Aazem-shah. With Mokhtar-khan was secured at the same time the imperial treasure, and that vast quantity of royal furniture of all descriptions, which had lain deposited many ages in the palaces of that city. Azim-ush-shan endeavoured to strengthen his party by conciliating the minds of the inferior governors and commanders, and by gaining the hearts of the people: in which he succeeded so well that both his army and his party gained daily accessions. But he could not prevail on the governor of the city of Acberabad to cede that fortress. He resolutely answered, that at a time when the imperial throne was disputed by three princes of the royal blood, he could not with any propriety deliver the fortress to any one of them, until that one should have fully established his government; in which case he knew too well what became him, both as a subject and a servant, to mistake his duty. With this reply he kept his fortress shut up, and prepared to sustain a siege. The prince thinking it inconvenient to lose any time in prosecuting the siege, went on with other affairs of importance, until his father, Sultan Mahomed Muazem, arriving, he effected a junction with him, and presented all the treasure which he had had the good luck to secure.
No succour could be more welcome; for the troops, already become clamorous for want of pay,
