Page:The Aristocracy of Southern India.djvu/22

 8 The Aristocracy op Southern India.

of Asad Ali Khan mentioned above, the youngest, Mustafa, was distinguished for his manl}- behaviour and refined courtesy — qualities which among men of his nation are passports to eminence. The Minister considering him therefore a suitable husband for his grand-daughter made him his grand-son-in-law. Saiyid Ahmed Ali Khan, another of the brothers, married the daughter of a Munsubdar, and remained in Hyderabad for sometime. Saiyid Hussain Ali Khan, the uncle, by his talents and devotion to service won the esteem of the Nizam who conferred on him the title of Mazafar-ul-Mulk with a present of 800 sowars. At the head of this small army, he proceeded to Banganapalli accompanied by his nephews, attacked the place, and defeated the Sultan's army in the battle of Thammadapalli in 1205 (Hijri), or 1787 A. d., at which, one of his nephews, Saiyid Fateh Ali was killed. When everything was over, Saiyid Hussain Ali Khan, celebrated the wedding of his daughter with Saiyid Ghulam Ali Khan, nis eldest nephew, who was placed on the Musnud of Banganapalli as the rightful heir, though Hussain Ali Khan, the uncle, continued to reside at Banganapalli. Subsequently Ghulam Ali Khan remained for the most part of his time at Hyderabad, fought the battles of the Nizam, side by side with the English, against their common enemies, and distinguished himself for (hersonal valour, on many a battle field. In recognition of these services, the Nizam conferred on him the title of Mansuriod-daulah Bahadur. In a battle against the Maharattas, he lost the fingers of his right hand, and, as must happen among people who do most of their fighting with the sword, this put an end to his military career. Meanwhile, the uncle, Hussain Ali Khan, who was in Banganapalli, wa^ suddenly taken ill, and ou the news