Later Mughals v1.c9.s16.7

v1.c9.s16.7

The consummation of the marriage had been delayed for a month or two by Farrukh-siyar's illness. When he returned to Dihli on the 19th Shaban (19th August, 1715), he was suffering from haemorrhoids. It was on this occasion that the services of William Hamilton, the English surgeon, were called into requisition. He had accompanied an embassy sent to Dihli to complain of the conduct of Murshid Quli Khan, nazim of Bengal, in regard to the re-imposition of the custom duties which had been remitted by Alamgir.‡ By the 16th October (N. S.), the Emperor had been for some time under treatment by Mr. Hamilton. His ailments are said in the envoy's letters to have been first swellings in the groin and then a threatened fistula. This account agrees closely with the contemporary writer Kamwar Khan’s statement. On the 3rd December, Farrukh-siyar bathed on his recovery, and on the 10th the surgeon was publicly presented with valuable gifts. As to this mission we shall give further details in a future section.