W. Irvine —The Later Mn yh als . 
53 
1903.] 
taking every possible precaution against a surprise. The Emperor’s 
desire to ruin them became a matter of public rumour, although, when 
appealed to, the nobles and confidants of the Emperor strenuously 
denied its truth. 1 
At length, in Zu,l Qa’dah 1126 H. (7th Nov.-6th Dec., 1714), a son 
having been born to Husain ‘All Khan, he resolved, as the custom was, 
to present a gift to His Majesty and ask him to name the child. At 
this time Farrukhslyar was out on a hunting expedition and his camp 
was in a grove not far from the city. 2 When the Nawab reached the 
Privy Audience Hall, finding the Emperor still in the chapel tent, he 
took a seat. While he was waiting, a number of his friends confided 
to him the secret that on that day it was intended to lay violent hands 
upon him. A number of men were hid in ambush. The Nawab felt 
his last hour had come and prepared to meet his fate. When his 
arrival was reported to Farrukhslyar, an order was sent out for him 
to come to the oratory. 3 The Nawab betrayed no fear, but walked 
towards the tent. When the door-keeper, following the rules of the 
palace, requested him to lay aside his arms, he became inwardly 
apprehensive and said : “Very well, as it is not convenient to receive 
“ me just now, I will make my bow another time.” Report of this 
hesitation was taken to Farrukhslyar. who came out, staff in hand, and 
stood outside the chapel tent, and received the Nawab’s obeisance there, 
and replying with some silly, unmeaning compliments, dismissed him 
to his home. But the countenance of Farrukhslyar betrayed the real 
anger and vexation under which he was labouring from the non-success 
of his plans to seize the Nawab. 4 
When he reached his house, Husain ‘All Khan wrote to the Emperor 
to the following effect. It was quite clear that distrust of his brother 
and himself had found entrance into the Emperor’s mind, and he was 
rosolved on their overthrow. In that case, what could they do but 
submit to orders ? But honour was a thing dearer than life ; they might 
fall, but in so doing, they would take care not to sacrifice their honour. 
Let them be removed from rank and office, with leave to return to their 
homes and there offer their prayers for His Majesty’s welfare. On read¬ 
ing the letter Farrukhslyar took fright and returned to the city at once, in 
the hope of procuring some reconciliation. It so happened that soon 
after he reached the palace, a letter arrived from Qutb-ul-Mulk to the 
same effect. Farrukhsiyar’s equanimity was still further upset. From 
1 Mirza Muhammad, 190, Kamwar Khan, 139. 
* The Bagh of Muhsin Khan is named in Khafi Khan IT, 739. 
3 Tasblh Khanah, literally “ chaplet-room.” 
4 Mirza Muhammad, 191, Warid, 1505, 15la. 
