Fall of the Mughal Empire v4.c55.s2.7

v4.c55.s2.7

We must remember that Shāh Nizām-ud-din as Sindhiā’s deputy exercised only civil and diplomatic control over the Delhi province, though he bore the title of Subahdār or governor. But the military control of Delhi fort was entrusted to a Hindu officer, who was independent of Shāhji, with the result that the two constantly quarrelled and each served as a check on the other. After Sindhia’s recovery of Delhi fort in October 1788, Raja Hirā Singh of the Jāt ruling family of Ballabhgarh, was placed in Delhi as the qiladār.† His kinsman Ajit Singh did the duties of the post. On 21st August 1791, Khāndé Rao Hari took over charge as the new *qiladār*, but he had very soon to go away on campaign (1st September), leaving Kumār Bhawāni Singh to hold the fort, and this Bhawāni Singh, continued as *qiladār* for six years after, and had the inevitable friction with Shāhji. Lakhwā Dādā, after being appointed Daulat Rao’s viceroy of Hindustan, recognised Kumār Bhawāni Singh (*alias* Mān S., according to *D.C.*) as *qiladār* of Delhi (27 May 1795). On 24th December, 1796, Mān Singh was dismissed and Bhāu Tātyā (Lakhwā’s partisan) appointed to the post, from whom Pedron, by order of Perron, captured the fort of Delhi on 14th October 1798. Perron’s officer Louis Bourquien commanded in Delhi up to the British conquest in September 1803. (*DY.* ii. 30, 25. *Kālé Akh.* *DC.*)