Firishta's History (Gulshan-i Ibrāhīmī) 224.2

224.2

About this period the Rajpoots of Nandote having laid waste part of the territory of Malwa, Sooltan Mahomed, by the advice of Mahmood Khan, placing the army under the command of his chief ministers Mullik Mogheis, ordered him to march and punish the enemy, having presented him on the occasion with ten elephants and a robe of honour. Shortly after, it was apparent the King had relinquished all interest in the transaction of public business, leaving it entirely to Mahmood Khan, while he gave himself up to the pleasures of the seraglio, and abandoned himself to drunken excess. The natural consequence of such conduct threw an increased accession of power and influence into the hands of the minister, while respect for the King gradually declined. This state of affairs was by no means pleasing to many of the nobles, who, dreading lest Mahmood Khan should be induced to usurp the crown, and thus put an end to the Ghoory dynasty, sent secret messages to the King, warning him of his danger. Mahmood Khan, who was at this time in the habit of seeing the King daily in private, became aware of his suspicions, and took precautionary measures for his own safety, which did not escape the King’s notice, who one day told him that he had heard he intended to usurp the crown; then taking him by the hand, and leading him to his wife, the minister’s sister, he conjured him, at all events, to spare his life.