The Akbarī Generations 27: Proceedings of 'Ali Kuli Khan (Khan-zaman).
Tabakát-i Akbarí of Nizámu-d dín Ahmad (extracts) 27
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Proceedings of 'Ali Kuli Khan (Khan-zaman).
27.1
When 'Ali Kuli Khan faced the Imperial forces at the ferry of Narhan, he sent his brother Bahadur Khan, in company with Sikandar Khan, to the country of Sarwar, in order to stir up a rebellion in that country. When this news reached His Majesty's ears, he issued orders for several of the chief nobles, such as Shah Bidagh Khan and his son 'Abdu-l Matlab Khan Kiya Khan and * * * to march against Sikandar and Bahadur Khan, under the command of Mir Mu'izu-l Mulk, who was a descendant of the Saiyids of Meshhed, and was renowned for his valour. It has been already mentioned that Khan-khanan (Mu'nim Khan) was sent to take the place of Asaf Khan in command of the army, which confronted Khan-zaman at the ferry of Narhan. Between Khan-khanan and Khan-zaman there was an old and warm friendship, and when they were thus opposed to each other, a correspondence was opened, and it was agreed that Khan-zaman should wait upon Khan-khanan to discuss the terms of peace. The negociations lingered on for four or five months, and warlike operations were suspended.
27.2
The Emperor then sent Khwaja-jahan and Darbar Khan to the army, to ascertain and report if this cessation of hostilities were advisable, and if not to order an immediate advance of the Imperial forces over the river against the rebels. When Khwaja-jahan and Darbar Khan reached the army, Khan-zaman resolved to profit by their arrival, and having offered his congratulations he brought forward his proposals of peace. After many communications and much correspondence, it was agreed that Khan-zaman and Ibrahim Khan on one side, and Khwaja Jahan and Darbar Khan on the other side, should have an interview in boats in the middle of the river. After a long discussion it was determined that Khan-zaman should send his mother, 'Ali Khan, and Ibrahim Khan his uncle, to the Court of the Emperor, to ask pardon for his offences. Upon receiving forgiveness the Khan and his brother and Sikandar Khan were to go to Court. Khan-zaman was also to send with his mother some elephants which he possessed. These matters being agreed upon, Khan-zaman returned to his camp. Khan-khanan and Khwaja-jahan wrote a statement of the settlement, and sent it by Darbar Khan to the Emperor. Next day 'Ali Kuli Khan sent his mother, and Ibrahim Khan, and the elephants in charge of Mir Hadi his Sadr, and Nizam Aka, one of his confidants. Khan-khanan and Khwaja-jahan took them and the elephants, and proceeded to Court to ask forgiveness for Khan-zaman.
27.3
Just at this time accounts arrived of the operations which Mir Mu'izu-l Mulk and the other nobles were carrying on against Bahadur Khan and Sikandar, whom Khan-zaman had sent to create disturbances and make a diversion in the sarkar of Sarwar. When intelligence of the approach of the royal forces reached them, they halted where they were, and sent persons to Mir Mu'izu-l Mulk to assure him that they had no wish to contend against him, and entreated him to be the mediator to obtain their forgiveness from the Emperor. They promised to send the elephant which they had as an offering, and to return to their duty upon pardon being vouchsafed to them. Mu'izu-l Mulk sent to say that their offences could be purified only by the sword. Bahadur Khan again sent a person to Mu'izu-l Mulk to propose that he should wait upon him, and discuss the matter. Mu'izu-l Mulk agreed to this, and went to the border of his camp, whither Bahadur Khan came to meet him, and to make his propositions of peace. But Mu'izu-l Mulk would hear of nothing but war, so Bahadur Khan returned disappointed, and resolved to make ready for battle.
