Fall of the Mughal Empire v1.c15.s7.3

v1.c15.s7.3

At the same time, while the wazir could not save his master from starvation or insult by his own troops, he was unable to defend the capital from outrage and plunder. The Marathas looted the environs of Delhi and even threatened to break into the city itself, and Safdar Jang could not remove them by force or bribery. In the district round Delhi, not to speak of distant provinces, highway robbery went on unchecked; the strong man collected the rents in the weak man's estate without fear. In a realm in the critical condition of Delhi at that time, the first minister of State frequently absented himself from the seat of the Government in order to look after his own interests in Oudh or Rohilkhand; the central administration naturally ceased to function and things drifted on without plan or aim.