Riyaz al-salatin 92: PRINCE SHAH JAHAN'S FIGHTINGS WITH THE IMPERIAL ARMY, AND HIS WITHDRAWAL TO THE DAKHIN.
The Riyazu-s-salatin (Abdus Salam) 92
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PRINCE SHAH JAHAN'S FIGHTINGS WITH THE IMPERIAL ARMY, AND HIS WITHDRAWAL TO THE DAKHIN.
92.1
When news of Shah Jahan's advance towards Bengal and Orissa reached the Emperor, he sent orders to Prince Parviz and Mahabat Khan, who were in the Dakhin, to march quickly towards the Subahs of Allahabad and Behar, so that in case the Nazim of Bengal was unable to oppose successfully the advance of Shah Jahan's army, they were to engage Shah Jahan. In the meantime, news of the fall of Nawab Ibrahim Khan Fateh Jang, Nazim of Bengal, reached the Emperor, who thereon repeated his previous orders to Prince Parviz and Mahabet Khan. Prince Parviz with Mahabet Khan and other officers marched towards Bengal and Behar. As the Commander of Shah Jahan's army, drawing the boats towards his side, had fortified the ferries of the river Ganges, some delay was caused in the arrival of the Imperialists. The Imperialists, with considerable difficulty, collected thirty flotillas of boats from the zamindars, and under the latter's guidance selecting one ford, succeeded in crossing over. For some days, both the armies arrayed themselves in front of each other. As the Imperialists numbered 40,000, whilst Shah Jahan's army did not number more than 10,000, the advisers of Shah Jahan dissuaded the Prince from offering battle. But Rajah Bhim, son of Rana Karan, unlike other advisers, displayed rashness, and with the rashness common to Rajputs insisted that he would part company, unless they agreed to fight.
92.2
Prince Shah Jahan, of necessity, considered it expedient to humour Bhim's wishes, despite paucity of troops, and passed orders for fighting. Both sides rallying into ranks, commenced to fight. On both sides, the troops rallied into ranks, Holding in hand daggers, arrows and spears. They tramped up to the field for fighting ; Yea the fire of war blazed up. First from both sides, the artillery of the gunners, Commenced scattering fire on the hosts. From the smoke of the gun-waggons of the two forces, You might say a pitchy cloud had formed. The cannon-balls showered like hail, Yea a storm of destruction blew : Yea the heads and hands, the breasts and feet of the Commanders, Blew like wind on all sides. From blood, yea on every side a stream flowed, Yea like fish, the bodies of the heroes throbbed. On every side showered stone-rending arrows ; They passed right through every body that they lodged in. From swords and spears, breasts were torn to shreds ; The corpses of heroes fell on the ground. But the Imperialists, like stars, Hemmed in on the army of the Prince. They surrounded the latter in that battle, Yea as the ring encircles the finger. From Shah Jahan's army, Rajah Bhim the valorous, Was not cowed down by this slaughter. Some of his race who were his comrades, Hurled themselves on the enemy's force. They spurred their horses, yea like lions in fight, They drew swords, yea like water-dragons.
92.3
By one gallant charge, they broke the enemy's ranks, And swiftly attacked the enemy's centre. Whoever stood in the way of that force, They hurled down his head on the dust. But the veteran Imperialists, When they saw that suddenly a calamity had come, Spurred on their chargers from every side, And attacked that elephant-like hero, Bhim. They cut up his body with the sword, And hurled him down from his steed on the dust. Other commanders and officers (of Shah Jahan) Could not advance to his (Bhim's) rescue. The gunners, on seeing this crisis, leaving the artillery, fled, and the arsenal was captured by the Imperialists. Daria Khan and other Afghans and Generals ceasing to fight, decamped. The Imperialists, collecting from all sides like a circle formed by a pair of compasses, surrounded the Prince, who remained at the centre. Save and except the elephants carrying flags and standards, and select targeteers who were behind the Prince, and 'Abdullah Khan who stood to his right-hand side at a short distance, not a single soul remained. At this moment, an arrow hit the horse of the Prince. When 'Abdullah Khan saw that the Prince would not retire from the field, he moved up, and by use of great entreaties and exhortations, succeeded in bringing out the Prince from the field, and placing before him his own horse, induced the Prince to mount it. In short, from the battle-field up to Rohtas, the contest did not cease.
92.4
As at this time, Prince Murad Bakhsh was born, and long marches could not be made, leaving him to the protection of God and appointing Khedmit Parast Khan and some other trusty servants to take care of him, Shah Jahan with other Princes and adherents slowly marched towards Patna and Behar. At the same time, letters were received from people in the Dakhin, especially from Malik 'Ambar the Abyssinian requesting the Prince's return towards the Dakhin. Shah Jahan, after retreat, summoned Darab Khan who, after taking oaths, had been left as Governor of Bengal, in order to join the Prince in his march. Darab Khan, owing to his disloyalty and knavery putting a wrong interpretation on his call, replied that the zamindars, surrounding him on all sides, had cut off ways of his march, and that, therefore, his egress being difficult, he begged to be excused. Shah Jahan losing all hopes, of Darab's arrival, and having no body of troops capable of action, was obliged with a sorrowful heart, and in an anxious mood, after leaving Darab Khan's son in charge of Abdullah Khan, to march towards Akbarnagar (Rajmahal). From thence carrying all household paraphernalia, which had been left there, Shah Jahan marched back towards the Dakhin by the same route that he had come. Abdullah Khan, on knowing the disloyalty and villainy of Darab Khan, slew the latter's grown-up son, and satisfied his grudge. Although Shah Jahan sent orders to prevent the son being killed, these had no effect.
92.5
When the news of Shah Jahan's retreat from Bengal to the Dakhin reached the Emperor, the latter ordered that Mukhalas Khan should quickly go to Prince Parviz, who had gone to Bengal in pursuit of Shah Jahan, and taking up the office of Sazawal (Superintendent of Revenue), should send the Prince with other leading noblemen to the Dakhin. Consequently, Prince Parviz left for the Dakhin, entrusting the Subah of Bengal to the Jagir of Mahabet Khan and his son Khanahzad Khan.