264 Journal of the Asiatic Society of Bengal. [N.S., XIX 
front of Khan-i-Jahan’s quarters, got down from his horse, 
and entered the Minister’s tents. The private attendants of 
Khan-i-Jahan informed the latter as to the arrival of ‘Avnu- 
Mulk. Before he could come out and receive ‘Aynu’l-Mulk, 
the latter was apprised by one of his attendants that these were 
the quarters of Khan-i-Jahan. ‘Aynu’l-Mulk, became very 
warm with rage to his men, told them why he was not inform- 
ed of it on his arrival, and left the Minister’s place. without 
seeing him, and went to His Majestv’s Camp. Having heard 
that ‘Aynu’l-Mulk had left, and gone to the threshold of the 
Sultan, the minister too rede and went to His Majesty. He 
narrated to His Majesty how A‘ynul-Mulk came and leit 
unceremoniously without waiting to see him. ‘Aynu’l-Mulk 
was sent for, and His Majesty smilingly inquired: *‘ Khwaja 
‘Aypud-Din, what was the reason of his going to the camp 
of Khan-i-Jahan, and then returning without seeing bim ? 
ought to haveseen him.”’ Here ‘Aynu’l-Mulk gave what was 
but a diplomatic answer. ‘lt had not gone (really) to Khan-i- 
Jahan’s, but intended to call at the threshold of the Imperial 
Camp. As there was hardly any difference between the Im- 
perial pavilion and that of the Wazir—the red pavilion, parlour, 
court. retiring apartment, of the Padshah, and of the Wazir 
were indistinguishable, as also the elephants that were in front of . 
the gate of His Majesty as well as of the Wazir,—I could not see 
any difference in anything ; so I mistook that special pavilion 
to be that of His Majesty ; and thus it was how J alighted before 
Khan-i-Jahan’s threshold.” Aynu’l-Mulk gave a very inge- 
nuous version of the occurrence. Khan-i-Jahan said to His 
Majesty: ‘‘ Il can no longer stay in this country; I intend 
going to the K‘aba (Mecca). So long our dispute was con fined 
to revenue matters ; now ‘Aynu’l-Mulk has disgraced me before 
your Majesty. It is now hard to get off with safety from this 
tempest. 1 should now arrange for my journey to the Ka a.” 
His Majesty on hearing this retired to his private quarters, 
and became very dejected in mind. 
Hereafter there continued acrimonious disputes between 
both the parties. The contention reached such a pitch that 
Khan-i-Jahin more than once, uttered bitter personal remarks 
against “Aynu’l-Mulk in the latter’s hearing, and ‘Aynu’l-Mulk, 
too, retorted by uttering unpleasant expressions in the presence 
of the Khan-i-Jahan. There were no restraint or delicacy 
between them. One day both were in the Diwan and were busy 
disputing. The Wazir at once addressing his opponent said : 
“Thou ill-behaved unclean-eater.” His opponent too gave a 
severe reply. The Wazir went to His Majesty. Firiiz-Shah see- 
ing the Minister in an agitated state inquired : “Allright Khan-l- 
‘Jahan, this is not the usual time of an audience.” Khan-1- 
Jahan, at once, said that this ‘Avynu’l-Mulk haram khwar (un- 
