Fall of the Mughal Empire v1.c8.s5.28

v1.c8.s5.28

Alivardi in his hour of sore need had lightly promised him the governorship of Bihār as his reward if he could murder Bhāskar; but he now shrank from the fulfilment of his promise and tried to placate Mustafa by deferring a decision and sending him only smooth messages. Mustafa was justly angry at this breach of faith. His tone became haughtier and more insistent as his heart grew sick with hope deferred, till an armed conflict between him and the Nawāb seemed imminent. He came to fear the fate of Bhāskar if he attended the Nawāb's Court, and therefore he kept to his own house surrounded by his retainers. Alivardi, on his part, called up the loyal troops from all sides and guarded his palace and the mansions of his relatives in full force against any sudden assault by Mustafa's army.