The Cambridge History of India, Vol. IV: The Mughul Period v4.c19.192

v4.c19.192

The most powerful of the nobles of Golconda was a Sayyid of Ardistān, Mīr Muhammad Sa‘īd, who had received the title of Mīr Jumla (prime minister) and very extensive assignments in the Golconda Carnatic. He had originally been a diamond merchant, and the experience which he had thus acquired enabled him to dispose, to the best advantage, of the produce of the diamond mines which his assignments contained. His wealth and his power were great, and he maintained at his own expense a force of 5000 horse. The dissolute and arrogant conduct of Muhammad Amīn, Mīr Jumla’s son, who resided at court, produced the first open breach between the servant and his master. His offences culminated in his coming drunk to the royal palace, throwing himself down to sleep, in the king’s absence, on the royal throne, and vomiting over its rich coverings. He was imprisoned and his father appealed to Shāh Jahān for protection. The appeal received the strongest support from Aurangzīb, and Shāh Jahān directed ‘Abdullah Qutb Shāh to release Muhammad Amīn and to send both father and son to the imperial court. ‘Abdullah resented this attempt to interfere between him and his servants and punished Mīr Jumla by the confiscation of his property.