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SIYAR-UL-MUTAKHERIN.

fled for his life. Several people attempted to stop the elephant, among whom was Amin-ed-doula, but there was no restraining him. In a moment he saw the animal throw himself down a cliffy part of the bank, and plunging into the river he disappeared, causing an extraordinary commotion in the water, from which arose a great deal of mud, but the elephant never re-appeared, and it is concluded that both the animal and the king sank never to rise again. Amin-ed-doulah now took to flight; but was overtaken and seized, and sent close prisoner to the citadel of Shah-jehan-abad, where he remained, until he was set at liberty by an express order, which Ferokh-siar, after his victory over Moiz-ed-din addressed to the governor Mahomed Yar-khan for that purpose; and in the sequel he rose to the highest dignities in the state.

This important victory which had cost the enemy so little, raised the views of Moiz-ed-din, a prince who wanted neither courage nor merit, and he now conceived the design of setting aside the partition-treaty, and of assuming for himself the crown of all Hindoostan. He evinced his purpose so openly, that the union of the three brothers ended in confusion and bloodshed. These dissensions first arose out of the division of the imperial treasures. These consisted of eighty cart-loads of ashreffies,[1] and

  1. Gold coins.