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32
SIYAR-UL-MUTAKHERIN.

During this time the physicians Sadik-khan and Hekim-el-mulk, together with Mahabet-khan and the ministers of state, as well as all the crown-officers, went in a body to pay homage to Azim-ush-shan, to whose presence they were conducted by Shah-nevaz-khan and Hemid-ed-din-khan. On the other hand, Rustem-dil-khan and some others paid their court to the prince Khujista-akhter. Zulficar-khan,[1] who did not like this prince, and was upon bad terms with Azim-ush-shan, joined the eldest son Moiz-ed-din, and asked him whether he had any commands. "None at all," answered the prince—"at least at present; for I have neither money nor troops, having added to the imperial army whatever I could bring together when I came to join my father. I intend to retire to my government of Multan, where I expect to collect forces, as well as the means of appearing again upon the stage, when I shall act according to circumstances." Zulficar-khan disapproved of such a proceeding; he offered to supply money, troops, and artillery, and proposed to invite both the princes Khujista-akhter and Refi-ul-kadr, by which measures he hoped to supersede Azim-ush-shan's party; after which, the three brothers

    even three acres of land, surrounded by tent-walls, within which the royal tents were pitched.

  1. Khujista-akhter was the third son.