It was after such a ridiculous campaign, and such an infamous accommodation, that Saadat-qhan quitted the Djatt country to resume his expedition towards Narnöul. He was all the while accompanied by the Radja at the head of his Djatts, who always encamped at two or three cosses distance, in such a manner that messages and agents were continually exchanging on both sides; and in this manner they arrived in the neighbourhood of Narnöul, where Baht-sing came to pay his respects to the Viceroy. On hearing of the shameful treaty, lately concluded with the Djatts, he expressed his surprise and detestation, and proposed to him to recover his honour by marching against the Radjp8ts of Adjmir, that is, by supporting his own projects. This advice having been approved by Saadat-qhan, it gave offence to the Djatt-Prince, who saw how matters went, and took his leave and returned to his own country, leaving Saadat-qhan at liberty to pursue his expedition. That Viceroy being now arrived near Adjmir, marched on rapidly for twenty cosses, and by Baht-sing’s advice he took possession of the Gocul-gaut, a difficult passage, which is near the city of Adjmir. But Radja Ram-sing was soon on the other side of the pass. This Prince, better known under the name of Docul-sing, had with him the Radja Assiri-sing, son to Radja Dehiradj-djehi-sing-seväi, and both were at the head of an army which could not be less than thirty thousand horse, with a numerous artillery, and every necessary requisite for war. So great a superiority did not damp Saadat-qhan’s eagerness. This Viceroy, after spending some days at Adjmir in expectation of being joined by Radja Baht-sing, made haste to come out. The first day’s march was to Boorigur; the second to the little mud-fort of Shir-sing; the third to Mirta, and the fourth to a place called Pi-bar, in which last march the two armies had a sight of each other. They had set out on both sides with intention to fight, and Baht-sing had informed Saadat-qhan, that it was not proper to part with him or to march on as he did, as the enemy had planted all his cannon on that side. Saadat-qhan, Saadat-qhan’s troops ready to perish with thirst. who had never in his whole life listened to any sober advice, was so senseless as to observe, “That men did not turn about after having once marched in another direction,” and he went on as he had commenced. Baht-sing, seeing his obstinacy, left him, and marched on, but slanting from the front, where he knew so much cannon to have been planted. The Radjpoots, who had passed the night close to their cannon, seeing Saadat-qhan’s troops advance so inconsiderately, kept themselves quiet and in silence, until the enemy had come within reach; when they let fly such a shower of cannon and musket-balls, as did a great deal of execution in the enemy’s ranks, where vast numbers were slain. This discharge was but faintly returned by Saadat-qhan’s people, who were already in confusion. It was already noon-day; the sun shone with intolerable ardour, and the cannon and muskets became so hot that there was no handling any of them. A cessation of arms, as if by common consent, took place.—Saadat-qhan’s men, pressed by thirst, in Relieved by the singular generosity of the Radjp8ts. a country where water is scarce, dispersed everywhere, and numbers approached inadvertently close to the Radjp8ts in search of that refreshment. The Radjp8ts perceiving their distress, by the parchedness of their faces, and the lolling of their tongues, had the generosity to send people to shew them some springs hidden in the sand; and these men, after having refreshed plentifully, both man and horse, would carry them back to the spot where they had taken them up, and would dismiss them with these words: Begone, and avaunt! For now we are enemies again. The sudden cessation on both sides, and the assistance given so timely by the Radjpoots, hath something odd and incredible in it, but they are, however, completely well attested. I put the question to several officers and others that had been relieved in that manner, and amongst others, to Séyd Ismäil-aaly-qhan, son to my uncle, Abd8l-aaly-qhan; and he, as well as the others, always answered in the affirmative. Nor is it but upon such a strong testimony, that I have thought this particular worthy of a place in this history. This behaviour of the Radjpoots does them a deal of honour; but such a generosity is in their character. May God Almighty please to infuse such benevolent inclinations in the hearts of all the nations of the World! For He is the source of all power and all mercifulness.
