The Cambridge History of India, Vol. IV: The Mughul Period v4.c21.s1.11

v4.c21.s1.11

These offices of state were apportioned by the great nobles without reference to the personal wishes of the emperor, who tried to retaliate by forming a court faction of personal adherents. His attempt to assert authority may be traced to his mother, a woman of humble origin but pernicious activity. At the head of the party was the chief eunuch, Jāvīd Khān, who received high titles and in return for these unmerited honours taught his master to destroy a naturally feeble intellect by drinking to excess. The court party was, in fact, nothing but a cabal of women and eunuchs who pitted themselves against the great officers of state and their armed forces.