Fall of the Mughal Empire v2.c25.s3.16

v2.c25.s3.16

There was again a suspension of fighting. Najib’s force had now been reduced to less than 2,000 men; he had not a single friend in the city, and the Emperor was secretly intriguing against him. He sought to make terms by sending his wakil Meghrāj day after day to Malhar, whose agent was Mujirām (a bania.) The Marathas demanded that Najib should resign the post of Paymaster-General, which had been promised to Ahmad Khan Bangash, vacate the fort, go to his own jagirs, and pay an indemnity of 50 or 60 lakhs. Najib declined to resign his post or leave the capital unless Imād did the same on his part, and he offered only five lakhs. He preferred death in fight to the dishonour of accepting his enemies' exorbitant demands; he abused the Emperor for his cowardice and treachery and intercepted his letters to Imād. The Emperor was helpless, "neither side would listen to him." Imād continued to fume over the Ruhela outrage on his harem, and Raghunāth grumbled at his august personality being ignored and Najib negotiating with Malhar, whom Raghunāth hated.