Fall of the Mughal Empire v1.c12.s3.3

v1.c12.s3.3

During Salābat Khan's halt in Ajmir a serious situation had developed in the Gangetic doab, where the Afghans killed the wazir's agent Naval Rai (2 August) and utterly routed the wazir himself (13 September.) Rumour spread the news of the wazir's death and the expected collapse of the Delhi Government through want of a supreme administrative chief. At the beginning of September the Emperor wrote to Salābat to hasten back with his troops at the sight of the letter and reinforce the wazir in face of the Afghans; and when three weeks later news came of the disaster to Safdar Jang, the Bakhshi was eager to go to Delhi and attempt to secure the vacant wazirship. But he was compelled to linger in Ajmir by his utter lack of money and a dying hope of realising some portion of the promised subsidy from the Rajputs. The Jaipur Rajah repeatedly invited the Bakhshi to visit his beautiful new capital, but the latter declined as he was in a hurry to return to Court. Ishwari Singh sent a parting gift of one lakh of Rupees to Salābat Khan, who was glad to receive what money he could get and to accept bonds for the balance. [S. P. D., xxi. 34.] Towards the end of October he set out for Delhi, giving the Nārnol district to the Jaipur Rajah, who sent his diwān Hara-govind Nātāni, with 2000 horse to control it. But all Mewāt was up as soon as the imperial army vacated it. "Mewātis and Jats are causing disturbances. The administration has broken down." [Ibid.]