the Battle of P a n i p u t. 99 



*« lie has the power to fhow his enmity, neither you nor I, nor any other 

 *' Mujfulman, will efcape. Though after all the deftiny of God will be ful- 

 " filled, yet we ought alfo to exercife our own faculties to their utmoft. 

 " From my friendfhip to you, I have come this diftance to explain things 

 at to you, though averfe from all unneceffary trouble: now confider and 

 •' determine. The Begum your mother is capable of advifing us both? 

 *• confult her upon the occaficn, as well as the refl of your family,, 

 " and determine on what you fhall think bell." 



After confidering the matter for two or three days, Shut a ulDowlah 

 concluded, that it would be very unfafe and improper to join the MahraU 

 tabs: and to decline the proffered friendship of the other party, would be 

 impolitick, efpecially after their deputing a man of Nujeib ul Dowlah's 

 rank to him, and would never be forgiven either by the Shah or the Rohilla 

 chiefs. Yet the danger appeared very great, whether the victory mould 

 fall to the Mahrattas, or to the Durrames. He at length however determin- 

 ed to follow the advice of Nujeib ul DowLAH.and to join the Durrany 

 Shah : he accordingly difpatched his women to Lucknow, appointed 

 Raja Ben 1 Behader Nail? Suba.b during his ab fence, and, fetting out 

 with Nujib ul Dowlah, and arriving at the Durrany camp near Anuf- 

 Jhair, was prefented to Ahmud Shah Durrany, who treated him with 

 the greateil: eonfideration and honour, told him that he confidered him as 

 one of his own children; that he had waited for his arrival, and now would 

 fhew hin the punifhment of the Mahrattas % with many proofs of his 

 friendfhip. He at the fame time proclaimed it through his own camp, 

 that no Durrany mould prefume to commit any violence or irregularity in 

 Snu j a ul Dowlah's camp : that any one, who did, fhould be put to im- 

 mediate death; adding, that Shut a ul Dowlah was the fon of Sufder 



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