The Cambridge History of India, Vol. IV: The Mughul Period v4.c20.22

v4.c20.22

But the emperor’s aims were paralysed by bitter personal jealousies in his camp. Shāh ‘Ālam was soft-hearted and wished to save Abu-’l Hasan from destruction. He welcomed Qutb Shāh’s agents, who visited him secretly and bribed him to use his influence with the emperor to get Abu-’l Hasan pardoned and thus rob his brother A‘zam of the credit of capturing Golconda. The emperor, on learning of these secret negotiations with the enemy, at once put Shāh ‘Ālam and his entire family in prison (3 March), confiscated his property, and even punished his servants. Every hardship and humiliation was inflicted upon the prince in his captivity and it was seven years before he could recover his liberty.