172 W. Irvine — Later Mughals (1707-1803). [No 2, 
Bengal had been made over to ‘Izzu-d-daulah, Khan ‘Alam (son of 
Khan Jahan, Kokaltash, ‘Alamgiri). Farrukhsiyar was on the march 
and not far from ‘Azimabad Patnah, when on the 7th Safar 1124 H. 
(15th March 1712) he heard of Bahadur Shah’s death, and on the 13th 
(21st March), without waiting for further information, he proclaimed 
his father’s accession and caused coin to be stamped and the public 
prayer or Khutbah to be read in his name. He decided to march no 
further. Some say that astrologers, on whom he placed great reliance, 
had prophesied his accession to the throne at Patnah and advised him 
not to leave it until that happy event had occurred. On the 29th Safar 
(6th April 1712) he heard of his father’s defeat and death. For a little 
time the prince contemplated suicide, but his friends dissuaded him, some 
counselling a retreat upon Bengal, others an advance into the Dakhin. 
One rumour which reached Dihli was that Farrukhsiyar intended to 
leave Bengal and take refuge in flight by way of the sea. In the end 
his mother intervened and incited him to try the issue of a contest 
in the field. !_ Thereupon, with such state as he could command, he 
performed the ceremonies of enthronement in the bagh or garden known 
as Afzal Khan’s, and proclaimed his succession to the empire, issuing 
coin and causing the Khutbah to be read in his own name. 2 
No rasher enterprize was ever entered upon. Farrukhsiyar had 
been no favourite with his father and grandfather, and had been 
without authority or wealth during their life-time. It was only with 
reluctance that he had decided to obey his father’s order to come to 
court. Hearrived at Patnah with no more than four hundred followers, 
1 Tf he launched his boat on stormy waters it would, if God were gracious, reach 
the bank in safety. -After all, what was life but a matter of a few days? Why 
not run the risk P 
2 Ijad, 14a; 39b, 40a, Stewart, History of Bengal, 382; Gladwin, Transactions, 
94; Khafi Khan, II, 707, 768; Kamwar Khan, entry of 27th Rabi‘I, 1123 H.; 
Warid, 136 b; Yahya Khan, 119a. I have heard of a curious Hindi poem on Far- 
rukhsiyar’s advance from Patnah and victory over Jahandar Shah. It is by one 
Sri Dhar (alias Murli Dhar), kabi, of Allahabad, and I hope hereafter to obtain a full 
copy. 
The fourth, fifth, and sixth couplets are :— 
4, Cite calt mahajani, bhai ékaek cah, 
Chandi dehen swar-lok ko gaé Bahadur Shah ; 
5. Suni khabar ékbargs Farrukhsiyar udar, 
Rakht phauj, éhalgarhin, caliyé yahai biear 
6. Bakst A‘jam Khan ko kinho hukwm boldi, 
Phawj rakhiyé jae ab, jétt rakhi ja. 
A Persian chronogram for Farrukhsiyar’s accession is Shah Farrukhsiyar, kih 
afsar-i- Aftab-i-sipihr-i-mamlakat ast, Guft Hatif kih sdl-i-saltanat-ash ‘ Aftab-i- 
kamdal-t-saltanat ast (1124 H). 
