Later Mughals v1.c9.s32.9

v1.c9.s32.9

Another new appointment, made on the 18th Rabi I. 1131 H. (7th February, 1719), was that of Nizam-ul-mulk to the province of Azimabad-Patna in place of Khan Zaman Khan. From the first up to this time Nizam-ul-mulk had never asked a favour from Qutb-ul-mulk or his brother, and had even refrained from visiting them. On many occasions, during these troubles, he had urged on Farrukh-siyar the uprooting of the Sayyids as the best course he could pursue. On this account the two brothers were far from well disposed towards him. But now Farrukh-siyar, in a state of mortal fright, had placed himself completely in the hands of the two brothers. Under these altered circumstances, it was to the Emperor's interest to put an end to the quarrels and ill-feeling among the nobles, and he urged Qutb-ul-mulk to take the first step in making friends with Nizam-ul-mulk. This reconciliation falling in with Qutb-ul-mulk's own ideas, on the 18th Rabi I. (7th February, 1719) accompanied by two of his sister's sons, Sayyid Ghairat Khan and Sayyid Shujaat-ullah Khan, and by Zafar Khan, he paid a visit to Nizam-ul-mulk. Their talk was of a friendly character and to all appearance amity took the place of enmity. This was followed on the 23rd (12th February, 1719) by a banquet given to Nizam-ul-mulk at Qutb-ul-mulk's house, when the host loaded his guest with costly presents. Nizam-ul-mulk at the request of the Wazir was now appointed governor of Bihar. With one exception, that of Rajah Jai Singh, all the influential nobles had now been won over to the party of the Sayyids and had deserted Farrukh-siyar. The case of Nizam-ul-mulk furnishes a flagrant instance of Farrukh-siyar's short-sightedness. He had recalled this noble from Muradabad, and without providing him with any equivalent, his charge was given to Itiqad Khan, the favourite. Naturally Nizam-ul-mulk was disgusted, and became a willing listener to overtures from Qutb-ul-mulk.*