Star of the Empress — Page 3
3 has nothing to do with the will, choice and knowledge of Her Majesty, the Empress of India, may her prosperity endure. Hence, the favourable view that I hold for Her Majesty, has compelled me once again to draw the attention of Her Majesty towards this gift, that is, ‘To h fa-e-Qai s ariyyah,’ [A Gift for the Queen] so that I may derive joy from a few words of royal approval. It is for this purpose that I dispatch this submission. I hereby venture to submit a few words to Her Majesty, the Honoured Empress of India, may her prosperity endure. I belong to a noble Mughal family of the Punjab and prior to the Sikh reign; my ancestors were rulers of an independent State. My great-grandfather Mirz a Gul Muhammad was such a wise, sagacious, valiant and virtuous person with skills of governance that when the sovereignty of the Chught a ’ i kings of Delhi fell weak, due to their inability, decadence, indolence, and lack of determination, certain courtiers undertook efforts for him to ascend the throne of Delhi. For he possessed all the characteristics associated with intelligence and benevolence for his subjects, and he was also from a royal family. However, since the fate and reign of the kings of Delhi was all but consumed, this proposal did not gain widespread approval. Many atrocities were committed against us during the reign of the Sikhs and our ancestors were evicted from all the villages of the State. Not a moment was spent in peace. Our entire State was mixed to dust before the auspicious rule of the British could step in and only five villages remained. My father, the late Mirza Ghulam Murta da , who had faced great misfortunes during the reign of the Sikhs awaited the British rule like a thirsty person who longs for water. When the British government assumed rule of this country, he was so overjoyed by this blessing, i. e. , by the