Firishta's History (Gulshan-i Ibrāhīmī) 90.3

90.3

The officers of the army having espoused opposite parties refused to lead detachments against the enemy, lest advantage should be taken by their rivals of their absence; and the camp followers suffering from the attacks of the Tulingas, and unsupported by their own troops, refrained from bringing in forage or grain, so that famine began to rage, and discontent and consternation pervaded the army. Assud Khan, who was respected by all, finding the disorders daily increasing, boldly resolved to put an end to them by the exercise of his authority. In the first place, he seized and put to death those evil-disposed persons who had excited the princes against each other, and calling together all the nobles, he forbade them to visit either of the princes. He directed them, for the present, to attend him, as usual, daily at the audience-tents, in order that they might conduct public affairs till the time should arrive for seating one or other of the princes on the throne. Both parties submitted to these measures; and the whole army approved of the conduct of Assud Khan, and promised to fulfil his wishes. Having assumed the title of Protector, he detached a force to dislodge the Tulingas from the vicinity of the camp, and placed strong guards of his own dependents over the princes; informing them, that the astrologers had declared ten days must elapse before the favourable moment for accession to the throne;