Tarikh-i Muzaffari 3: Death of Ghazi-d din Asaf Jah Nizamu-l Mulk.
Táríkh-i Muzaffarí, of Muhammad 'Alí Khán (Elliot & Dowson, extracts) 3
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Death of Ghazi-d din Asaf Jah Nizamu-l Mulk.
3.1
In the month of Sha'ban, Amiru-l umara Ghaziu-d din Khan left his son, Shahabu-d din Muhammad Khan, as his deputy in the office of Mir Bakhshi, and proceeded towards the Dakhin, taking with him Malhar Rao, on the promise of paying him money upon his arrival at home. He reached Aurangabad at the end of Zi-l ka'da. When intelligence of his arrival reached Haidarabad, Salabat Jang, third son of (the late) Asaf Jah, marched out with a great force to oppose his elder brother, Malhar Rao, being informed of these designs, and seeing that war between the two brothers was imminent, took the opportunity of asking for Khandesh and Khanpur, which were old dependencies of Aurangabad. He foresaw that the struggle with Salabat Jang would be severe, and he deemed it prudent to refrain from taking any part in it, because the officials of the Dakhin were in favour of the succession of Salabat Jang. No fighting had taken place between the rivals, when Amiru-l umara (Ghaziu-d din) died. His adherents, among whom was Muhammad Ibrahim Khan, uncle of the author of this work, carried his coffin to Dehli. They also carried with them his money and valuables, exceeding a kror of rupees in amount, and delivered them over to his son Shahabu-d din Muhammad Khan. This young man, whenever his late father was absent, had deemed it best for his interests to be constant in his attentions to Safdar Jang, and by this conduct he had gained the favour of that minister, who showed him great kindness.
3.2
When the intelligence of his father's death arrived, he communicated the fact to Safdar Jang before it was generally known, and from that day the minister called him his adopted son. By the minister's influence, he was appointed Mir Bakhshi, and received the title of Amiru-l umara Ghaziu-d din Khan 'Imadu-l Mulk. * * After the murder of Jawid Bahadur, the Emperor (Ahmad Shah) felt great aversion for Safdar Jang, and extended his favour to Intizamu-d daula, who, in consequence of the regulations established by Safdar Jang inside and outside of the palace, had ceased for some time to go to the darbar. One day the Emperor observed that Safdar Jang held the great offices of dnvdn-i kull and wazir, and that the post of superintendent of the ghusl-khdna, and of the royal arsenal, with other less offices, might be left for others. From that day great apprehension filled the mind of Safdar Jang, and he set himself either to win over Intizamu-d daula or to remove him out of the way.
3.3
Ya'kub Khan, son of that Haidar Khan who assassinated the Amini-l umara Husain 'Ali Khan, went to the darbar one day, and after making his obeisance and sitting a short time, he rose quickly and asked leave to go home. Intizamu-d daula was surprised, and said, "I am going to-day to pay a visit to the wazir, but what reason is that for your asking to go away?" He replied, "There are some thousands of men armed with swords and daggers waiting there for your honour; and as soon as ever you sit down, you will be served in the same way as the Nawab Bahadur was. Beware, and do not go there until affairs of State are settled." The caution was not lost upon Intizamu-d daula, and he sent an excuse to the wazir. Communications about this went on for two or three days, * * and 'Imadu-l Mulk was also sent to re-assure and conciliate Intizamu-d daula. * *
3.4
(In the course of these negociations) Safdar Jang sent a eunuch to the royal fortress with a letter, * * and the commandant, who was a creature of Safdar Jang's, contrary to usage, admitted him without the royal permission. * * On this being reported to the Emperor, he was highly incensed, and ordered the commandant and the eunuch to be turned out. * * All the servants and dependents of Safdar Jang were turned out of the fortress, not one was left. * * These things greatly troubled Safdar Jang, and for two or three days there was a talk of his attacking the house of Intizamu-d daula. Large numbers of men were assembled before his gates from morning until night, and a great force of Mughals and others collected at the house of Intizamu-d daula; while many nobles gathered together at the royal abode.
