Page:Chandrashekhar (1905).djvu/48

38 to his new position, he formed an artillery force. He had it properly trained and equipped after European methods; the guns and muskets he manufactured turned out to be even superior to those manufactured in Europe. His artillery force became in every respect equal to the European artillery soldiers. Mir Kasim too, had his hopes that with Gurgan Khan to help him, he would beable to defeat the English. With his rise, Gurgan Khan's inﬂuence increased apace. Mir Kasim would not engage in any undertaking without his advice. He would not listen to anybody who spoke contrary to it. In a word Gurgan Khan grew up to a little Nawab himself; naturally the Mahomedan ofﬁcials became jealous.

It was midnight; but Gurgan Khan had not yet retired. Alone in lamplight he was reading some letters. They were from certain Armenians at Calcutta. After ﬁnishing the letters he called to a servant. A footman came and awaited orders. Gurgan Khan asked:

“Have all the doors been kept open?”

“Yes,” answered the footman

“If any one should like to see me, he must not be obstructed or asked who he was. Have you explained this?”

“Your Excellency’s order has been carried out,” replied the footman.

“Very well, you can go.”

After the footman had gone Gurgan Khan tied up the letters and secreted them in a ﬁtting place. Then he began to meditate. “Now which path to follow? This Hindusthan is now like a sea, whoever dives most, will pick up the largest number of gems. What is the good of counting the waves from the shore? Take my case: I used to measure out cloth with the yard-stick and sell it. Now all India is