. 
1879.]  W. Irvine—TZhe Bangash Nawdbs of Farrukhabad. 87 
when the Wazir was already so near, for, however fast the Nawab might 
march, it would be nearly impossible to arrive in time ; and supposing that 
Farrukhabad were reached, in time, the troops being scattered would still 
have to be collected ; it would therefore be better to cross the Ganges into 
the Stbah of Oudh and then proceed westwards, by which several advan- 
tages would be gained. A hurried march need not be made, the army would 
not be scattered, the zamindars of Stibah Audh, who had been turned out 
of their homes in the time of Naval “ bad-aml,” would unsought bring aid, 
in money andin men. Another reason was that the immense number of 
mercenaries, who had collected under the Nawab’s standard, would disperse 
in the course of a rapid retreat on Farrukhabid. The Nawab determined 
to consult his chief men, and the Rajah took his leave. Then Nawab 
Ahmad Khan sent for Rustam Khan Bangash, Mangal Khan Ghilzai, 
Muhammad Khan Afridi, Sa’dat Khan Afridi, Mustajéb Khan Warakzai, 
Haji Sarfaraz Khan and others. When they had been informed of the 
Rajah’s proposals, they asked for time to consult with each other. They 
then went apart and discussed the question. The majority of votes was 
against crossing the Ganges, Haji Sarfaraz Khan alone dissented. They 
returned to the Nawab’s presence, and stated that, in their opinion, by cross- 
ing the Ganges, the enemy would be deceived into believing that they had 
erossed from fear. “ Let us fear nothing,” they added, “this is the same 
** Wazir whom we have already defeated, and, by God’s help, we will so 
* wield our good swords, that our enemy shall not escape alive again; the 
“enemy and his army are to us like the well-known proverb ‘ You may beat 
“the beaten.’’”? The Nawab turning to Haji Sarfardz Khan said, “You 
say nothing.” The Haji replied, that his opinion would not please any of 
the others, but he thought that Rajah Pirthipat’s advice was the best. 
According to the decision of the commanders, a march direct for Far- 
rukhabad was ordered. The Rajah being sent for and informed of the 
decision, he asked what orders there were for him. The Nawab said, he left 
_ the Rajah in that country for the present as his representative ; he should, 
therefore, return to his own zamindari and recall the Audh zamindars to 
| their homes. The Rajah then received a khila’t and, having been dismissed, 
he crossed the Ganges and hastened to his own country.* 
* Under the year 1165 H. the Balwant-ndmah relates how the Nawab Wazir 
started for Banaras intending to take his revenge on Rajah Pirthipat. At Sulténpur, 
about 36 miles S. of Faizibéid and 85 miles N. of Allahabad, Rajah Pirthipat 
presented himself. When thrown off his guard by friendly words, he was stabbed 
_ by ’Ali Beg Khan, ona sign from the Wazir. Pirthipat, who was unarmed, sprang 
upon his murderer, and biting a piece out of his check fell dead with it in his 
f month, The date of 1163 H. given in the Mifidh, p. 498, must be wrong, and the 
