New History of the Marathas v2.c27.20

v2.c27.20

As regards the Wazir Ghazi-ud-din, he was certainly of all the imperial Wazirs the most selfish and unscrupulous; and he lacked vision and a broad outlook. He utilised his talents in a time-serving policy, trying to gain his own ends. He inherited a large fortune from his father, more than a crore as was then reported. He had his own trained army numbering twelve thousand. But he could not gain the loyalty or devotion of his followers. All things considered, his master the new Emperor was ever ready to support him but the Wazir failed to earn his good will. No other Wazir witnessed such confusion, such lack of order and such poverty at the capital and outside, as happened to prevail during his six years of power. His own troops were always in want, never receiving their pay regularly. They tore the clothes off his person and dragged him through the streets of Panipat with such indignity as no other Wazir had ever before experienced. He promised enormous amounts to the Marathas for their help, but never fulfilled his word, so that they would not leave the capital until they received their dues. He would at one moment court the friendship of Najib Khan, at another seek favour from Abdali, but with none did he remain firm and true to his word. When ultimately he murdered the Emperor Alamgir in cold blood in 1759, he lost the confidence of all.⁴