Fall of the Mughal Empire v2.c21.s2.1

v2.c21.s2.1

The life and activity of such a State, therefore, depended on its wazir, but though Imād-ul-mulk was to all outer seeming a king-maker and his master's master, he was in effect no less impotent for good than his creature the Emperor. He could not govern the State with the power and success of earlier king-makers like the Sayyid Brothers. It was not the case that he had no army or treasure. His own Badakhshi brigade (over 12,000 in number) were the best fighting force in the empire in that age, if only they could be punctually paid and worthily led; and he had, in addition, the Maratha myriads at his beck and call. His parsimonious father's hoarded treasure was worth a *kror* or more, and by enforcing order and good government in the provinces round the capital, the new wazir could in a few years have ensured the regular and full flow of revenue from them to the central exchequer for meeting the daily expenses of the State. But Imād had neither the capacity nor the character required in the regenerator of a fallen State, and during his five-and-a-half years' dictatorship the Delhi empire drifted on to ruin beyond hope of recovery. He was personally incapable, and his pride and selfishness would not allow others to restore the monarchy.