Fall of the Mughal Empire v3.c36.s8.32

v3.c36.s8.32

Thus, a hopeless conflict was introduced into Abdul Ahad's policy when he marched north at the invitation of Amar Singh and yet proposed to get his work done by the help of the other local Sikhs. Their adhesion to him depended solely on the cash nexus, and was sure to be lost as soon as he began to default in paying their monthly hire or demanded tribute from their leaders. Amar Singh had called in the Mughal premier only because he hoped to crush his rivals easily by using the awe of the Emperor's authority and the prestige of his son's presence. Therefore, as soon as Abdul Ahad made terms with the other Sikh sardars (like Desu Singh) and extended his protection to them, he thereby antagonised Amar Singh and was driven to declare war against his ally of Patiala as the only means left for recovering the vast expenditure he had incurred in coming there at the call of that ally.