Fall of the Mughal Empire v1.c6.s6.17

v1.c6.s6.17

In his enforced exile from the royal presence, Amir Khān had been spending three years at Allahabad and constantly writing to the Emperor and brooding over the means of regaining his position at Court. His success depended on his getting on his side an able general at the head of a powerful army who might naturally serve as a counterpoise to the Nizām. This sword-arm of the Persian Shia party he discovered in his near neighbour Safdar Jang, the *subahdār* of Oudh, and he now turned all his plans to enhancing his power, as he had once elevated Ishaq Khān I. Taking advantage of the Marātha invasion of the eastern provinces. Amir Khān played upon the imbecile Emperor’s greed to push his own plan through. Since the viceroyalty of Murshid Quli Khān (1707-1727), the province of Bengal Bihar and Orissa had practically become independent under his family. Though the surplus revenue was regularly sent by the *subahdār* to the imperial Court, yet he was his own master in the matter of the appointment and control of officers and the expenditure of public money. Alivardi Khān (officially entitled Hisāmuddaulah Mahābat Jang), who had seized the viceroyalty of Bengal by killing Murshid Quli Khan’s grandson Sarāfrāz Khān (c. 10 April 1740), delayed in sending to the Emperor the property of the last two subahdārs (Shujā Khān and Sarāfrāz Khan) which had legally lapsed to the State and which would have been most welcome at the starving Court of Delhi. This was Amir Khān’s opportunity. He wrote to the Emperor, “Now that Alivardi Khān, the slayer of his master, is entangled with the Marāthas and has no force to spare, if you order Safdar Jang he will easily conquer that province for you. Safdar Jang is a loyal servant and will pay you the tribute of the province every year.” (Imād, 33.)