312 W. Irvine —-The Later Mughals. [No. 4, 
, _ * ' • I * T . 
terms from Sayyad Husain ‘All Khan four years before. But Nahar 
Khan was an intimate friend of the two Sayyads, and his first efforts 
were directed to bringing over Ajit Singh to their side, and detaching 
him from that of Farrukhslyar. In this he was fully successful. The 
Rajah started from Jodhpur for Dihli, and the Emperor was overjoyed 
at the prospect of his arrival. These hopes were, however, doomed 
to disappointment, for Ajit Singh had not the least intention of taking 
that side ; on the contrary, his mind was fully made up to espouse the 
cause of the Sayyads. 1 
On the 4th Shawwal 1130 H. (30th August, 1718), when Rajah Ajit 
Singh’s arrival near Bagh Malhan Shah was reported, I‘tiqad Kh an 
(Muhammad Murad) was sent with the present of a dagger, and Samsam- 
ud-daulah was deputed as an escort. These men were commissioned to 
impress on the Rajah the high favour in which he stood with His 
Majesty, and by persuasive talk induce him to present himself in 
audience without the intervention of Qutb-ul-mulk. Ftiqad Khan, after 
delivering the gifts with which he had been entrusted, told the Rajah 
that he was too great a man to need another person to introduce him, 
he should present himself in audience the next day, and he would be 
received. He could then lay his own representations before the throne. 
In reply the Rajah, after using many similar flattering professions, 
announced bis intention of obtaining audience through Qutb-ul-mulk. 
In vain Ftiqad Khan displayed all his eloquence, he could not turn the 
Rajah from his purpose. It is said that this was the result of Qutb-ul- 
mulk’s advice, conveyed through Nahar Khan and others. They had 
frightened the Rajah into the belief that Farrukhsiyar’s word could not 
be relied upon. By what vows and oaths, they said, had he not bound 
himself in the case of Asad Khan and his son, only to lure them into 
the net! The Sayyads, they added, are the only men who can stand 
up against such a sovereign, or whose support is of any value. 2 
When his emissaries returned and reported their ill-success, 
Farrukhslyar flew into a passion. But unable to help himself, he sent 
a message to Qutb-ul-mulk that the next day was appointed for the 
reception of Rajah Ajit Singh, and that he, too, should present himself 
at darbdr. The Rajah had written that unless the minister attended he 
would not come. 
The next day, the 5th Shawwal (31st August, 1718), Ftiqad Khan 
and Samsam-ud-daulah set out once more, and brought the Rajah to 
1 MIrza Muhammad, 383. Surman Diary, 3rd January 1717 O.S. [14th January 
1718 N.S.-12th Safar 1130] : “ NaarCawne [sent] to bring Raja Ad jet San to Court.” 
* MirzS Muhammad, 386, Kamwar Khan, 180. 
