Fall of the Mughal Empire v1.c13.s1.6

v1.c13.s1.6

In the last two or three years of his reign, he devoted himself to personally transacting business of State for full six hours every morning, without a respite for eating or drinking. He read the news-reports received from all four quarters, wrote replies on the despatches of the *subahdārs*, heard petitions of complaint, inspected the muster-rolls of the troops, and wrote full orders on the revenue or administrative cases, clearly summarising the contents of these papers and the details of his decision. But his energy bore no fruit from his lack of practical knowledge, driving power and persistency of effort. The self-willed youth of 25 would listen to nobody’s counsel, but gave his orders with the unreasoning obstinacy of an autocrat, and these were never translated into action. The actual administration did not show the least improvement for all this activity in the closet. The fixed period of business being over, he withdrew himself from the sight of men for the next 18 hours; the women in his harem and secluded parks monopolised him, and he would refuse a hearing even to his highest minister during this daily eclipse of monarchy, saying with irritation, "I personally devote myself to the administration every day up to noon, besides holding darbār on fixed occasions. I am now engaged in refreshing my spirits and you have come to trouble me. No noble should visit me except during the prescribed six hours in the forenoon and the darbār days, unless I summon him for some special purpose."*