Riyaz al-salatin 110: NIZAMAT OF NAWAB SARFARAZ KHAN.
The Riyazu-s-salatin (Abdus Salam) 110
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NIZAMAT OF NAWAB SARFARAZ KHAN.
110.1.1
When Nawab Sarfaraz Khan mounted the masnad of the Nizamat of Bengal, agreeably to the dying instructions of his father, he appointed Haji Ahmad, the Rai Raian and Jagatset to be his Councillors in respect of Revenue and Administrative affairs. But these meddling more than before in State affairs ignored the old officers of Sarfaraz Khan who expected promotions and mansabs, and further intrigued to bring about their disgrace and overthrow. Although Nawab Sarfaraz Khan and the Begams were anxious to promote their old officers, owing to the opposition of the Triumvirate Council, they could not do so. The Triumvirate Council, after secret vows and stipulations, plotted to call in Ali Vardi Khan with his army from 'Azimabad (Patna) under pretext of visiting the Nazim, and then to instal him on the masnad of the Nizamat in supercession of Sarfaraz Khan. And in deliberations over this plot they passed days and nights, but failed to mature any plan. At this time, Nadir Shah, the king of Persia, had defeated Muhammad Shah, captured Nizamu-l-Mulk, Burhanu-l-Mulk, Qamru-d-din Khan, and Muhammad Khan Bangash, &c., who were the pillars of the Mughal Empire, and entering Shah-jahanabad (Delhi) with his Persian troops had plundered the palaces of both the Emperor and his nobles. In consequence, the whole Empire was shaken to its foundation.
110.1.2
The Triumvirate Council persuaded Sarfaraz Khan to introduce in Bengal the coins and the Khutbah of Nadir Shah, and about the same time they remitted the confiscated treasures of Shuja'u-d-daulah and the Bengal tribute in charge of Murid Khan, who had arrived in Murshidabad on behalf of Qamru-d-din Khan long before Nadir Shah's invasion. Haji Ahmad and Ali Vardi Khan intrigued with Murid Khan, and won him over to their side. On the withdrawal of Nadir Shah, they carried tales of the introduction of the Nadir Shahi coin and Khutbah to Nawab Qamru-d-din Khan and to Nizamu-l-Mulk, and laid various other charges against Sarfaraz Khan. Aided by the machinations of the Imperial ministers, they secured a royal patent granting to them the Nizamat of Bengal, and authorising the execution of Sarfaraz Khan, on account of his treason in introducing the coin and Khutbah of Nadir Shah. When the arrow of their efforts reached the butt of their aim, the Triumvirate Council represented to Sarfaraz Khan that the resources of the State were limited, whilst its expenditure was heavy, and thereby persuaded the Nawab to reduce the strength of his Army. They at the same time secretly sent instructions to Ali Vardi Khan to mobilise troops and collect arms, in view of the invasion of Bengal. Whoever was cashiered from the army of Sarfaraz Khan was straightway enlisted by Haji Ahmad in the service of Ali Vardi Khan, and sent off to Azimabad (Patna).
110.1.3
Nearly one-half of Sarfaraz Khan's troops were in this way disbanded. Ali Vardi Khan, having completed preparations for war and mobilised a large army consisting of Afghans, Rohilahs, and Bhaliahs, set out for Bengal; whilst Haji Ahmad sent his and his sons' hoarded treasures amounting to several laks of rupees for the expenses of Ali Vardi's army. When Sarfaraz Khan, from the despatches of his Political Agents at the Court of the Emperor, and from informations of emissaries, came to be apprised of the machinations of the treacherous enemy, deeming it prudent to adopt remedy for the affair before it came to pass, he set himself to overthrow the traitors, and decided to bestow the Deputy-Governorship of Azimabad (Patna) on his son-in-law, Syed Muhammad Hasan, in supercession of Ali Vardi Khan, and the Faujdari of Akbarnagar (Rajmahal) together with the command of Sakrigali and Teliagadhi passes on Mir Sharfu-d-din Bakhshi, in supercession of A'tau-l-lah Khan, son-in-law of Haji Ahmad. Sarfaraz Khan also determined to appoint Munshi Jaswant Rai as Diwan in the place of the Rai Raian.
