44 
THE ORIENTAL ANNUAL. 
parent died, and he had succeeded to the throne of 
Delhi. He then became absolute. No subject 
could thwart his will and pleasure ; and his first act 
was to recal Shere Afghan from his retreat, with 
promises of high favour ; for although he had no 
intention of calling down public opprobrium, by 
forcibly depriving that chief of his wife, yet he 
expected to be able quietly to gain his object. 
Had Shere Afghan suspected the design of the 
young monarch, he would inflexibly have refused to 
obey the mandate of the despot. His heroic strength 
and bravery had rendered him extremely popular 
among the soldiery. He was naturally high-spirited 
and proud ; and it was not to be expected that he 
would tamely yield to indignity and public shame. 
His prowess and his courage were equalled only by 
his good fortune, so that his personal reputation was 
already very high. Born of noble parents in Tur- 
komania, he had spent his youth in Persia, having 
served with uncommon renown under Shah Ishmael 
the Third. His original name was Asta Jilho ; 
but having slain a lion single-handed, he was digni- 
fied with the title of Shere Afghan, signifying the 
overthrower of lions. Under the latter name he had 
become both famous and popular throughout India, 
and in the wars of Akbur had served with great 
distinction. He had reaped a profusion of laurels 
under Kahn Kalman, at the taking of Sihnd, by 
exhibiting prodigies of strength and valour. Prefer- 
