A History of the Mahrattas v2.c39.1

Language: English

v2.c39.1

A.D. 1784.—AT the imperial court we left Afrasiab Khan and Mohummud Beg Humadanee struggling for the superiority. The former at first obtained the advantage, owing principally to his having the control of the Emperor's person, but foreseeing no probability of reducing his rival with the means at his disposal, he contemplated an alliance with some of the neighbouring states, and cast his eyes successively towards the Nabob Vizier, the English, and the Mahrattas. Whilst hesitating in his choice, the Emperor's son Prince Mirza Jewan Bukht made his escape from Delhi, fled to Lucknow, where the Governor-General then was, and threw himself on his protection and that of the Nabob Vizier. He was promised an asylum; but although he entreated assistance in his father's name, Mr. Hastings declined affording it. The prince's flight, however, alarmed Afrasiab Khan, and he voluntarily offered to make any arrangement for the Emperor which the Governor-General and the Nabob Vizier might suggest, provided they would support him with a sufficient force to suppress the rebellion of Mohummud Beg. But these overtures being also rejected, Afrasiab Khan had recourse to Mahadajee Sindia.¹