110.1.4
But as yet this decision had not been put in force, when the members of the Triumvirate Council adroitly submitting a representation about their long services, the heavy outstandings of the Imperial Revenue, and their losses, persuaded Sarfaraz Khan to postpone their supercession and the installation of others in their places till their preparation of the Annual Balance-sheet, which fell due after three months. Sarfaraz Khan, who owing to guilelessness of his nature had already been victimised by the duplicity of the Triumvirate Council, once again suffered himself to be duped by their wiles. A'li Vardi Khan, utilising this short respite, secured the adhesion of Mustafa Khan, Shamsher Khan, Sardar Khan, U'mar Khan, Rahim Khan, Karam Khan, Sirandaz Khan, Shaikh Ma'sum, Shaikh Jahangir Khan, Muhammad Zulfuqar Khan, Chidan Hazari (Bakhshi of the Bhaliahs), Bakhtawar Singh, and other Generals and officers of the Army. Under the false pretext of waiting on Sarfaraz Khan, A'li Vardi Khan marched swiftly, crossed the passes of Tiliagadhi and Sakrigali, and reached the frontiers of Bengal. At the instigation of Haji Ahmad, Ataullah Khan, Faujdar of Akbarnagar (Rajmahal), had taken steps to prevent all movements of messengers and spies, and to interdict all intercourse through news-letters between A'zimabad (Patna) and Bengal via the passes of Tiliagadhi and Sakrigali, until A'li Vardi Khan had crossed through those passes.
110.1.5
In consequence, no news of A'li Vardi Khan's movements had reached Sarfaraz Khan. It was only when the vanguard of A'li Vardi Khan's army had actually reached Akbarnagar (Rajmahal), that all of a sudden the news of A'li Vardi Khan's movement reached Sarfaraz Khan. This news threw both the City of Murshidabad and its Bazaar into commotion. Perplexed by this news, Sarfaraz Khan instantly imprisoned Haji Ahmad. Although the Rai Raian treacherously explained that A'li Vardi's arrival was for the purpose of waiting on Sarfaraz Khan, this explanation had no reassuring effect. Detailing Ghaus Khan and Mir Sharfu-d-din, who were his old officers, to lead the vanguard, and leaving his son, Hafizu-l-lah surnamed Mirza Amani, together with Yasin Khan Faujdar, to guard the Fort and the City, Nawab Sarfaraz Khan together with Ghazanfar Husain Khan and a son of Muhammad Taqi Khan, (both of whom were his sons-in-law), and with Mir Muhammad Baqir Khan, Mirza Muhammad Iraj Khan, Mir Kamil, Mir Gadai, Mir Haidar Shah, Mir Diler Shah, Baji Singh, Rajah Ghandarab Singh, Shamshir Khan Qurishi, (Faujdar of Silhat), Shuja Quli Khan, (Faujdar of the port of Hugli), Mir Habib, Murshid Quli Khan Faujdar, Mardan A'li Khan (the late Shuja Khan's Bakhshi) and other Generals and Mansabdars and Zamindars of Bengal, marched out from the City with a large army and fire-pouring artillery, and encamped at Bahmaniah, which is two Karoh distant from Murshidabad.
110.1.6
Marching on the second day, the Nawab reached Sarai Diwan, and marching on the third day, he encamped at Khamrah, where he mustered his army and reviewed its strength and armaments. In that the officers of Shuja' Khan's regime were in league with Haji Ahmad, brick-bats instead of shells were discovered in the arsenal, and rubbish was found inside guns. Consequently, cashiering Shahriar Khan, the Haji's brother, who was General Superintendent of the Artillery, and making him over to the custody of his retainers, Nawab Sarfaraz Khan appointed in his place Pancho, son of Antony the Portuguese, to be General Superintendent of the Artillery. The forces of Mahabat Jang were arranged in the form of a circle from Aurangabad, at the mouth of the Suti (where the shrine of Shah Murtaza Hindi exists) to the plain of Balkatah.
