Fall of the Mughal Empire v3.c36.s8.37

v3.c36.s8.37

All this time Amar Singh, the foremost supporter of the invaders, kept himself aloof from the imperial camp. His diwan, however, came (13 Sept.) with bankers’ bills for five lakhs of Rupees in favour of Abdul Ahad, on condition of his marching back and not menacing Patiāla territory. He even offered to add a quarter lakh of Rupees as nazarāna for the honour of the prince’s visit. But Ahad angrily replied, “I have come here at your call. I shall exact from you all the money spent by me, in every way that I can.” [Akh. 249 a.] It had become a point of honour with Abdul Ahad to make Amar Singh come to a personal interview. He was so obsessed with the idea that he would not accept the Patiāla tribute from the Rajah’s diwan, even when the latter raised his bid to seven lakhs in the hope of inducing the imperial army to retreat. But after Ahad’s treatment of Desu Singh, the Patiāla Rajah would not venture within the Mughal minister’s reach. He fled away from his capital, leaving its defence to his wife and her brother Mahā Singh, while he sent to buy the aid of Jasā Singh, Tārā Singh Ghebā and other formidable Trans-Satlaj Sikh leaders. The loyal Gajpat stood security for Amar Singh’s tribute and urged Ahad to retire, but the imperial favourite was deaf to reason and entreaty alike. [Akh. 254 a.] He obstinately pushed on towards Patiāla and sent his vanguard to attack that fort and ravage the Rajah’s territory. He even tore up the bankers’ bills offered to him by the Patiāla diwan and insisted that Amar Singh must present himself at least once. The inevitable result followed this folly.