27.4
Lashkar Khan Mir Bakhshi and Raja Todar Mal now arrived with reinforcements for the royal army, and Bahadur Khan and Sikandar Khan renewed their proposals of peace, and asked for a delay until it was ascertained what answer was given by the Emperor to the mother of Khan-zaman and to Ibrahim Khan, who had been sent to sue for forgiveness. But Mu'izu-l Mulk was so eager for war that he would not listen to their words, and so brought upon himself defeat. Mu'izu-l Mulk drew out his forces for battle, and sent on his advanced guard under Muhammad Amin Diwana, Salim Khan, 'Abdu-l Matlab Khan, Beg Murin Khan, and other veteran soldiers; he himself took post with the main body. On the other side Sikandar had command of the advance, and Bahadur of the centre. In this order they advanced, and a warm action ensued. The royal forces defeated the advanced division under the command of Sikandar. Muhammad Yar, his son-in-law, was killed, and he himself fell back to the Black River, which was in his rear. Many of his soldiers were drowned in the river, and many others died by the sword. The victorious forces then broke up in search of plunder. Mu'izu-l Mulk, with a few men, kept his position, and Bahadur until now did not stir from his post. But now he seized the favourable moment, attacked Mu'izu-l Mulk, and drove him from his position.
27.5
Muhammad Baki Khan and other of the amirs, under pretence of securing the baggage, and some others, treacherously withdrew themselves and stamped themselves with disloyalty. Shah Bidagh Khan, observing the condition of affairs, hastened forward, and in the heat of the fight was unhorsed. His son 'Abdu-l Matlab Khan rushed forward to rescue his father; but just at that juncture a party of the enemy made a charge and took Bidagh Khan prisoner, and it was only by dint of great exertion that 'Abdu-l Matlab made his escape. Mir Mu'izu-l Mulk was compelled to turn his back and flee. Raja Todar Mal and Lashkar Khan, who were in reserve, struggled valiantly till night, and maintained their position; but as the centre had been driven away, their efforts were fruitless. Next day all the defeated forces assembled in one place, and made for Kanauj, after sending a report of the engagement to His Majesty.
27.6
It has already been related how Khan-khanan conducted the mother of Khan-zaman and Ibrahim Khan, with Mir Hadi Sadr and Nizam Aka, to the Court of the Emperor. Ibrahim Khan, with uncovered head and with a sword and shroud upon his neck, stepped forward, and Khán-khánán entreated forgiveness. He urged that the services of Khán-zamán and his brother to the Imperial throne were manifest to all men, and the services they had rendered were invaluable. By the influence of their destiny they had now been guilty of an offence; but he trusted that the boundless mercy and kindness of His Majesty would look with an eye of tenderness upon the faults of such useful servants.
27.7
When this old servant thus besought forgiveness for past offences with a face full of hope, the Emperor, out of the kindness that he felt for Khán-khánán, said, "For your sake, I forgive their offences, but I am not satisfied that they will remain faithful." Khán-khánán then inquired what the order was as regarded their jágírs, and His Majesty replied, "As I have pardoned their offences, what question can there be about their jágírs? But so long as I remain in this neighbourhood they must not come over the river. When I return to the capital, they must send their vakíls there, and farmáns for their jágírs shall then be issued, under which they may take possession." Khán-khánán cast a look of joy to heaven, and sent the good news of the pardon to the mother of Khán-zamán. By command of the Emperor, the sword and shroud were taken off the neck of Ibráhím Khán. Khán-zamán's mother immediately sent messengers to Sikandar and Bahádur Khán, to carry the glad tidings of the pardon, and to inspire them with hope. She also advised them to send directly to Court the elephants which they possessed. Sikandar and Bahádur were greatly delighted at this information, and sent the elephants called Koh-pára and Saf-shikan, along with other gifts, to His Majesty.
27.8
At the same time the report arrived from Rája Todar Mal and Lashkar Khán upon the action which had been fought, and upon the misconduct of some of the amírs, as above related. His Majesty had pardoned the offences (of Sikandar and Bahádur Khán), so he said "their faults have been forgiven;" and to carry out his decision he sent orders to his amírs to return to Court. Mir Mu'izzu-l Mulk, Raja Todar Mal, and Lashkar Khan, accordingly returned; but those who had acted disgracefully were forbidden to make their appearance for a time. The Emperor then went to visit the fort of Chunar, celebrated for its height and strength. He made three days' march from Jaunpur to Benares, and there rested several days. From thence he went to the fortress, and having surveyed it, he ordered it to be repaired and strengthened. Here he was informed that there were many elephants in the jungles of Chunar, so he set off with a party of his attendants on a hunting expedition. At ten kos distance they found a herd, and having captured ten, they returned to the fort of Chunar, and from thence to the Imperial camp.