After such a digression upon a nation that fills so vast a circumference in Hindostan, we are very naturally carried back to the thread of our narrative on the affairs of that country. Arrival of Mir-cassem-qhan, Navvab of Bengal, in Shudjah-ed-döwlah’s dominions. Shudjah-ed-döwlah, after having taken the Fort of Djansi, and driven the Marhatta collectors from the Anterbid, tarried at Shah-abad with the Emperor Shah-aalem, intending to bring the Bundelcund likewise under subjection, and to establish that Prince’s Government in those parts likewise. But whilst he was preparing for this expedition, in the year 1177, his attention was diverted by another object, to wit, the arrival of Mir-mahmed-cassem-qhan, the Aaly-djah*, who being defeated and chased by the English, had come so far to seek an asylum in Shudjah-ed-döwlah’s dominions, and in the Emperor’s Court. It was at Ilah-abad that this fugitive had an interview with the Viceroy, and as he soon had opportunities of observing, that his attention, engrossed by his future expedition of the Bundel­cund, did not allow him to mind anything else, he offered his service for that purpose. He had already a friend in that country, and this was Mirza-nedjef-qhan, whom he had dismissed with honour from the Keremnassa, but who was now in the Radja of Bundelcund’s service. Partly by force, and partly by the insinuations of that officer, he soon brought that affair to a con­clusion that did him much honour. In acknowledgment for this service, which raised the fugitive’s character, Shudjah-ed-döwlah resolved to assist him in the recovery of his dominions, by attack­ing the English; an expedition where he was himself totally vanquished and defeated by those strangers, who granted him a Events that are the con­sequences of it. peace, by which they restored the Province of A8d to Shudjah-ed-döwlah, but gave that of Ilah-abad to Shah-aalem, as we have mentioned at length in our former volume. This peace being concluded, Shudjah-ed-döwlah repaired to his own dominions, and Shah-aalem established his Government in Ilah-abad. One of the English Commanders remained in Shudjah-ed-döwlah’s Court, as an Agent from his nation, and favour upon favour was heaping upon him. Another English Commander, but of a higher rank, such as a Colonel or a General, attended in the same manner with an army on the Emperor’s person at Ilah-abad, and occasionally assisted him in establishing his Government in those parts. Mirza-nedjef-qhan, who had taken service with the English in their wars with Shudjah-ed-döwlah, and had proved serviceable to them, was for that attachment of his com­plimented with a pension of one lack a year, to be deducted out of the twenty-four lacks tribute, which that nation had obliged themselves to pay as an acknowledgment for their holding the Bengal. After a length of time, Mirza-nedjef-qhan was promoted to the Fodjdary and Government of Corra, and ordered to clear that province of banditties, and to establish the Emperor’s Government firmly. But the person who had taken possession of the Imperial mind, was Munnir-ed-döwlah, who under the modest name of Steward of the Imperial House-hold, had become in fact his Prime Minister, dismissing whom he pleased from the service. He had become also the main channel of communication between that Prince and the English. He was likewise the person Some accounts of Shah-aalem’s Court. pitched upon to go on his part in embassy to Calcutta, and it was during this absence, that some men of mean capacities and vile inclinations, found means to recommend themselves to that Prince. These were Hessam-eddin-qhan, Radja Ramnat, and Bahadyr-aaly-qhan; three men, who being of the same turn of mind, and having the same inclinations with Shah-aalem, soon found their way to his heart; Hessam-eddin-qhan, especially, who having made it a point to procure pretty virgins and agree­able young women from all parts, which he got instructed in the accomplishments of dancing and singing, used to present them to the Emperor, who often introduced them into the Imperial Sanctuary, where some of them became favourites, and proved greatly instrumental in the seraglio in promoting their introduc­tor’s interest and in filling his purse. It was by such means as these, he soon became one of the principal Lords of the Court and one who acted as a Minister of State. Unhappy the country where men rise to honours by such vile practices! It was at such a period as this, and in such a school, that Shudjah-ed-döwlah thought proper to place Mirza-saadet-aaly, his younger son, to represent his father in the office of Vezir. He likewise appointed some of his friends to exercise the office of Mir-ateshy, and some other offices effected to his family; and himself now and then made a voyage to Ilah-abad to pay his respects to the Emperor. The account of Shah-aalem’s Court naturally brings to our recollection the affairs of the Capital.

