Fall of the Mughal Empire v1.c6.s6.2

v1.c6.s6.2

But there was no army under the Emperor to enforce peace and order. During Nādir’s invasion many of the imperial troops had fallen in the battle of Karnāl or in the massacre of Delhi, and the survivors had dispersed to all sides in order to escape from the prevailing disorder and scarcity of food. Thus, Muhammad Shāh on his restoration found himself practically defenceless. Asad Yār Khān, a new favourite and a very wise and thoughtful man, convinced him of the urgency of the case and secured his permission to enlist 10,000 soldiers on a monthly salary of Rs. 50 for each trooper and infantryman taken together. The horses of this cavalry were ordered to be branded with the mark of the sword and hence the entire corps was called the *Shamshir-dāgh risāla*. (1740) [Chahār Gul. 373a.]