Fall of the Mughal Empire v1.c15.s8.17

v1.c15.s8.17

With the morning the truth became known and the tumult and alarm ceased. Safdar Jang had been cleverly outmanœuvred; without a blow being struck he had been deprived of the command of the palace, and soon his miscalculation was to make him lose control of the capital too. On the 18th, the Emperor tried to console the wazir by presenting him with his own turban (a mark of full brotherhood.) Safdar Jang believed that he could still coerce his master. In reply he wrote to say, "As your Majesty's heart has been turned away from me, order me to go away to any place you like. Out of my cash and effects, pay the dues of my soldiers and escheat the remainder. Confer my wazir-ship and other posts on such other men as your Majesty may please." The Emperor took him at his word, and immediately wrote to him in his own hand, permitting him to retire to his subah of Oudh, but leaving his offices and property untouched. On the 23rd, the customary robes and presents of the ceremony of giving conge were sent to Safdar Jang by the Emperor and his mother, and he sent his advance-tents out of the city to the first halting place, Nurābād, but delayed starting on the plea of lack of porters.