We have been mentioning that Nedjib-ed-döwlah, a Rohil­lah Prince, promoted by the Abdali-king to the office of Prince of Princes, or of Emir-el-umerah, had been left as a guardian over the young Prince, Djuvan-baqht, who had been placed by a faction upon the throne with the same name and title as was borne by his father, who was then waging war in Bengal. Nedjib-ed-döwlah, under the young Prince’s name, governed with absolute authority in the Capital, and it must be acknowledged that for an Afghan and a Rohillah, he was not defective either in sense or in good manners; but he deserved besides such a high eleva­tion, by his possessing all the qualifications of a General of army, being a man of conduct as well as personal prowess. His next neighbour was the Radja S8r8dj-mull, the eye and the shining taper of the Djatt tribe; a Prince who rendered himself famous by his good manners and civil deportment, as well as by his Accounts of S8r8dj-mull, the Djatt Prince, a man of singular abilities. conquests, and his superior knowledge in the arts of Govern­ment: qualifications in which he had not then, and never has had since, his equal amongst the Hindoo Princes. He had raised or repaired four fortresses in his dominions in such a manner*, that no Indian Power could pretend to take them by a siege, and he had stored them with such quantities of ammunition, provisions, and necessaries, that the garrison, for years together, would not have wanted anything from abroad. So that if we were to make a description of their fortifications, or an enumeration of their means of defence, we would be found to have wrote a book, and to have involved ourselves in a complete volume. In one word, if we except a certain number of famous fortresses in India, which are still more indebted to Nature than to Art, there was nothing in his time that could stand in comparison with those four castles of his, especially in the quantity and quality of the stores. He had in his stables twelve thousand horses, mounted by so many picked men, amongst whom he had himself introduced an exercise of firing at a mark on horse-back, and then wheeling round in order to load under shelter; and these men had by continual and daily He disciplines a body of cavalry after a method of his own. practice become so expeditious and so dangerous marksmen, and withal so expert in their evolutions, that there were no troops in India that could pretend to face them in the field. Nor was it thought possible for any Indian Prince to wage war against such a Prince with any prospect of advantage. Many a time did the Marhattas, and many a time did the Abdalies, invade his country. In such a case he never failed to retire into his fortresses with his people, and to bid defiance to these invaders; nor did he ever pay any contributions to any of them. And it was with such a variety of military talents he had already vigorously supported his character in his many engagements with the Afghans and the Rohillahs, when he went to Ab8l-mans8r-qhan’s assistance. He constantly beat the one and the other, and always came off victorious. Insomuch that no less a man than such a Vezir thought proper to apply for his succour, and always found it an effectual one. But S8r8dj-mull was likewise very ambitious and restless; and, as his zemindary and dominions stretched in the very neighbourhood of Shah-djehan-abad, he was eternally bent on expelling his neighbours, and on taking possession of their lands. Such a conduct could not but excite perpetual disputes between Nedjib-ed-döwlah and him; so that they looked with an evil eye at each other like two men inclined to come to blows together on the first occasion. It may be even said that Nedjib-ed-döwlah was uneasy at his power and character, and that he concealed his inquietude thereon. For there was no General and no Prince in India that would choose to risk a war against him; an assertion proved beyond doubt by the effectual assistance which he gave in person to Ab8l-mans8r-qhan in his wars with Mahmed-qhan-bangash and the Afghans; and afterwards by the superiority with which he always fought the Marhattas, rendering himself at all times respectable, not only to the Vezir Umad-el-mulk and to Zulficar-djung, but to the Abdalies themselves. This is so far true that Ab8l-mans8r-qhan’s successes against the Afghans are in a great measure attributed to the Djatt Prince’s assistance. He is slain. Nevertheless as his days were counted, and his last moment was come, all these fortifications, all these excellent troops, and all this formidable character of his, availed nothing, and he was slain in an inconsiderable skirmish.