A History of the Mahrattas v1.c19.116

v1.c19.116

A.D. 1719.—Roshun Ikhtiar, the son of Jehandar Shah and grandson of Sultan Mauzum, was then raised to the imperial dignity by the title of Mohummud Shah, but the two Syuds, by whom all these changes were effected, conducted the affairs of the empire with absolute sway, and with the usual watchful jealousy of usurpers. They held the reins with a strong hand, but they were naturally desirous of retaining the services of such nobles of experience and ability as were not supposed hostile to their party. Of this number was Nizam Ool Moolk, but that officer was secretly inimical to their power: he had been removed from his government in the Deccan, to make room for Hoossein Ally Khan, and appointed to Mooradabad, where he had distinguished himself by his activity in reducing to order some rebellious Zumeendars of the province, who had sheltered themselves in the Sewalick mountains. He was recalled to court by the Emperor, and remained at Delhi for some time unemployed, but was at last dispatched as governor of the province of Malwa, at the recommendation of the elder Syud. Although daring and ambitious, he inherited the temporizing policy of his father, and he was induced, on the confinement of Ferokhsere, to profess his allegiance to the pageant Emperor whom the Syuds had set up. He continued in his government of Malwa; but observing the troubles and disorders likely to arise, he waited in expectation of some favourable opportunity to aggrandize himself during the revolutionary period of which he foresaw the approach.