110.1.7
On the fourth day, when the silvery-crowned King (i.e., the Sun) pranced on to the plain of the sky from his camp in the East darting forth daggers of radial lines, and the dusky Moon with thousands of its forces (i.e., stars), not finding itself a match for that unique Cavalier, hid itself behind the hills, Nawab Sarfaraz Khan, selecting an auspicious moment according to astrologers, advanced to assault the enemy. By one single assault, the troops of Mahabat Jang were thrown into panic and confusion, were set a-reeling, and were nearly routed. The Rai Raian, finding that the table was being turned, at this moment treacherously represented to Nawab Sarfaraz Khan that the Sun had moved right vertical to the head, and that at that sultry hour if fighting were continued, both horses and soldiers would perish, owing to excessive heat and thirst, and that therefore if that day further fightings were postponed, next morning the bitter-palated enemy could be treated to a similar bitter soup (of death) — Whence will thy enemy command the strength, To fight with thee? Owing to thy good luck, The enemy's head shall be trampled upon by thy feet. Although astrologers descanted on the auspiciousness of that hour for fighting, and adduced arguments in proof of the incoming victory, and although his Generals insisted on continuing the battle, Sarfaraz Khan was unmoved, and forbade by use of threats further fightings that day. Then Sarfaraz Khan encamped on the banks of the Geriah river.
110.1.8
Meanwhile, a letter from Mahabat Jang came avowing his loyalty, and explaining that he had come simply to pay his respects to Sarfaraz Khan. Sarfaraz Khan, who was quite inexperienced, on perusal of the letter, became reassured, dispensed with all precautions, foolishly released Haji Ahmad, who was the root of all the disturbance, and sent him to A'li Vardi Khan Mahabat Jang, in order to reassure the latter and to bring him over. He also sent in the Haji's company Shuj'a Quli Khan and Khwajah Basant, his two special confidantes, with a view to ascertain exactly the prospects of peace and war, to guage correctly the dispositions of A'li Vardi's Army, and then to apprise him accurately. The imprisonment of the Haji with his other relatives had plunged Mahabat Jang into a whirlpool of confusion. He had apprehended that they would be slain, and had, therefore, hesitated to offer battle. Viewing the release of the Haji to be auspicious, nay as the first augury of victory, Mahabat Jang (A'li Vardi) enclosed in a casket a brick, giving out it contained the Holy Qoran, held it in his hand, and swore by it that next morning he would with folded hands present himself before Nawab Sarfaraz Khan, and would sue for pardon for his misconduct. At the same time he presented two hundred gold coins to Khwajah Basant.
110.1.9
These idiots (Shuj'a Quli Khan and Khwajah Basant), not fathoming the water under the grass, returned happy and jolly, and describing to Nawab Sarfaraz Khan the loyal disposition of A'li Vardi Khan cooled the fire of his wrath. Nawab Sarfaraz Khan then ordered his butler to prepare dainty dishes for a banquet, sat re-assured on the bed of comfort, nay slumbered the sleep of insecurity on the bed of sleep (which is akin to death); and his soldiers, intoxicated by the inebriation of the wine-cup of peace, let go from their hands the reins of watch and alertness.
110.2.1
Aye ! It is sheer folly to rely on the cajolery of thy enemy ; The seeming prostration of floods undermines walls ! After the withdrawal of Sarfaraz Khan's emissaries, A'li Vardi Khan soothed and won over his officers by promising them two months' pay in the event of his victory, and also by promising them the booty that might be captured. He thus incited and instigated them to fight, and distributed shells, gunpowder and armaments. The Generals of Sarfaraz Khan's army who from before were in league with A'li Vardi Khan, were all ready for treachery and regicide. The only exceptions were Muhammad Ghaus Khan and Mir Sharfu-d-din, Commanders of the vanguard of Sarfaraz Khan's army, who were posted at the ford of the river Geriah. Ascertaining through messengers and spies the secret plot of treachery that was hatching, both the above Generals at midnight hastened to Sarfaraz Khan, apprised the latter of the fire of treachery that was fanning under a straw-covering, and offered by way of precaution to remove him that night to their own camp, and there to guard him, and next morning to sacrifice their lives by fighting gallantly round him. In that in matters of destiny, efforts are helpless, and the knot of Fate cannot be untied with the nail of Efforts, the will of Providence cast the quicksilver of heedlessness into the ear of Sarfaraz Khan.
