Later Mughals v1.c9.s32.4

v1.c9.s32.4

Another effort was now made by Farrukh-siyar, on the 1st Rabi I. 1131 H. (21st January, 1719) to conciliate Husain Ali Khan through Abdul-ghafur. This man was married to a sister of Itiqad Khan's (Muhammad Murad's) wife. Early in this reign he had joined Husain Ali Khan, was admitted to his intimacy, and made the confidant of his secrets. When his brother-in-law rose into favour, he asked permission from Husain Ali Khan and returned to Court. Through Itiqad Khan he was made a Duhazari (2,000). He was now promoted to 2,500 zat with a standard, and deputed to interview Husain Ali Khan, his former friend. By this time even Farrukh-siyar's intimates began to despair of him. Amin-ud-din wrote: "The complexion of affairs changes here daily, fickleness prevails, sense is absent, and every moment one futile device is succeeded by another. It reminds one of the fable of the mice and the cat. In a deserted spot there were many mice, and every day the cat came and took two or three of them. The mice met in council and resolved to hang a bell to the cat's neck, so that having warning they might flee in time. The bell was got. But who was there able to attach it to the cat's neck?" Farrukh-siyar's projects were of this sort, from which nothing but failure could result. He is represented as still believing that the storm would blow over as it had done before.