ABSTRACT
All that part of Mogol between Delly and Agra, thence to Guzerat [Gujarat] and Surat, and from Surat to Goa, was in a state of tumult and disorder, owing to the war between the young Emperor Mohamed-Sciah [Nazir-ud-din Muhammad-Shah] and his Vazir Nezam-em-muluk [Nizam-ul-mulk]. Of noble birth, renowned for his personal gifts, extraordinary prudence and great capacity, Nezam-em-muluk devoted himself to make the young Emperor a worthy successor of Giahan-ghir [Jahangir], Sciah-Giahan [Shah Jahān] and other notable ancestors. Unfortunately Mohamed-Sciah fell under the influence of the General in Chief, Khandaora-Khan [Samsām-ud-daulah Khan Dauran], a man of low birth, raised by the late Emperor Farrokh-sier [Farrukh Siyar], whose evil genius he was, to the rank of Mir-ol-Ombrà and Sepah-salár [Emir-al-Umarā and Sipah Sālār], or head of the Nobles and General in Chief of the army. He poisoned the mind of the Emperor against the faithful Vazir and led him into every kind of vice. Nezam-em-muluk, disgraced and fearing for his life, left Delly by stealth and at the head of his faithful adherents invaded the province of Deccàn and killed the Governor and his three sons in pitched battle. Sending his uncle to conquer the province of Guzarat, he seized Surat and Mayssûr [Mysore] and thus became master of well-nigh half the Empire. Although Bengalá, the richest province, was threatened, and disquieting reports came from other districts, the effeminate Emperor and his cowardly General, Khandaora-Khan, made no attempts to save the Empire. 11
