Riyaz al-salatin 110.1.2

110.1.2

The Triumvirate Council persuaded Sarfaraz Khan to introduce in Bengal the coins and the Khutbah of Nadir Shah, and about the same time they remitted the confiscated treasures of Shuja'u-d-daulah and the Bengal tribute in charge of Murid Khan, who had arrived in Murshidabad on behalf of Qamru-d-din Khan long before Nadir Shah's invasion. Haji Ahmad and Ali Vardi Khan intrigued with Murid Khan, and won him over to their side. On the withdrawal of Nadir Shah, they carried tales of the introduction of the Nadir Shahi coin and Khutbah to Nawab Qamru-d-din Khan and to Nizamu-l-Mulk, and laid various other charges against Sarfaraz Khan. Aided by the machinations of the Imperial ministers, they secured a royal patent granting to them the Nizamat of Bengal, and authorising the execution of Sarfaraz Khan, on account of his treason in introducing the coin and Khutbah of Nadir Shah. When the arrow of their efforts reached the butt of their aim, the Triumvirate Council represented to Sarfaraz Khan that the resources of the State were limited, whilst its expenditure was heavy, and thereby persuaded the Nawab to reduce the strength of his Army. They at the same time secretly sent instructions to Ali Vardi Khan to mobilise troops and collect arms, in view of the invasion of Bengal. Whoever was cashiered from the army of Sarfaraz Khan was straightway enlisted by Haji Ahmad in the service of Ali Vardi Khan, and sent off to Azimabad (Patna).