Page:History of India Vol 4.djvu/242

196 Khan, he was a prisoner in the fort of Asir, since it was the established custom among the rulers of Khandesh that the reigning potentate kept his sons, brothers, and other relations in confinement, to guard against attempts upon the throne, so that these unhappy persons, with their wives and families, passed all their lives in confinement. Bahadur Khan had spent nearly thirty years in prison and knew nothing whatever of the ways of the world or the business of government. When he came out of prison and the title of ruler devolved upon him, he plunged recklessly into dissipation. No trace of the tact and nobility which had distinguished Raja Ali Khan was to be found in him. Unmindful of his obligations and obedience to the Imperial throne, he showed no gratitude and sent no tribute, nor did his craven spirit entertain one thought of avenging his father. When this became known to the emperor, he remembered the loyalty and devotion of the late raja, and sent Miran Sadr-i Jahan to give good counsel to the young prince.

Miran proceeded to Asir, where Bahadur Khan at first received him with great respect and honour, and acknowledged the allegiance and duty he owed to the emperor. The envoy, on his side, gave him good counsel and advice, and endeavoured to excite in him a spirit of loyalty. But fate was against the young ruler; he paid but little heed to good counsel and persisted in his own perverse conduct. Sometimes he said he would go to see Akbar; at others he said that suspicions had been aroused in his mind by people's talk which would