History of Aurangzib, Based on Original Sources v4.c66.s2.1

v4.c66.s2.1

On 21st April, 1672, Abdullah died, and at once there arose a dispute for the succession. Sayyid Ahmad* claimed the throne as the husband of the late king's eldest daughter, Mā Sahib, and that lady armed her foreign slave-girls and stood within the palace sword in hand to defend her rights. But Sayyid Ahmad during his long wazir-ship had made many enemies at Court by his pride and harshness, —possibly also by his administrative vigour, while the easy pleasure-loving character of Abul Hasan promised a golden age to the dishonest courtiers and self-seeking officials if he could be seated on the throne. After some confusion and fighting, Sayyid Muzaffar, a leading general of high Persian origin, supported by Musa Khan mahaldar and several other officers of the harem, overpowered Sayyid Ahmad and forced him into prison. Abul Hasan was crowned king, Muzaffar becoming his prime minister. But the new wazir's greed of power and policy of turning his master into a cypher, exasperated the king. Abul Hasan bought over Madanna, the Brahman *factotum* of Muzaffar, and through him corrupted most of the captains of his personal followers, so that one day Muzaffar was quietly deprived of his wazir-ship, which was conferred on Madanna, with the title of Surya Prakash Rao.