Fall of the Mughal Empire v1.c11.s1.27

v1.c11.s1.27

Sawāi Jai Singh, finding that his position and influence at the imperial Court were unrivalled by any other Hindu feudatory and daily witnessing the increasing weakness and incapacity of his suzerain, embarked on "a deeply cherished scheme" for imposing his supremacy over the minor Rājahs. He determined to seize upon all the districts on his frontiers within his grasp. (Tod, ii. Haravati, Ch. 3.) He occupied the fort of Bundi with his own troops during its ruler Budh Singh’s absence and secured from the Emperor an edict transferring that State to Dalil Singh (the second son of Sālim Singh Hādā of Karwar), on condition of his acknowledging the house of Jaipur as his overlord, (c. Sept. 1729.) Budh Singh survived his fall for ten years (dying on 26 April 1739), and though his excessive consumption of wine and opium, joined to the disappointments and hardships of his lot, soon deranged his never very sane mind, he for the rest of his life and his exceptionally gallant and able son Ummed Singh after him gave the usurper no rest till at last Ummed Singh entered the capital of his ancestors and was crowned king of Bundi (23rd October 1748); but his heritage continued even thereafter to be disturbed by internal enemies and fleeced by the Marāthas. [Vamsha Bh., 3542, 3285.]