Page:The Seven Cities of Delhi.djvu/301

Delhi in Moghal Times Kamr-ud-din, a trusty adherent of the Nizam, was now reappointed prime minister, but he was not able to stop the falHng off of the limbs of the decaying empire — Bengal, Behar, Orissa, and Rohilkand all becoming independent. The emperor was able actually to defeat the rebel who had possessed himself of the last-named province, but could not bring back the country under his rule. Then came another invasion from the north, under Ahmad Khan Abdali, the leader of the Durani Afghans. Strange to say, the Moghal army was able to defeat him. One of the generals of that army was Mansur Ali Khan, Safdar Jang, but he soon retired, and it was through no fault of his that the victory was won. Unfortunately,during the action the prime minister was killed in his tent, by a cannon-ball, while at prayer. The emperor was deeply attached to him, and grieved so greatly over his loss that he fell down in a fit and expired. He had reigned twenty-nine years, and died in 1747. His tomb is in one of the marble enclosures near the shrine of Khwaja Nizam-ud-din Aulia. The observatory, which now goes by the grotesque name of "Jantar Mantar," was constructed during the reign of this emperor, and his wife, Kudsia Begam, made the garden outside the Cashmere Gate which is called by her name. 237