[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) › 91.2 # Riyaz al-salatin 91.2 The Riyazu-s-salatin (Abdus Salam) 91.2 - **Language:** English ### [91.2](https://indike.org/pramana/in.darkages.east.riyaz-al-salatin~en-abdus-salam.91.2) When Prince Shah Jahan's army reached Orissa, Ahmad Beg Khan, nephew of Ibrahim Khan, Nazim of Bengal, who from before his uncle held the Deputy Governorship of Orissa, was out in the interior to chastise some Zamindars. Suddenly hearing of the arrival of the Prince, he lost all courage, and abandoning his mission, he proceeded to Pipli which was the Headquarters of the Governor of that Province, and withdrew thence with his treasures and effects to Katak, which from Pipli is 12 kroh towards Bengal. Not finding himself strong enough to encamp even at Katak, he fled to Bardwan, and informed Saleh Beg, nephew of Ja'fer Beg, of the whole affair. Saleh Beg did not credit the news of the arrival of Shah Jahan in Orissa. At this time, a letter of a soothing tenour came from Abdullah Khan to Saleh Beg. The latter, not being won over, fortified the fort of Bardwan, and entrenched himself there. And when Shah Jahan's army arrived at Bardwan, 'Abdullah besieged the fort, and Saleh Beg was hard-pressed. When things came to their worst, and all hopes of relief were lost, Saleh Beg was obliged to surrender to 'Abdullah Khan. The Khan putting a piece of cloth round the Beg's neck, dragged him to the presence of the Prince. When this thorn was put out of the way, the banners of victory were raised aloft towards Rajmahal. When this news reached Ibrahim Khan Fateh Jang, who was Viceroy of the Subah of Bengal, he sank in the river of bewilderment. Although his auxiliary forces were scattered about in the tract at Magha and in other places, mustering up courage, at Akbarnagar otherwise called Rajmahal, he set himself to strengthen the fortifications, to mobilize his troops, and to arrange his forces and armaments. At this time, the message of the Prince came to him, to the following effect: "Owing to the decree of fate, whatever was predestined has passed from potentiality into action; and the victorious army has come this side. Though before the outlook of my aspiration, the extent of this Province is not wider than the area coveted by the movement of a glance, yet as this tract has fallen in my course, I cannot summarily leave it. If you intend to proceed to the Imperial presence, and to stay my hand from meddling with your life, property and family, I tell you to set out in full security for Delhi; or else if you consider it expedient to tarry in this Province, select any place in this Province that may suit you, and you will be let alone there at ease and comfort." Ibrahim Khan in reply wrote: "The Emperor has entrusted this country to this, their old servant. So long as my head survives, I will cling to this province; so long as my life lasts, I will hold out. The beauties of my past life are known to me; how little now remains of my future life in this world? Now I have no other aspiration than that, in the discharge of my obligations for past Royal favours and in the pursuit of loyalty, I may sacrifice my life, and obtain the felicity of martyrdom." In short, Ibrahim Khan at first intended to shelter himself in the fort of Akbarnagar, but as the fort was large, and as he had not at his command a sufficiently large force to properly defend it from all sides, he entrenched himself in his son's mausoleum, which had a small rampart. At this time, a body of Shah Jahan's troops who were detailed to garrison the Fort besieged the rampart of the mausoleum, and from both inside and outside, the fire of arrows and muskets blazed up. At the same time, Ahmad Beg Khan also arrived, and entered the rampart. By his arrival, the hearts of the besieged were somewhat encouraged. As the family and children of many of Ibrahim Khan's party were on the other side of the river, 'Abdullah Khan and Daria Khan Afghan planned to cross the river, and array their forces on the other side. Ibrahim Khan on hearing of this, became anxious. Taking in his company Ahmad Khan, Ibrahim marched confounded to the other side, left other persons to protect the fortifications of the mausoleum, and sent in advance of himself war-vessels, so that these seizing the routes of march of the Prince's army, might prevent his crossing over. End of Fasc. 2. - [Previous: 90.9](https://indike.org/pramana/in.darkages.east.riyaz-al-salatin~en-abdus-salam.90.9) - [Next: 91.p2](https://indike.org/pramana/in.darkages.east.riyaz-al-salatin~en-abdus-salam.91.p2) - [Up: 91](https://indike.org/pramana/in.darkages.east.riyaz-al-salatin~en-abdus-salam.91) --- Source: [https://indike.org/pramana/in.darkages.east.riyaz-al-salatin~en-abdus-salam.91.2](https://indike.org/pramana/in.darkages.east.riyaz-al-salatin~en-abdus-salam.91.2) · Pramāṇa