Later Mughals v1.c9.s23.1

v1.c9.s23.1

About this time (April 1718) the settlement with Churaman Jat had been forced through by Qutb-ul-mulk, quite against the wishes of Farrukh-siyar himself. From this cause the smouldering quarrel again broke into activity. More especially was this noticeable after the arrival of Rajah Jai Singh, who asserted that in another month Churaman, who was very hard-pressed, would have been utterly defeated; that Qutb-ul-mulk had been so strenuous in pressing the Jat's application, only owing to his desire to prevent the Rajah's success. As Farrukh-siyar fully believed that the two Sayyids were working for his destruction, this complaint added fuel to the flames. Contemporaries concur in asserting that, although Muhammad Murad had liberality (sakhawat) and kindliness (maruvvat), he had not the talent (hausla) required in a Wazir, or even in a great noble. Nor was he valorous. He was even less so than Mir Jumla; though, all the while, Farrukh-siyar believed that in him he had won a splendid piece to play in his game against Qutb-ul-mulk.* But Muhammad Murad himself felt that he was not the man to enter upon an open contest with the Sayyids. He therefore cast about for somebody more fitted to undertake the enterprize with some hope of success. His first selection was Sarbuland Khan, who had a reputation for wisdom and courage, and though just removed from the governorship of Bihar, was still at the head of a large army. On the favourite's advice, Sarbuland Khan was summoned to Court, where he arrived on the 10th Shaban 1130 H. (8th July, 1718), Muhammad Murad going out to meet him. His troops were paraded before the Emperor on the 21st of that month.†