Fall of the Mughal Empire v1.c6.s5.1

v1.c6.s5.1

Mirzā Muqim, entitled Abul Mansur Khān and Safdar Jang, was the nephew and son-in-law of the late S'ādat Khān Burhān-ul-mulk and succeeded to his *subahdāri* of Oudh immediately after his death (1739). He was now at the maturity of his powers, being about thirty-five years of age, and maintained the best equipped and most martial contingent of troops in the Empire next to the Nizām’s. The most valuable core of his army consisted of six to seven thousand Qizilbāshes (*i.e.*, Turks settled in Persia) who had once belonged to Nādir Shah’s army, but elected to stay on in India. Safdar Jang was extremely lavish of money on his army and would pay any price, without the least thought, in order to secure famous captains or good soldiers. Irānian Turks (popularly called 'Mughals' in India) were the best fighting material then available in Asia; these were his special favourites and he paid them Rs. 50 a month per trooper against Rs. 35 only which India-born horsemen drew. When he reviewed his forces, if his eyes were struck by a soldier's look of smartness or efficiency, he would on the spot raise his pay, by Rs. 10 for a trooper and Rs. 2 for a foot-soldier. In addition to giving high pay, he took care to supply his men with complete equipment and good arms and to keep them in comfort.