Origin of the power of Bheilole — permits Humeed Khan, the late King's minister, to resume his functions — at length he adopts a mode of seizing his person, without causing blood­shed, and compels him to withdraw from public life. — The chiefs of the petty principalities around Dehly refuse to ac­knowledge Bheilole Lody. — Bheilole establishes his supremacy over all but the state of Joonpoor, with which he contends during the reign of three kings, and eventually conquers it. — Bheilole proceeds to Gualiar — falls sick — returns towards Dehly — anticipates his death — divides his kingdom into chiefships — his son, Nizam Khan, is nominated his successor: — The kingdom of Joonpoor is conferred on his son Barbik: — Kurra Manukpoor is granted to Alum: — Bhyraich to his nephew Kala P'har: — Luknow and Kalpy are bestowed on a relative, Azim Hoomayoon: — Dehly, and the rest of the terri­tory, belong to his Son and successor, Nizam. — Bheilole dies on his journey to Dehly, after a reign of 38 years. — His cha­racter. — Description of his government.

IT is related that in early times the tribe of Afghans, forming themselves into a commercial community, carried on trade between Persia and Hindoostan.

In the time of Feroze Toghluk, Mullik Beiram Lody, the grandfather of Bheilole, being possessed of wealth, separated from his elder brother; and entering the service of Mullik Murdan Dowlut, raised himself to the government of Mooltan. Mullik Beiram * had five sons, viz. Mullik Sooltan,

Mullik Kaly, Mullik Feroze, Mullik Mahomed, and Mullik Khwaja, all of whom, on the death of their father, remained in Mooltan.

When Khizr Khan was appointed to the govern­ment of Mooltan, Mullik Sooltan received the command of his Afghan troops. In the action which Khizr Khan fought with Mulloo Yekbal Khan, Mullik Sooltan had the good fortune to slay Yekbal Khan with his own hand; on which account he became a favourite with Khizr Khan, and was appointed governor of Surhind, with the title of Islam Khan, while his brothers par­ticipated also in his good fortune. One of these, Mullik Kaly, the father of Bheilole, whose proper name is Bulloo, had a district bestowed on him by his brother. The wife of Kaly Khan, his own cousin, was smothered by the fall of her house when pregnant. Her husband caused her to be instantly opened, and saved the life of the infant, who was called Bulloo. Mullik Kaly having sub­sequently been killed in an action with the Neeazy Afghans, Mullik Bheilole joined his uncle Islam Khan, at Surhind; and, being much distinguished in battle, he received the hand of Islam Khan's daughter in marriage. Islam Khan was a chief of such consequence, that he retained 12,000 Afghans, mostly of his own tribe, in his service. At his death, though he had full-grown children of his own, Islam Khan made Bheilole his heir, and he succeeded to the command of the troops. On this occasion the Afghans divided into three parties; one of which adhered to Mullik Bheilole; one to Mullik Feroze, the brother of Islam Khan, an offi­cer in the service of the King of Dehly, and the other to Mullik Kootub Khan, the son of Islam Khan: Bheilole, having most talent, found means to weaken his rivals, and gradually to strengthen his own party.

Mullik Kootub Khan, stung with envy, repaired to Dehly, and acquainted the King, Syud Ma-homed, that the Afghans at Surhind were establish­ing a power, which, unless soon checked, would subvert his throne. The Vizier, Mullik Sikundur Tohfa, was accordingly directed to repair, with an army, to that quarter, and to require the Afghan chiefs to appear at court, in failure of which he was authorised to expel them from Surhind. Jusrut Gukkur also was instigated to take arms against them; so that in the end they were driven to the hills. Subsequent to this, Mullik Feroze Lody, leaving his son Shaheen Khan, and his nephew Mullik Bheilole, with his army, proceeded with some attendants to the camp of Mullik Sikundur Tohfa and Jusrut Gukkur, under the most solemn assurances of good faith; but at the instigation of his nephew Kootub Khan, Mullik Feroze was seized, and his attendants cut off. After this event a part of the army was detached to reduce Mullik Bheilole; but he having retreated into the hills with the women and children, ensured his own safety, though Shaheen Khan was over­taken and slain, and a great part of his tribe destroyed.

