The Cambridge History of India, Vol. IV: The Mughul Period v4.c20.269

v4.c20.269

Nādir Shāh’s warnings had had some effect on Muhammad Shāh, who was now suspicious of Nizām-ul-Mulk and all the Turanian nobles. After secret conversations with the object of undermining the power and influence of the Turanian party, he promised to appoint ‘Umdat-ul-Mulk in place of Qamar-ud-dīn Khān, the minister, who was second in importance only to Nizām-ul-Mulk among the Turanians. The latter now prepared to set out for his viceroyalty in the Deccan. Qamar-ud-dīn Khān learnt what had passed and wrote to Nizām-ul-Mulk, by whose advice he resigned his post, left Delhi and joined the Nizām. Muhammad Shāh consulted others and was told that ‘Umdat-ul-Mulk could never stand against the power of the Turanian party. The result was the complete collapse of the emperor’s plot. ‘Umdat-ul-Mulk was himself sent to the camp to make his peace with Qamar-ud-dīn Khān and Nizām-ul-Mulk, and did so with such openness and honesty as to win the latter’s warm approval. As he could not remain in the capital after what had passed, he left Delhi for Allahābād, of which province he held the government. Nizām-ul-Mulk, in view of the necessity for frustrating the emperor’s schemes for the oppression of the Turanian faction, deferred his departure for the Deccan.