The Life of Robert, Lord Clive, Vol. 1 (of 3): Collected from the Family Papers Communicated by the Earl of PowisMalcolm, John
History
The Life of Robert, Lord Clive, Vol. 1 (of 3): Collected from the Family Papers Communicated by the Earl of Powis
Malcolm, John
Clive, Robert Clive, Baron, 1725-1774; India -- History -- British occupation, 1765-1947
"I know that you are under the shadow of the King's favour. My
beloved son, Maddar-u-Dowlah Bahader, and the magnificent Fyaz
Ali Khan, worthy of our favour, have fully represented to me your
readiness to expose your life for me, and many other particulars
relating to you. In this happy time, with a view of making the tour
of Patna and Bengal, I have erected my standard of glory at this
place. It is my pure intention to bestow favour upon you, the high
and mighty, and all faithful servants, agreeable to their conduct.
This world is like a garden of flowers, interspersed with weeds and
thorns; I shall, therefore, root out the bad, that the faithful and
good ryots (God willing) may rest in peace and quietness. Know you
who are great, that it is proper you should pay a due obedience
to this my firman, and make it your business to pay your respects
to me like a faithful servant, which will be great and happy for
you. It is proper you should be earnest in doing this, when, by the
blessing of God, you stand high in my favour. Know this must be
done."
[255] The following remarks on this title, communicated by David
Haliburton, Esq., to his friend Sir John Malcolm, are too curious to be
omitted.
"The title of Sabut Jung, viz. 'firm or steady in war,' was first
given by the Nabob Mahommed Ali to Colonel Clive, in allusion to his
memorable defence of Arcot some years before; but it was after his
arrival in Bengal, in 1757, that he was best known there by that title,
which was engraven on his Persian seal. One reason might be, that his
own name of Clive is difficult to be pronounced in any of the languages
of India. Even after a higher title, Zubdut-ul-Mulk, was conferred upon
him by the Mogul Emperor, when he created him an Omra of the empire,
Clive was better known through the country by the original title of
Sabut Jung, which he had brought when he commanded the expedition from
Madras.
"Mahommed Ali had, indeed, no right himself to grant titles. He had
assumed for himself that of Suraj-u-Dowlah, which, he asserted, had
been conferred on him by the Subadar of the Deckan, Nasir Jung; but
it had not been acknowledged by those in the French interest, who had
succeeded as Subadars of the Deckan. Be this as it may, Mahommed Ali
retained that title of Suraj-u-Dowlah in his correspondence with the
English. It is that even on his seals to the sunnuds for the lands he
gave them near Madras, commonly called the Jaghire; and he never took
any other, till he assumed that of Wala-Jah, by which he was known in
his latter years.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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