244 THE FIRST NIZAM

Eighthly, that since the State of the Deccan is in a con-
dition of subservience, the respect to the kings, who are
indeed the shadow of God, should never be overlooked,
lest the offenders should stand condemned in the eyes of
God and man. Thus when Nadir Shah, with an over-
whelming force, reached Delhi and, in his extreme gra~
ciousness, cast his eye on me, he offered me personally
the sovereignty of the Indian Empire. I at once answered,
"By this command no benefit will accrue to either of us,
except that I, as a servant, will merit the notoriety of not
being true to my salt, and your August self the odium of
breach of faith". He was greatly pleased with my reply
and honoured me with his praise. On the next day, he
marched off with his army and left me as Mukhtar of my
Sovereign.1

Ninthly, that for the execution of the inferior work do
not look to the high-born, nor for the execution of the
superior work to the low-born, because in both these cases
the work of the State will suffer. Wherefore, you may
ask, was Puran Chand who was not of a status to be
raised to the office of the Diwani, but was in fact of low
descent, so raised? The reason for this was that the nobles
around me, not appreciating the blessings conferred upon
them thereby, refrained from accepting this office because
of the troubles and difficulties involved therein, and in
order to mortify the ingrate, and punish their egotism, I
considered this appointment as expedient and advisable,
for after all, when the head that directs is sound,
the subordinates, whoever they may be, do not much
matter, and Puran Chand has, in fact, proved himself to
be rather an efficient man. He has, for instance, collected
considerably more revenue from the Jagirs than any of
his predecessors. My advice is that he should not be dis-
placed for another three years or so.

Tenthly, that as far as possible, it is better not to take
upon yourself the initiative in war whether fought for the
sake of conquest or of wealth. Pomp and ostentation and
natural warlike talents should not be the basis for foment-
ing disturbances or declaring war, for, verily God does

1?The wordings are slightly different in various texts of the Testament.