This spot is not far from the mountains of Dj8déyp8r, not above twenty or thirty cosses distance, or at most three days’ journey. Saadat-qhan, desirous to get out of such a critical spot, and unable, moreover, to go on with the expenses of an expedition that produced no resource, at a time too when the rainy season was at hand, resolved to make an accommodation, and to return to Adjmir, and so on to the Capital. In vain did Baht-sing represent, “That this expedition was more important than anything to be compassed in the Capital. That the Princes of that country, being the noblest of all the Radjp8ts, and such as were acknowledged for having reigned in time of yore all over Hindostan, the bringing them under subjection would not only greatly redound to his honour, and engage the other Zemindars to submit of their own accord, but would in time produce such fruits as would surpass his utmost expectations. In vain did he add, that so soon as the country of Adjmir should be subdued, his character, enhanced in the eyes of men by such an expedition, would be greatly conducive in bringing to terms the Djatt S8r8dj-mull, and in reducing to controul the country about Acbar-abad.” All those reasons produced no change in his mind. And this is the more unaccountable, as Baht-sing had during this whole expedition proved of great service, notwithstanding the junction effected between the Marhattas, commanded by Malhar’s son, and the enemy; for he had all along supplied the army with necessaries, and had exhibited much wisdom and a variety of talents, in occasionally extricating it from its difficulties. Finding that Saadat-qhan was bent on an accommodation, he kept himself at home, without interfering any more. The Marhatta General likewise took his leave of Ram-sing, and of Assir-sing’s son, and went home. Saadat-qhan having by treaty received three lacs of rupees, suffered the rest to be put off in a variety of instalments, consisting of money and effects, which were to be paid so much at such a place, and so much at another. After this treaty, he quitted Peïpar, and arrived at Adjmir, at which place my uncle, Séyd Abdool-aaly-qhan, being sensible of Saadat-qhan’s levity and want of understanding, resigned his service, and took his leave. But as he had run himself in debt in a service, which yielded nothing that year but a prospect of preferment, he was obliged to sell his elephants, and some of his furniture, in order to pay his troops and his creditors; after which he returned immediately to Shah-djehan-abad, where hearing that the Vezir was gone on an expedition against the Afghans, he only tarried three days in that Capital, and marched out to join him; and he was already advanced to Kevol, when he met some of the runaways of the Vezir’s army. The Vezir himself arrived the next day. Abdool-aaly-qhan having found here an opportunity of paying that Minister his respects, returned with his retinue to the Capital; where on being asked his advice a few days after, he proposed taking into his service Radja Baht-sing, as well as the two Marhatta Generals.
As to Saadat-qhan, after spending one year and some months in that fruitless expedition, he arrived at the Capital in the beginning of the year 1164; and as he had lost his character in that expedition, where he had carried little money and numerous troops, he was, on his return, perpetually reproached and insulted by those people, who insisted upon being paid their arrears. Becoming contemptible by so many repeated assaults and insults, he had the folly to expect a supply of money from the Emperor; and as he was not heard, he had the imprudence to mention the Emperor’s name, as well as that of Djavid-qhan, his favourite, in terms of disrespect; making so little secret of his sentiments when at home, that they became the constant topic of his conversation. Not satisfied even with that, he in a fit of passion, resolved to go to Court and to get himself righted, happen what it would. He mounted his horse, and taking his spear in his hand, he got within the Palace, and attempted to go as far as the Emperor, to whom he intended to represent his Saadat-qhan returns to Court in disgrace, and is dismissed the service. grievances in an angry tone of voice. Djavid-qhan, the Superintendent of the Hall of Audience, seeing in what plight he was, requested him not to appear in the Emperor’s presence. The other finding himself obstructed, vented his resentment both against His Majesty and the eunuch, in such terms as came uppermost, and after that, he returned home; but he was hardly landed, when a body of soldiers came to confiscate his property. And thus from the summit of honour and affluence, he fell in a little time into the greatest contempt and distress. His title of “Lord of Lords” was bestowed on Ghazi-eddin-qhan, eldest son to the late Nizam-el-mulk, who received the Qhylaat of it the next day; and Saadat-qhan, deprived of everything, went to live in obscurity and oblivion. It is time for us now to resume the narrative about the affairs of Decan.