Fall of the Mughal Empire v1.c14.s1.5

v1.c14.s1.5

This attempt to restore imperial authority in Rohilkhand failed at the beginning of 1749. But for sometime afterwards it could not be renewed, because Safdar Jang, the natural enemy of the Ruhelas, was then sulking in his tent outside Delhi in resentment at the attempt on his life made in the streets of the capital on the preceding 20th of November, which he ascribed to the Court favourites. The young Emperor had to visit him in his camp in order to placate him (7th April,) and gradually the breach between Emperor and wazir was healed. A new plan was formed by Safdar Jang to suppress the Ruhela usurpers. "He did not like Afghān rule in a district so close to his subah . . . and looked upon the Ruhelas as serpents infesting his road to Delhi" (Ashub, ii. 426.) He planned to uproot one Afghān by means of another, so that whichever side lost, he would have one enemy the less.