PREFACE. THE present Volume contains the history of the reigns of Sháh-Jahán, Aurangzeb, Bahadur Sháh, Jahándár Sháh, and Farrukh-Siyar, of the little brief authority of Rafi'u-d Daula and Rafi'u-d Daraját, and of the early years of the reign of Muhammad Sháh. Several works hitherto unknown to the European reader are here brought to notice. The history of the reign of Shah Jahán is derived from the Bádsháh-náma of 'Abdu-l Hamíd and from other Bádsháh-námas and Sháh-Jahán-námas. The special works relating to the reign of Aurangzeb have been examined and the most interesting passages translated; but the history of his long rule, and of the subsequent times which appear in this Volume, has been derived from the great work of Kháfí Khán, a contemporary history of high and well-deserved repute. This important history is well known at second-hand. All European historians of the period which it covers have been greatly indebted, directly or indirectly, to its pages. Elphinstone and Grant Duff used it, and they refer to a MS. translation by "Major Gordon, of the Madras Army." It is not known what has become of this MS. trans |