1896.] W. Irvine —Later Mughals (1707-1803. ) 205 
Zu-l-figar Khan with ‘Abdu-s-samad Khan had arrived at Dihli on the 
preceding day, the 17th (14th Jan. 1713), still at the head of a large 
and well-equipped force. The people of the city made certain that 
after an interview with his father, he would renew the struggle, erecting 
batteries outside the city. Zi-l-fiqgar Khan proceeded to his father’s 
house, but found him strongly opposed to further hostilities. He 
argued that if with 100,000 men, and all the great nobles, they had 
failed, they were not likely to succeed with disheartened troops. Nor 
was there any money left with which to pay anyone. By collecting all 
the rascals and low fellows from the bazars, they might prolong the 
strugele for two or three days. But their efforts would be only like the 
final splutter of an expiring candle.! 
Jahandar Shah, immediately on reaching Dihli went, as we have 
said, straight to the house of Asad Khan, in the hope of securing the 
renewed co-operation of Zu-l-fiqar Khan. When his arrival, alone, 
without a single attendant, was announced, Zi-l-fiqgar Khan directed 
that he should not be admitted beyond the gate. Thé short delay was 
devoted to consultation with his father. The wily old man, regardless 
of the infamy of the act, saw that Jahandar Shah could be converted 
into a ransom for themselves. Fortune had turned its face away from 
the man, he had made himself odious by his acts and words. It were 
best to make him a prisoner. They could then use this act as a means 
for reconciliation with Farrukhsiyar. Asad Khan had long held the 
highest office in the State, and five years before -had been very gently 
treated by Bahadur Shah. As is not altogether unusual with the old, 
he had come to believe that he was indispensable, that no government 
could be carried on without him. He imagined that Farrukhsiyar, 
surrounded as he was by new and comparatively untried advisers, 
would only be too glad to secure the services of two such experienced 
persons as himself and his son. If not employed at Court, Zu-l-fiqar 
Khan was still sure to obtain the government of a province, or at 
any rate, would be allowed to retain his rank and titles, # 
Zu-|-figar Khan, whose judgment rarely erred, did not share his 
father’s opinion. He wished to carry off Jahandar Shah to Multan, 
or even to Kabul, and there collect an army; or he could take him to 
the Dakhin, where Daid Khan with all his troops was at their sole 
disposal. Nay, even if Jahandar Shah were abandoned to his fate, 
why should he not hasten to the Dakhin himself, where without much 
50, 32 m.N.W. of Mathura; Talpat, Elliot, Supp. Glossary, 340, 18 m.south of 
Dihli, Indian Atlas, Sheet No. 49 S. EH. 
1 M. Mhd., 158; Warid, 145 a, 6, 
@ M. Mhd, 154; Ijad, 110 a. 
