Fall of the Mughal Empire v1.c13.s2.2

v1.c13.s2.2

By reason of his being constantly with the Emperor in the harem, Jāvid Khan impressed that simpleton with a great idea of his wisdom, knowledge of administration and devotion to his person. All power passed into this eunuch’s hands as the Emperor sank deeper and deeper into vice and indolence. After a time the youthful Emperor publicly referred all State questions to Jāvid Khan for decision, while he himself took refuge in the harem. The favourite was now promoted to a 7-hazāri mansab, given the title of Nawāb Bahādur (the Emperor’s Vicar), and rewarded with the highest possible insignia of honour, namely the māhi marātib, standard, banner, kettledrums and a fringed palki. "No eunuch had ever been so exalted before, and no noble had been given the title of Nawāb [at Court.]" Well might a Delhi historian of the time reflect with sadness, "Never since Timur’s time had a eunuch exercised such power in the State; hence the Government became unsettled. The hereditary peers felt humiliated by having to make their petitions through a slave and to pay court to him before any affair of State could be transacted." [Ch. Gulz. 399b; TAh. 15a, 14b, 25a.]