The Cambridge History of India, Vol. IV: The Mughul Period v4.c17.9

v4.c17.9

The Persian attack was more insidious owing to preoccupation with war against the Turks under Ahmad I, and at first showed itself merely in border incursions and a siege not strongly pressed. A relieving force arrived early in 1607, the garrison was strengthened, and Shah ‘Abbās wrote letters describing the attacks as unauthorised raids by disobedient officers. His immediate anxieties being removed, Jahāngīr sought relaxation in a visit to Kābul during the hot summer months, thus early in his reign displaying the love of pomp and personal ease which distinguished him from his more austere and energetic father. Some action was taken to reduce the turbulence of the Afghān tribes, but the emperor’s personal interest was chiefly evident in horticulture. The low esteem in which he was held was soon shown by a fresh plot on behalf of Khusrav. Some of the younger men about the court, relations of high officials, formed a plan to kill Jahāngīr while he was out hunting. Information leaked out and the scheme failed. The ringleaders were executed or disgraced and I‘timād-ud-daula, whose son had been concerned, was put in prison, but afterwards released on payment of a heavy fine. The danger to the throne of the growing popularity of Khusrav led to his being blinded, though his sight was partially restored later.¹