Page:A memoir of Sir Salar Jung.djvu/18

 Sheikh Muhammad Taki, the son of Sheikh Muhammad Bakar, held a command of 300 foot soldiers daring the reign of Aurungzeb, and of 500 foot and 50 horsemen in the reign of Bahadur Shah. He was employed as Collector or Superintendent of the Poll tax levied on Hindus in the time of the Emperor Farukhsiyar at Aurangabad. Nizamu-l-Mulk Asaf Jah during his viceroyalty of the Dekhan appointed him commander of the garrisons of all his forts. He died in 1145 A.H. (A.D. 1732).

His son, Shumsu-d-Din Muhammad Haidar, was born in A.H. 1113 (A.D. 1701). While still very young he received a nominal command of 100 men from Aurungzeb. On the attainment of his majority he was introduced to Asaf Jah Nizamu-1-Mulk, who raised his mansab to 200 and appointed him as Master of the Elephant Stables. After the death of his father his command was raised to 300. When Nizamu-1-Mulk proceeded to Delhi from the Dekhan he accompanied him to the capital, being employed in the capacity of Arzbegi or Master of Ceremonies.

After the invasion of Nadir Shah he was promoted to the command of 500 and obtained the title of Haidar Yar Khan. He was in the confidence of Asaf Jah to such an extent that whenever the Viceroy visited the Emperor he and Dargha Kuli Khan were invariably in attendance on him. After the return of Nizamu-l-Mulk from Delhi and ihe capture of Nasir Jung, a second time after the conquest of Trichinopoly, and a third