This battle having rendered Bahadyr-shah master of all the Decan, as well as put an end to all competition with respect to Hindostan; and his authority being now firmly established, he conceived that this was the time to introduce some changes which he had in his mind. One day he represented, in a mild Remarkable delicacy of the Emperor about his own word. tone of voice, both to Assed-khan and to his son, Zulficar-khan, the generalissimo, “that Munaam-khan was an ancient servant of his, and a zealous friend, extremely attached to his person. Whilst I was yet only the Imperial Prince, added he, I promised that I would make him my Vezir, whenever the crown should devolve to me; and now he reminds me of my own promise; but as I intend not to disoblige you on one hand; and on the other, to break my word would look like a proceeding unworthy of the Majesty of an Emperor; I wish you would advise me in such a delicate emergency, and point out some expedient that may give satisfaction to both sides, without wounding my delicacy and sense of honor.”

Assed-khan on observing the Emperor’s inclination, answered: “That a fidelity to their word was always incumbent upon Emperors; but that he hoped likewise that the honor of two faithful servants that had zealously served the imperial family for such a number of years, would be guarded from an affront.” This answer having eased the Emperor’s mind, he directed that Assed-khan should be immediately appointed to the high office of Vekil-M8tlac, or Agent-General and absolute of the Emperor’s; and he ordered that he should be invested with a rich Qhylaat or dress of honor.* Manaam-khan, at the same time, who had often acted as Agent-General to the Imperial Princes, and as Divan or Superintendent of his Revenue-office, was invested with the Qhylaat of Vezir; and the Imperial Casket and Seal were put in his hands. The rank of these two illustri­ous men was also settled by the Emperor himself, who directed that after Assed-khan should take his seat on the carpet of Agent-General, and under the canopy of the Vezir-ship, Munaam-khan should walk up to him in a respectful manner, and should pre­sent to him the papers that might require his signature.

This regulation having satisfied both these illustrious per­sonages, they joined their efforts in dispatching the affairs of state, and in promoting the welfare of the Empire, which con­duct after all was their immediate duty, and ought to be the intent and scope of employment and service.

Zulficar-khan, the Generalissimo, was decorated with the title and office of Emir-ul-omrah,* and appointed to the govern­ment general of the Decan, comprehending all the provinces conquered already, or to be conquered hereafter—a charge of importance which he richly deserved: for no other man at that time would have been able to bring under control, countries so newly conquered and so refractory. The new Viceroy after hav­ing settled to his mind, the military and finances of his govern­ment, returned to Court, after having left for his Lieutenant, a famous Afghan Nobleman of those parts, called Dä8d-khan-peni,* a man extremely powerful in those countries, where his riches, his bodily strength, and his personal prowess, had ren­dered him so famous and of so much importance, that there were no noblemen in Decan, that could be compared to him. He not only was made the hinge of all public affairs, with power to bind or loosen as he should think proper, but he had also the finance department put in the palm of his hand, with full liberty to undertake any military expedition which he should think advisable.

Zulficar-khan, after having eased his mind of so great a bur­then, went to Court, where he applied himself sedulously in spread­ing order and arrangement through every part of the Empire; and as the provinces of Bengala, Orissa, Aazimabad, and Ilah-abad, had hitherto been governed by Azim-ush-shan, the Emperor’s second son, it was thought proper to continue those countries under the same administration. This put it in the Prince’s power, to reward nobly two illustrious lords, that had rendered him many important services, and had distinguished themselves so valiantly in the great battle of Ecber-abad. These were Abdollah-khan, and Sëid-aaly-khan, both sons of the famous Sëid-abdollah-khan, so much revered in Adjmir under the name of Mïa-khan. On the elder, Abdollah-khan, he conferred the Government of Ilah-abad; and he gave that of Aazimabad to the younger, Sëid-aaly-khan. Djaafer-khan was entrusted with the provinces of Bengala and Orissa, in which he acted already as Divan. After all these arrangements, the prince took his residence in his father’s court, where he bore a great sway in every thing. For the Emperor, who was exceedingly good natured, and mild even to a defect, having remembered a vow which he had once made to the Creator of Spirits and men, that if ever he should ascend the throne, he would never deny any man’s request, now wanted to act up to that oath of his; and therefore, dignities, titles, and employments were lavished away with so undistinguishing a pro­fusion, that they lost much of their value, and ceased to be marks of honor and distinction, although no less a man than Munaam-khan had been appointed to examine the several requests, and to adjust the respective claims. Nevertheless, as men of low rank, whether Hindoos or Musulmen, obtained every day grades of six or seven thousand horse; and the titles of Djung, and Mulk,* as well as those of Rai and Ràdja, were given to all comers; dignities came at last to lose their weight and titles to forfeit all credit.

