection Portative des Voyages (Paris, 1797-1835, 8vo.).

The following list of contents will show that the Bayán-i Wákí' contains valuable materials for the history of the period of which it treats.

It is divided into five Chapters, each containing several Sections:

Chap. I. History of Nádir Sháh and his march to Hindústán —Sec. i. Family of Nádir Kulí Beg; Sec. ii. Downfall of the Safaví Dynasty, and rise of the Afgháns; Sec. iii. Contest with Malik Mahmúd Shabistání; Nádir Kulí Beg obtains the title of Khán; Sec. iv. Battle of Sháh Tahmásp with the Afgháns who had taken possession of 'Irák and other places; the power of the Kazalbáshís, and death of Ashraf Sháh; Sec. v. Engagements of Tahmásp Kulí Khán with the armies of Rúm and of the Turkománs; deposition of King Tahmásp, success of King 'Abbás, and other events of the same nature; Sec. vi. Contests of Tahmásp Kulí Khán with the armies of Rúm, Bulúch and Túrkistán, and his overcoming the three armies, after having been defeated by Naupál Páshá, the com­mander-in-chief of the army of Rúm; Sec. vii. Accession of Nádir Kulí Beg Tahmásp Kulí Khán to the throne of Persia; Sec. viii. March of Nádir Sháh towards Hindústán, and devas­tation of the country; Sec. ix. Hostilities between the Emperor of India and the King of Persia: treaty of peace with which they concluded; Sec. x. Arrival of both kings at Dehlí, the metropolis of India, and the cause of the general massacre; Sec. xi. Events which happened after the general massacre.

Chap. II. Nádir's return to Persia, and his visit to Túrán and Khwárizm—Sec. i. Departure of Nádir Sháh from Dehlí to Kábul and Sind, and the deliverance of the people of India; Sec. ii. Events which occurred during his stay in Dehlí; Sec. iii. Nádir Sháh's march towards Sind, ruin of the country, and im­prisonment of its ruler; Sec. iv. Nádir Sháh's pursuit of Khudá-yár Khán, festival of Nauroz, with the display of the plunder of India, and list of the presents distributed on the occasion; Sec. v. March of the King from Hirát to Túrán, and its con­quest; Sec. vi. March from Balkh towards Bukhárá; Sec. vii. Interview of the King of Túrán with Nádir Sháh; Sec. viii. Events which occurred during Nádir's stay at Bukhárá; Sec. ix. March of the King from Bukhárá towards Chárju, and his war with the Túrkománs, whom he conquered, with some other events which happened during that period; Sec. x. March of Nádir Sháh towards Khwárizm; Sec. xi. Return to Khurásán and Marv; Sec. xii. Journey to Mázandarán, and the events which occurred there; Sec. xiii. Translations of the Old and New Testaments.

Chap. III. Description of what the author witnessed in his journey from the capital of Kazwín to the port of Húghlí— Sec. i. Journey from Kazwín to Baghdád; Sec. ii. Tombs of holy men; Sec. iii. Author's journey to Mecca, viâ Syria and Aleppo, with a káfila; Sec. iv. Visit to Medína across the desert; Sec. v. Other events which happened on his way from Mecca to the port of Húghlí.

Chap. IV. Events from the author's arrival at the port of Húghlí to the death of Muhammad Sháh—Sec. i. A short account of Bengal, etc.; Sec. ii. Arrival of an ambassador from Nádir Sháh to the Emperor; Sec. iii. March of Muhammad Sháh against Muhammad 'Alí Khán Rohilla; Sec. iv. Account of Nádir Sháh's death; Sec. v. Death of the Nawáb Zakariyá Khán; Sec. vi. Expedition of Ahmad Sháh, surnamed Durrání; Sec. vii. March of Ahmad, son of Muhammad Sháh, to oppose Ahmad Sháh Durrání; Sec. viii. Battle between Sultán Ahmad, son of Muhammad Sháh, and Ahmad Sháh Abdálí; Sec. ix. Death of Muhammad Sháh, and a short account of his ancestors.

Chap. V. Events which happened during the reign of Ahmad Sháh—Sec. i. Accession of Ahmad Sháh to the throne; Sec. ii. Death of Muhammad 'Alí Khán Rohilla, the contests between his sons, and the quarrel of 'Alawí Khán and Nawáb Káím Khán, son of Nawáb Muhammad Khán Bangash; Sec. iii. Short account of Nawáb 'Alawí Khán; Sec. iv. Assassination of Jáwed Khán Nawáb Bahádur, and the battles fought by Safdar Jang.

The conclusion contains miscellaneous matter relating to certain marvels, the saws and sayings of wise men, etc.

[The entire work was translated for Sir H. M. Elliot by “Lt. Prichard,” and from that translation the following Extracts have been taken.]

SIZE—146 pages of 19 lines each.