The Akbarī Generations 2: Sultan Muhammad 'Adali.
Tabakát-i Akbarí of Nizámu-d dín Ahmad (extracts) 2
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Sultan Muhammad 'Adali.
2.1
Himun was a shopkeeper (bakkal) in the town of Rewari, in Mewat. He was afterwards superintendent of the markets and director-general of the army, but now he rose still higher, and came to be one of King 'Adali's chief advisers. * * * * 'Adali one day held a Court in the fort of Gwalior, and nobles of renown were present. A distribution of jagirs was being made, and 'Adali made an order that the country of Kanauj, which was the jagir of Shah Muhammad Parmuli, should be taken from him and given to Sarmast Khan Sarbani. When this was announced, Sikandar Khan, son of Shah Muhammad, a young and daring man, cried out fiercely, "Things have come to this pass that they are taking our jagirs away from us and are giving them to this set of Sarbani dog-sellers." His father, Shah Muhammad, was ill, but he forbad his son to utter such unseemly and harsh expressions. But the son retorted, "Sher Khan (Sher Shah) once put you in an iron cage and intended to take your life, but Salim Khan interceded for you and was the means of delivering you from that peril. Now this Sur faction is determined upon ruining you, and you do not see it. These men will not leave you in peace, and why should we suffer this degradation?" Hereupon Sarmast Khan Sarbani, who was a very tall and powerful man, placed his hand in a false coaxing way upon the shoulder of Sikandar, and said, "What does all this mean, my lad?" intending to make him prisoner.
2.2
But Sikandar guessed his object, drew a dagger and inflicted such a wound upon the shoulder of Sarmast Khan that he fell dead at his feet. He then killed and wounded several others. In the midst of this scene 'Adali got up and ran into the women's apartments. Sikandar rushed after him, but 'Adali bolted the door on the inside, and with difficulty escaped. The nobles of 'Adali who were present drew their swords to prevent the escape of Sikandar, who, raging like a maniac, cut down and killed and wounded wherever he went. This state of affairs went on for an hour or two (yak do gari), till Ibrahim Khan Sur, the husband of 'Adali's sister, drew his sword and wounded Sikandar. Others then fell upon him and despatched him. Daulat Khan Lohani killed Shah Muhammad Farmuli also with one blow of his sword. On the very day of this tragedy it happened that as Muhammad Farmuli was going to wait upon 'Adali he met Taj Khan Kirani, brother of Sulaiman and 'Imad Kirani, as he was coming out of the fort of Gwalior, after having taken leave of the King. They both inquired as to each other's affairs, and Taj Khan said, "I am going to retire from this field of strife" (m'arika) : "come with me, for here all things are changed." Muhammad Farmuli did not acquiesce, but went to pay his visit to 'Adali, when what we have seen happened.
2.3
When Taj Khan fled from Gwalior, he formed designs against Bengal. 'Adali first sent a force after him, and then marched against him in person. The hostile forces met near Chhatra-mau, forty kos from Agra and thirty from Kanauj, and Taj Khan was defeated. He fled to Chunar, and on his way he took possession of several local treasuries belonging to 'Adali, and enriched himself with their contents. He also seized a troop (halka) of elephants, one hundred in number, and went and joined his brothers 'Imad, Sulaiman, and Khwaja Ilyas, who held several districts on the banks of the Ganges and at Khawáspúr Tánda. Open war began, and 'Adalí led his army from Gwálior to the banks of the Ganges, and there fronted his adversary. One day Hímún told 'Adalí that if he would give him a troop (halka) of elephants, he would cross the river and take the courage out of the Kirání rebel. 'Adalí complied with this request, and Hímún defeated the rebels.
2.4
Ibráhím Khán, son of Ghází Khán Súr, had married the sister of 'Adalí, and was one of the cousins of Sher Khán (Sher Sháh). His wife found out that 'Adalí intended to put him in confinement, so he fled from Chunár, and went to his father Ghází Khán, who held the government of Bayána and Hindún. 'Adalí sent 'Ísá Khán Níází in pursuit of him, and a fight took place near Kálpí, in which 'Ísá Khán was defeated. Ibráhím then proceeded to Dehlí, and caused the khutba to be read in his name. Afterwards he took possession of Agra and of several districts. 'Adalí, upon hearing of these conquests, marched against Ibráhím. On reaching the Jumna, Ibráhím Khán sent a person to 'Adalí, promising that if 'Adalí would send to him Rái Husain Jalwání, Bahádur Khán Sarwání, called A'zam Humáyún, and some other great nobles, upon whose assurances of protection he could depend, he would come in and make his submission. These nobles were accordingly sent. But Ibráhím won them all over to his side, and then declared against 'Adalí, who, having no hope of support, returned to Chunár. Ibráhím Khán now took the title of Ibráhím Sháh, and assumed the insignia of royalty.