Meanwhile, the army which pushed forward towards Hindo­stan, had been overtaken by the rainy season; and it was at such a time as this, that the Minister thought proper to bestow the Feebleness of Bahadyr-shah’s admin­istration. Government of G8djrat on Ghazi-eddin-khan, who enjoyed already that of Barar, to which he had been appointed by Aoreng-zib; but such was the feebleness of the Ministry, and such the contempt into which their administration had fallen, that the new Governor set out without leave, and even without waiting on the Emperor. This insolence of his having been passed over, encouraged the two dispossessed Gentoo Princes, who lived at Court, to take the same liberties. These were Radja Djehi-sing-ketchöa, and Adjet-sing-rhator:* they both quitted the Court without leave, and having crossed the Nerbedda, they returned to their own country, where having ejected with a great deal of fighting and slaughter, the Imperial Officers estab­lished themselves in their fortresses; they retook possession of them, and reinstated themselves in their own dominions.

So much presumption had at last roused the Emperor. He crossed the Nerbedda with intention to chastise the Gentoo Princes, who had so far availed themselves of their distance from court, and the inattention of the times, that they had given battle to the three Sëid brothers, Ahmed-khan, Hosseïn-khan and Qhäiret-khan, who had been all three slain, and all three had on the same day received the palm of martyrdom. This particular had added to the Emperor’s indignation, as well as to the appre­hensions of those Radj-poots;* when an intelligence arrived at court, which made it expedient to temporise with them, and to accept of the submission of those two Princes who paid their homage as the Emperor was passing on his elephant. He was then indisposed; but the intelligence engaged him to postpone every consideration, in order to smother the fire which G8r8-go­vind, at the head of his Sycks, had raised in the mountains.* That incendiary had got himself followed by the Radja and inhabitants of that snowy-country; and he had slain in battle, Vezir-khan, the Fodjar of Ser-hend. The Emperor, shocked at their ravages, ordered Assed-khan and Zulficar-khan to ascend those mountains, and to blockade, on all sides, the stronghold in which the G8r8 had shut himself up; but in the night, the Radja, who was acquainted with a particular path, found means to elude the enemy’s vigilance and to escape with all his follow­ers, of whom only a few were intercepted: a neglect that very much affected Assed-khan’s character. The Emperor finding that no glory was to be acquired in that country, left Rostem-dil-khan in it, with a body of troops, and turned towards Lahor; and it was in that city that Assed-khan departed this fragile world. His office of Lieutenant-General to the Emperor was given to Hedäiet-aaly-khan, son to Enäiet-eddin-khan; and he was installed in it with a rich dress of honor. Ghazi-ed-din-khan, likewise, departed his life in his government of G8djrat. The Emperor was then encamped on the banks of the Ravi, the river that flows at Lahor; and it was there that Rostem-dil-khan had the assurance to shew his face at court, after having had the meanness to quit his post, and that too without leave. His impudence met with what it deserved. He was deprived of his grade, command, Djaghir, and confined in the citadel of Lahor; and Mahmed-amin-khan was sent in his stead.