[Pramāṇa](https://indike.org/pramana/) › [Indian literature](https://indike.org/pramana/in) › [Dark Ages](https://indike.org/pramana/in.darkages) › [Bengal, Orissa and the North-East](https://indike.org/pramana/in.darkages.east) › [Riyāẓ al-salāṭīn](https://indike.org/pramana/in.darkages.east.riyaz-al-salatin) › [The Riyazu-s-salatin (Abdus Salam)](https://indike.org/pramana/in.darkages.east.riyaz-al-salatin~en-abdus-salam) › 88 # Riyaz al-salatin 88: RULE OF NAWAB ISLAM KHAN, AND AN ACCOUNT OF THE FALL OF 'OSMAN KHAN. The Riyazu-s-salatin (Abdus Salam) 88 - **Language:** English ### RULE OF NAWAB ISLAM KHAN, AND AN ACCOUNT OF THE FALL OF 'OSMAN KHAN. ### [88.1](https://indike.org/pramana/in.darkages.east.riyaz-al-salatin~en-abdus-salam.88.1) When in the third year of Emperor Jahangir's accession, the Nizamat of the Subah of Bengal was entrusted to Islam Khan, the latter had strict orders to extinguish the fire of insurrection and rebellion that had been kindled by 'Osman Khan. Islam Khan on arrival at Jahangirnagar (Dacca), set himself to the affairs of the administration of the country. When his good administration and his thorough grasp of the affairs of the Nizamat came to be known by the Emperor, the latter, in recognition of his good services, in the 4th year of accession, raised him to the rank of a Panjhazari, including soldiers and troopers. Islam Khan detached a large force under the command of Shaikh Kabir Shuja'it Khan for the extirpation of 'Osman Khan, leader of the Afghan insurrection, whilst other notable grandees, like Kishwar Khan, son of Qutbu-d-din Khan Kokah, Iftikhar Khan, Syed Adam Barha, Shaikh Achha, M'utaqad Khan, the sons of Mu'azzam Khan, together with other Imperial officers, were appointed his auxiliaries. When these reached the frontiers of the tract under 'Osman, they first deputed a sagacious envoy to conciliate the refractory mind of the leader of the insurrection. They strung the precious pearl of good advice to the ear-corner of his heart. ### [88.2](https://indike.org/pramana/in.darkages.east.riyaz-al-salatin~en-abdus-salam.88.2) Inasmuch as that wretched man ('Osman Khan) was by inherent nature a bad stuff, and had not the capacity of appreciating goodness, not appraising the value of this pearl of advice, he collected brickbats of vain aspirations in the vessel of his bad luck, and in the face of that shining pearl, he put forward the stature of his wild ambition, gave permission to the envoy to withdraw without accomplishing his mission, and preparing to die, spurred swiftly the horse of aggressiveness and fighting, and in 1027 A.H. was Governor of Behar. (See Bloch. Tr., Ain, Vol. I, pp. 521 and 543). rallied his forces on the banks of a river, full of mud. When news of this daring impudence reached Jahangir's officers, in the seventh year of accession, towards the end of the month of Zilhaj, 1020 A.H., the latter arrayed their forces, and advanced to the field of warfare. From the other side, 'Osman Khan also arrayed his miscreant troops for battle on the field of adversity, in front of the auspicious Imperialists. The heroes of the battle, on both sides advancing to fight, displayed heroism and bravery. ### [88.3](https://indike.org/pramana/in.darkages.east.riyaz-al-salatin~en-abdus-salam.88.3) When the fighting hosts on both sides faced each other, They fell to fighting against each other from every side. From the gun, the musket, the spear and the arrow, The banquet of warfare became warm. From excess of smoke and dust up to the sky, The universe could not be descried. From the din and tumult of both the armies, The battle-field turned into the field of the Day of Resurrection, Showered from every side cannon-balls, arrows and war-rockets, And emptied the world of heroes. The corpses of heroes frisked in every direction, Like slaughtered cocks, on both sides. In the thick of the fighting, and amidst the shower of arrows and rockets, 'Osman, displaying great valour, placed before himself rogue war-elephants, and assaulted the vanguard of the Imperialists. The brave Imperialists advancing, grappled with their swords and spears, and exhibited heroism worthy of a Rustam and a Sam. Syed Adam Barha and Shaikh Acha who were Commanders of the Imperial vanguard, fell gallantly fighting. At this moment, the flanks of both the armies came into line. Iftikhar Khan, Commander of the left wing, and Keshwar Khan, Commander of the right wing, with a large number of adherents, were killed; and on the enemy's side also many passed to hell. ### [88.4](https://indike.org/pramana/in.darkages.east.riyaz-al-salatin~en-abdus-salam.88.4) On seeing that some of the leaders of the Imperialists had been killed, and their ranks emptied of veterans, a second time 'Osman placing before himself the rogue elephant, named Bacha, himself mounted on a saddled elephant, personally assaulted the Imperial van, and delivered successive onsets. From the side of the Imperialists, Shujait Khan, with