"What nephew of Bheilole, tauntingly observed, "business have goldsmiths' sons with the reins of government, since it is proverbial that monkeys "make but bad carpenters." " Khan Khany Lohany, one of the officers present, took him up sharply, saying, "The King is yet scarcely cold "in his grave, and it ill becomes us at such a time to cast reflections on any of his progeny." Eesa Khan desired him to hold his tongue; observing, he was nothing but a servant, and had no right to interfere in family affairs. Khan Khanan now rising, instantly declared himself a servant of Sikundur Lody, and said that he would maintain his right against all who durst oppose it; when, having left the council, and being followed by all his party, he carried the body of the deceased King to the town of Jellaly, where, being met by Sikundur, the latter ascended his father's throne at that place. Sikundur now sent the corpse of his father to Dehly, and instantly marched against Eesa Khan. Having defeated this chief, he afterwards forgave him, and, returning to the capital, followed the example of his father, by conferring favours on all his kindred. At the time of his accession, Sikundur Lody had six sons; viz. Ibrahim, Julal, Ismael, Hoossein, Mahmood, and Azim Hoomayoon, besides whom were 44 officers of distinction; such as Khan Jehan Lody. Ahmud Khan, grandson of Khan Khanan Firmully. Sheikzada Firmully. Khan Khanan Lohany. Azim Hoomayoon Sheerwany. Duria Khan Lody. Julal Khan Lody, Naib of Kalpy. Sheer Khan Lody. Moobarik Khan Mowjy. Khuleel Khan Lody. Ahmud Khan Lody, Naib of Etawa. Ibrahim Khan Sheerwany. Mahomed Shah Lody. Baboo Khan Sheerwany.. Hoossein Khan Firmully, Naib of Saharun. Sooliman Khan Firmully. Syeed Khan Lody. Ismael Khan Lohany. Tartar Khan Firmully. Sheikh Khan Lody. Sheikzada Mahomed Firmully (called also Kala P'har). Sheik Jumal Firmully. Sheikh Othman Firmully. Sheikh Ahmud Firmully. Adam Khan Lody. The word Naib, for lieutenant-governor of a province, seems to have been first introduced by the Toghluk dynasty: it prevailed afterwards for several ages, till, in the refinement of Hindoostany phraseology, wherein every person of rank is magnified by being spoken of in the plural number, as the kings of Europe say We, instead of I, the word Naib became Nawab, and we have become familiar with it as Nabob. Ghazy Khan Lody. Tartar Khan, governor of Tijara. Mobarik Khan. Yekbal Khan, Naib of Bary. Asghur, the son of Kowam-ool-Moolk. Imad-ool-Moolk Kumboh. Alum Khan Lody. Kubeer Khan Lody. Sheikh Siddeek, Kazy Abdool, Wahab of Kabul, Sometime after his accession, Sikundur Lody marched towards Rabery and thence to the fort of Chundwar, in which place his brother, the Prince Alum Khan, had declared his independence. On the King's approach, Alum Khan, abandoning the town, fled to Eesa Khan Lody at Pattialy. Sikundur having conferred the district of Rabery on Khan Khanan Firmully, proceeded to Etawa, where he received the submission of his brother Alum Khan, and pardoned him; he also conferred Etawa upon him as his estate. Thence the King proceeded to Pattialy, where Eesa Khan being attacked was wounded, and threw himself on the King's mercy. He was pardoned, but soon after died of his wounds. Sikundur Lody now deputed a mission to wait on the Prince Barbik, his brother, who assumed the title of King of Joonpoor, requiring him to do homage, and to cause the name of Sikundur to be read first in the Khootba. Barbik*, however, rejecting this proposal, Sikundur Lody marched against him. Barbik, and his general Kala P'har, drew out in order of battle to meet his brother, and an action ensued, in which Kala P'har was taken prisoner. Sikundur Lody, on seeing him, alighted from his horse, and embracing him, said he esteemed him as his father, and begged he would look on him as his son. Kala P'har, overcome by this unexpected honour, replied, that except his life, he had nothing to offer in return, and trusted that he might be employed, and have an opportunity of evincing his gratitude: he was accordingly mounted on one of the King's own horses, and instantly led a charge of cavalry against the party whose cause he had before A. D. 1488. espoused, which in a great measure led to the King's success. The troops of Barbik seeing Kala P'har charging them, and imagining that all his division had also gone over A. H. 894. *It will be recollected, that Barbik was Sikundur's elder brother. to the enemy, took to flight. The Prince Barbik behaved with great bravery, but being deserted by his troops, fled to Budaoon. His son, Moobarik Khan, however, was made prisoner in the action. Sikundur Lody pursued his brother to Budaoon, and laid siege to it; but Barbik soon after capitulating, he was received with great kindness, and treated with respect. The King now returned to Joonpoor, and finding that Hoossein Shah Shurky, the exiled king of the Shurky provinces, was still in force in Behar, he thought it advisable to permit his brother Barbik to retain the government of Joonpoor in order to check Hoossein Shah Shurky in any attempt he might make on Dehly. At the same time, also, he left some trusty friends of his own with the Prince, on whom he bestowed estates, in order to retain them steady to his interest. Sikundur Lody, now proceeding to Kalpy, resumed the government from Azim Hoomayoon, and conferred it on Mahomed Khan Lody. From thence he marched to Bhurayee, where Tartar Khan the governor, after doing homage, was confirmed in his estate. The King thence marched in the direction of Gualiar, whither he sent one of his officers, Khwaja Mahomed Firmully, with an honorary dress to Raja Man Sing, who despatched his nephew with presents to meet the King at Byana. Sooltan Shurf, the governor of Byana, also paid his respects to the King, who removed A large town of this name exists at the confluence of the Chumbul and the Jumna. |