Fall of the Mughal Empire v3.c36.s8.27

v3.c36.s8.27

The old fool swallowed the bait, and urged the Emperor to set out on this campaign. Shah Alam declined; it was midsummer, he had recently had an attack of fever; and Najaf Khan could not be expected to join with the only efficient army under the royal banners. But Ahad overawed him by saying that if no expedition was undertaken the Sikh allies and the imperial troops would mob him for their outstanding subsidy and pay. The helpless sovereign ordered his son Mirzā Jahān Shah (Farkhunda Bakht) to march with the minister,—the eldest Jahāndār Shah having wisely evaded the task on the plea of illness.