Amir Arslan Khan Javanshir-Qizilbash.
The governor of Kashmir.
Amir
Khan, a Persian, one of the late governors of Kashmire, erected a fortified
palace on the eastern side of the lake; but the materials have been so
unsubstantial, that though of not more than eight years standing, it cannot now
with safety be inhabited. He used to pass much of his time in this retreat,
which was curiously adapted to the enjoyment of the various species of Asiatic
luxury, and he is still spoken of in terms of affection and regret; for, like
them, he was gay, voluptuous, and much addicted to the pleasures of the table.
There is not a boatman or his wife that does not speak of this Khan with rapture, and ascribe to him a once abundant livelihood. This governor like many of his predecessors, trusting in the natural strength of the province, and its distance from the capital, rebelled against his master.1 The force sent against him was small and ill appointed, and might have been easily repelled by a few resolute men stationed in the passes. But in the hour of need, he was abandoned by the pusillanimous fickle Kashmirians, who reconciled their conduct to the Persian, by urging, that if he had remained in Kashmire, he would have converted them all to the faith of Ali and cut them off from the hope of salvation. A Kashmirian must have been grievously embarrassed to justify his conduct, when he ascribed it t any principle of religion; for he is a Hindoo, a Mahometan, and would become a Christian if a priest were at band, according to the fashion or interest of the day.
There is not a boatman or his wife that does not speak of this Khan with rapture, and ascribe to him a once abundant livelihood. This governor like many of his predecessors, trusting in the natural strength of the province, and its distance from the capital, rebelled against his master.1 The force sent against him was small and ill appointed, and might have been easily repelled by a few resolute men stationed in the passes. But in the hour of need, he was abandoned by the pusillanimous fickle Kashmirians, who reconciled their conduct to the Persian, by urging, that if he had remained in Kashmire, he would have converted them all to the faith of Ali and cut them off from the hope of salvation. A Kashmirian must have been grievously embarrassed to justify his conduct, when he ascribed it t any principle of religion; for he is a Hindoo, a Mahometan, and would become a Christian if a priest were at band, according to the fashion or interest of the day.
1Timur Shah, the reigning emperor of the Afghans.
George Forster — A Journey from Bengal to England.
Vol. [02] (1798)
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