464 An account of the Early Abdalees. QNo. 162. 



Mubarik, one of the Afghan Kat-khudahs, a man of experience and 

 expedients, suggested that the Persians should be told that it was their 

 custom that the bridegrooms should visit the houses of the brides,* 

 the consent of whose relations would also be first required. 



The Afghan chiefs thus got their leave, and they returned to their 

 tribe, accompanied by some of their would-be sons-in-law, and several 

 matrons to attend the brides, and bring them to Candahar. 



On the news of these mutual engagements spreading, the whole of 

 the Sarbannees and Abdalees besieged Haiyat Sultan on his return, 

 and a council was held. * 



Doulat-khan had by this time grown up, and had his seat in all the coun- 

 cils (pujahs.) On the present occasion, after paying all due deference 

 to his uncle, he proposed to try the Moghuls to suggest they should first 

 give their daughters to the Afghans. This was proposed accordingly. 

 The Moghuls however replied, that their daughters were far off at Ispa- 

 han, while those of the Afghans were close at hand, and could be ac- 

 cording to agreement married, while theirs were being sent for. The 

 rude Afghan chiefs were led by this to believe, that the intentions of 

 the Moghuls were not honorable ; and they called on Haiyat Sultan, 

 who had brought them into this scrape, to get them out of it. 



Haiyat Sultan saying, as he had been for a long time friends with 

 the Beglar-begee he could not give an unbiased opinion, rose from the 

 council and sought his private apartment, deputing Doulat-khan to 

 act in his stead. 



Doulat-khan's speech was a true Afghan one. " If," said he, " you 

 take my advice, you will sacrifice four of these Sheeah Moghuls to our four 

 Sunnee Yars, (four first caliphs, excluding Alee the fifth, the favorite of the 

 Sheeahs,) as a punishment for their presumption ; and hand the ma- 

 trons over to Masoor Baneezye, who will provide for them.*' This 

 method of cutting the gordian knot of their difficulties being highly 

 approved of by the assembled simple, hospitable, and' brave chiefs, the 

 throats of four of their principal guests were cut. 



On this treachery reaching the Beglar-begee, he wrote reproaching 



Haiyat Sultan, who excused himself, and laid the blame on Doulat-khan. 



The Persian governor then challenged Haiyat Sultan to prove his non- 



*When they are very high in rank, they send their swords instead, to represent their 

 persons. 



