[Pramāṇa](https://indike.org/pramana/) › [Indian literature](https://indike.org/pramana/in) › [Dark Ages](https://indike.org/pramana/in.darkages) › [General histories](https://indike.org/pramana/in.darkages.general) › [Ṭabaqāt-i Akbarī](https://indike.org/pramana/in.darkages.general.tabaqat-i-akbari) › [Tabakat-i Akbari of Nizamu-d din Ahmad (extracts)](https://indike.org/pramana/in.darkages.general.tabaqat-i-akbari~en-elliot) › 23 # The Akbarī Generations 23: Rebellion of 'Ali Kuli Khan-zaman, Ibrahim Khan, and Sikandar Khan. Tabakát-i Akbarí of Nizámu-d dín Ahmad (extracts) 23 - **Language:** English ### Rebellion of 'Ali Kuli Khan-zaman, Ibrahim Khan, and Sikandar Khan. ### [23.1](https://indike.org/pramana/in.darkages.general.tabaqat-i-akbari~en-elliot.23.1) In consequence of the severe proceedings against 'Abdu-lla Khan Uzbek, which have been narrated above, an opinion got abroad that the Emperor had a bad opinion of the Uzbeks. When the Emperor went to Narwar elephant hunting, Ashraf Khan Mir-munshi was sent to Sikandar Khan, to conciliate him with gracious promises of the Emperor's favour, and to bring him to Court. As Ashraf Khan approached Oudh, which was the jágír of Sikandar Khán, the latter came out to meet him, and conducted him to his house with all due ceremony. He submitted to the Emperor's command, and acted as if he meant to go to Court. But after some days he said to Ashraf Khán, "Ibráhím Khán is a much greater man than I, and he is in this neighbourhood; the best thing we can do is to go to him, and get him to acquiesce in your demand. We will then go to Court together." Upon this understanding they went to the town of Sarwár, which was the jágír of Ibráhím Khán. When Sikandar Khán and Ibráhím Khán met, they took counsel together, and resolved to consult with 'Alí Kuli Khán, who was one of their own tribe, and was the Emperor's representative in their part of the country. In pursuance of this resolution, and with the concurrence of Ashraf Khán, they proceeded to Jaunpúr, the jágír of Khán-zamán. After consultation their judgment was adverse to the course proposed, and they determined to rebel. They improperly detained Ashraf Khán, and then broke into open rebellion. ### [23.2](https://indike.org/pramana/in.darkages.general.tabaqat-i-akbari~en-elliot.23.2) Ibráhím Khán and Sikandar Khán went to Lucknow, full of hostile designs. Khán-zamán and his brother went to Karra Mánikpúr, and there began their revolt. Sháham Khán Jaláïr, Sháh Bidágh Khán, Amír Khán, Muhammad Amín Díwána, Sultán Kuli Khaldár, with all the jágírdárs of his neighbourhood, Sháh Táhir Badakhshí, the brother of Sháh Khalílu-lla, and other nobles, being informed of these rebellious proceedings, marched out against the rebels, and fought against them. In the course of the fighting Muhammad Amín fell from his horse, and was made prisoner by the rebels. Sháham Khán and Bidágh Khán exerted themselves most strenuously, but as the forces of the rebels more than doubled their own, they were obliged to retreat and shut themselves up in the fort of Namíkha, from whence they sent an account to the Emperor. ### [23.3](https://indike.org/pramana/in.darkages.general.tabaqat-i-akbari~en-elliot.23.3) Khan-zaman and his brother Bahadur Khan now showed their dispositions, and began to plunder the country in their neighbourhood. Majnun Khan Kakshal, the jagirdar of that quarter, shut himself up in the fort of Manikpur. He sent to inform Asaf Khan Khwaja 'Abdu-l Majid, governor of Garha, of the state of affairs, and summoned him to his side. Leaving a detachment in charge of the country of Garha, Asaf Khan proceeded with a strong force to Karra, which was his own jagir. There he divided, as a bounty among the soldiers, the treasures of Chauragarh which had fallen into his hands. He also sent a large sum to Majnun Khan. Asaf Khan and Majnun Khan took a