Fall of the Mughal Empire v3.c36.s8.31

v3.c36.s8.31

A fierce light beats upon Abdul Ahad’s character from the records of this campaign. We happily possess minute daily reports of his sayings and doings and the incidents around him for the critical four weeks between 9th September and 7th October which marked the turning point of this expedition. They vividly illustrate his utter incapacity for war and management of men alike, his lack of the sense of reality in politics and his weak vacillating character. He shows himself an imbecile old man, swayed this way and that by his counsellors or by his own changing caprice,— in contrast with his rival’s clearness of vision, firmness of will, and unfailing tact in dealing with others. Abdul Ahad had started with the two objects of taking possession of the Crownlands in the Sonepat district and exacting tribute from the numerous Sikh chieftains who had overspread the Panipat and Ambala districts. For accomplishing this task his instruments, in addition to the raw and nondescript levies recently raised by him, were some mercenary Sikh sardars whose brethren he was going to squeeze. His policy was further complicated by his relations with the Patiala Rajah. Alā Jat’s progeny, in addition to the land-hunger common to all chiefs, were puffed up with boundless pride in consequence of the territorial confirmation and superlative title which Amar Singh had bought from the Durrani conqueror. The hand of the Patiala Rajah was against every other Cis-Satlaj Sikh sardar of note, and their hands were against him. In particular, he treated Bhai Desu Singh of Kaithal as his vassal and tributary.