A History of the Mahrattas v1.c15.61

v1.c15.61

In this state of affairs, Abdool Mohummud recommended that Khowaus Khan should be appointed regent, and that he himself and the two principal nobles who remained should each be sent to command in different parts of the kingdom. Kulburga, and the parts adjoining the Moghul territory, he reserved for himself; Abdool Khureem to have Merich, Panalla, Dharwar, Soonda, Bednore, and the Concan; and Muzuffir Khan to have charge of the rest of the Carnatic. The king, although exceedingly averse to this arrangement, was compelled to adopt it; and Khowaus Khan was sent for to his bed-side, to receive charge of his son and his last injunctions, as recommended by the minister. Khowaus Khan accepted the regency, and promised to fulfil the instructions; but after the king’s death, when he had established his power, he postponed sending Abdool Khureem and Abdool Mohummud to their governments, lest they should make their own terms with the Moghuls; but he despatched Muzuffir Khan to the Carnatic. He endeavoured to reconcile the others by giving Abdool Khureem command of the troops, and by treating Abdool Mohummud with every mark of outward respect. Each party had Bramin dependants, who not only fomented the disputes of their masters, but through their Hindoo connections, Sivajee had minute information of all that passed; and as his compact with Abdool Mohummud ceased with the death of Ali Adil Shah, he instantly prepared to take advantage of the distractions which prevailed at Beejapoor.¹