Fall of the Mughal Empire v2.c28.s10.17

v2.c28.s10.17

Badan Singh died at Dig on 7th June 1756; but for many years before it he was a quiescent figure, stationary at his capital, and merely presiding over State councils. His inactivity was further increased by his growing blindness. The policy of his State in war and diplomacy was shaped and its campaigns were led by his adopted son Suraj Mal, the ablest statesman and warrior that the Jat race has ever produced. Suraj Mal was no son of Badan Singh, nor did he share his blood in any way. He was the lawful son of a married woman who during a visit to her sister (a member of Badan Singh’s harem) with the infant Suraj Mal in her arms, caught Badan Singh’s fancy and was enrolled among his concubines and soon became his first favourite. But apart from his mother’s influence, Suraj Mal’s outstanding genius made it clear to all that he was the fittest man to lead the rising Jat nation. So, Badan Singh adopted Suraj Mal as his son and successor, with the full approval of the elders of the clan, setting aside the offspring of his body. Therefore, the history of the Bharatpur kingdom during the latter half of Badan Singh’s reign was really the history of Suraj Mal.