Later Mughals v2.c14.s40: Sec. 67.—Abhai Singh Enters Ahmadabad ; Sarbuland Leaves Gujarat.
Later Mughals v2.c14.s40
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Sec. 67.—Abhai Singh Enters Ahmadabad ; Sarbuland Leaves Gujarat.
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On the 26 Oct. 1730 one Jagdeo was appointed to arrange for the departure of Sarbuland Khan and on the next day, the 27th, the Maharajah's deputy, Ratan Singh Bhandari, entered the Bhadar fort, and a new *kotwal* was appointed. Sarbuland Khan was detained for some days while carriage was collected and the payment in cash as agreed on, for which Amar Singh Udawat had become responsible, was made. One hundred and seventy-three cannon, large and small, were made over on the imperial account to Abdul-ghani, *diwan* of the province, and his receipt was taken. There were still twenty thousand Rupees unpaid out of the lakh of Rupees promised. Amar Singh undertook to send this balance* and a march was resolved upon. On reaching Murasa, the Nawab's son-in-law Sayyid Newazish Khan, who had been ill, expired. For this reason one day's halt was made; but from this place the daily marches were resumed. Finally passing through Udepur, Sarbuland Khan made his way to Agra.
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The Maharajah now moved his camp to a place near the Shahi-Bagh and there awaited the lucky moment for making his entry into the city. There he was visited by Abdul-ghani Khan *diwan* of the province and Abul Mufakhir Khan the news-writer. On the 7th Nov. 1730, which was an auspicious day, the Maharajah and his brother, without their troops, came into the city, remained for a short time in the Bhadar fort, and then returned to camp. Some days afterwards he took up his permanent quarters in the city and entered upon the revenue and general business of the province.†
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† Up to this point the history of Gujarat affairs is based almost entirely upon the *Mirat-i-Ahmadi*.
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Sarbuland Khan continued his return march from Udepur on to Agra, where he was detained a long time by his inability to satisfy his mutinous troops. In the end he was so hard pushed for money that he was forced to pledge his goods and obtain loans from the money-lenders. Badan Singh Jat sent two of his Muhammadan officers, Khizr Khan and Nur Ali Khan, to offer a present of one lakh of Rupees if he would take up his abode in the Jat territory until the Emperor restored him to favour. After a week's delay the two men were admitted to an audience, the Nawab at that time being laid up with pains in his feet. On hearing the message Sarbuland Khan laughed and said that grateful as he was for such a hospitable offer he had not yet reached such a stage of destitution that he should apply to his equals. He was very comfortable where he was and felt no hardships. However when he needed such help he would send intimation. He sent a horse and jewelled sword as a present to Badan Singh with a letter styling him *Thakur*. Badan Singh sent the letter back along with 5,000 Rupees and prayed that he might be addressed as Rajah, a title promised to Churaman by Sayyid Husain Ali Khan when he started from Agra for the Dakhin. The Sayyid's assassination had prevented fulfilment. Moreover, Rajah Jai Singh had promised the title when the fort of Thun was surrendered; while Ajit Singh and Abhai Singh had corresponded with him in that form, Sarbuland Khan replied that he had no right to give titles, a prerogative of the Emperor alone, but if he ever recovered favour he would urge Badan Singh's claim. The letter and the money were then returned. [M.U. iii. 801, Khizr 122, Hadiqat 381.]
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∗ The money was never paid.