on the spot a pretender of ability and influence to take the place of the Subáhdár and to declare himself his successor; or, had Dupleix been represented on the spot by any other than a man of first-rate capacity and decision, it was quite upon the cards that the result of the fighting and intrigues of the previous twelve months might have been lost in an hour. But Bussy was a man of first-rate capacity. He possessed a clear brain, and an intuitive power of managing the natives of India. To think on the moment, to decide on the moment, to act on the moment—these were his maxims. On this occasion he recognised on the instant that all was likely to be lost unless he should take the lead. He took it on the moment. I have stated that when, in June, 1748, Nizám-ul-Mulk, the Subáhdár of the Deccan, died, he had left three younger sons in the harem. The names of these were Salábat Jang, Nizám Alí, and Basálat Jang. When Nádir Jang had taken possession of his father's territories, his first act had been to place these princes in confinement. They were still in confinement when Muzaffar Jang was killed. Bussy having decided to take the lead, the problem he had to solve was whether it was advisable in the interests of France to proclaim the infant son of Muzaffar Jang to be Subáhdár or to bestow the masnad on the eldest of his uncles. Recognising at a glance that in India minorities always give incentives to intriguers, he decided on the latter course. Hastily assembling the principal nobles present, he unfolded to them his