his relations and brothers, advancing to oppose him, exhibited great bravery and heroism. Many of his relations were killed, and many retreated on receiving mortal wounds. When that elephant came in front of Shujait Khan, the latter spurring his horse struck it with a spear on its trunk, and with great agility drawing the sword from his waist, inflicted two successive cuts on its head; and when he came in collision with the elephant, he drew his dagger, and inflicted on it two more cuts. The elephant, from its great ferocity, not recking of these cuts, with great fury rushed up, and flung down both the rider and the horse. Shewing agility, Shujait dismounted from his horse, and stood erect on the ground. At this juncture, Shujait's groom struck the trunk of the elephant with a double-edged sword, and inflicted a serious cut, causing the elephant to fall on its knees. Shujait Khan, with the help of his groom, threw down the rider of the elephant, and with a dagger inflicted another cut on its trunk. The elephant roaring fiercely fled after this cut, and moving some paces fell down. ### [88.5](https://indike.org/pramana/in.darkages.east.riyaz-al-salatin~en-abdus-salam.88.5) Shuja'it Khan's horse sprang up unhurt, and the Khan mounted it again. In the meantime, another elephant attacking the Imperial standard-bearer threw him down with the standard. Shujait Khan shouted out, "Take care, behave like a man, I am alive, and will soon advance to your rescue." A number of troops who were round the standard-bearer took courage, inflicted serious cuts on the elephant which fled, and placed the standard-bearer on the horse again. At this time, when the battle was lingering towards its close, and many had fallen, and many being wounded were unable to move their limbs, the Imperial fortune blazed forth, and a cannon-ball hit 'Osman Khan on the forehead, and levelled him straight on his horse. Though he realised that he could not survive this wound, still he heroically encouraged his soldiers to fight on. And when he read signs of defeat in the forehead of his fate, pulling back the rein of his adversity, with the last breathings of a dying man, he reached Bengal. And the triumphant Imperialists following him up to his camp, halted. 'Osman expired at midnight. Wali Khan, his brother, and Mamriz Khan, his son, leaving behind the tents and the armaments, and removing his corpse, fled to their tent. Shujait Khan on hearing of this, thought of following up the enemy, but his advisers opposed the pursuit that day, on the ground that the troops were tired, the killed had to be buried, and the wounded dressed. ### [88.6](https://indike.org/pramana/in.darkages.east.riyaz-al-salatin~en-abdus-salam.88.6) In the meantime, Mu'taqad Khan, who was afterwards honoured with the title of Lashkar Khan, 'Abdus-Salam Khan, son of 'Abdul Mu'azzam Khan, and other officers of the Emperor arrived with a fresh re-inforcement of 300 cavalry and 400 musketeers. Shujait Khan taking this corps with him, chased the enemy. Wali Khan despairing sent the following message : "The root of this insurrection was 'Osman ; he has met with his deserts, we are all loyal. If we receive assurance of safety, we would make our submission and would send the elephants of 'Osman, in the shape of tribute." Shujait Khan and Mu'taqad Khan, shewing chivalry, arranged terms of peace. The following day, Wali Khan and Mamriz Khan, with all their brothers and connexions, came to meet Shujait Khan, and presented forty-nine elephants as tribute. Shujait and Mu'taqad Khan, taking charge of them, moved victorious and triumphant to Islam Khan to Jahangirnagar (Dacca). Islam Khan sent a despatch containing news of the victory to the Emperor at Akbarabad (Agra). On the 16th of the month of Muharram 1021 A.H., this despatch reached the Emperor, and was perused. In recognition of this good service, Islam Khan was raised to the mansab of a Shashhazari, and Shujait Khan had his mansab raised, and received the title of Rustam-i-Zaman ; whilst all other Imperialists who had loyally and gallantly co-operated in the extirpation of 'Osman Khan, received similarly befitting mansabs. ### [88.7](https://indike.org/pramana/in.darkages.east.riyaz-al-salatin~en-abdus-salam.88.7) The insurrection of 'Osman Khan lasted eight years, and in the 7th year of the Emperor's accession, corresponding to 1022 A.H., his subjugation was accomplished. In the 8th year of the Emperor's accession, Islam Khan led an expedition against the Mags, who were brutes in human form. Islam Khan sent to the Emperor, in charge of his son, Hoshang Khan, a number of the Mags that were captured, and in the same year (1022 A.H.) Islam Khan died in Bengal. Thereupon, the Governorship of that country was entrusted to his brother, Qasim Khan. --- Source: [https://indike.org/pramana/in.darkages.east.riyaz-al-salatin~en-abdus-salam.88](https://indike.org/pramana/in.darkages.east.riyaz-al-salatin~en-abdus-salam.88) · Pramāṇa