3.5
Safdar Jang, seeing that his fortune had changed, sent to ask for permission to retire to his province of Oudh. The Emperor instantly sent him a letter under his own signature, granting him permission to retire some days for the benefit of his health, and to return when better. He had not expected this letter, and was greatly annoyed; but next day he took his departure, and marched away by the bank of the river. * * For two or three days after leaving the city he waited in expectation of a royal summons, and sometimes moved in one direction, sometimes in another. Inside the city, Intizamu-d daula and Ghaziu-d din Khan busied themselves in strengthening the fortifications, and in throwing up intrenchments outside. They manned them with their own men and with the "royal Jats," and exerted themselves to levy old soldiers and recruits. Safdar Jang saw that they were resolved to overthrow him, and so he felt compelled to prepare for battle. In order to reinforce his army, he called to his assistance Suraj Mai Jat, and also Indar Gosain, Faujdar of Badali, with a strong force of followers. * *
3.6
By advice of Suraj Mai Jat and Salabat Khan Zu-l fikar Jang, the wazir Safdar Jang brought out a young prince and raised him to the royal throne. As soon as news of this reached the city, the Emperor appointed Intizamu-d daula to be wazir, and made Hisam Khan Samsamu-d daula commander of the artillery. From that day open hostilities commenced, and Safdar Jang invested Shah-Jahanabad. He took the old city and the houses outside the fortifications from the hands of the Jats, and plundered them. * * When the contest had gone on for six months, and numbers of men had been killed on both sides, Maharaja Madhu Singh Kachhwaha left his country, and approached the capital in the hope of making peace. * * It was settled that Safdar Jang should retain the provinces of Oudh and Allahabad as before, and peace was made when he received the robe of investiture.
3.7
After the retirement of Safdar Jang to his provinces, the new wazir, and Ghaziu-d din ('Imadu-l Mulk) the Amiru-l umara, endeavoured to establish some order in the State. But envy and animosity arose between them, and each one acted according to his own views and interests. Malhar Rao and Jayapa Mahratta now arrived at the head of 60,000 horse, and (Ghaziu-d din) 'Imadu-l Mulk, who was expecting them, resolved to attack and punish Suraj Mal Jat for the part he had taken with Safdar Jang in plundering the environs of Shah-Jahanabad. Intizamu-d daula, the wazir, desired to accept from Suraj Mal an offering of fifty lacs of rupees as the price of forgiveness, and to apply the money to the pay of the troops. 'Imadu-l Mulk, proud of his victory over Safdar Jang, and urged on by the Mahrattas, marched out, and besieging Suraj Mal in the fort of Kumbher, he took possession of his territory. In the course of three months Khandi Rao, son of Malhar Rao, was killed, and it became clear that the fort could not be reduced without heavy guns. 'Imadu-l Mulk then sent Mahmud Khan, who had been his atalik from childhood, * * to bring up the royal artillery. * *
3.8
Intizamu-d daula had conceived the design of bringing the Maharaja, the Rana, the Rathor, and the Kachhwaha Rajas, whose territories and people had suffered greatly from the ravages of the Mahrattas, to form a league against these marauders. He also hoped to win Safdar Jang, who had made overtures of reconciliation, and with their united forces to drive the Mahrattas out of Hindustan. * * Accordingly he came to an agreement with Maharaja Madhu Singh, Ram Singh, Safdar Jang, and Suraj Mal Jat, that as soon as the royal camp was pitched at Kol, Safdar Jang should first join him, and then the royal army should march on to Agra. Being joined at that capital by the Rajas and the Jats, they were to commence their work of settling the country, and of driving out the Mahrattas. Accordingly the Emperor (Ahmad) and the wazir set out for Kol and Sikandra. * * On reaching the neighbourhood of Sikandra, numbers of the royal servants and of the adherents of the amirs in attendance joined the camp. Other men came in from all directions, and suitable artillery was obtained. When the Emperor marched from Dehli, 'Akibat Mahmud Khan followed. * * He went to Intizamu-d daula, and complained of the grievances he felt from want of appreciation by 'Imadu-l Mulk. Intizamu-d daula showed him great kindness, took him to the Emperor, and introduced him to the royal service. Having got leave to go out on pretence of bringing aid, he went off to the town of Khoraja.
