Later Mughals v1.c9.s20: Section 22.—Return of Mir Jumla to Dihli.
Later Mughals v1.c9.s20
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Section 22.—Return of Mir Jumla to Dihli.
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Part of the compact which ended the first quarrel between the Emperor and his minister, was the dismissal from Court of Mir Jumla, who was appointed governor of Patna Azimabad. He left Dihli in Zul Hijja 1126 H. (December, 1714), and his doings at Patna will be spoken of when we come to deal with events in the provinces. Suffice it to say here, that owing to his reckless mismanagement, Mir Jumla was soon unable to meet the pay of the large and turbulent force of Mughals that he had taken with him to Patna. Partly to escape from their demands, and partly, as is believed, in obedience to a secret letter from Farrukh-siyar, he prepared to leave his Government and return to Dihli.* As far as Benares he came openly, but at that place, leaving every one behind, he started for Dihli in a covered litter such as is used by women. In nine days he was at Dihli, which he entered secretly during the night of the 22nd Muharram 1128 H. (16th January, 1716). He had left no time for the Wazir to hear of his starting or forbid his coming. Rumours of his arrival spread through the city, and Farrukh-siyar, when made aware of it the next morning, expressed no disapproval. It was currently believed that, in reality, he was more pleased than he dared to show.†
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∗ Siyar-ul-mutakherin 29; Kamwar Khan 157, 158; Mirza Muhammad 204.
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† Word of Mir Jumla's arrival was brought to Mirza Muhammad that same night by his relation, Mhd Mir, who had been in the Nawab's service at Patna, Mirza Muhammad 237, Wheeler 178.
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When Qutb-ul-mulk learnt that Mir Jumla was again in Dihli, he went at once to the Emperor. Farrukh-siyar swore the most solemn oaths that he had not sent for the man. To this Qutb-ul-mulk answered that whatever His Majesty might wish was no doubt right and proper, but he might look on the speedy return of Husain Ali Khan as an absolute certainty. The Emperor, greatly frightened at the prospect, sent officers with peremptory orders to Mir Jumla to withdraw to Lahor.‡
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‡ Mirza Muhammad, 243. The account in the *Ahwal-ul-khawaqin*, 118b, differs from all others. There we are told that from Faridabad, a distance of 10 *kos* from Dihli, Mir Jumla petitioned for an audience. Angry at Mir Jumla's leaving his post without orders, Farrukh-siyar despatched mace-bearers with orders to conduct the fugitive to the fortress of Gwaliyar, and bring back a receipt from the commandant. Qutb-ul-mulk and others then interceded, the offender was pardoned, but no audience was granted. At length, he was ordered to withdraw to his estates.
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Mir Jumla procrastinated, and thus day after day passed. At length, either of themselves or at his instigation, his Mughal troops, seven or eight thousand in number, broke into revolt. They said that the whole of their pay was still due from the treasury, and the proper person to represent them was Mir Jumla, their commander, and until their arrears were paid, they would not allow him to stir one step. The houses of Muhammad Amin Khan, second Bakhshi, and of Khan Dauran, deputy of the first Bakhshi, were also surrounded. The disturbance was prolonged for a month; and as the house, known as Asaf-ud-daulah's, in which Mir Jumla resided, was close to the palace, he was forced in the end of Safar to move to another house that he owned, called Fidai Khan's, near Khari Baoli.* At this house the whole of the Mughals congregated, their leaders being Sayyid Fath-ullah Khan Khweshgi and Bahadur Dil Khan.† For many days, especially on the 1st Rabi I. (23rd February, 1716), the uproar in the city was indescribable, the streets being filled with Mughal horsemen fully armed and clad in mail. As it was thought that this outbreak would be used as a pretext for an armed attack on his house, Qutb-ul-mulk fortified himself in his quarter of the city, and increased the number of his troops; while his son-in-law and nephew, Ghairat Khan, who had lately been appointed faujdar of Narnol, returned to Dihli, to take part in his uncle's defence. The Emperor placed his personal guards, called the haft chauki, on permanent duty at the palace; and when Qutb-ul-mulk or Khan Dauran went to audience, they were accompanied by the whole of their troops. Mir Jumla took fright at the aspect of affairs and sought refuge in Muhammad Amin Khan's house. At length it was decided that ten lakhs of Rupees should be paid to the men, in order to get rid in this way of Mir Jumla, with whom, owing to this conduct, Farrukh-siyar professed to be very angry. All his titles were taken from him; and he was removed from the offices of darogha of the pages (khawas) and darogha of the post office (dak), which were conferred on his deputies, Amin-ud-din Khan Bahadur and Mirza Khan. His Government of Azimabad Patna was transferred to Sarbuland Khan.*
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∗ The *Ahwal-ul-khawaqin*, 118a, seems to say that by this time Mir Jumla had been removed from his appointment, and made instead *faujdar* of Benares.
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∗ Apparently this Bitter Well (Khari Baoli) lies behind and to the west of the Jami Masjid; see map of Dihli city in C. T. Metcalfe's Two Narratives.
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† This is Lachin Beg, known as the tasma-kash or "strap-twister" (strangler).
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On the 9th Rabi I. 1128 H. (3rd March, 1716), Mir Jumla moved to Nizam-ul-mulk's house, and next day that noble conducted him as far as Narela,† and thence sent him on to Sarhind. At that place he delayed seven or eight months, putting up in the common roadside sarai in the hope of exciting Farrukh-siyar's commiseration, but finally, by express order, he was forced to move on to Lahor. His titles were not restored until the 21st Jamadi, II. 1128 H. (11th June, 1716), on the intercession of Qutb-ul-mulk, who at the same time obtained for him a jagir of three lakhs of Rupees. The Mughals sought service where they could. Their principal officer, Bahadur Dil Khan, was for a time with Qutb-ul-mulk, but not succeeding to his wishes, he transferred himself to Khan Dauran. In that service he stopped for a long time, without having any influence; he was then ordered to join Husain Ali Khan in the Dakhin.‡
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† Narela, *Indian Atlas*, sheet 49 n. e., 16 m. n. of Dihli. Kamwar Khan, 162, says Nizam-ul-mulk and Hamid Khan only went as far as Mandavi-i-namak (the Salt Market). Farrukh-siyar ordered Shamsher Khan Afghan to conduct Mir Jumla to Lahor, Kamwar Khan, entry of 7th Rabi I., 1128 H.
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‡ Kamwar Khan, 161, 165; Mirza Muhammad, 253. Lachin Beg (Bahadur Dil Khan) turns up in the Dakhin in 1137 H. under Nizam-ul-mulk (battle with Mubariz Khan), see Khafi Khan, ii. 954.