§ 63. Every regulation to be rigidly observed.

Ruhullah Khan II., whose original name was Mir Hasan, had, on account of the Emperor's great intimacy and trust, been raised to the posts of paymaster of tankha (salaries) and Chamberlain (khan-i-saman). In spite of his having become a Commander of Three Thousand, he took his own turn of being present as a khawas, but stood at the foot of the Court hall. Through the prime-minister Asad Khan he made the following petition, “My rank is that of a Commander of Three Thousand, and Faizullah Khan sarbari, the deputy superintendent, is a Commander of Seven Hundred only. If I am appointed sarbari and deputy superintendent, it would be conformable to the favour and grace that result from your Majesty's custom of cherishing your servants.”

The Emperor ordered, “There is no objection to your being made sarbari, provided that you lose both your present posts and get instead the rank of a Com­mander of Seven Hundred!” Then Asad Khan asked, “But where should he stand?” The Emperor replied, “There is no place higher than his except over my own head.” Then His Majesty continued, “If a single rule is disregarded, all the regulations will be destroyed. Though I have not allowed the violation of any rule [of the Court], men have grown so bold that they request me to set rules aside! When this practice becomes widespread, a great difficulty will arise.”

Text.—Ir. MS. 5b—6a, MS. N. 32b, 11a.

Notes.—Mir Hasan, the 2nd son of Ruhullah Khan I. bakhshi, was created Khanahzad Khan, and in 1697 got the post of khan-i-saman and his father's title. Appointed darogha of the imperial retinue, 1699. Created 2nd bakhshi, Jan. 1701. Died in the fulness of youth, 9th May, 1704. (Life in Masir-ul-umara, ii. 315—317).