The Cambridge History of India, Vol. IV: The Mughul Period v4.c21.88

v4.c21.88

The scene now changes once more to Delhi. Chīn Qilich Khān, the Nizām-ul-Mulk, finding it impossible to cope with the disorders and corruption of the Mughul court, determined to set up for himself in the Deccan. In 1720 he suddenly crossed the Narbadā and marched southwards. Asīrgarh and Burhānpur capitulated, and Chandra Sen Jādav and a number of disaffected Marāthās flocked to his standard. He routed Dilāvar and 'Ālim 'Alī Khān, the governor of the Deccan, who had been sent against him by the Sayyids, at the battles of Khandwa and Bālāpur (June–August, 1720). In the latter battle, a detachment of Marāthās under Khande Rāo Dābhāde and Dāmājī Gāikwār fought on the imperialist side with great gallantry. Further opposition was ended when Sayyid Husain 'Alī was murdered,² and his brother defeated and thrown into prison, thus putting an end to the power of the "king-makers" for ever. The Nizām now made his way to the Deccan unopposed. No sooner did he arrive than he began to renew his intrigues with Chandra Sen Jādav and other rebels and also with Kolhāpur, but he was everywhere foiled by the young Peshwā, who had stationed the head of the army with a considerable army of observation to watch him. In 1722, however, he was recalled by the emperor, and on 21 February, at Āgra, he was formally invested with the office of minister. He at once set himself to restore the empire to some sort of order, and to abolish revenue-farming, the grant of assignments and the innumerable other abuses which had arisen. But his efforts only excited the derision of the young emperor and his degenerate court, who were determined to thwart everything he attempted to do, and even ridiculed to his face the stern soldier, whose rough manners were better adapted to the camp than the palace. In December, 1723, the Nizām could tolerate this state of things no longer. He determined to shake the dust of Delhi from off his feet, and under the pretext of going on a hunting expedition to retire to the Deccan. Muhammad Shāh, however, knew that this practically amounted to a declaration of independence, and treacherously sent word to Mubāriz Khān, the governor of Hyderābād, to intercept and kill him if possible. Shāhū, who disliked Mubāriz Khān, decided to help the Nizām, and Bājī Rāo found himself, for the first and last time, fighting side by side with his rival. The decisive engagement took place at Shakarkhelda in Berār (11 October, 1724).³ Mubāriz Khān was routed and killed, and the Nizām marched on to Hyderābād and took it. He determined to make the city his capital, for which it offered many advantages. Being further from Sātārā than Aurangābād, it enabled him to conceal his movements more effectually from the Marāthās; and it was better placed for operations against the Carnatic, upon which the Nizām had already designs. From this time dates the virtual independence of the Nizām, and a new factor is added to Deccan politics.¹ Having failed to put him out of the way, the emperor pardoned and confirmed him in the government of the Deccan, depriving him, however, of the post of minister and the provinces of Gujarāt and Mālwā.