Fall of the Mughal Empire v1.c14.s3.1

v1.c14.s3.1

But the cup of Safdar Jang’s humiliation was full. For the first time in the history of the Mughal empire the grand wazir had been defeated in a pitched battle by an upstart jāgirdār’s son and his rustic levies. His wound rapidly healed after being cauterized in the night following the battle; but he pursued his way to Delhi sunk in the deepest mortification.* At the first news of his defeat, which rumour had magnified into his death, his enemies at Court, headed by Jāvid Khan, the Queen-mother and Intizām-ud-daulah (the late wazir’s son), raised their heads, and planned to attach his mansion and property. But they waited for a few days to verify the news. In the meantime their evil designs leaked out, and Safdar Jang’s wife, a clever and high spirited lady, put her son and household on the guard, gathered troops within her mansion, shut the gates and stood ready to defy a siege. Then Safdar Jang arrived opposite Delhi (20th September) and was found to be neither dead nor without an army. He sent a warning to Jāvid Khan saying, "though dead, I am still stronger than any other living man." His enemies quailed before him and offered excuses for their past conduct.