Fall of the Mughal Empire v3.c39.9

v3.c39.9

On the 17th Shah Alam held the eagerly awaited secret conference with Sindhia which was to shape the destiny of the Delhi empire for the next two decades. He began by urging Mahadji, “You must undertake the regency of my house and regulate my empire.” Sindhia replied, “How can I administer the realm unless I hold some office in the State?” The Emperor then offered him the Mir Bakhshi-ship with the still higher post of Regent, but Sindhia begged for a few days’ delay before giving his answer, as the sacred month of Muharram had commenced (on 14th November) and the first ten days of it (‘ashura) were devoted to religious observances in honour of the death of the Prophet’s grandson.