The Cambridge History of India, Vol. IV: The Mughul Period v4.c17.8

v4.c17.8

The stability of an empire under personal rule is particularly dependent on the estimate held from time to time by its officials and its enemies of the capability of its head. Akbar had left a fairly compact territory extending from the confines of Persia to the Bay of Bengal, and from Kashmīr to Ahmadnagar. On the west Shāh ‘Abbās of Persia, a ruler of equal ability, was watching for an opportunity of recovering Qandahār, the gate through which traffic passed between India and Persia. Along the southern border there were watchful foes from Malik ‘Ambar who was consolidating the Muhammadan states, to Orissa which had not been perfectly subdued. Within the empire were many ambitious and unsettled chiefs who needed little inducement to rebel. Khusrav’s revolt was followed by disturbances in Bihār which were soon quelled, and by a more dangerous attempt by Rāi Rāi Singh of Bīkāner who had been promoted by Jahāngīr and was actually conducting the imperial harem to Lahore when he broke away. Rājā Jagannāth of Amber, with the forces intended for Mewār, soon captured and brought him to court.