84 W. Lrvine—The Bangash Nawdbs of Farrukhabad. [No. 2, 
less footmen had gathered under the Nawab’s standard ; and it remained to be 
seen what would be disclosed from behind the curtain of the unknown after 
the fort of Allahabad had fallen. The Nawab Nazir seized the moment 
and began to repeat, as had been agreed upon, the speeches made to him by 
the far-sighted Wazir. The Nazir described in touching language his great 
perplexity at the aspect of affairs, which had quite deprived him of sleep. 
Before Safdar Jang came back to Delhi after his defeat, Firiz Jang had 
caused a congratulatory farmdn to be addressed to Ahmad Khan confirming 
to him his ancestral dominions. Not content with: this gracious act, he 
had without orders occupied estates directly under the crown (khdlsa), he 
had sent his son to take the Sibah of Audh, and now himself was besieging 
Allahabad. The next attempt would be upon Bengal. The letter writers 
had already informed his Majesty in detail of the immense army which 
had been collected. Now the learned declare that the Akhin Darweza, 
written by the spiritual head and high priest of the Afghan race, prescribes 
that any Afghan at the head of more than twelve thousand men is required 
and bound to claim complete sovereignty. In that case, Ahmad Khan, who 
had one hundred thousand men and a territory equal to nearly four or five 
Stibahs, could not possibly refrain from proclaiming himself king. 
When Nazir Jawed Khan had got this length in his artful representa- 
tion, his Majesty beeame perplexed and asked him the best way out of 
the difficulty. The Nazir at once proposed a pardon of Safdar Jang’s mis- 
deeds, the task of reducing Ahmad Khan to subjection being then committed 
to him. The Emperor objected that nothing could be hoped from 
Safdar Jang, for, although he had gone with a large army provided with 
cannon and rockets, he had been overthrown by Ahmad Khan with a very 
small foree. Now that Ahmad Khan’s strength had much increased, how 
could Safdar Jang with the same dispirited troops attempt to oppose Ahmad 
Khan. There isa proverb Zadah ra bdayad zad, 7. e., Beaten once will 
be beaten again.* The Emperor continued that to his mind the Nazir’s device 
was the poorest of the poor (Ahdm dar kham), and he declined to accept it, for 
a good scheme should have no such obvious drawback. In reply to his 
Majesty, Nazir Jéwed Khan said that he had a plan within his plan, for 
Mulhar Rao and Apa Sendhia, who were at that time encamped in the Rajpat 
country, though they were his enemies, would, if sent for, enter his Majes- 
ty’s service ; and hoping for benefit to themselves, they would be certain to 
earry out faithfully any orders given them. Suraj Mall Jat’s forces also, 
though they were present with Safdar Jang, had not been scattered or defeat- 
ed. There was also Hafiz Rahmat Khan, head of the Rohelas, who was a 
great friend of Safdar Jang. At length the Emperor gave way to Jawed 
* Roebuck, 1214, 
