Aaly-verdy-qhan, thoroughly informed of these manœuvres, and sensible that his affairs had come to such a pass as hardly to be susceptible of any mending by the arts of dissimulation and forbearance, resolved to avail himself of his acquaintance and old connections with his friend, Issac-qhan, a nobleman who was now in complete possession of the Emperor’s ear; and he wrote him a secret letter, in which he requested to have the patents of the three provinces transferred to himself, under promise of sending to Court a present of a coror of rupees, over and above the con­fiscation of Ser-efraz-qhan’s wealth and estate, and over and above the yearly usual tribute of a coror. To this he added another request. He wanted an Imperial order directed to himself, with injunctions to fight Ser-efraz-qhan, and to recover the three provinces from his hands. After having dispatched these two letters, he published that he had intentions of marching against the Zemindars of Bodjp8r, a set of men famous in those parts both for their number and depredations, as well as for their refractory temper; and under that pretence he mustered and com­pleted his troops which he always kept in constant readiness. At the same time he had the finesse of giving to Ser-efraz-qhan public notice of that pretended design of his, and meanwhile he stood up ready to avail himself of the first opportunity that should offer to promote his real views. At last, ten months after Nadyr-shah’s departure for Iran, and just thirteen months after Shudjah-qhan’s decease, he received the Imperial command, drawn up in the style he had requested; and being now resolved on marching against Ser-efraz-qhan, he had procured the day of his departure to be fixed by an eminent astrologer, on whose predictions he reposed an unlimited confidence. Meanwhile he laid such obstructions on the roads, that no traveller could advance towards Moorshoodabad, and he secretly wrote to the Djagat-seat,* Feteh-chund, his friend, that by such a day he would commence his march. The letter was dispatched by a trusty man who had orders to deliver it on such a day which was pointed out to him. All things being thus prepared Aaly-verdy-qhan, on the latter end of Zilhidj, in the year 1152, set out on his expedition to Bodj­p8r, and he encamped about Varis-qhan’s reservoir, which is at some distance from the city of Azim-abad. On his departure, he appointed for his Deputy and Lieutenant, Zin-eddin-ahmed-qhan, his youngest nephew and son-in-law, and he sent Sëyd-hedaïet-aaly-qhan-Assed-djung, the poorman’s father,* to command in the districts of Seress and Cootombah, where the people were from a long time accustomed to respect his orders. Two days after that nobleman’s departure, he wrote him a short note, informing him that, having taken the resolution of marching to Moorshoodabad, he recommended both him and Zin-eddin-ahmed-qhan to the Almighty God, and I hope, added he, “that you shall manage so, as to live always upon good terms with him, and that you shall act as emergencies require.” The eve of his departure, he gave orders to assemble all the principal officers of his army, whether Mussulmen or Hindoos; and on seeing them together in large numbers, he produced two men in the middle of the assembly—one a venerable Mussulman of a known piety, with the glorious word of God in his hand, and the other, a Brah­min, who held a vase full of Ganga-water in his right and a twig of T8lsy or black-Rehihan in the other,* these two emblems being held in the highest veneration by men of that persuation, and the most sacred oaths being always taken on them. After a moment of silence, he requested the Mussulmen to swear by the glorious Coran, and the Gentoos to lay their hands on those emblems, and then he addressed the assembly in these words: “I am now going to fight my personal enemies, and as I know you for my old companions, on whose hands I must trust, and from whose valour I must expect success, I request that, if you intend to stand by me and to follow my fortunes, you please every one of you, to take the most solemn oath that you shall not abandon me whether I rush into the water or into the fire, whether my adversary be an Afrasiab or a Roostem.* Swear then, that you shall be friends to my friends, and enemies to my enemies; and that be my fate what it will, you shall stand by me inviolably with your lives and fortunes.” Such an unexpected speech produced its full effect. Those old warriors who had been bred in his camp and were long ago attached to him as having received numberless favours at his hands, soon gave the example of taking a solemn oath, and of contract­ing the most solemn engagement. All of them swore, the Mussul­men, by carrying the glorious word of God to their foreheads and eyes, and the Gentoos, by touching the Brahman’s feet, and the twig of T8lsy, and then drinking of the Ganga-water. They all joined in prayers for his prosperity, and with one voice, they promised to follow him, whithersoever he would lead. All this was done by the old officers who were already fashioned to his mind, and attached to his person; and their example was followed without hesitation by the new ones. Aaly-verdy-qhan being now satisfied as to that important article, disclosed to them the secret of his expedition, and he informed them that, “forced by the injuries offered to himself, to his brother, and to every individual in their families, he was marching against their oppressor, Ser-efraz-qhan, rosolved to put an end to that tyranny.” These words startled some of them; but as they had taken an unconditional oath, and they were now too far engaged, they saw that there remained no other party for them, but that of abiding by their engagement, and of following his fortunes. It being already night, the assembly was dismissed, and the next morning, being the favourable day, he at day-break turned eastwards, and resolutely marched towards Moorshoodabad. He had a numerous well-appointed army of old troops, and a good artillery furnished with every necessary for action. By continual marches, without halting anywhere, he soon arrived at