Later Mughals v2.c14.s15.3

v2.c14.s15.3

On reaching Aurangabad the necessary arrangemens were made for its protection, and all needless baggage was stored in the fortress ; then Nizam-ul-mulk set out again and made his way to the vicinity of Haidarabad, a march of 270 miles. Towards the end of Rabi II. 1137 H. (14th January 1725) his tents were pitched in the grove known as Gosha Mahal. Officials were appointed and the administration of the province taken over. Meanwhile Khwaja Ahmad Khan, who feared severe measures against himself and the connections of Mubariz Khan, was actively preparing to stand a siege. He also gave out that he expected every day a rescript from the Emperor appointing him in his father's place to the governorship of the subah and the command of the fortress. This rumour prevented the restoration of order to a considerable extent. In fact he wrote in all directions warning the garrisons of forts and the officials and landholders against giving possession to Nizam-ul-mulk's nominees until the period of one year had elapsed. He also sent troops to some places to aid them in their resistance, and released from the fort a number of notorious stirrers-up of strife who had been seized and imprisoned by Mubariz Khan, and these scattering to their homes helped to intensify the existing disorder. Nizam-ul-mulk's men lost hold of the province and the collection of revenue ceased. The roads became unsafe and were closed to travellers ; and in places the revenue officials were actually attacked. In one of these outbreaks Kazim Ali Khan (son of Haji Mansur), who was faujdar of the country round Bhongir, was attacked and slain along with a number of his men. But in the end Nizam-ul-mulk by gentle treatment and gifts of enhanced rank, new jagirs and the revival of titles held previously in the family, induced Khwaja Ahmad Khan to hand over the keys of the fortress.*