1879.] W. Irvine — The Bangasli Nawabs of Farrukhdbdd. 55 



attempting to interfere with them, the Wazir continued his advance east- 

 wards along the banks of the Ganges till he came to Yakiitganj, some six 

 miles south-east of the city of Farrukhabad, and there he encamped. 



Rajah Naval Rae marched through the town of Shamsabad, and on reach- 

 ing the city of Farrukhabad, went to the fort, where for some reason he re- 

 mained. When he saw the fort and buildings, he exclaimed — " With places 

 " like this they presumed to give themselves out for Bdioan Hazdris (com- 

 " manders of fifty-two thousand) ; the fort is just like that of a petty zamin- 

 " dar." He made other similar depreciatory remarks. Next morning he 

 marched and rejoined the Wazir at Yakiitganj. Then, like as the fowler scat- 

 ters grain to lure the birds into his net, so the Nawab Wazir entertained the 

 Bibi Sahiba, the five sons, and the five chelas with costly food, and furnish- 

 ed them with supplies of every description. Meanwhile he put off a final 

 decision from day to day on various pretexts. Every day they looked for 

 investiture with tbe khila't, to be followed by dismissal to their homes. 

 Several days passed in this way. One night the Wazir asked Naval Rae for 

 his advice. His opinion was that the chelas should be fettered, and that 

 the Wazir should march for Delhi taking them with him. On his depar- 

 ture, Naval Rae said, he would seize the mother of Kaim Khan and the five 

 young Nawabs, whom he would send off to the fortress of Allahabad. The 

 Wazir approved of these proposals. Next day the five chelas* were seized, 

 and placed upon elephants. The army then marched stage by stage past 

 Muhamdabadf and through Sarae AghatJ on its return to Delhi. 



After the departure of the Wazir, one day the Kayath sent for the five 

 sons,§ and with deceptive words he began to extol the greatness, the glory, 

 the bravery and the generosity of their family. Then getting up himself 

 on some pretext, he said to an attendant in his confidence, " I will return 

 "in a moment, bring the dresses of honour for the princes (Sahibzadas)." 

 Having said this he went away. Suddenly Mir Muhammad Salah, accom- 

 panied by a number of fully armed men, with iron chains and a blacksmith, 

 entered behind the princes. Nawab Husain Khan who was also of the Shia 

 (Imamiya) sect, said to Mir Muhammad Salah, " Was there no one else 

 " with this unbeliever, O Mir Sahib ! that you should accept this service ; 

 " it is strange that a man of your race|| should perform such an unworthy 



* (1) Shamsher Khan, (2) Ja'far Khan, (3) Mukim Khan, (4) Islam Khan, (5) 

 Sardar Khan. 



f Thirteen miles west of Farrukhabad, on the Mainpuri road. 



X In Parganah 'Azamnagar, about 26 miles west of Farrukhabad. 



§ 1, Imam Khan, 2, Husain Khan, 3, Fakhr-ud-din Khan, 4, Isma'il Khan, and 

 5, Karimdad Khan. 



|| i. e., a Sayyad or descendant of the Prophet, 



