142 
SCENES IN INDIA. 
The King of Oude does not merit the extremely 
inconclusive and somewhat groundless imputation here 
made. He is known to be a liberal encourager of art 
and of literature; and this alone should secure his 
name from the sweeping charge which Captain Mundy 
has, no doubt without due consideration, preferred 
against him. He is moreover at all times courteous 
and hospitable in the highest degree to Europeans, 
whom he receives at his court with the most marked 
respect, as will appear from Captain Mundy’s own 
account immediately following the very passage in 
which he so harshly characterises him. 
Saadet Khan, the ancestor of the present king, is 
said by the author of the “ Historical Sketch of the 
Princes of India,” but upon what authority does not 
appear, to have been the author of the memorable 
massacre at Delhi during the possession of that city 
by the troops of Nadir Shah. As this was one of the 
most melancholy events to be found among the mo- 
dern records of nations. Sir John Malcolm’s account of 
it in his History of Persia may not be unwelcome to 
the reader. 
“ Nadir Shah entered the capital * on the eighth of 
March, and on that and the two succeeding days 
all was quiet ; but on the night of the tenth it was 
reported that Nadir was dead. This report, first 
circulated by some designing persons, instantly 
spread, and a thoughtless mob made a furious assault 
on the Persians, who were scattered about the town 
as safeguards. Being divided in small parties, and 
quite unsuspicious of attack, they were almost all 
* Delhi. 