110.2.2
Placing no reliance on their loyal representation, Sarfaraz Khan treated those two Generals in a rude and threatening manner, and by way of censure added: "You opening a shop of self-aggrandisement desire that I should be involved in war against Mahabat Jang, who is my well-wisher." Those two Generals got up blushing with shame and humiliation, and returned to their own camps. Arming themselves, along with their forces, they passed the night in alertness; whilst Sarfaraz Khan, in the slumber of heedlessness, lay intoxicated with the wine of sleep. At the instigation of Haji Ahmad, in the dead of night, under the pretext of visiting relations and friends, the officers and soldiers of Mahabat Jang's army, with their light baggages, by ones and twos, mingled with the army of Sarfaraz Khan, and forming rings round the Royal tent looked out for an opportunity to strike. The officers of Shuj'a Khan's regime, upon whom Sarfaraz Khan placed great reliance, from the very beginning were in intrigue with the Haji, and seeing and knowing all connived at and concealed the conspiracy; whilst the loyal adherents of Sarfaraz Khan held their tongue from fear of being snubbed. Whilst one hour of the night yet remained, A'li Vardi Khan and Haji Ahmad divided their forces into two divisions.
110.2.3
They detailed one division under the command of Nandlal Jama'dar, together with the standard and the kettle-drum, and flags and elephants, to attack Ghaus Khan and Mir Sharfu-d-din, whilst with another division, consisting of Afghan and Bhallah troops, in the darkness of the night, under the guidance of the men of the Zamindari of Ramakant, Zamindar of Rajshahi, they themselves marched to deliver a night-attack against Sarfaraz Khan. And towards the day-break, whilst yet the darkness of the night continued, and friends could not be distinguished from foes, they suddenly, like death, attacked Sarfaraz Khan's troops who were inebriated with the wine of sleep, (which is akin to death), and fired their guns. The old proteges awoke Sarfaraz Khan from his slumber of neglect, and apprised him of the aspect of affairs. As fortune, however, had averted its face from him, even now Sarfaraz Khan refused to listen to them with the ear of credence, snubbed them, and again insisted on the quick preparation of viands for a banquet. Sarfaraz Khan added, "A'li Vardi Khan is coming to visit me." At this moment, another cannon-shell fell; and by the time of the sunrise, the troops of Mahabat Jang exhibited themselves in battle-array. Guns and rockets, arrows and muskets flashing lightning, and showering destruction poured in. The troops of Sarfaraz Khan who were intoxicated by the wine of the morning sleep, harum-scarum sprang up from their beds of slumber, and girding up their loins fled;
110.2.4
whilst others, not commanding the nerve to gird up their loins or to arm themselves, were butchered. Sarfaraz Khan's army was panic-stricken. You might say, from dread of that warfare, Earth itself had fled. Only one solitary column consisting mostly of Sarfaraz Khan's old officers, impelled by sentiments of honour, and animated by a sense of loyalty, arrayed themselves on the battle-field, gallantly resolved to sacrifice their lives, and firmly stood their ground. Nawab Sarfaraz Khan, after finishing his morning-prayer, also armed himself, seized the Holy Qoran with one hand, and mounted a swift elephant. Then letting loose the royal elephant in front of himself, he flung himself into the thick of the fight, and commenced shooting arrows. The Afghan generals of Mahabat Jang's army, covered by a squadron of Bhaliah infantry, charged Sarfaraz Khan's army. When on both sides, the troops stood in battle-array, You might say, the Day of Judgment had arrived. Owing to the thundering of guns, muskets and rockets, Aye, the Universe itself quaked. The twang of bow-strings and the cracking of arrows Resounded aloft their echo to the lofty sky. The spear, like Death with out-stretched hands, In the taking of life, chopped the breast into slips. In the hands of heroes, sharp steel-made swords, In shedding blood of the enemy, leapt warmly: The heroes became warm in taking and in giving life; Aye, the world became emptied of heroes.
