Fall of the Mughal Empire v1.c15.s12.15

v1.c15.s12.15

A settlement was made with Safdar Jang also, but in the same secret and confused fashion. On 5th November, Mādho Singh’s officer Fath Singh conveyed to Safdar Jang an imperial farmān, a robe of honour, an aigrette, a jewelled crest-ornament, a pearl necklace and a horse from the Emperor. When Imād protested against this act, Ahmad Shah replied, “I know nothing of this. I never sent these things to him.” The wazir too professed equal ignorance. Some courtiers said that it was the Emperor’s khilat lately presented to Mādho Singh which that Rajah had sent to Safdar Jang! But whatever the truth of this matter might be, the war with Safdar Jang was formally ended, all the same. Mādho Singh’s work as peace-maker being done he was permitted to return to his kingdom without being required to come to the Emperor’s presence for taking formal leave. His reward was the imperial fort of Rantambhor which his father and elder brother had begged in vain from Muhammad Shah. [TAh. 83a-84b.] On 7th November, Safdar Jang broke up his camp near Sikri (three miles south of Ballamgarh) and set out on his march towards Oudh. He still carried with himself, surrounded by scarlet screens, the bogus prince whom he had enthroned as Emperor in May last, but from the way sent him to Agra in charge of Amar Singh. Crossing the Jamuna at Mathura (17th November), he took the route to Oudh. [T Ah. 84b-89b.]