Later Mughals v1.c9.s31.1

v1.c9.s31.1

Muhammad Amin Khan who had, as we have seen, deserted the post of danger in Malwa, now arrived near the city. In the preceding year he had received orders to clear the Malwa province from an incursion of the Mahrattas, but owing to the delay he made, for objects of his own, he fell under the imperial displeasure, was removed from the office of Second Bakhshi, and exiled from Court as permanent governor of Malwa. From that time he had been employed in his new province. In the interval Farrukh-siyar, pursuing his endeavours to destroy the Sayyids, had recourse first to Itiqad Khan and then to Sarbuland Khan. Despairing of them, he turned next to Ajit Singh, who went over at once to the opposite side. Nizam-ul-mulk was next appealed to. Seeing clearly the Emperor's want of firmness, he declined to undertake the business himself, but continued to favour the idea and to give advice. Some say that on his suggestion his cousin, Muhammad Amin Khan, was recalled. No doubt, if Nizam-ul-mulk and Muhammad Amin Khan, could have believed in the truth of the promises made to them, and had been properly supported, in all probability the two Sayyids would have been uprooted easily enough. But Farrukh-siyar was a prey to unreasoning terrors, and he could never come to any firm resolve. [M. M. 433.]