Fall of the Mughal Empire v3.c36.s9.3

v3.c36.s9.3

Nothing was now left for Abdul Ahad but to make friends with his irrepressible rival. On 14th November, taking Prince Akbar Shah with himself on his master's behalf, he advanced to Najaf's camp to welcome him and conduct him to the Presence.* Inside the fort and at its gates were posted Ahad's own troops under his son-in-law Qutbuddin Khan, with orders not to molest Najaf's men. The Mirzā, before his own coming, had sent his strong-willed lieutenant Afrāsiyāb Khan with 1,000 horse and two battalions of sepoys ahead. These men came to the fort gate and little by little edged their way in by jostling the guards, who had orders not to fight and whose captain was confounded in the absence of his master. When the courtyard was filled with his own retainers, “Afrāsiyāb Khan drove Abdul Ahad’s men out of the fort like a flock of sheep.” The ‘Red Battalion’ or Imperial Guard of sepoys, at first demurred to vacating their quarters in the palace unless their arrears of salary were paid; but Afrāsiyāb Khan satisfied their captain with some money and more promises. The inner fort of Delhi now passed entirely into Mirzā Najaf’s hands.