Fall of the Mughal Empire v1.c10.s3.11

v1.c10.s3.11

Yahiyā retained Mir Mumin as his chief officer, but his own soft character made it impossible for him to govern such a turbulent province. To add to his difficulties, his younger brother Hayātullah came to Lāhor on 21st November 1746, entered his mansion outside the city and called upon Yahiyā to make a complete division of their father's property. The discussion was prolonged, no settlement was made, and the soldiers of the two brothers often fought in the streets, while each of them stood behind his entrenchments in his own quarter of the city. At last Hayātullah’s patience was worn out; his soldiers clamoured for the arrears of their salary which he had no means of satisfying. So, on 17th March 1747, at about 3 o’clock in the afternoon he ordered his lieutenant Adina Beg Khān to reconnoitre his brother’s trenches. This move drew Mir Mumin out in force and a light and indecisive skirmish ensued, after which each side retired to its shelter. Next day, Hayātullah in person delivered a sudden assault; the portable artillery which he carried in front quickly scattered his enemies, and Mir Mumin was captured wounded. Lāhor could not hold out against the victor, because Yahiyā’s fugitive soldiers flocked into the city and mutinied for their pay, which was four or five months overdue. Hayātullah entered Lāhor unopposed (21st March) and seized the property of Yahiyā, who took refuge in the house of his widowed aunt. [Anandrām, 289-292, 304.]