Fall of the Mughal Empire v3.c36.s8.16

v3.c36.s8.16

Shah Alam had no wish to give up his life of ease and pleasure in Delhi palace and face the hardships of a campaign or even those of marching and sleeping in tents. But he was completely in the power of his favourite. Abdul Ahad pointed out how Mirzā Najaf had been campaigning successfully against the Jat and Macheri Rajahs for a year but had not paid a single pice of revenue or the least share of the spoils of war into the public treasury. Moreover, the new Rajah of Jaipur was bound by custom to pay a heavy succession fee, which would be swallowed up by Mirzā Najaf unless the Emperor went to the scene in person. In the meantime, the troops raised by Ahad for the Emperor in Delhi were clamouring for their pay, which the empty royal treasury could not supply. If the Emperor marched into Rajputana the Rajahs and chiefs along his route were sure to present themselves and offer tribute in awe of majesty, without any resort to arms.