Later Mughals v1.c9.s27.9

v1.c9.s27.9

After a few days the Emperor went out again on a hunting expedition, accompanied by many officers and State officials: and, as usual, the rumour spread that on this occasion, when Qutb-ul-mulk appeared to make his obeisance, hands would be laid upon him. Qutb-ul-mulk, receiving a hint from Samsam-ud-daulah, came surrounded by men; when he dismounted at the entrance, five hundred fully-armed soldiers dismounted with him. In spite of all that the chamberlain (Mir Tuzak) and attendants (yasawal) could say, the whole of these men followed into the audience tent. Farrukh-siyar was greatly perturbed at the sight, and it was with much constraint that he was able to utter a few words of compliment before he dismissed the visitor.* Further attempts to heal the breach were made. On the 20th Zul Qada (14th October, 1718) Zafar Khan, the fourth Bakhshi, took Itiqad Khan to Qutb-ul-mulk's house, when the favourite and the Wazir interchanged presents, and three days afterwards, Samsam-ud-daulah visited Itiqad Khan. About this time Farrukh-siyar, always of a suspicious nature, came to the conclusion that his foster-mother, who held an honoured position in the harem, and Itimad Khan, a eunuch, had betrayed his secret projects to the Sayyids. [Kamwar 183.]