Twilight of the Sultanate c11.s3.11

c11.s3.11

Sarwar continued to be the Vazīr, but the division of his portfolio rankled in his heart. And when his influence and prestige were eclipsed by the more energetic and popular Kamāluddīn, he flew into paroxysms of rage. Sarwarul Mulk had yet another thorn in his side; he had been deprived of Deopalpur There can be no doubt that the policy of the Sultan of constant transfers and changes of assignments must have bred discontent, but excepting the last one, in all other transactions Sarwarul Mulk had been the gainer and not the loser. He was as ungrateful as he was scheming. He forgot all the favours the King had bestowed upon him from time to time, but gloated with bitterness over the loss of the finance portfolio. In sheer desperation he conspired with Mīrān Sadr the Nāib-i-’Āriz-i-Mumālik, Qāzī Abdus Samad the Royal Chamberlain, and scions of two rich Khattrī families of Delhi to do away with the King.⁵⁸ For generations Mīrān Sadr and his relations had been obliged to the royal family and had held several high offices,⁵⁹ but this did not deter him from lending a hand in the conspiracy for which there was no justification. Outwardly things went on as smoothly as ever, but the traitors lay in waiting for an opportunity to strike.