Fall of the Mughal Empire v1.c12.s2.34

v1.c12.s2.34

The civil war in Jaipur having been ended by the accession of Mādho Singh, we are free to turn to the affairs of Mārwār. Its ruler Abhay Singh died on 21st June 1749; his son Rām Singh ascended his throne, and then the long-dreaded war of succession between Ram Singh and his paternal uncle Bakht Singh (the chieftain of Nāgor) could be averted no longer. It was actually precipitated by the youthful new Maharajah's insane pride, reckless insolence, and haughty challenge to Bakht Singh. The latter had recently risen high in influence at the imperial Court, having been nominated *subahdār* of Gujrat (29 June 1748) in the vain hope of stemming the tide of Maratha aggression there. It was therefore the interest of the Emperor to placate him, and so the Mir Bakhshi Salābat Khan was authorised to give him armed support in wresting the throne of Mārwār, on condition of Bakht Singh helping the imperialists to defend the subahs of Agra and Ajmir (both under the Mir Bakhshi) from Maratha invaders and local rebels and enforce the royal administration there. After making this arrangement at Delhi, Bakht Singh went to his own principality in order to raise troops, while Salābat Khan, taking 18,000 men with him, started for Ajmir, where the two were to unite.