Later Mughals v1.c9.s32.10

v1.c9.s32.10

As Husain Ali Khan was now not very far off, on the 21st Rabi I. (10th February, 1719) Zafar Khan, and a day or two afterwards Itiqad Khan, were sent out to greet him on the Emperor's behalf. They found his camp, on the 25th Rabi I. 1131 H. (14th February, 1719), at Sarai Allahwirdi Khan, about sixteen miles south-west of the city.* They are said to have met with a very ungracious reception. Zafar Khan gave offence by his ostentatious retinue; but more potent still was the talk of Rajah Ratan Chand, who had managed to anticipate them. He had already impressed Husain Ali Khan with the belief that even after the last reconciliation, Farrukh-siyar continued both openly and secretly to favour those who wished to supersede the Sayyids, and had conferred on their enemies gifts and promotions, giving them hints to carry on the struggle. In short, through bad advice, the Emperor was still intent on "using his hatchet to cut his own foot." Amin-ud-din was one of the men who interviewed Husain Ali Khan at this halting-place. He writes to the Emperor that, having been taken by Ikhlas Khan to the Mir Bakhshi, he laid before him the message with which he had been entrusted. Husain Ali Khan smiled but said nothing. As it was getting late, Amin-ud-din asked what answer he should send. Husain Ali Khan said that, as there was no time left, he would see him again on the morrow at the next stage, Sarai Moth.† But if, as he had demanded, the interior of the palace were made over to their guards, all the Emperor's servants turned out, and the keys of all the gates handed to their men, he would, in the presence of His Majesty say and do what was requisite. In Amin-ud-din's opinion things looked very black, even Ikhlas Khan threw the blame of his ill-success on Farrukh-siyar's inconsistent conduct; "or rather what fault did your Majesty commit; Fate had willed that it should be so."