On the morning of Friday, 28th of Zí-l ka'da (1118 A.H. 21st February, 1707 A.D.), His Majesty performed the con­secrated prayers, and, at their conclusion, returned to the sleeping apartments, where he remained absorbed in contem­plation of the Deity. Faintness came on, and the soul of the aged monarch hovered on the verge of eternity. Still, in this dread hour, the force of habit prevailed, and the fingers of the dying King continued mechanically to tell the beads of the rosary they held. A quarter of the day later the King breathed his last, and thus was fulfilled his wish to die on a Friday. Great was the grief among all classes of people for the King's death. The shafts of adversity had demolished the edifice of their hopes, and the night of sorrow darkened the joyful noon­day. Holy men prepared to perform the funeral rites, and kept the corpse in the sleeping apartment pending the arrival of Prince Muhammad A'zam, who was away a distance of five-and-twenty kos from the camp. The Prince arrived the following day, and it is impossible to describe the grief that was depicted on his countenance; never had anything like it been beheld. On Monday he assisted in carrying the corpse through the hall of justice, whence the procession went on without him. May none ever experience the anguish he felt! People sympathized with the Prince's sorrow, and shed torrents of tears. Such and so deeply-felt were the lamentations for a monarch whose genius only equalled his piety, whose equal the world did not contain, but whose luminous countenance was now hidden from his loving people!

According to the will of the deceased King, his mortal remains were deposited in the tomb constructed during his lifetime near the shrine of the holy Shaikh Zainu-d dín (on whom God have mercy!). “Earth was consigned to earth, but the pure soul sur­vived.” This place of sepulture, known by the name of Khuldábád, is distant eight kos from Khujista-bunyád (Aurangábád), and three kos from Daulatábád. A red stone three yards in length, two in width, and only a few inches in depth, is placed above the tomb. In this stone was hollowed out, in the shape of an amulet, a cavity for the reception of earth and seeds; and odori­ferous herbs there diffuse their fragrance around.

Account of the late King's Family.

[Text, p. 533.] God had given unto 'Álamgír five sons and five daughters, born of different mothers, and all learned in spiritual and worldly matters. Mention has already been made of them; it now remains to give a short notice of each.

The first son was Muhammad Sultán, born of the Nawáb Báí, on the 4th of Ramazán, in the year 1049 A.H. (14th November, 1639 A.D.). His manners were agreeable, he knew the Kurán by heart, and was well acquainted with the Arabic, Turkish and Persian languages. His valour was great. This Prince died in the 21st year of the reign.

The second son, Muhammad Mu'azzam Shah 'Álam Bahádur, was born of the same Nawáb Báí, in the end of Rajab, 1053 A.H. (September, 1643 A.D.). While still a boy he acquired a perfect knowledge of the Kurán, and of the science of reading. When so engaged, his voice is pleasing and melodious. So great is his knowledge of law and of the traditionary sayings of the Prophet, that he is held by all the learned men of the day to be un­equalled in this accomplishment. He is deeply read in Arabic, and the fluency and elegance of his diction are the wonder of the very Kurán-readers of Arabia. He knows many sorts of writing, is careful of his time, and a protector of the poor.

Prince Muhammad A'zam, the third son, was born of Dilras Bánú Begam, daughter of Sháh Nawáz Khán Safawí, on the 12th of Sha'bán, in the year 1063 (28th June, 1653). He was distin­guished for his wisdom and excellence. He excelled in many ways, and his innate virtues and sagacity rendered him the in­dispensable companion of the late King. His death occurred on the 18th of Rabí'u-l awwal, only three months and twenty days after that of his royal parent. It was marked by deeds of valour.

The next son, Prince Akbar, was born of Begam,* on the 12th of Zí-l hijja, in the year 1067 (12th September, 1656 A.D.). He fled from his father, and passed his life in Persia. He died in the 48th year of the reign, but there are two reasons for supposing that his end was a happy one. In the first place, the King remarked that Prince Akbar had always performed his Friday prayers most devoutly; and secondly, his mortal remains lie in the area of the tomb of Imám Rizá (on whom be blessings and praise!).

Muhammad Kám Bakhsh, the fifth and last son, was born on the 10th of Ramazán, in the year 1077 (25th February, 1667). His mother was Báí Údípúrí. His father instructed him in the word of God, and his knowledge of all known works surpassed that of his brothers. The Turkish language and several modes of writing were familiar to him. He was brave and generous. The death of this Prince took place two years after that of his father.

Account of the Daughters.

Zebu-n Nisá Begam was the eldest of the daughters. She was born of Begam* on the 10th of Shawwál, in the year 1048 (5th February, 1639). Owing to the King's teaching, she became thoroughly proficient in knowledge of the Kurán, and received as a reward the sum of 30,000 ashrafís. Her learning extended to Arabic, Persian, to the various modes of writing, and to prose and poetry. Many learned men, poets and writers were em­ployed by her, and numerous compilations and original works are dedicated to her. One of these, a translation of the Tafsír-i Kabír, called Zebu-t Tafásír, was the work of Mullá Safí'u-d dín Ardbelí, attached to the service of this Princess. Her death occurred in the year 1113 (1701 A.D.).

The second daughter was Zínatu-n Nisá Begam. She was born on the 1st Sha'bán, in the year 1053 (9th October, 1643 A.D.). This Princess is remarkable for her great piety and extreme liberality.

Badru-n Nisá Begam, the third in order, was born of the Nawáb Báí on the 29th Shawwál, in the year 1057 (17th November, 1647 A.D.). She knew the Kurán by heart, was pious and virtuous. Her demise took place on the 27th Zí-l ka'da in the 13th year of the reign.

The fourth daughter, Zubdatu-n Nisá Begam, was born on the 26th Ramazán, in the year 1061 (1st September, 1651 A.D.). Her mother was Begam. This Princess was ever engaged in worship, prayer, and pious works. She was wedded to Sipihr Shukoh, son of Dárá Shukoh. She went to Paradise in the same month as her father, to whom her death was not made known.

Mihru-n Nisá Begam, the fifth daughter, was born of Aurangábádí Mahal on the 3rd of Safar, in the year 1072 (13th September, 1661). She became the spouse of Ízad Bakhsh, son of Murád Bakhsh, and lived until the year 1116.