The Cambridge History of India, Vol. IV: The Mughul Period v4.c20.161

v4.c20.161

After his interview with the minister on the 27th, Farrukh-siyar had hidden himself in the female apartments. Next morning, when the tumult and street fighting began, Husain ‘Alī from his house in the city wrote to his brother within the fort to put an end to Farrukh-siyar by force, otherwise he would have to enter the palace for settling the business. The riot raging in the city showed that no time was to be lost. Sayyid ‘Abdullah sent his men who broke open the door of the harem, entered and brought away Rafī‘-ud-Darajāt (a son of Rafī‘-ush-Shān), who was immediately seated on the Peacock Throne and proclaimed emperor. Then a party of Afghāns was sent into the harem; they pushed away the ladies and seizing Farrukh-siyar dragged him with blows and abuse to the minister, who had him immediately blinded. The fallen emperor was kept in prison for two months, and then strangled (27–28 April, 1719). He lies buried in Humāyūn’s tomb.