184 
LIVES OF THE MOGHUL EMPERORS. 
frequently dropped down dead in the streets, as if they 
had been stricken by a blast of the simoom. The in- 
habitants of the villages relinquished their usual occu- 
pations, and betook themselves to robbery : the roads 
were deserted in consequence of being infested with 
these marauders. Under the influence of so many 
discouraging circumstances, several begs and a large 
majority of the troops began to murmur, and de- 
clared their determination no longer to continue in 
the conquered country. They were anxious to re- 
turn to their more congenial homes. Every one con- 
sidered himself privileged to give an opinion upon the 
impolicy of remaining in a land where the impedi- 
ments to social enjoyment and to a lasting peace were 
so many. The emperor was greatly vexed at the 
dissatisfactions which pervaded his army : he there- 
fore summoned his chief officers, and expostulated 
with them upon the madness of abandoning such a 
conquest as they had recently made, merely because a 
few inconveniences, as was invariably the case un- 
der similar circumstances, stood in the way of a 
final adjustment of their claims and a satisfactory ar- 
rangement of the new settlements. He bade those 
who were his friends not to hint at quitting In- 
dia on pain of his implacable displeasure ; but said 
that all who had no desire to settle might instant- 
ly depart, and leave him to govern with strangers, 
whom he would endeavour to make wiser and fitter 
instruments. This appeal had its effect : the begs were 
ashamed to desert him, and retired from the council 
unanimously determined to remain, with the excep- 
tion of a single noble, who was permitted to depart 
