Fall of the Mughal Empire v1.c13.s2.1

v1.c13.s2.1

Jāvid Khan had been assistant controller of the harem servants and manager of the Begams' estates during the late reign. He had established complete sway over the mind and body of Udham Bāi even before her husband's death. And now at the accession of her son, Jāvid's advance was rapid and boundless. He was at once created a 6-hazāri, and to save appearances the same high rank was conferred upon his chief, Roz-āfzun Khān, the nāzir or superintendent of the harem, a survivor of the age of Aurangzib, who was now well-stricken in years and unable to use his feet for weakness and rheumatism. But all real power passed into Jāvid's hands, who was appointed (on 19th June 1748) superintendent of the Privy Council (Diwān-i-khās), above the heads of the hereditary peers. By virtue of this office, audience with the Emperor rested entirely in his hands, and he could perpetuate his sway over his master by shutting out honest counsellors. Pluralities continued to be showered upon him : he was given the charge of the intelligence department, the imperial elephants, the confirmation of grants and appointments (arz-i-mukarrar), the estates of the Begams and the Emperor's privy purse. [TAh. 14b, D.C., Shākir 63.]