838 Observations upon the past and present [Oct. 



able consequence in Mdlwii, but they are now few in number, without 

 power and without money. The principal family, at the court of 

 Mahadji' Sindia was that of A'dil Beg*, of which it may be con- 

 venient to give a short account, as to its members most of the 

 Musalman buildings of Oujein are due. 



By a wife By some mistress 



A'dil Beg 



I 



Chamman Beg. 



1. Abdul Haki'm Beg. 



2. Manowar Beg. 

 ,.3. Anwar Beg. 



Of A'dil Beg's history I know nothingf. To his eldest son a few 

 lines onlv, in Malcolm's Central India, are devoted. But he is much 

 celebrated in Mdlwd, and was sent on several important embassies. On 

 one occasion, when he was vakeel to the Oude court, Asuf ud Doula, 

 pressed him to remain in his service. Abdul Haki'm excused himself 

 in a compliment to both his patrons which raised him in the estimation 

 of the Vizier and much endeared him to Sindia. It is said that 

 whenever he entered the Durbar, his Mahratta master rose slightly 

 from the cushion, (an honor he paid to no one else) calling to him in 

 a friendly manner as sahib and seating him by his side. One day being 

 sulky or lazy he neglected the ceremony. The mortified Beg returned 

 home, dismissed his establishment, and retired in the garb of a faqir 

 to a neighbouring mosque. Three or four days afterwards Mahadji' 

 remarking his non-attendance at court inquired the reason. " No one'' 

 said his brothers, " knows quelle mouche piqueebut he has turned faqir 

 and is telling his beads in his father's masjid." Sindia immediately rose 

 from the durbar, hastened to the mosque and addressing the pretend- 

 ed faqir, said, " what is the meaning of this ?" " My lord," replied 

 the nobleman, " I am your slave and live only in your favor ; you have 

 always distinguished me above the rest of your court by rising when 

 I entered the durbar. It was a trifle no doubt, but a trifle on which 

 hung my honor and dignity : the last time I approached the presence you 

 received me without the usual compliment, exposing me to the sneers 

 and reflections of my enemies and to the mortification of thinking that 

 I have lost your affection. What business have I at a court where I 

 am no longer regarded." Mahadji' made no answer, but taking 

 him by the arm with a gentle violence brought him back to the palace. 



* I do not mention Rana Khan, as his history is comparatively well known. 



t I may as well premise that my library is scanty, I have neither Prinsep's 

 Ameer Khan, nor Brigg's Mahomedan History. The gallant A'dil Beg, in the 

 Rana of Oudeypoor's service was a Sindi. The father of Abdul Haki'm, 

 I believe, a Deccan Musalman. 



