[Mirát-i-Sikandarí.]

CHAPTER XIII.

REIGN OF MUHAMAD SHAH FÁRÚKÍ.

UPON the death of Sultán Bahádar, the chief ministers and nobles, such as 'Imád-ul-Mulk Malik Jíú, Dariá Khán Husén, Ikhtiár Khán, Khán Jíú, and others, wrote to Muhamad Sháh Fárúkí, King of A'sír and Burhánpúr, and son of the sister of the deceased Sultán, who was at U'jain, in the territories of Málwah, with six thousand horse, informing him of what had occurred, and inviting him to come to Ahmadábád; for the late Sultán had during his lifetime named Muhamad Sháh as his heir-apparent, had seated him on the throne, and had desired all the ministers and amírs to salute and accept him. The Sultan's object in thus placing him upon the throne was to let all the nobles and people know that the kingdom would ultimately fall to Muhamad Sháh, and that was because Sultán Bahádar had nominated him to march against the rulers of the Dakhin, and named several nobles who were to accompany him; but some of these were his equals in rank* and, indeed, thought themselves superior in dignity to him, such as Mallú Khán, ruler of Málwah, Sikandar Khán, ruler of Satwas, and Silhadí Rájpút of Ráísín. These nobles were unwilling to accompany him, and testified their disgust. Sultán Bahádar therefore placed Muhamad Shah on the

*Though an independent prince, Muhamad Shah was also a noble and feudatory of the Court of Ahmadábád.

throne, and himself made him a salám, so that there should be no ground for anyone else to refuse to do so.

a

At the time of Sultán Bahádar's death, Ikhtiár Khán and Afzal Khán wazir, were at Ahmadábád; 'Imád-ul-Mulk Malik Jíú, son of Tawakkul, chief of the royal khásah-khails, very conceited and important person, was at Baródah. When he heard of the event he also went to Ahmadábád. At the time this news came, Mirzá Muhamad Zamán, son of Badí-uzZamán and grandson of Husén Báíkarah, King of Khurásán, of whom mention has before been made, was at the town of U'nah, three kós from the port of Díú. He was very ambitious, and aspired to rule. He went to the apartments of the Sultan's wives, and after offering many condolences, he urged that the deceased had left no son, but that he was his adopted brother, and if they would adopt him as a son and assist him, he would conduct the government of Gujarát as it ought to be conducted, for he was best fitted for such a position both by character and descent. His real object was, if they agreed, to get from them some treasure and jewels, and to expend these in raising an army. The ladies replied that he knew very well that the ladies of Persia did not interfere in politics, and that they pursued a similar course. They had no experience or skill in such matters; they concerned themselves with nothing beyond the allowances given them for food and raiment. The question which he raised would be settled by the ministers, and he should address himself to them.

When the pretensions of Mirzá Muhamad Zamán became generally known, the nobles at Ahmadábád came to the resolution that the task of putting him down must take precedence of all other matters, and should be entrusted to 'Imád-ul-Mulk, and that he ought to undertake the work in person. The wazir, Ikhtiár Khán, was especially urgent. He said, "I am a man of the pen, 'Imád-ul-Mulk is a man of the sword; there is not his equal now in Gujarát." This speech displeased

Afzal Khán, and he said, "Right Khán, you have spoken well. 'Imád-ul-Mulk is both a man of the sword and a man of the pen, and is without equal among all the royal khássahkhails; but he never acts righteously, and there is no rule of decency which he has not violated." 'Imád-ul-Mulk was greatly enraged at these words, but he started with a large army for Sórath to put down Mirzá Muhamad Zamán. When he reached the neighbourhood of U'nah the Mirzá came out and bravely offered battle; but he was defeated and obliged to take refuge in exile.

