phrases have been omitted: there is not a word of payment to the Mahrattas. The contention that the Vazir of Oudh was only surety for the payment to the Mahrattas is not very pertinent. For the Mahrattas did not quit Rohilcand till the Vazir expelled them, and the money was not paid. But, as we have seen, the gloss is unsupported. Besides Hamilton, Tarikh-i-Mozafari and Francklin's "Shah Alum" have been the chief authorities for this chapter.

CHAPTER IV.

A.D. 1776-85.

Vigour of Mirza Najaf-Zábita rebels-Emperor takes the Field, and the Rebellion is suppressed-Sumroo's Jaigir-Abdul Ahid takes the Field-Unsuccessful Campaign against the Sikhs-Dehli threatened, but relieved by Najaf-Mirza's arrangements-Popham takes Gwalior-Begum SumrooDeath of Mirza Najaf-Consequent Transactions-Afrasyáb Khan becomes Premier-Mirza Shaffi returns to Dehli-Is it Peace?-Murder of Shaffi-Action of Mr. HastingsFlight of Shahzáda Mádhoji Sindhia goes to Agra— Afrasyáb's Death-Tribute claimed from British-Death of Zábita Khán—Sindhia supreme—Chálisa famine—State of Country-General distress.

1776.-THE splendid exertions of Mirza Najaf, though not yet at an end, might have been expected to give the Empire a breathing-time wherein to recover its strength. If we except the British in Bengal, it was now the most formidable military power on this side of India. No more than three fortified places remained to the Játs of all their once vast possessions. The Mahrattas had been occupied in the Deccan by the events that followed upon the death of their Peshwa, Mádho Rao; and the whole of their forces were temporarily withdrawn during the course of the year, by order of his successor. Najaf held viceregal state at Agra, surrounded not only by his faithful Moghuls and Persians,

but by two brigades of foot and artillery, under the command, respectively, of Sumroo and of Médoc. The Mirza's chief Asiatic subordinates were Najaf Kuli Khán his adopted son, the converted Hindu,* otherwise Saif-ud-daulah; and Mohammad Beg of Hamadán : two officers of whom frequent mention will be found in the progress of this narrative. Mirza Shaffi, the minister's nephew, also held a high command. Sháh Álam lived the life of ease which had become a second nature to him, at Debli, surrounded by able servants of the Mirza's selection. One of these, indeed, soon obtained an apparent ascendency over the indolent monarch, which was destined to afford another instance of the wisdom of that maxim invented of old in the East, "Put not your trust in Princes." The only enemy who could disturb the repose of what may be termed the Home Districts was Zábita Khán, who still exhibited all the faithlessness so common with his race, and a turbulent disposition peculiar to himself. Finding all present hope of aid from the Játs and Mahrattas at an end (and instigated, it was suspected, by his late unsuccessful opponent, the Financial Minister, Abdul Ahid Khán), Zábita, as stated at the close of the preceding chapter, turned to the Sikhs: a people who, in the decay of the Empire, had established themselves in the Sirhind territory, notably in Pattiála, and in Jhind. These pushing warriors-of whose prowess, both against and for the British, modern history tells so much-gladly accepted the invitation of the Pathan insurgent, and, crossing the Jamna in considerable numbers, joined his force at Ghausgarh, the * Vide last Chapter, p. 114.

+ V. sup. p. 106 for a notice of this man, Manzur Ali, the Nazir, or Comptroller.

fort between Saharanpur and Muzafarnagar, of which mention has been already made. It is even stated by Francklin (though, as usual, without specification of authority) that the Pathán on this occasion embraced the religion of the Sikhs, a sort of eclectic Monotheism tinctured with Hindu doctrine.

1777. This conduct was justly regarded by the Mirza as a gross instance, not merely of disloyalty, but-what in his eyes was even worse-of impiety. In the opinion of a stern soldier of Islam, such as the Persian Prince had always shown himself to be, the act of joining with unbelievers was unpardonable. He therefore despatched a strong force against the combined rebels, under the command of an officer named Abdul Kásim Khán. Nothing daunted, the Confederates drew out their troops in front of the fort of Ghausgarh, and at once engaged the Imperial troops, whom they at the same time outflanked with a large body of horse, who got into the rear of the Imperialists without being perceived. Placed between two attacks, and deprived of their leader by a stray shot, the latter soon gave way, and Zábita, having pursued them for some distance, returned to his stronghold triumphant. On this Mirza Najaf Khán resolved to take the field with all his power, and ere long presented himself before Ghausgarh, accompanied by the Emperor in person. The Mirza was aided in this campaign by the force of 5,000 men, with artillery, contributed by the new Viceroy of Audh, as part of the peshkash, or fine for the investiture, and for the succession to the office of Vazir of the Empire, which had been held by his father, and which he desired to retain against the counter-claims of the Nizám and of other competitors. (Vide last chapter, p. 115.) The Pathán had, however, evacuated the fort on

receiving notice of their approach, and retreated with his allies to their country beyond the Jamna, closely followed by the Imperial forces. An attempt at negotiation having been contemptuously rejected by the Captain-General, Mirza Najaf Khán, the two armies engaged on the famous field of Pánipat, and the action which ensued is described (with manifest exaggeration) as having been only less terrible than the last that was fought on the same historic ground, between the Mahrattas and the Musalmans, in 1761. Beyond this the native historians give no particulars of the battle, which raged till night, and with not unequal fortunes, if we may judge from the result-for on the following morning Zábita Khán's renewed applications to treat were favourably received; on which occasion his estates were restored, and a double matrimonial alliance concluded. The Mirza himself condescended to take the Pathán's sister as his wife, while his godson (so to speak), Najaf Kuli, was promised the hand of Zábita's daughter. The pardon of this restless rebel was attributed to the intercession of Latáfat, the General of the Audh Vazir, who is said to have had a large bribe on the occasion. (Francklin, chap. v.)

Peace being thus restored to Hindustan, the Minister revisited Agra, where he proceeded to provide for the administration of the country.

The English sought his alliance; but the negotiation failed because he would not surrender Sumroo. Asaf-ud-daulah, Viceroy of Audh, was recognized as titular Vazir; a trustworthy chief, Maulah Ahmad Dád, was appointed to the charge of Sirhind; Najaf Kuli Khán held the vast tract extending from that frontier to the borders of Rajputána; and Sumroo was placed in charge of the country adjoining Zábita Khán's lands,