Fall of the Mughal Empire v3.c42.8

v3.c42.8

Into the capital, now swept clear of every enemy, the Ruhela chief came on the 26th and was presented to the Emperor by the nāzir. Then he crossed over to the Delhi side with his troops and occupied Shah Nizāmuddin’s garden-house in the southern suburb between the Delhi Gate and the Turkman Gate of the city. He laid claim to the post of Mir Bakhshi and the control of the imperial administration as in the days of his grandfather and offered to march out with his army for the reconquest of the Jat country and Agra district, which legally appertained to the Mir Bakhshi’s office, as soon as the necessary jāgirs were assigned to him for the support of his contingent. The nāzir was his intermediary and patron. On 5th September Ghulām Qādir entered Delhi at the head of 2,000 Ruhelas and established his rule over the royal city. The Emperor had no help but to confer on him the post of Bakhshi-ul-mamālik with the titles of Amir-ul-umara Raushan-ud-daulah Bahadur and the customary robes of honour and presents. From hard drinking his eyes were inflamed and he was in an uncontrollable mood. The trembling Emperor invested him with the robes of the Regent and ordered rescripts to be issued for granting him jāgirs corresponding to his rank and office, and also for placing the control of the Crownlands in his hands. When the royal servants whispered, "He is unworthy of this post," Shah Alam silenced them by saying, "I must turn this calamity out of Delhi somehow or other; if not, should the Ruhelas lay hands on the city nobody can save it. It is expedient to humour him."*