Fall of the Mughal Empire v3.c35.s6.3

v3.c35.s6.3

Abdul Ahad fomented these suspicions of the timid Emperor. He suggested, as a counterpoise to Najaf, the raising of Zābita Khan to the imperial Paymastership and actual control of the Delhi army. He forgot that Zābita was a broken reed, as the utter extinction of his power by the Marathas in 1772 had proved. Zābita was presented to the Emperor by Abdul Ahad on 9th October 1773 and kept at Court for some time during Najaf Khan’s absence on the Jat war. But he realised that he could do nothing to counteract Mirzā Najaf or spoil his Jat enterprise; so he retired to his jagir on 22nd November, leaving his son behind as his agent. Soon afterwards (January 1774) the Ruhela chief was kept busy by the Sikh raids into the upper Doab, and could return to the Court only on the same day as Najaf Khan (12th June).