bold course, and went forth to confront the rebels, and sent a report to the Emperor of the position. When the statements of the amirs reached the Emperor at his encampment, he resolved to punish these attempts. He ordered Mu'nim Khan Khan-khanan to march in advance with a strong force, and to cross over the river at Kanauj, to keep the enemy in check. He himself remained behind a few days to collect and organize his forces. In the month of Shawwal he crossed over the Jumna, and marched to chastise the rebels. Upon approaching Kanauj, Mu'nim Khan came forth to meet him, bringing with him Kiya Khan Gang, who had joined the rebels, and begged forgiveness for him. The Emperor pardoned his crime, and restored him to his former position. He remained ten days waiting for an opportunity to cross the river. ### [23.4](https://indike.org/pramana/in.darkages.general.tabaqat-i-akbari~en-elliot.23.4) When the waters subsided, intelligence was brought that Sikandar Khan, heedless of what was to happen, was still in Lucknow. Thereupon His Majesty left Khwaja Jahan, Muzaffar Khan, and Mu'in Khan in charge of the camp, while he himself started off at midnight with a valiant body of men to march against the rebel with all speed. That night and the next day he struggled through all obstacles without taking rest, and on the following morning came in sight of Sikandar at Lucknow. As soon as Sikandar heard of his approach, he hastily abandoned Lucknow and fled. The horses of the Emperor's force were quite worn out with fatigue, so Sikandar made his escape, and went off unmolested to Khan-zaman and Bahadur Khan. They also were now alarmed, and retreated from before Asaf Khan to Jaunpur. They marched from thence, and sending forward their adherents, they crossed the river at the ferry of Narhan, and halted on the other side of the river. The Emperor sent on Yusuf Muhammad Khan in advance from Lucknow, and himself followed close after him. He encamped in the neighbourhood of Jaunpur, and there Asaf Khan and Majnun Khan came to pay their respects, and were graciously received. Asaf Khan brought with him some costly offerings, which were accepted. Next day his army, which had been got together by means of the treasures of Garha, and numbered five thousand horse, was drawn out in the plain and reviewed by His Majesty, who expressed his royal satisfaction. ### [23.5](https://indike.org/pramana/in.darkages.general.tabaqat-i-akbari~en-elliot.23.5) On Friday, the 12th Zi-l hijja, the royal forces entered the citadel of Jaunpur. Orders were given to Asaf Khan and other great nobles to cross over the Ganges at the ferry of Narhan, where 'Ali Kuli Khan and his followers had passed, and then to go to confront the rebels, and act according to circumstances. Asaf Khan, in obedience to orders, crossed the Ganges with the force under his command. Between 'Ali Kuli Khan-zaman and Sulaiman Kirani Afghan, ruler of Bengal, there was a strong alliance and identity of interest; it was therefore deemed expedient to send an envoy to Sulaiman, in order to forbid his rendering assistance to Khan-zaman. Haji Muhammad Khan Sistani, a man remarkable for prudence, was accordingly sent. When he reached the fort of Rohtas, some Afghan chiefs, who were in league with 'Ali Kuli Khan, arrested him and sent him to 'Ali Kuli. The Haji was on very friendly terms with the Khan, who was greatly pleased to see him, and did his utmost to treat him with respect and honour. The Khan thought it advisable to make the Haji the medium of seeking forgiveness for his offences, and determined to send his mother along with the Haji to make intercession at Court. The result of this proceeding will be hereafter narrated. --- Source: [https://indike.org/pramana/in.darkages.general.tabaqat-i-akbari~en-elliot.23](https://indike.org/pramana/in.darkages.general.tabaqat-i-akbari~en-elliot.23) · Pramāṇa