The Cambridge History of India, Vol. IV: The Mughul Period v4.c20.209

v4.c20.209

On 5 July, 1723, Nizām-ul-Mulk arrived at Delhi, but soon found his position at court insupportable. His gravity and austerity had unfitted him for intercourse with courtiers who were rather boon companions than statesmen. Muhammad Shāh now neglected public business entirely beyond passing orders on the petitions of suitors and place-seekers recommended by his intimate associates, who reaped a rich harvest from the fees which they levied from their clients. Those to whom the execution of the duties of minister had fallen during Nizām-ul-Mulk's absence in Gujarāt were loth to surrender their power and he enjoyed the title without the power of his place. He ventured to offer serious advice to his sovereign, entreating him to abandon the practice of letting the reserved lands in farm, to abolish the wholesale bribery which prevailed at court, to exact the levy of the *jizya*, as in the time of Aurangzīb, from unbelievers, and to requite the services rendered by Tahmāsp I of Persia to his ancestor, Humāyūn, by marching to relieve Tahmāsp II, now beset by Afghān invaders, who had sacked and occupied his capital. This advice was rejected; Nizām-ul-Mulk obtained permission to make a shooting tour in the Dūāb, and on 18 December left the court.