After the death of Shaheen Khan, his head was cut off and carried to Jusrut Gukkur, and placed before his father, Mullik Feroze, to recognise. The latter at first denied his son; but after hearing from those who attended of the gallant manner in which he had behaved, he burst into tears, and said, “Yes, it is my son; but I would not recognise his “countenance till convinced he had done honour “to his tribe.” He observed, at the same time, “My nephew Bheilole could not have been in the “battle, or he would have been slain also. But “he lives; and if so, he will revenge the death of “my boy.”*

When Jusrut Gukkur retired to Punjab, Mullik Bheilole collected the remainder of his tribe, and began to levy contributions: being extremely liberal in dividing the spoil among his troops, he became very popular, and his followers in­creased. Some time after, Mullik Feroze made his escape, and joined Mullik Bheilole; while Kootub Khan, repenting of his former conduct, became reconciled to his relations, and joining the Afghans, Mullik Bheilole headed the party which subsequently invaded Surhind, and occupied that province. On receiving intelligence of this event, the King detached Hissam Khan, his vizier, against the Afghans; but Mullik Bheilole gave him bat­tle, and defeated him. They relate, that when Mullik Bheilole was a youth, he was permitted to pay his respects to a celebrated Dervish of Sa-mana, whose name was Sheida. While sitting in a respectful posture before the Dervish, the latter called out aloud, in an enthusiastic manner, “Who will give 2000 rupees for the kingdom “of Dehly?” Bheilole told him he had only 1600 rupees in the world; which he ordered his servant to bring immediately, and present to the Dervish. Having accepted the money, the Der­vish laid his hands on Bheilole's head, and said, “Shah-Bash Béta,” * literally, “Be thou king, “my son.” The companions of Bheilole ridiculed him much for this action; but he replied, “That “if the thing came to pass, he had made a cheap “purchase; if not, the blessing of a holy man “could do no harm.” After Mullik Bheilole had defeated the Vizier, he wrote to the King, as has been before related, ascribing the whole blame of his rebellion to the minister's conduct towards the Afghans; on which the King, as has been shown, basely cut off the Vizier, and permitted Mullik Bheilole according to his promise, to visit him. This meeting enabled Bheilole to carry on his in­trigues at court, where he managed his affairs so well, that he was confirmed in the government of Surhind, together with some other districts in its vicinity.

When Sooltan Mahmood Khiljy of Malwa brought an army against Dehly, Mullik Bheilole being called on to join the King, he appeared at the head of 20,000 Afghan cavalry, with which he pursued Sooltan Mahmood Khiljy on his retreat, and plundered his army on the day after he quitted Dehly, for which service he obtained the title of Khan Khanan. On that occasion, Bheilole returned to Surhind, and instantly began to lay hands on the King's districts, contiguous to his own estates, such as Lahore, Depalpoor, and Soonam; not con­tent with which, he marched his army boldly against the King himself. On reaching Dehly, he laid siege to it, but being foiled in his attempt, he was induced to retire to Surhind. Meanwhile, the King dying suddenly, his son, Alla-ood-Deen, ascended the throne. After some years, as has been related, Humeed Khan, the Vizier, seeing the declining state of public affairs, invited Bhei-lole Lody from Surhind, who ascended the throne, and assumed the title of king.

At the time of his accession, Bheilole had nine sons, whose names were Bayezeed, Nizam (who afterwards ascended the throne under the title of Sikundur), Barbik, Alum (who also became king under the appellation of Alla-ood-Deen), Jumal, Yakoob, * Futteh, Moosa, and Julal. Among the chiefs of distinction in the state no fewer than thirty-six persons were either blood-relations, or intimately connected with the new King.

Humeed Khan, the Vizier, who conferred the government upon him, still possessed great influ­ence. Bheilole treated him for some time with much respect; but being one day in Humeed Khan's house, at an entertainment, he ordered the Afghans, whom he carried with him, to assume the manners of ill-bred persons, and act the part of clowns, in order that the Vizier might be less on his guard against them. When they came into company, some of them tied their shoes to their girdles, and others put them up in the recesses of the apartment; and on Humeed Khan's asking them the reason, they replied, that they were afraid of having them stolen. When they had taken their seats, one of them began to praise the flowers of the carpet, and the brightness of their colours, saying he would like extremely to have such a carpet, to send home, and make caps for his boys. Humeed Khan laughed, and told him, he would give him velvet or brocade for the purpose. When the plates and boxes of perfumes were laid before them, some began to besmear their whole body with the finest otto of roses; others to lick it up; and others devoured whole garlands of flowers; while the pan leaf was eagerly scrambled for, and greedily eaten up. Some having swal­lowed large pieces of lime with their pan, burned their mouths, made wry faces, and vociferated aloud. This conduct astonished the servants and the guests, who ascribed it to their ignorance as foreigners, that had never lived at court; while the King and the Vizier were convulsed with laughter.*