Fall of the Mughal Empire v2.c22.s3.4

v2.c22.s3.4

In the meantime, the news of the death of Muhammad Amin Khan (early in May 1754) had reached Delhi, but the Emperor Ahmad Shah was then in the midst of his fatal entanglement with Imād-ul-mulk and could not attend to Panjab affairs. After the accession of Alamgir II, the death of the titular subahdar was formally communicated to the new Emperor and an imperial rescript was issued appointing Mumin Khan subahdar with the title of Mumin-ud-daulah, (probably in July 1754.) But, as we have already seen, this officer was ousted by the Begam, and she by Khwājah Mirzā, and the last-named by Khwājah Abdullah. [DC. TALS. 59b-60a.] Abdullah’s rule was tyrannical. His most pressing need was that of money, and for it he left no kind of oppression unattempted. “Closing the gates of the city, he plundered much from the inhabitants of Lahor, both Hindu and Muslim, on the plea of their having been associates of Bihkāri Khan, and slew many people. Vast numbers were ruined. Grain and other stuffs became very dear.”