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simple and evidently sincere, but not particularly
marked by cordiality or even geniality. His
gravity bordering on the stern well became his
pock-marked face which was surrounded with
a broad beard. He was a typical, strong, hard-
worked man of power. Such is my mental picture
of him.
In 1891 there were some suspicious symptoms
of underground activities, the purpose of which
was not then known. One of them was the
publication of a defamatory pamphlet traducing
the character of some eminent officials. It was a
cowardly attack by some vile person or persons
unknown ; but it was well-timed and hit the mark.
Some of the persons defamed had recourse to the
law, but while the case was dragging on, the intrigue
reached its climax and the crisis (carefully
prepared behind the scenes) occurred—the down-
fall of Moulvi Mushtaq Hussain, Moulvi Mehdi All
and Moulvi Mehdi Hussain (Fateh Nawaz Jung)
who had been Chief Justice and was then Home
Secretary. The Prime Minister Sir Asman Jah
retired and Nawab Viqar-ul-Umara was appointed
Prime Minister. The plot had succeeded.
Moulvi Chiragh All
Among ~tKe group of men who came with high
credentials from Syed Ahmed Khan of Aligarh
not the least noteworthy was Moulvi Chiragh All
(afterwards Nawab^ Azam Yar Jung). His bulky
rotund figure, his large head, massive brow, and
protruding wide-open eyes at once arrested atten-
tion. There was something in the brain behind