History of Aurangzib, Based on Original Sources v4.c61.s2.6

v4.c61.s2.6

Mulla Yahia, an Arab of the Navaiyat clan settled in Konkan, and now an officer in the Emperor's service, was the intermediary in corrupting Bijapuri officers like Randaula (surnamed Rustam-i-Zaman), Abbas, &c. But the most eminent of these deserters was his elder brother Mulla Ahmad, who had held the second place at the Bijapur Court, being next to the prime minister, Abdul Muhammad. The whole of Konkan had been given to him as jagir. Jai Singh set a very high value on Mulla Ahmad's adhesion to the Mughal cause, because, as he wrote to Aurangzib, "During our recent war with Shiva, the Mulla had signally helped us by influencing Adil Shah to break off his friendship with Shiva, expel Shiva's agent from his Court, and send an army into Konkan to fight the Marathas. All other Bijapuri ministers had refused to urge this pro-Mughal policy on their master." The Mulla had secretly offered to quit Adil Shah's service and guide the Mughal operations against Bijapur, if the Emperor gave him a high post. Indeed, his ambition was to imitate the successful career of another foreign traitor in the Deccan, Mir Jumla of Golkonda, and for this he had been coquetting with the Mughal viceroy of the Deccan since 1661. (H.A. 82 a, 65 a.)