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SIYAR-UL-MUTAKHERIN.
59

the prince's physician, to instil into his mind notions of ascending the throne as the only means of providing for his own safety. While these people were working on his weak mind, there appeared suddenly at Azimabad Patna, one Mahomed-reza, better known under the name of Raiet-khan, who being one of those officers that had fled from Bahadur-shah's resentment, was seeking to repair his fortune by producing a forged order for taking possession of Rhotas, a strong fortress south of Azimabad. He actually found means to effect his purpose, and after laying in a stock of provision, calculated on keeping possession. He had even the audacity to write to the emperor and inform him that his soldier had, through the negligence of the governor, found means to get possession of such a good post. This intelligence was likewise confirmed by the news-writers of those parts, and by the crown intelligencers. On this information there came an order from the emperor, supported by a letter of Azim-ush-shan's, enjoining prince Ferokh-siar to chastise the rebel. But, as it was not an easy matter to gain admittance in the fortress, one of the prince's officers, called Dilachin-beg, a Calmuc by birth, who had once displeased the prince and had been forbidden the court, found means to send him a message by one of the courtiers to this effect. "I propose," said he, "that the prince shall