3.9
Intelligence now reached the royal camp that Malhar Rao had gone to Dehli with 50,000 horse, to bring one of the royal princes out of Salimgarh. The receipt of this news greatly alarmed the Emperor. * * Malhar Rao approached the royal camp, and after consulting with 'Akibat Mahmud Khan, opened fire upon it with rockets and muskets. * * The Emperor, without even consulting with his friends, resolved to go off to Dehli with Sahiba Zamani, his mother, * * and reached the citadel with his party. * * In the morning Intizamu-d daula found that he had not more than three or four hundred men left, * * and hastened off to Dehli with the Mahrattas in pursuit. All the artillery and camp equipage fell into their hands, and the Emperor's mother was taken, and her equipage plundered. * * Next day 'Imadu-l Mulk came up to the deserted forces, in which there was neither spirit nor power left. He consoled them, and by kindness won them to his own side. He waited on the Empress mother, to pay his respects, and make his excuses, * * and she proceeded on her way to Dehli. 'Imadu-l Mulk and Malhar Rao walked a few paces on foot in attendance upon her. They followed to Dehli. When Jayapa Mahratta saw that these two chiefs had gone off, and that he alone could not effect the reduction of Kumbher, he raised the siege, and went in the direction of Narnaul. Suraj Mal was thus relieved.
3.10
The Emperor entered the fort, and on the evening of the same day he was joined by Intizamu-d daula, * * who advised that a force should be placed under him to throw up intrenchments round the fortress. * * The Emperor replied: "Ghaziu-d din Khan 'Imadu-l Mulk is an old adherent of our house, and will not think of doing me any harm. After receiving the expression of my wishes, he will not fail to effect the withdrawal of the Mahrattas. The best thing you can do is to go and keep quiet at home for a few days." * * He accordingly retired. "'Imadu-l Mulk sent a letter to the Emperor, demanding the office of wazir, and a new distribution of offices. * * Next day he came to the presence, and was installed as wazir. * * 'Akibat Mahmud Khan recommended that Ahmad Shah should be deposed, and another prince raised to the throne in his stead. 'Imadu-l Mulk and the Mahrattas were afraid of his power, and did not see how to act in opposition, so they acquiesced. After that the lawyers were collected, and were consulted as to the deposition of Ahmad Shah. * * On their approval, Ahmad Shah was removed from the throne on the 10th Sha'ban, and cast into prison. * * After that they waited upon the royal princes who were in confinement, to select one to ascend the throne. But the princes were afraid, and no one consented.
3.11
At length, after much trouble, Sultan 'Azizu-d din, son of Jahandar Shah, son of Bahadur Shah, who during his seclusion had devoted himself to theological science, was prevailed upon to accept the crown, with the title of 'Azizu-d din Muhammad 'Alamgir sani (II.), on the 10th Sha'ban, 1167 A.H. Ghaziu-d din Khan 'Imadu-l Mulk was made wazir. Ten days after the accession of 'Alamgir, the wazir 'Imadu-l Mulk and 'Akibat Mahmud Khan caused the deposed Emperor Ahmad and his mother to be blinded. The manner of their contriving this was, that a forged letter under the seal of Ahmad was addressed to the new Emperor, which excited his apprehension. On speaking of the matter to 'Imadu-l Mulk, he suggested that Ahmad should be deprived of sight, and the Emperor accordingly gave orders for the blinding both of him and his mother. Their emissaries entered the private apartments of the deposed monarch, treated him with indignities which it is unfit to write, and blinded him in a cruel manner. His mother, who had endeavoured to obtain his release, was treated in the same way. 'Akibat Mahmud Khan, in the service of 'Imadu-l Mulk, soon afterwards misconducted himself, and his master gave a hint, which was immediately acted upon, and the offender was killed.