110.2.5
In this sword-charge, wherein the boisterous wind of Death threw down on the plain of annihilation corpses like leaves of trees, and the flood of blood raged tumultously on every side, Mardan A'li Khan, the Bakhshi of Shuj'a Khan's regime, who was now the generalissimo of Sarfaraz Khan's army, and commanded the van, feeling himself incapable of continuing the contest any longer, fled. At the sight of this flight, Sarfaraz Khan's army was demoralised, and a general stampede ensued in its ranks. Each one felt contented with saving himself, No one cared for another. Save and except his Georgian and Abyssinian slaves and a few of his old comrades, not one out of the numerous mock-heroes remained to cover Sarfaraz Khan's elephant. The elephant-driver perceiving that victory had declared itself for the enemy, said to Sarfaraz Khan:—"If it be your Highness's pleasure, I shall carry you to Birbhum to the Zamindar, Badi'u-z-zaman." Sarfaraz Khan, striking the elephant-driver a blow on the neck, retorted: "Tie the chain round the feet of the elephant, as I will not retreat before these dogs." The elephant-driver was obliged to drive on his elephant. The Barqandozes and the Bhaliahs of the enemy's Army, who had from before ranged themselves like a ring round Sarfaraz Khan's tent, discharged from all sides cannon-shells on his elephant; and over and above, rockets and cannon-balls, arrows and muskets were showered incessantly by the hostile army.
110.2.6
Mir Gadai, who was a special favourite of Sarfaraz Khan, was shot down by a rocket. Mir Kamil, brother of Mir Muhammad Baqir surnamed Baqir A'li Khan (nephew of Shuja'u-d-daulah), and a young unmarried boy of Mirza Muhammad Iraj Khan Bakhshi, and other personal attendants, including Bahram, Sa'id and other slaves, who had not fled from the battle-field, were hit by rockets, cannon-shells and bullets, and fell right in front of Sarfaraz Khan's elephant. Mirza Iraj Khan was also mortally wounded. Mir Diler A'li gallantly attacked the Afghan column of A'li Vardi Khan, exhibited feats of prowess and bravery, but receiving sword-cuts gallantly fell with a number of his comrades. At this moment, Sarfaraz Khan himself was hit on the forehead by the bullet of a gun shot by a traitor from his own camp, and was felled on his elephant-litter, and the bird of his soul flew to Heaven. As soon as they saw this mishap, Mir Habib, Murshid Quli Khan, Shamshir Khan Quraishi (Faujdar of Silhat) and Rajah Ghandrab Singh, who with their forces stood aloof at a distance from the battle, and were silent spectators of the scene, took to their heels. Mir Haidar Shah and Khwajah Basant who clung to each other, and were hiding themselves in a Rath, fled without even casting a glance at the corpse of their master. Not one out of his companions remained, To guard him for an instant.
110.2.7
In the cover of the darkness of the night, and deceived by the ruse of the Royal Standard and the Elephant being displayed by the Division under Nandlal Jama'dar, Ghaus Khan and Mir Sharfuddin mistook the latter for Mahabatjang, and commenced fighting. By means of Rustam-like onslaughts and brave assaults, they killed Nandlal, and cut him up with their swords. Routing those who escaped the sword, they captured the Standard, kettle-drum, elephants, camels, horses and armaments, and then they marched swiftly to enquire about Sarfaraz Khan. Though Sarfaraz Khan had fallen, on seeing those two brave Generals, Mahabat Jang did not stir from the field, but with his force which was more numerous than ants and locusts remained stationary and motionless on the battle-field. Those two Generals had yet received no tidings of the fall of Sarfaraz Khan, and, therefore, with a small force of veteran heroes comprising their sons, brothers, kinsmen and companions, they bravely spurred on their chargers, fiercely assaulted Ali Vardi Khan's army, broke through its ranks, and heroically dashed up to its centre. The army of Mahabat Jang was about to reel from the blows of those lions of the forest of warfare, when Ghaus Khan received on the breast mortal wounds from the bullets of Qhidan Hazari's musketeers, and fell.
110.2.8
Ghaus Khan's two sons, Qutb and Babar, who were veritable tigers of the forest of bravery, and who on hunting-grounds were wont to slay lions with swords, unsheathed their swords, and killed a large number of Afghans and Bhallaks.
