Fall of the Mughal Empire v2.c21.s5.24

v2.c21.s5.24

The wazir's artillerymen, who had been promised payment in eleven days as the result of their clamour on 21 October 1754, again crowded before his mansion after the expiry of the term, entered it, fought a eunuch who barred their path and plundered his property. One day they stopped the visit of Sholapuri Begam, the wazir's grandmother, and insulted the wazir himself. "The trouble daily increased. Another day the mutineers entered the wazir's mansion and carried away the food lying cooked ready for him and his family. Many people's property was looted during these disorders." "On 28 December Rs. 5 per trooper and Re. 1 per foot-soldier, [i.e., only one week's pay] were granted to the fort artillery, this being the first payment ever made in the seven months since the Emperor's accession. No other regiment got anything." On 23 July 1756 we read of a similar tumult created by the troops of the deceased Mir Bakhshi Samsām-ud-daulah, whose burial they hindered till their dues were promised. At the same time the wazir's musketeers posted in the fort, took forcible control of it, stopped ingress and egress, and defied their master. Then taking some light pieces out of the ramparts, they planted them under strong pickets at many places in the city, such as the Jāma Masjid, and held the city gates in force.