Fall of the Mughal Empire v1.c16.s4: § 4. Khandoji Holkar's audience with the Emperor
Fall of the Mughal Empire v1.c16.s4
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§ 4. Khandoji Holkar's audience with the Emperor
v1.c16.s4.1
The 26th of December was fixed for the interview, which was held in a tent in the Nili Chhatri garden, close to the Jamuna, north of the fort. The chamberlain of the audience hall, before ushering him in, asked the Maratha what he had brought as present (*nazar* and *nisār*) for the sovereign. Khandoji replied that he had brought no gold coin with himself as he had no idea of an interview, but had come to bathe in the Jamunā for the conjunction of the moon, when Aqibat Mahmud brought him by importunity to the Presence. The chamberlain took 21 mohars out of his own pocket, placed them before the Emperor, and cried out "Khandoji presents a *nazar* of a hundred *mohars*, an elephant, and a horse." The Emperor ordered the customary *khilat* for him, but when Khandoji was taken to an anteroom to be invested in this robe of honour, he declined it, saying, "If Antāji Mānkeshwar, who was once our servant but has been created a peer of this Court, is never allowed to come to the Presence in future, then only can I accept a *khilat*." After a long wrangle the helpless eunuchs agreed to this condition, robed him, and led him back to the Presence, where the new courtier made only two bows of thanksgiving in the place of the customary four. When a sword was ordered to be presented to him, he at first demanded that the Emperor should sling it round his neck with his own hands and could be made to accept it from the hands of the armoury officer with the greatest difficulty. Thereafter he again made only two *taslims*! The Emperor at last said, "I had called you only to assist me in fighting Safdar Jang. Now that by the grace of God that business is over, I give you *conge* to return home. When I need you again, I shall summon you." Khandoji replied, "I am now under your blessed feet, and wish to remain here." The Emperor repeatedly gave him formal leave to depart but he made no reply.
v1.c16.s4.2
In fact, Khandoji, besides being immoderately proud of his troops and bravery, used to remain day and night under the intoxication of wine and could not hold any polite conversation with the Emperor. At last he made two bows and was dismissed. He was next taken by order to the wazir's house where he was hospitably entertained till midnight.[*TAh.* 99*b*-100*b*.]