1879.] W. Irvine — The Bang ash Nawabs of Farruhhdldd. 59 



with a slave behind him, rode in at midday and dismounted. Ahmad Khan 

 when he saw them was greatly perplexed to know what it meant. The 

 Pathans saluted him, and he asked their errand. For fear of Naval Rae's 

 spies, who prowled about the city, they said they had come to make some 

 wedding purchases. The Nawab ordered food to be got ready for them. 



The visitors then said they wished to talk to the Nawab in private. The 

 two khidmatgars and the boy Ramzani were turned out, and the chain was 

 put on the female apartments. The discussion endured for some five hours, 

 during which Ramzani was called in to fill huqqa after huqqa. Whenever 

 he went in, all the Pathans stopped speaking. From the sounds which came 

 out through the doors, it appeared that the Nawab was maintaining an 

 argument with them, to some things he agreed, others he disputed. It ap- 

 peared afterwards that the Nawab had told them he had no confidence in 

 them ; as they had forsaken Kaim Khan on the field of battle, so would 

 they forsake him. Then they put up their hands respectfully and pledged 

 themselves never to quit him in the hour of danger, they would either con- 

 quer or die. The Nawab demanded an oath from them and they solemnly 

 swore fidelity to him on the holy Kuran. 



A little before sunset the Pathans said they must go, there being little 

 daylight left in which to make their purchases, and the next day they 

 must return to Mau. They mounted and went away to the Tirpolya Bazar 

 where each bought what he wanted. Naval Rae's spies and patrols chal- 

 lenged them, but they said they had come to buy cloth in the bazar. They 

 were really Rustam Khan and a deputation of Pathans from Mau. They 

 stopped the night at Ahmad Khan's and finally obtained his adherence to 

 their plans. They then returned to Mau. 



In a few days a messenger, Ghul Miyan, came from the Bibi Sahiba 

 asking Ahmad Khan to come to Mau. Hiring eight kahars and having 

 his old palki, the pole of which was nearly in two, tied together with rope, 

 he set out for Mau. There he paid hi& respects to the Bibi Sahiba and 

 presented his nazar. Apparently she had been talked over, and was now 

 eager for an attack on Naval Rae. The only difficulty was the want of 

 funds. 



Rustam Khan Afridi, on condition of a grant of the half of any terri- 

 tory recovered, brought out all the ready money he possessed to the extent 

 of some thousands of rupees. This money was divided according to their 

 need among his brothers and the several commanders (Tumanddr). Ten 

 thousand rupees were sent to Nawab Ahmad Khan for his more pressing 

 expenses. In return the Nawab conferred on Rustam Khan the dignity of 

 Bakhshi, or Commander-in-Chief, and sent him a robe of investiture of 

 seven pieces. A well-to-do Kurmi, named Ghassa, of Chaloli, close to> 