Shah-abad, which town has a forti­fication that shuts up the passage entirely from the hill to the bank of the Ganga. There he concealed his army in a valley of the neighbourhood, and pitching upon Mustapha-qhan the Afghan, an officer of approved zeal, and tried courage and conduct, he gave him a hundred horse, and put in his hands an order and pass of Ser-efraz-qhan’s, originally destined for another com­mander, but which Aaly-verdy-qhan had found means to inter­cept. That officer had orders to advance in presenting his pass to the garrison, which being only of a couple hundred Musqueteers, were not upon their guard, and he was then to turn about and to overpower them, so as to render himself master of the passage. After which success, he was to strike up his Nagara, as a signal for the army to advance. Mustapha-qhan, advancing with his small troop within the valley, was hailed from the walls according to the custom, asked who he was, and what for he came, and ordered to stand still. The officer sent one of his men with the pass and the written order, which being perused by a writer, the latter ordered the gate to be set open, and the troop to be admitted. Mustapha-qhan marched in, and ordered his Nagara or kettle-drum to strike up, to which signal were added some shouts by his people. This signal being soon understood by the vanguard, concealed behind the hill, they marched round, and suddenly made their appearance, advancing in battle array with ensigns displayed, and music playing. The garrison alarmed at such a sight, shut up the gate, and wanted to stand upon their defence, when Mustapha-qhan called out to them that, if they made the least motion, he would fall upon them directly and put them to sword. This threat having intimidated them, they all stood motionless, and suffered Mustapha qhan’s people to set open the gate. After which, the troops of the vanguard passed without difficulty, took possession of all the posts, and this being the day in which the man entrusted with the letter to Djagat-seat, had received orders to present it, the latter on perusing the contents, and comparing the dates, concluded that Aaly-verdy-qhan, his friend, must be by this time on this side of the pass of Taliagary; and that in four or five days more he would be in the territory of Moorshoodabad. With an air seemingly alarmed, he immediately mounted, and with much consternation in his features, he presented to Ser-efraz-qhan the letter which he had just received from Aaly-verdy-qhan, whom he suspected, said he, to be now at Radjemahl; at the same time he produced another letter from Aaly-verdy-qhan to that Prince himself. The purport was this: “Since, after the many affronts received by my brother, Hadji Ahmed, attempts have been made upon the honour and chastity of our family, your servant in order to save that family from further disgrace, has been obliged to come so far, but with no other sentiments than those of fidelity and submission. Your servant hopes, therefore, that Hadji Ahmed shall receive leave to come to me with his family and dependants.” Ser-efraz-Qhan, surprised and confounded at the intelligence, vented his resentment in fruitless reproaches, and then called a general assembly of his Ministers and general officers, where Hadji Ahmed having been likewise sent for, the hall of public audience was set open,—and he gave Hadji Ahmed a severe reprimand, mixed with threats. The latter sensible of his danger, assumed a soothing tone of voice, and in his endeavours to pacify him, he advanced so far, as to promise that the moment he would be in camp, he would engage Aaly-verdy-qhan to return to his Gov­ernment. This proposal was variously received by the assembly; some objecting to Hadji Ahmed’s being dismissed to his brother’s camp, and some thinking that he ought to be trusted, and his promise put to the test. The matter remaining in suspense, Mahmed-ghóuss-qhan, an officer of character and reputation, who had been these many years attached to Shudjah-qhan, and thought he owed the same attachment to Ser-efraz-qhan, his son, opened an opinion that differed from them all. That officer prided in his sentiments of fidelity, as much as upon his personal prowess. “I do not see,” said he, “raising his voice, what benefit can result from confining and imprisoning this old man; nor is it at all probable that Aaly-verdy-qhan, on his brother’s being arrested, shall discontinue his operations, or alter his mind. It becomes then a matter of small moment, whether Hadji Ahmed be dis­missed with full leave to repair to his brother or not. If he proves as good as his word, it is very well; if he does not, I do not see what harm he has done us thereby. If we are ready and willing to encounter Aaly-verdy-qhan in the field, we little care whether he is joined by his brother or not. Hadji Ahmed is but a single individual, and nothing more. By his being in his brother’s camp, I do not see he can either add to, or detract anything from, the enemy’s strength.” Mahmed-ghóuss-qhan’s opinion having been unanimously approved, Hadji Ahmed received his dismission, and he instantly set out for his brother’s camp. Whilst on his march thither he repeatedly wrote, and he insinuated by the means of his friends, that Mahmed-aaly-verdy-qhan (for such was his style) was in his heart as faithful and as zealous a servant, as ever. “Let not my master think of marching with arms in his hands against a servant powerful, but full of sentiments of attachment and respect. Let not your Highness be at the trouble of moving from your palace. For he wants only to enjoy the honour of kissing your Princely thresh­old, that he may have an opportunity of explaining his complaints, of preferring his supplications, and of approving himself a respectful, dutiful servant. This is his only aim. But should your Highness, at the instigation of some interested men, despise the counsel offered by me, your servant, and march out against him, I fear the man in his despair, and in the necessity of securing his life and his honour, will venture upon some steps that will prove his shame both in this world and in the other.”