The Afghan Martyrs — Page 59
mounted on a horse and guarded by eight soldiers. Even before his arrival it was known that by trickery the King had invited the Sahibzada to Kabul. When he was presented to the King, the King seemed very disconcerted. He asked for the Sahibzada to be made to stand at a distance as he (the King) complained that a repelling odour was emanating from him. Then he ordered his arrest and directed that for the time being he may be kept in the very fort in which the King lived. On the instructions of the tyrannical King he was chained in Ghraghrab. The chain weighed thirty two K. G. and was wound round his neck and waist. Even his hands were bound and his feet were in shackles weighing four K. G. This princely person who had been brought up with great care in the lap of luxury was kept imprisoned for four months. On many occasions during this period the King sent for him and counselled him to repent and renounce his faith in the Promised Messiah (PBUH). He also tried to tempt him with rewards. The Sahibzada's response to the King is being reproduced in the words of the Promised Messiah (PBUH). "During this period, the Ameer repeatedly advised him to deny that the Qadiani was in fact the Promised Messiah (PBUH) and then he would be freed. On every occasion he replied, II am well informed and the Almighty has endowed me with the ability to distinguish between truth and falsehood. After thorough investigations I have satisfied myself that this person is indeed the Promised Messiah (PBUH). Although I am fully aware that if I persist in this course not only will my life be lost but my family will face devastation, at this juncture I will show preference to my faith over my life and all material luxuries. III Again, the Promised Messiah (PBUH) says: "Not once but on dozens of occasions the martyr replied in the 59