between ike Courts ofDehli and Constanfhiople. 479 



the fresh victories gained in this happy year, and to communicate intelligence of the im- 

 mense booty which has come in so short a time into the hands of tliis foster-child of 

 heaven (the Shah of India). As it is most certain that the intelligence of joyful events 

 which happen to friends delights sincere well-wishers, all brethren of the Hani/at (ortho- 

 dox) sect, must rejoice to hear these splendid achievements, and all Sinls must be 

 comforted by this glad intelligence. The summary of these brilliant successes is as 

 follows : In a march undertaken from Akberabad, which is the residence and seat of 

 the Khalifat, towards the Deccan, within less than the space of a year, thirty-six strono- 

 places have been conquered, each of which is among the most renowned fortresses of the 

 world, and which it would have been impossible to conquer without the special favour 

 of God ; because most of them are situated on steep mountains, to the height of which 

 the loftiest soaring birds or most high-flying fancy cannot attain. Two crores of rupees, 

 and a province, the income of which amounts to a crore and a half, have come into the 

 possession of this predominant empire. By God's special grace and favour, the return 

 from this victorious campaign took place in the year 1046. Peace and quiet now beinf 

 established in the Deccan, and nothing remaining to be achieved in the other Indian 

 provinces, the intention exists of driving back the redheads, those base sectarians.* The 

 first object is the conquest of Candahar, which is on the frontiers of this empire ; after 

 which that of Khorassan will follow, if God pleases ! The repulse of these innovators 

 and heretics being incumbent on all Moslem monarchs, who are graced with the execu- 

 tion of divine laws, and benefited with the direction of the faithful, it is a most im- 

 portant pomt to deliver out of their hands Arabian Irak, and particularly Bagdad, 

 where are interred his holiness the great Imam and the Saiyad Abdulkadir Jilani ; be- 

 sides a number of other great men, — to whom may God be merciful! — saints, to whom 

 these heretics bear eternal hatred and enmity. Although you, great monarch,t under- 

 took last year this most important enterprize, though you conquered Erivan, and carried 

 your victorious arms to Tabriz, you cUd not remain on the frontiers ; but owuig to some 

 accidents which happened at Constantinople, returned quickly to your residence, and 

 this affair was not completed. The greatness and glory of this pillar of Sultans, and 

 the wishes of the friends of this powerful dynasty (the Ottoman), has thus not been 

 accomplished, Erivan not having been placed in its possession. They (the Sultan), by 

 rousing their mind and assembling their forces, may advance once more with speed; and, 

 by proper means, remain on the frontiers of Haleb and Adina for two or three years ; 

 and despatch thence every year powerful armies against the redheads ; one towards 

 Irak and Bagdad, and the other to Erivan and Aderbijan. It is to be hoped that, by 

 tlie will of God, and with the assistance of these great saints — may God sanctify their 

 tombs ! — they shall vanquish these wayward people, conquer their provinces, and puri- 

 fying the blessed and holy tombs of the dirt of the presence of these cursed, impudent, 

 and disbelieving innovators, acquire a glorious name and great reward in both worlds. 

 If God please, the revenging armies of this petitioner at the throne of eternity, shall 



• Kuzzulbashes, the Persians, who are generally S/iias. f iMurad IV. 



3 Q 2 



