Later Mughals v1.c10.s2: Sec. 2.—Quarrel Over the Spoils.
Later Mughals v1.c10.s2
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Sec. 2.—Quarrel Over the Spoils.
v1.c10.s2.1
Abdullah Khan, making use of his position within the palace and fort, had taken possession of all the buried treasure, the jewel-house, the armoury, and all the imperial establishments. He had also resumed the jagirs of over two-hundred of Farrukh-siyar's officers, and of the relations of Bahadur Shah and Alamgir. Within two or three days' time these were all granted afresh to his own officers and dependants. This procedure was greatly objected to by Husain Ali Khan; and the two brothers almost came to drawing their swords upon each other. Ratan Chand, who is described as the "key of Abdullah Khan's wits," intervened with smooth words, caused the jagirs of the dismissed nobles to be granted to Husain Ali Khan's followers, and thus put an end to the strife. He reminded the brothers that they had lately behaved in a way to anger both God and man, and if they wished for their own preservation from the clutches of rival nobles, it was absolutely necessary for them to suppress all differences and act heart and soul together. If they did not act in agreement, the Mughal leaders would rend them to pieces. [Kamwar 196, K. K. 822.]
v1.c10.s2.2
∗ *Chauth*, literally "one-fourth," ¼th of the revenue collections; *sardeshmukhi*, the allowances of a sardeshmukh, [*sar*, "chief," *desh*, "country," *mukh*, "head"]; *swa*, "own," *raj*, "territory."