2.5
About this time also Ahmad Khán, another nephew of Sher Khán (Sher Sháh), who was married to a second sister of 'Adalí's, and was one of the territorial amírs of the Panjáb, received the support of Tátár Khán Kásí, Haibat Khán, and Nasíb Khán, who were among the principal nobles of Salím Khán's (Sháh's) time. Thus supported he assumed the title of "Sultán Sikandar," and led his forces against Ibráhím. The rival armies met at the village of Farra, ten kos from Agra. Sikandar's army did not exceed 10,000 horse, but Ibráhím had 70,000 horse and 200 persons to whom he had given velvet tents, banners, and kettle-drums. Sikandar offered peace, upon condition of receiving the government of the Panjab. But Ibrahim was proud of the great strength and preponderance of his army, so he rejected the peaceful overtures of Sikandar, and arrayed his army for battle. In the end Sikandar was victorious, and Ibrahim was compelled to fly to Sambal. Sikandar then became master of Agra and Dehli.
2.6
Intelligence now arrived that the Emperor Humayun had marched from Kabul to Hindustan, and had taken Lahore; so Sikandar gathered his forces and went towards that city. Ibrahim also collected a new army at Sambal, and went in the direction of Kalpi. 'Adali now sent Himun, the bakkal, who was his wazir, with a large army, and with 500 war-elephants and artillery, against Agra and Dehli. When Himun reached Kalpi, he resolved to dispose of Ibrahim first, and hastened to meet him. A great battle followed, in which Himun was victorious, and Ibrahim fled to his father at Bayana. Himun followed and invested Bayana, which he besieged for three months.
2.7
Sikandar Khan, ruler of Bengal, now raised the standard of rebellion, and marched with the forces of that country against Jaunpur, Kalpi, and Agra. 'Adali therefore summoned Himun, who accordingly raised the siege of Bayana. When he reached the village of Mandakar, six kos from Agra, Ibrahim came up and attacked his rear, but he was defeated and again fled to his father. From thence he went to the country of Bhath, and fought with the Raja, Ram Chand, who made him prisoner. But the Raja showed him great honour, seated him upon the throne, and waited upon him as a servant. Here Ibrahim remained until a party of the tribe of Mianas, who dwelt near Raisin, being at enmity with Baz Bahadur, the ruler of Malwa, invited Ibrahim to be their ruler. They drew out their forces against Baz Bahadur, and Ibrahim joined them. Durgavati the Rani of Garha marched from her own country to support him. But Báz Bahádur hearing of this, sent some persons to the Rání, and induced her to relinquish this design and return home. Upon this defection Ibráhím thought it inexpedient to tarry longer where he was, so he went to the country of Orissa, one of the dependencies of the kingdom of Bengal. Here he remained until the year 975 (1567-8), when Sulaimán Kirání took possession of Orissa. Upon the faith of solemn promises he then came to see Sulaimán, who treacherously caused him to be slain.
2.8
The victorious Hímún continued his march and joined 'Adalí. They fought with Muhammad Khán Gauria at the village of Chappar-ghatta, fifteen kos from Agra, and Muhammad was killed. Thus victorious 'Adalí went to Chunár, and sent Hímún to Agra and Dehlí to oppose the progress of Humáyún. Sikandar Khán Uzbek, Kiyá Khán Gang, and the other nobles who were in Agra, abandoned the city, and retreated before him towards Dehlí. 'Isá Khán marched against Dehlí, but being encountered and defeated by Tardí Beg Khán at Pánípat, he was put to death by the Imperial officers. 'Adalí was still at Chunár, when Khizr Khán, son of Muhammad Khán Gauria, caused the khutba to be read and coins to be struck under the title which he had assumed of Sultán Bahádur. To avenge his father, he made war upon 'Adalí, and put him to death. Thus terminated the Afghán rule, and Hind came under the Imperial sway. 'Adalí reigned for nearly three years.