New History of the Marathas v2.c24.s2.327

v2.c24.s2.327

After Bussy’s departure affairs took a rapid turn for the worse in the Nizam’s State. Basalat Jang and Nizam Ali quarrelled over the power to manage the administration as Salabat Jang was a mere figure-head, playing into the hands of his powerful ministers. During the war on the east coast, Captain Forde of the British East India Company marched into the Northern Sarkars and captured those districts for themselves : neither Basalat Jang nor Nizam Ali could prevent this. The latter demanded from Salabat Jang the sole management of affairs : but Salabat Jang was afraid of his own life being attempted by Nizam Ali’s Gardis headed by Ibrahim Khan. He therefore stipulated that he would entrust him with all powers provided he dismissed Ibrahim Khan from his service. This he agreed to do. Ibrahim Khan was dismissed by Nizam Ali in October 1759 and the latter was given full powers of administration by Salabat Jang. When Sadashivrao at Poona learnt of Ibrahim Khan’s dismissal, he at once engaged him in his employ, having already fully satisfied himself about the latter’s honesty and capacity. This was the reason that provoked Muzaffar Khan to attempt Bhau’s life as has been mentioned above.