Later Mughals v1.c9.s15.22

v1.c9.s15.22

On the day appointed for their attendance, just before the Sayyids were received in audience, Lutfullah Khan Sadiq, with effusive signs of joy, had met them in the middle of the great court in front of the public audience chamber, and begun to sound their praises like a hired flatterer. "During their absence the Court, even at noon-tide, had been plunged in the darkness of a long winter night, it seemed as if with them the sun and moon had disappeared" and more in the same strain. Qutb-ul-mulk retorted roughly: "What is the use of all this fulsome talk; if you meant it in your heart, why did you not show it in acts and try to heal the breach?" Lutfullah Khan then informed them that he had noticed a change in the Emperor's purpose, and believed that mischief was intended, for this reason only had he now troubled them. Having planted the seeds of distrust in their hearts, he hurried back to the Emperor and said that from what he had seen, he expected the Sayyids would use force. Farrukh-siyar broke out into anger: "The better I treat these men, the worse they oppose me." Additional guards were posted at the doors. After the usual ceremonies, Qutb-ul-mulk stepped forward and protested their loyalty, and prayed that tale-bearers might no longer be listened to. For instance, a person trusted by His Majesty had just met them in the open court of the audience-hall, and professing to be their friend, had told them that His Majesty meant to treat them harshly. If His Majesty thought them worthy of punishment, let him execute them with his own hand; and they would be happy to become a sacrifice. Farrukh-siyar retorted that a man had just told him the Sayyids intended to use force. The Sayyids rejoined that till one of these men was punished, things would never resume their proper course. The Emperor demanded the same. Explanations followed; this double treachery was brought home to the culprit, and the incident was the principal cause of Lutfullah Khan's sudden disgrace. [Ahwal 72a.]