The Institutes of Akbar 244: 23. Rájáh Bihá’rí Mall, son of Prit’híráj Kachhwáhah.

244

In some historical MSS. he is called Bihárá Mall. There were two kinds of Kachhwáhas, Rájáwat and Shaikhawat, to the former of which Bihárí Mall belonged. Their ancient family seat was Amber in the Çúbah of Ajmír. Though not so extensive as Márwár, the revenues of Amber were larger.
Bihárí Mall was the first Rájpút that joined Akbar’s Court. The flight of Humáyún from India had been the cause of several disturbances. Hájí Khán, a servant of Sher Khan, had attacked Narnaul, the jágír of Majnún Khán Qáqshál (No. 50), who happened to be a friend of the Rajah’s. Through his intercession both came to an amicable settlement; and Majnún Khán, after the defeat of Hemú, (963) brought Bihárí Mall’s services to the notice of the emperor. The Rajah was invited to come to court, where he was presented before the end of the first year of Akbar’s reign. At the interview Akbar was seated on a wild (mast) elephant, and as the animal got restive and ran about, the people made way; only Bihárí Mall’s Rajput attendants, to the surprise of Akbar, stood firm.
In the 6th year of his reign (969), Akbar made a pilgrimage to the tomb of Mu’ín i Chishtí at Ajmír, and at Kalálí, Chaghtái Khán reported to the Emperor, that the Rájah had fortified himself in the passes, as Sharafuddín Husain (No. 17), Governor of Málwah, had made war upon him, chiefly at the instigation of Sojá, son of Púran Mall, elder brother of the Rajah. Sharafuddín had also got hold of Jagnat’h (No. 69), son of the Rajah, Ráj Singh (No. 147), son of Askaran, and Kángár, son of Jagmall (No. 134), his chief object being to get possession of Amber itself. At Deosah, 40 miles east of Jaipúr, Jaimall, son of Rúpsí (No. 118), Bihárí Mall’s brother who was the chief of the country, joined Akbar, and brought afterwards, at the request of the emperor, his father Rúpsí. At Sánkánír, at last, Bihárí Mall with his whole family attended, and was most honorably received. His request to enter into Akbar’s service and to strengthen the ties of friendship by a matrimonial alliance was granted. On his return from Ajmír, Akbar received the Rajah’s daughter at Sambhar, and was joined, at Ratan, by the Rajah himself, and his son Bhagawant Dás, and his grandson Kunwar Mán Singh. They accompanied Akbar to Agrah, where Bihárí Mall was made a Commander of Five Thousand. Soon after, Bihárí Mall returned to Amber. He died at Agrah (Tabaqát).
Amber is said to have been founded A. D. 967 by Dholá Rái, son of Sorá, of whom Bihárí Mall was the 18th descendant.
The Akbarnámah mentions the names of four brothers of Bihárí Mall. 1. Púran Mall; 2. Rúpsí (No. 118); 3. Askaran (vide No. 174); 4. Jagmall (No. 134). Bihárí Mall is said to have been younger than Púran Mall, but older than the other three.
Three sons of Bihárí Mall were in Akbar’s service—1. Bhagwán Dás (No. 27); 2. Jagannát’h (No. 69); and 3. Salhadí (No. 267).