History of Aurangzib, Based on Original Sources v3.c37.s8.12

v3.c37.s8.12

In September 1671, Mir Jumla’s son Muhammad Amin Khan, was summoned by the Emperor with a view to making him wazir. But his haughty spirit, self-willed nature and fearless outspokenness,—which he could not control even in the presence of his master,—marked him out as unfit for the life of a courtier and minister of State, and he was sent back to the charge of a province. On 10th March, 1673, Asad Khan resigned the deputy chancellorship, and that post was put into commission for some years,—all work being done under the joint seals of the Sub-Chancellors of Crownlands and Tankhah. At last, on 8th October, 1676, he was invested as Grand Wazir, and presented by the Emperor with the badge of that high office, viz., a jewelled inkpot. He was already turned of fifty, but even then the elder nobles were not satisfied. As Mahabat Khan, the outspoken governor of Afghanistan, wrote* angrily to the Emperor, "Your Majesty has appointed that suckling Asad Khan as Grand Wazir. The consequences of the premiership of such an unmanly fellow may have reached your ears!"