SUCCINCT MEMOIRS OF SHUJAH-UD-DOWLAH. A VARIETY of materials, sup plied by the liberality and investigation of my friends, has enabled me to write an abbreviated history of the family and life of Shujah-ud-Dowlah; a prince who supported a conspicuous cha racter on the theatre of Hindostan, and who, from his transactions with the English nation in India, has founded an important epocha in their annals. Having selected with caution, and unreservedly commented on the documents that have come before me, I firmly trust, that no marks of passion, no design to overcharge, or suppress facts, will appear in the relation. I am desirous also of exhibiting a general outline of the actions of a prince, who stood much above mediocrity in the estimation of his subjects; that by a knowledge of his character, and of their sentiments, some satisfactory opinions may be formed, of the disposition and moral qualities of the natives of Hindostan. SHUJAH-UD-DOWLAH, the son of Sufdar Jung, by a daughter of Saadut Khan, was born at Delhi, in the year 1729 of the Christian æra. Though a long line of illustrious ancestors be not the strongest tenure of the dominions held by Indian princes, who are taught to consider fortune, and the power of arms, as the primary aids in acquiring and maintaining empire; yet a distinguished descent imparts a lustre and weight to the other qualities of a fortunate leader, and he himself beholds it with ostentatious pleasure. Historical truth calls on me to do justice to the claims of the family of Shujah-ud-Dowlah, who, in Mr. Dow's History of Hindostan, is denominated "The infamous son, of a more infamous Persian pedlar*." The ancestors of Shujah-ud-Dowlah, have for a long space of time been established in Nishabur, a Mr. Dow uniformly endeavours to throw an odium on the family and character of the late Vizier. When informed of the opprobrious terms used by that writer, in discussing the subject of his Domestic History, Shujah-ud-Dowlah attributed the language to the resentment of Mr. Dow, for having been refused the salt-petre farin of the Allahabad districts. town of Khorosan, where they held landed possessions, and were classed amongst the principal inhabitants of the province. DURING my journey through Persia, I had an opportunity of conversing with some of the inhabitants of Nishabur, who bore indisputable testimony to the ancient rank of the family of Shujah-ud-Dowlah. That this fact may be more fully exemplified, though it leads to prolixity, it is necessary to mention, that Mirzah Nasseer, the father of the maternal grand-sire* of Shujah-ud-Dowlah, came into Hindostan in the beginning of the reign of Bahaudar Shah †, by whom he was appointed to an office of trust at Patna, where his tomb yet remains. Mirza Nasseer had two sons, the second of whom, Mahomet Aumeen, on being apprised of the death of his father, left Persia, and about the year 1708 visited the court of Furrucksir. was appointed by this prince, governor of the fort of Agrah; and soon rising to greater honours, he ultimately became the Viceroy of Oude, by the title of Saredut Khan Burhaan-ul-Mulck. By the reduction of this province, which had long been in a state of rebellion, he acquired a conspicuous military reputation, and was pro * Saadut Khan, intitled Burhaan-ul-Mulck. He This emperor commenced his reign in 1707, and died in 1712. moted to the office of Darogha Khas*, with the titular command of 7000 horse. ABOUT this time, Mahomet Muckeim, afterwards intitled Sufdar Jung, the nephew of Saadut Khan, came into India, and had the daughter of his uncle given to him in marriage; of which, Shudah-ud-Dowlah was, I believe, the only male issue. Sufdar Jung, who was active, and possessed useful abilities, became the deputy of Saadut Khan in the government of Oude. IN the middle periods of Mahomet Shah's† reign, the Marhattas, at the instigation, it is supposed, of the Nizam Ul Mulck, who was then at variance with the court, entered the Emperor's dominions, and committed severe devastations; but in attempting to penetrate into Oude, they were attacked, and after a sharp conflict, completely routed by the troops of Saadut Khau, who commanded in person. This officer afterwards joined the imperial army, which had been collected for the purpose of expelling the enemy; but on a pretence of some disgust, he left the camp and retired into Oude, Darogha Khas, an officer of nearly the same description with the Master of the King's Household in England. This Prince succeeded to the throne in 1719, and died in 1747. |