Later Mughals v1.c9.s12.2

v1.c9.s12.2

The first of these executions took place by Farrukh-siyar's orders during the night of the 2nd Rabi I. 1125 H. (28th March, 1713). Sadullah Khan, son of Inayatullah Khan Kashmiri, Hidayat Kesh Khan, a Hindu convert, who had been central news-writer (waqia-nigar-i-kal)† and Sidi Qasim Habshi, late kotwal or police officer of Dihli, were the victims. They were strangled by the Qalmaq slaves (Sadullah Khan struggling with them till he was overpowered), and their bodies were exposed for three days on the sandy space below the citadel. It is difficult to decide what Sadullah Khan's crime had been. In the last year of Bahadur Shah's reign he was deputy Wazir with the title of Wazarat Khan, and his temporary adhesion to Jahandar Shah was no worse crime in him than in many others who were pardoned. At first, Farrukh-siyar had received him with favour. But on the 21st Muharram 1125 H. (16th February, 1713), immediately after the Emperor had visited Padshah Begam, the daughter of Alamgir, Sadullah Khan was sent to prison and his property confiscated. As to the reason for his disgrace, there are two versions, with both of which the name of Padshah Begam is mixed up. As told by Khafi Khan, it would appear that a forged letter had been sent to Farrukh-siyar in the name of Padshah Begam asking for the removal of Sadullah Khan. The Begam is represented as having repudiated this letter, when Farrukh-siyar visited her after the execution of Sadullah Khan. But the only visit that is recorded took place a month before his execution.