When the news of Sultán Bahádar's death and of Muhamad Zamán Mirza's pretensions were conveyed to the Emperor Humáiún, he remarked: "If that black stone (meaning 'Imád-ul-Mulk) "still lives, Muhamad Zamán Mirzá will never attain his object." 'Imád-ul-Mulk returned victorious and in triumph to Ahmadábád. Afzal Khán then observed to Ikhtiár Khán (they were both of them men of great wisdom and ability) that even before his victory 'Imádul-Mulk's head was somewhat turned, and that now nothing was likely to content him; and that it would be better for them to act on what they had already said and written to each other, and to resign their offices and retire into private life. Ikhtiár Khán said that he himself had always been well disposed to 'Imád-ul-Mulk, and as he did not apprehend any evil from 'Imád-ul-Mulk, he did not see why the latter should mistrust him. Afzal Khán, who was a person of extraordinary sagacity and foresight, replied: "I, too, am a supporter of his, and that is the very reason why I go into retirement!" Ikhtiár Khán took no heed to Afzal Khán's warning, so the latter said to himself: "Ikhtiár Khán is an old man, and his brain is enfeebled by age; I must take heed to myself." He accordingly went to his house, put away from him all worldly matters, and, retiring into his house, locked all the doors, and kept the key himself, and allowed no one to come to him except one servant; and even this man did not live with him,

[Mirát-i-Sikandarí.]

but every morning brought his daily supply of food. It is said that when Sultán Mahmúd (III.) plundered the house of 'A'lam Khán, he passed by Afzal Khán's house, which was on the roadside. Afzal Khán came out and saluted the Sultán ; but up to that time no one had seen him, nor had he ever set foot out of his house. One darwésh only, who was on terms of great intimacy with him, used occasionally to visit him, and he used himself to unlock the door and admit him, and converse with him; and when he dismissed him he would again lock the door. What befell Ikhtiár Khán will be related presently, as will be also the story of the plunder of 'A ́lam Khán's house.

When the letter from the ministers of Gujarát, announcing Bahadar Shah's death and summoning him to Gujarát, reached Muhamad Shah, he never said a word to anyone in his army, but, from the affection which he bore to Sultán Bahádar, the world lost all attraction in his eyes; and the marks of sorrow and grief and anguish were manifest in his countenance. From being a cheerful man he became downcast, and all the pleasures and delights of the flesh became distasteful to him; he fasted all day, and in the evening merely tasted a few curds, and then passed the whole night in prayer. He never spoke a word to anyone, but now and then there escaped from his lips, as if with a sigh, the words, "I consume, I consume!" At this time he commanded between seventy and eighty thousand horse. Some of his nobles came to congratulate him on his accession to the throne of Gujarát, but he said to them: "If you gave me the sovereignty of the whole habitable world, without the Sultán, who was dear to me as life, it would be distasteful to me." At last, on the seventieth day after the murder of Bahádar Sháh, Muhamad Shah departed this life.

When the news of Muhamad Shah's decease reached the ears of the nobles and ministers of Gujarát, they agreed that there was no other heir to the throne except Mahmúd Khán,

the son of Latíf Khán, the brother of Sultán Bahádar. The said Mahmúd Khán and Mubárak Khán, the brother of Mu hamad Shah, were both in confinement at the town of Biáwal, in Khándésh.

It is said that Bahádar Khán, jealous of his throne, sent all his brothers and relatives to the kingdom of Death; save only this Mahmud Khán, who at that time was an infant at the breast, not one was left alive. One day the Sultán sent for him, with the intention of sending him also to visit his relations in the house of death; but when he looked upon the Khán a feeling of compassion came over him.* He lifted up the child with both hands, and the latter, as little children are wont to do, tossed out his hands and feet, and drew them in again. Accidentally the child's hand came in contact with the Sultán's beard, on which he said: "You have claimed the protection of my beard! Then I grant you your life." And he returned him to his keepers, and desired them to educate him. One day he sent for him, and his keepers took him away from school and brought him, dressed just as he was, to the Sultán. When the Sultan cast his eyes on him, he perceived that his clothes were covered with black spots. On this he rebuked the keepers, saying: "Ye ignorant fools! do you thus treat princes, and bring them into public assemblies with their clothes disfigured by stains! If ever they come to power and rule, they will take revenge on you for this." It so happened that Muhamad Sháh was present at that assembly, and when Sultán Bahádar perceived him, he said: "Since the government of this kingdom will ultimately come to you, I confide Mahmud Khán to you; do you dispose of him as you deem advisable." Muhamad Shah gave both Mubárak Khán, his own brother, and Mahmúd Khán in charge to Malik Shamsud-dín, and desired him to keep them both under surveillance in his house at Biáwal.

When Muhamad Sháh died his son was an infant, and *Lit. a vein of mercy ran through his body."