110.3.1
They attacked no one whom they did not finish, They struck no head which they did not hurl down. On whomever they struck their long-piercing daggers, His head came down rolling from the shoulder. Qhidan Hazari also received sword-cuts at their hands. After much slaughter and daring, being hit by the bullets of muskets, Qutb and Babar fell like brave martyrs, and joined their gallant father in his journey to Eternity. Mir Sharfu-d-din with seven brave cavaliers galloped right up to Mahabat Jang, and with great agility shot at the latter's breast a heart-piercing arrow, which, however, grazed against the bow of Mahabat Jung, and piercing through lodged itself in the latter's side-ribs. Mir Sharfu-d-din had pulled another arrow towards the bow-string, when Shaikh Jahan Yar and Muhammad Zulfuqar, Mahabat Jang's Generals, who were old friends of the Mir, came forward and said : " Nawab Safaraz Khan has fallen, what can you gain now by continuing the contest and sacrificing your life"? The Mir bravely replied: "Hitherto I fought from a sense of loyalty for the salt I had eaten, and from a sense of comradeship, but now I fight to maintain my honour." These two Generals stood sureties for the security of his honour, and pulled him back. Then the Mir with his followers set out for Birbhum. Notwithstanding that his gunners had run away, Pancho Ferengi, Superintendent of Sarfaraz Khan's artillery, served his guns and bravely stuck to them, and kept up an incessant cannonade.
110.3.2
After Mir Sharfu-d-din's withdrawal, the Afghans in large numbers attacked Pancho, and killed him. Baji Singh, a Rajput General, who with the rear-guard was at Khamrah, on receiving news of his master's fall, felt his sense of honour aroused. Alone spurring on his horse and placing his spear on his horse's right ear, by brave onslaughts, he dashed through the enemy's force to a point where Mahabat Jang stood. With one stroke of his sharp spear, Baji Singh attempted to hurl the latter down from his elephant-saddle and to despatch him to the next world, to be a companion there of his fallen master. Mahabat Jang made him out on seeing his heroism and agility, and ordered Daur Quli Khan, superintendent of the artillery, to quickly oppose him. Daur Quli Khan encountering him shot a bullet through his breast, and Baji Singh being mortally wounded fell on the ground. Zalim Singh, Baji Singh's son, aged nine years, with that inherent bravery which is characteristic of the Rajput race, unsheathed his sword from the scabbard, and stood up to guard his father. People from all sides surrounded him like a ring. Nawab Mahabat Jang, on seeing the daring of that boy, applauded him, and forbade the people from killing him, and ordered them not to oppose the removal of his father's corpse. The artillery-men helped in the removal of Baji Singh's corpse, and carried along with it Zalim Singh on their shoulders.
110.3.3
During the fightings of Ghaus Khan, Mir Sharfu-d-din, Baji Singh and Pancho Ferengi, both the sons-in-law of Sarfaraz Khan, named Ghazanfar Husain and Hasan Muhammad, together with other Mansabdars and vanquished soldiers, had fled from the battle-field, and had in one day marched back to Murshidabad. And the Rai Raian Alamchand, by way of retribution for his treachery, received an arrow-shot on the hand from a cross-bow, plunged into the river, and half-dead reached his house. Repenting of his disloyal treachery, he committed suicide by swallowing diamond-filings. In short, when Sarfaraz Khan was felled on his elephant-litter, the elephant-driver carried his corpse swiftly to Murshidabad. Yasin Khan, Faujdar of Murshidabad, who together with Hafizu-l-lah Khan, son of Sarfaraz Khan, had been left to guard the City, the Citadel and the Nawab's family, buried at midnight the corpse of Nawab Sarfaraz Khan at Naktakhali. Hafizu-l-lah and Ghazanfar Husain hurriedly threw up entrenchments, and prepared to fight. They, however, received no encouragement from the vanquished troops, and therefore abandoned their plan of fighting, and tendered their submission to Ali Vardi Khan. This Revolution in the Government threw the City, as well as the Army and the people of Bengal, into a general and deep convulsion. Haji Ahmad first entering the city of Murshidabad, proclaimed peace and security on behalf of Ali Vardi Khan.
110.3.4
Yasin Khan Faujdar, under the order of the Haji, set guards on Sarfaraz Khan's treasury and family, officers and servants, as well as on his Seraglio, so that none could escape. This battle of Gheria took place in 1153 A.H.