The Cambridge History of India, Vol. IV: The Mughul Period v4.c20.164

v4.c20.164

On 18 May the garrison of Āgra fort, instigated by Mitra Sen (a Nāgar Brāhman of local influence), refused to recognise Rafī‘-ud-Darajāt and proclaimed Nikū-siyar (son of Akbar), who was kept in prison there, as emperor, with Mitra Sen (now created Rājā Bīrbal with the rank of 7000) as his minister. The imperial treasure hoard in the fort was used to enlist troops for the new sovereign. But the rebellion did not spread beyond the fort walls; Nikū-siyar’s two great friends, Jay Singh Sawāī and Chhabelā Rām, held back, and he wrote to the Sayyid brothers inviting them to accept him as emperor, in return for the recognition of their rank and honours.