Later Mughals v1.c9.s36.8

v1.c9.s36.8

During this outbreak reports spread that, on learning the intention to seize Farrukh-siyar, Maharajah Ajit Singh, unable to restrain himself any longer, had plunged a dagger into Qutb-ul-mulk several times, and had despatched him. Although everybody knew that, except the Sayyids' partisans, there was no one in the fort, and therefore no one likely to do such an act, people were ready, in the confusion and uproar, to believe that anything was possible. It was confidently asserted that Nizam-ul-mulk had come out to rescue his sovereign, but he was far too prudent to make any such attempt. He stood with his Mughals in the enclosure of the fruit market until he heard that Farrukh-siyar had been seized, and thereupon withdrew to his house. Other nobles who still clung to Farrukh-siyar's cause, appeared in the streets and turned towards the palace, prepared to fight their way to it. These were Itiqad Khan, Mir Mushrif,* Islam Khan, Mukhlis Khan, Munim Khan, Sayyid Salabat Khan and Saif-ullah Khan Bakhshi, with some of the Wala-shahi; Samsam-ud-daulah did not appear in person, but sent his men. Manohar, captain of artillery, with two or three thousand of the Emperor's artillery, also took the field. This group advanced as far as the Dihli Gate of the fort and the square of the late Sadullah Khan, just south of that gate. Aghar Khan with his Mughals also appeared on the west side of the fort, in front of the Lahori Gate, and wished to take part in the resistance to the Sayyids. But the gates were shut in his face and he was obliged to beat a retreat. In another direction, that of the Chandni Chauk, appeared Ghazi-ud-din Khan (Ahmad Beg) and Sadat Khan, the Emperor's father-in-law.