1879. ] W. Irvine—The Bangash Nawdbs of Farrukhabad. 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 hugga after hugqa. Whenever 
he went in, all the Pathdns 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 Kéim 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 Rde’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 his respects to the Bibi Sahiba and 
presented his nazar. Apparently she had been talked over, and was now 
eager for an attack on Naval Rée. 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 (LTwmandir). 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 
