Later Mughals v1.c9.s19: Sec. 21.—Renewal of Intrigues Against the Sayyids.
Later Mughals v1.c9.s19
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Sec. 21.—Renewal of Intrigues Against the Sayyids.
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July 1715—April 1718.
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With the return to Court, on the 11th Jamadi II. 1127 H. (13th June 1715), of Nizam-ul-mulk, after his supersession by Husain Ali Khan in the government of the Dakhin, the plots against the two brothers once more commenced. Nizam-ulmulk was angry at losing the Dakhin. This is betrayed by the fact that when he was on his march to Dihli, although Husain Ali Khan passed him at a distance of only a few miles, he failed to visit the latter. According to the customs of the country this was most disrespectful, Husain Ali Khan being his superior in rank. At Court Nizam-ul-mulk, who had been trained in the school of Alamgir, found it difficult to remain on good terms with the men in Farrukh-siyar's confidence, and when in Jamadi I. 1129 H. (April 1717), he was made faujdar of the Muradabad chakla, he elected to proceed there in person, instead of appointing a deputy.*
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During these two years (1715-17) the Emperor started on many hunting expeditions, of which the principal object was supposed to be the finding an opportunity to make away with Abdullah Khan. Farrukh-siyar was absent from Dihli for a month, from the 21st Rajab to the 25th Shaban 1127 H. (22nd July—25th August 1715), being then forced to return by illness. It was during this expedition that the secret orders already spoken of were issued to Daud Khan to resist Husain Ali Khan, Nizam-ul-mulk having been taken into council for this purpose. Abdullah Khan, during the interval, enlisted fresh troops and prepared to defend himself. Since, after waiting a month, no news came from Daud Khan, and Farrukh-siyar's ailment had increased, he was forced to return to Dihli. Then on the 10th Shawwal 1127 H. (8th October, 1715) came the report from the Dakhin that on the 8th Ramzan (6th September, 1715) Daud Khan Panni had been defeated and slain by Husain Ali Khan near Burhanpur. Four days afterwards (12th October, 1715) Abdullah Khan, who had been a great deal absent from darbar, presented himself at audience, laid offerings before the Emperor, and congratulated him upon the recent victory over the rebel, Daud Khan. False speeches were made and lying compliments exchanged between Emperor and Wazir. The secret cause of Daud Khan's resistance was already known to the Wazir, and the seeds of fresh ill-will had been sown in both their hearts. One story is that Farrukh-siyar, in Qutb-ul-mulk's presence, said it was a pity that such a brave man as Daud Khan should have been slain. To this the Wazir retorted: "I suppose, if my brother had been slain instead, it would have been a good thing and acceptable to your Majesty?"*
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∗ Nizam-ul-mulk returned to Court on the 29th September, 1718. Kamwar Khan 156, Mirza Muhammad 393.
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It seems that after Daud Khan's death, his belongings fell into the hands of Husain Ali Khan. Among these the Sayyid's servants found several letters from Khan Dauran, and an imperial *farman* granting the Government of the Dakhin to Daud Khan. These papers were sent to Qutb-ul-mulk, who began at once to raise troops and prepared for resistance. Khan Dauran was deputed to conciliate him. At their interview, Qutb-ul-mulk complained of the parcel of beggars' sons, newly risen in the world, who employed their time in slander and detraction. What good could result? Khan Dauran replied, "Who is the wretched creature? No man worthy the name of man resorts to slander." Qutb-ul-mulk placed in his hand the original letters to Daud Khan, and said: "Look at these, who is the writer?" Khan Dauran unfolded them and began to read. As he did so, the sweat stood on his face like drops of dew, and his face flushed a deep red. After a moment's silence, he began a defence founded on obedience to the Emperor's orders. "When his sovereign ordered, how could he dare to disobey?" In short, he talked much, but was encountered by Qutb-ul-mulk at every turn, until he was reduced to silence and took his departure.