Later Mughals v1.c9.s27.1

v1.c9.s27.1

We have already told how in 1128 H. (March, 1716) Mir Jumla was exiled first to Sarhind and then to Lahor. He had never abandoned hope of a return to Court, but Farrukh-siyar was too frightened of the Sayyids to accord his consent. At length, the Emperor, having screwed up his courage to the sticking place, recalled Mir Jumla. As soon as Qutb-ul-mulk learnt this, he sent to ask Farrukh-siyar why, if there was no quarrel left between them, he should have sent for Mir Jumla. Frightened at this remonstrance, Farrukh-siyar cancelled his first order. But Mir Jumla, directly he had received the farman, had started on his return, and paying no attention whatever to the second order, hurried on by forced marches. Knowing what anger would be aroused in Qutb-ul-mulk's breast by Mir Jumla's arrival, Farrukh-siyar despatched Shahbaz Khan Qul [slave] to turn him back wherever he might be found. Even this measure was powerless to arrest his course. However, as Mir Jumla perceived that, out of fear of the Wazir, Farrukh-siyar would decline to see him, he decided to give himself out as an adherent of the Sayyids. Accordingly he went straight to Qutb-ul-mulk's house, 5th Zul Qada (29th September, 1718). Farrukh-siyar, overpowered by anger, took away Mir Jumla's rank and gave orders to resume the mansion, known as Asad Khan's, which had been granted him, and conferred it upon Samsam-ud-daulah. Energetic men were sent with orders to remove him from the house of Qutb-ul-mulk to that of the late Fidai Khan. Qutb-ul mulk was much enraged at this action, and the ill-will which had been hidden under a pretended reconciliation, was now again shown openly. The Wazir wrote (5th Zul Qada, 29th September, 1718) to his brother, Husain Ali Khan, requesting him to leave the Dakhin at once and return to Dihli. In his letter, after referring to the enemies who had obtained the ear of His Majesty, he recounts the story of Jai Singh Sawai's campaign against Chura Jat, and the quarrel arising from its termination, his fear of assassination, and his measures to collect additional troops. There is no doubt that Qutb-ul-mulk's fears for his personal safety were not unfounded. For instance, on the 29th Shawwal (24th September, 1718), when he was seated in the office of the diwan engaged in signing documents, spies brought him word that an outbreak was planned, whereupon he called hurriedly for a palki, and was carried home.*