Riyaz al-salatin 86: NIZAMAT OF QUTBU-D-DIN KHAN.
The Riyazu-s-salatin (Abdus Salam) 86
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NIZAMAT OF QUTBU-D-DIN KHAN.
86.1
When Qutbu-d-din Kokaltash, on the 9th Safar, 1015 A.H., was honoured with the khil'at of the Nizamat of Bengal, he was raised to the rank of a Panjhazari, with 5,000 soldiers and troopers ; and 2 lacs of rupees was given him for his allowance, and 3 lacs of rupees was given for the expenses of his contingent. After taking leave of the Emperor, he arrived in Bengal. As yet some months had not passed, when he was killed at the hands of 'Ali Quli Beg Astajlu, styled Sher Afghan Khan. And the detail of particulars of his career in Bloch. Tr. of Ain, Vol. I, p. 340, and also in Maasir-ul-Umara, and Iqbalnamah-i-Jahangiri. this incident is this. 'Ali Quli Beg Astajlu was a butler of Shah Isma'il, son of Shah Tahmasp Safavi. On the death of Shah Isma'il, coming to India via Qandahar, at Multan he entered the service of 'Abdur Rahim Khan, Khan Khanan, who was then employed on the conquest of Thatah and Sindh. The Khan Khanan informally enlisted him in the ranks of Imperial officers, and in that expedition, 'Ali Quli shewed bravery and rendered valuable services. When the Khan Khanan from that expedition returned triumphant to the Imperial presence, at his request, 'Ali Quli was honoured with an appropriate Mansab, and at the same time, a daughter of Mirza Ghiyas Beg Tehrani, named Mehrunnisa, was wedded to him.
86.2
And at the time when Emperor Akbar proceeded from Akbarabad (Agra) to the conquest of the Dakhin, and the Crown-Prince (Prince Salim, afterwards Emperor Jahangir), was ordered to undertake the subjugation of the Rana of Udaipur, 'Ali Quli Beg was appointed as an auxiliary to the Prince. The Prince, shewing every attention to him, gave him the title of Sher Afghan, and on accession to the throne, bestowing on him a Jagir at Bardwan in the Subah of Bengal, he sent him there. Afterwards, when the crookedness of his conduct, his wickedness and ill-temper became known to the Emperor, the latter, whilst sending Qutb Khan to Bengal, gave the latter a hint that if he found Sher Afghan well-behaved and loyal, well and good, but if otherwise, he should send him to the Imperial presence, and that in coming if he made excuses, he should punish him. When Qutbu-d-din Khan reached Bengal, he was dissatisfied with Sher Afghan's action and conduct. Although he summoned the latter to his presence, putting forward idle excuses, he did not attend. Qutbu-d-din Khan communicated the matter to the Emperor, who ordered that agreeably to the injunctions conveyed at the time of his departure, he should punish Sher Afghan. The above Khan, on receipt of the Imperial order, instantly marched swiftly to Bardwan. Sher Afghan on getting news of the arrival of the above Khan, advanced forward with two grooms to receive him.
86.3
At the time of meeting, the soldiers of Qutbu-d-din Khan crowding in stood at a distance, like a ring. Sher Afghan said: "What is this treatment, and what does it mean?" The Khan told his soldiers to disperse, moved alone in Sher Afghan's company, and commenced conversation. Sher Afghan read signs of treachery in the aspect of affairs, and forestalling the other, he thought it prudent to apply the remedy before the disease appeared, and with great agility hit Qutbu-d-din on the abdomen with a sword, so that the latter's entrails came out. The Khan seizing his abdomen with both hands, shouted out: "Don't spare him, don't let this wretch escape." A Kashmirian, named Aina Khan, who was one of Qutb's principal officers, spurring his horse, struck Sher Afghan with a sword on the head. In that plight, Sher Afghan with another blow finished Aina Khan's work. At this moment, the soldiers of Qutbu-d-din Khan collecting from all sides, killed Sher Afghan also, by inflicting successive cuts. Sher Afghan Khan is that person, whose widow, Nur Jahan, as Consort of Emperor Jahangir is so renowned. A poet says:— Translation: Nur Jahan, albeit in appearance a woman, In the ranks of heroes, is a tiger-hunting woman. After Qutbu-d-din Khan was slain, the office of Governor of the Subah of Bengal was bestowed on Jahangir Quli Khan, who was Governor of the Subah of Behar; and Islam Khan was appointed Governor of Behar in the latter's place.