The Anarchy: The Relentless Rise of the East India Company

by William Dalrymple

He first summoned Mirza Najaf Khan, and in full durbar formally rewarded him for his services with the post of Paymaster General, and the gift of estates in Hansi and Hissar, to the west of the capital.56 He then decamped to the monsoon pleasure resort of Mehrauli, with its marble pavilions, swings, mango orchards and waterfalls, to celebrate his return in the traditional Mughal manner: with pilgrimages to Sufi shrines, music, songs, poetry recitations, fountains, feasting and love-making in the tented camps set up within the Mughal walled gardens of Mehrauli. It was around this time that Shah Alam is thought to have written some of his most celebrated lyrics, a series of monsoon raags in the now lost musical mode of Raag Gaund, rain-tinged verses ‘celebrating the imminent moment of joyful union between the clouds and the earth, the lover and the beloved’.57 These were intended to be sung to celebrate the fecund beauty of the season, giving thanks to the patron saint of Mehrauli for his protection, and asking the saint for his blessing for what was to come: The peafowl murmur atop the hills, while the frogs make noise as they gather Turn your eyes to the beautiful waterfalls and spread the covering cloth fully! I beg this of you, lord Qu’tb-ud Din, fulfil all the desires of my life I worship you, please hear me, constantly touching your feet Come on this beautiful day; take the air and delight in the garden, Sate your thirst and take pleasure contemplating the beauties of ...