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over, authorised his ambassador privately to accede to any terms rather than protract the siege.

Alla-ood-Deen, from the conduct of Ram Dew, suspected the true cause of his anxiety, and, therefore, proposed every day some new difficulty to retard the treaty. The garrison, being in the very last stage of distress, another treaty was concluded by the Raja upon the following terms:-viz. "That Alla-ood-Deen should receive, on eva"cuating the country, 600 maunds of pearls*, two "maunds of diamonds, rubies, emeralds, and sapphires, 1000 maunds of silver, 4000 pieces of "silk," besides a long list of other precious commodities to which reason forbids us to give credit. This ransom was not the only one required, but the cession of Elichpoor, and its dependencies, was also demanded, where Alla-ood-Deen might leave a garrison, which should remain there unmolested, for the collection of the revenues to be remitted to him at Kurra Manukpoor.

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Alla-ood-Deen having released all his prisoners, marched in triumph out of the city with his plunder, and proceeded on his return, on the 25th day from his first arrival before Dewgur. He conducted his retreat with such address, that he opened his way through extensive and powerful kingdoms; viz. Malwa, Gondwara, and Kandeish. In this retreat, though surrounded by hostile armies, yet owing to the great order and regularity, as well as courage, displayed by his troops, they made little impression; and these attacks

*The quantity of precious stones seems beyond belief.

served only to add to the splendour of his enterprise. We may here justly remark, that, in the long volumes of history, there is scarcely any thing to be compared with this exploit, whether we regard the resolution in forming the plan, the boldness of its execution, or the great good fortune which attended its accomplishment.

When Alla-ood-Deen marched to Dewgur, all communication with Kurra was stopt, and no news heard of him for some months. The person whom he left as his deputy had orders to write to court, that he was engaged in the conquest of Chundery; but as the King, for the space of six months, had received no letters from under his own hand, he began to suspect treason. In the year 695, under the pretence of hunting, the King ordered out his retinue, and pro

A. H. 695.

A. D. 1295.

ceeded towards Gualiar, where he encamped, and built a large and lofty dome, with a verse to this purpose inscribed over the door :"What fame can I, whose footsteps press the "throne of empire, acquire from raising this rude "mass of masonry? No! I have united these "broken stones together, in order that, under "their shade, the weary traveller, or broken"hearted pilgrim, may find repose, and offer up "his blessing."

In the mean time, private intelligence arrived, that Alla-ood-Deen, having conquered Dewgur, had acquired such wealth as was never before possessed, even by a king of Dehly, with which he was now on his return towards Kurra. The King, delighted with this news, reckoned upon the spoil

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as if already in his own treasury; but men of more reflection thought otherwise, and justly concluded, that it was not to fill the royal coffers, that Allaood-Deen, without the King's authority, had undertaken so bold and hazardous an expedition. They, however, waited to see the issue, without communicating their suspicions.

The King having one day assembled his council, told them, that Alla-ood-Deen was now on his return to Kurra with immense booty, and requested their advice, whether it would be most prudent for him to remain where he was, and command Alla-ood-Deen to the presence, or to march towards him, or to return to Dehly? Mullik Ahmud Hubeeb, at once sagacious and remarkable for his open and candid mode of addressing the King on all occasions, ventured to express his suspicions of the ultimate designs of his nephew.. He advised the King to advance with his army towards Chundery, and encamp on the road along which lay Alla-ood-Deen's route to Kurra. "This," said he, "will enable you to discover the Prince's inten"tions before he has time to augment his army." He added, further, that, upon the appearance of the imperial army, it was highly probable that the troops of Alla-ood-Deen, laden with spoil, and within their own country, would not hazard the loss of it by an action; but would rather endeavour to secure their wealth, and disperse among the mountains. That by these means, Alla-ood-Deen, if he meditated revolt, would be deserted by the greatest part of his small army, which would oblige him to abandon whatever plans he might have

formed for establishing his independence, and induce him to lay his wealth at the foot of the throne. He proceeded to observe, that the King in this case might take the gold, jewels, and elephants, which, according to custom, appertained to the crown, and permit Alla-ood-Deen to retain the remainder for himself. It would then be a point for consideration, whether he should be allowed to continue in his government, or be directed to accompany the court to Dehly.

Mullik Fukhr-ood-Deen Koochy, kotwal of Dehly, though sensible of the propriety of this advice, yet, on looking towards the King, and perceiving he did not approve of it, spoke to the following effect: "The accounts of Alla-ood"Deen's return, the amount of his plunder, and "the truth of his conquest, have not yet been "publicly confirmed. We have them only from flying reports, which, we all know, are often "vague and extravagant. Supposing, even, that "what we hear is true, is it not natural to imagine, "that when he shall hear of the approach of the

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King's army, that the fear of false accusation, "or evil designs against him, will induce him to "retreat to the mountains, from whence, as the "rainy season is approaching, it will be impossible "to dislodge him? Let us not, therefore, cast off "our shoes before we reach the river, but wait till "Alla-ood-Deen shall arrive at Kurra. If it shall "then appear that he cherishes treasonable views, "one assault of the King's forces will put an end "to his ambition."

Ahmud Hubeeb, having heard this, observed,

with indignation, "The time passes. As soon as "Alla-ood-Deen shall have escaped us, will he not "proceed by the way of Oude to Bengal? where,

by securing his treasure, he will soon be enabled "to raise such an army as neither you nor I will "be able to oppose. Oh, shame! that men who "know better should not have the courage to give "honest counsel when required to do so."

The King, displeased with these words, addressing the officers who stood near him, said, "Ahmud "Hubeeb never fails to do ill offices to our ne

phew, against whom he endeavours to excite "our suspicion and resentment; but such private "rancour shall have no weight with us. We are "so well assured of the loyalty of Alla-ood-Deen, "whom we have nursed in our bosom, that we "would sooner believe treason of our own son "than of him." Upon this, Ahmud Hubeeb rose with some emotion, and striking one hand upon the other, walked out, repeating the following verse: "When the sun of prosperity is eclipsed, "advice ceases to enlighten the mind." The King adopted the opinion of Mullik Fukhr-oodDeen, and marched back with his army to Dehly.

Not many days after his arrival at the capital, a letter came from Alla-ood-Deen, in which he styled himself the King's slave, and stated, that all his wealth was at the King's disposal; but that, being wearied with the tedious march, he begged for some repose at Kurra. He observed, that he had intended to kiss the foot of the throne; but knowing

He was, also, Ahmud Hubeeb's cousin-german.

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