Life of Ahmad — Page 21
as AHMAD’S as FOREFATHERS 21 Maharaja. Shair Singh was greatly pleased with this reply. The Mirza Sahib was magnanimous towards his enemies. A Brahmin named Joti, who had gone to court against him, was treated most sympathetically by him in his illness. A man once congratulated him on the death of one of his enemies. The Mirza Sahib was most displeased, and turned him out of his company. He had a keen sense of self-respect. Once he went to see Mr. Robert Cust, Commissioner of Lahore, on some business. In the course of conversation, Mr. Cust asked him with an official air the distance between Srigobindpur and Qadian. The Mirza Sahib said he was not there as a peon to answer such questions and rose to leave. The Commissioner realised his mistake and was much impressed by this display of independence and dignity. One of Mirza Sahib’s sons, Mirza Ghulam Qa dir, was a Sub-Inspector of Police, and Mr. Nisbet, D. C. , once suspended him. The D. C. , spoke of it to the Mirza Sahib when he came to Qadian, whereupon Mirza Sahib said that if his son was really guilty he should be punished in such a manner that his punishment should serve as an example to the sons of all respectable families. The D. C. was much pleased and pardoned Mirza Ghulam Qa dir, saying that the son of such a father needed no punishment. People were filled with awe at the sight of the Mirza Sahib. He had an imposing appearance and