The Cambridge History of India, Vol. IV: The Mughul Period v4.c17.59

v4.c17.59

In May, 1626, Kābul was reached, and Mahābat Khān's influence soon began to wane. His ability was that of a soldier rather than that of a statesman, and even during the excitement of his *coup d'état* he had shown weaknesses and lapses of judgement. None of the other officers of state really sided with him and he had neither friend nor counsellor at court. Trouble arose over a petty squabble in a royal game reserve where some of the Rājput soldiers had taken horses to graze. One of the guards was killed and the others were not satisfied by the action taken in consequence. An attack was organised on the Rājputs in which 800 or 900 of them were slain, and this was followed by a general rising of the Afghāns which seriously depleted Mahābat Khān's only reliable force. Nūr Jahān's intrigues against him increased though the emperor still continued, either through guile or the foolish loquacity of a drunkard, to express confidence in him.