The Akbarī Generations 28: March against 'Ali Kuli Khan-zaman.
Tabakát-i Akbarí of Nizámu-d dín Ahmad (extracts) 28
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March against 'Ali Kuli Khan-zaman.
28.1
It has been above related how Khan-zaman was pardoned, and his jagirs restored, upon condition that he did not pass over the river without permission. But when the Emperor had gone to Chunar, he crossed the river, and went to Muhammadabad, one of the dependencies of Jaunpur, and from thence sent parties of troops to occupy Ghazipur and Jaunpur. As soon as the Emperor returned to his camp, he was informed of this evil proceeding of 'Ali Kuli Khan's, and he said reproachfully to Khan-khanan, "No sooner had I quitted this neighbourhood than 'Ali Kuli Khan broke the conditions of his pardon." Khan-khanan looked mortified, and endeavoured to make excuse. Orders were given for Ashraf Khan Mir-bakhshi to go to Jaunpur, and make prisoner the mother of 'Ali Kuli Khan, who was in that city, and to confine her in the fort of Jaunpur. He was also to secure every rebel he could lay hold of. Khwaja Jahan and Muzaffar Khan were to remain with the camp, and lead it by regular marches. The Emperor himself, with a considerable force, started off upon a rapid march against 'Ali Kuli Khan. Ja'far Khan, son of Kazak Khan Turkoman, who had come from 'Irak, went to the fort of Ghazipur, intending to make a dash at it; but 'Ali Kuli Khan's people, who were in the fort, hearing of his intention, let themselves down from the walls on to the river Ganges, and went to Muhammadabad. Khan-zaman, who was in that town, on being informed of what had occurred, hastened to make his escape by the water.
28.2
When he reached the river Sarwar (Saru), some boats, laden with his property and effects, fell into the hands of the royal forces. A body of troops was sent across the river with orders to take no rest until they had secured Khan-zaman. The forces under the Emperor occupied the banks of the Sarwar (Saru), and after searching all the jungles, they found that Khan-zaman had gone off to the Siwalik hills. News now arrived that Bahadur Khan had gone to Jaunpur, and liberated his mother. He made Ashraf Khan prisoner, and formed the design of making an attack upon the royal camp. Upon learning this, the Emperor gave up the chase of Khan-zaman, and turned towards Jaunpur. The detachment also, which had been sent on in pursuit of him, returned and joined the Emperor. Sikandar and Bahadur Khan, being informed of this movement, made a retreat, and crossed the Ganges at the ferry of Narhan. In the month of Rajab, when the royal camp was near the pargana of Nizamabad, the annual Majlis-i wazn was held. Twice every year, on the Emperor's birthday, both according to the solar and lunar reckoning, the ministers and nobles weighed the Emperor against gold, silver, and other things, which things were afterwards distributed among the poor and needy.
28.3
The Emperor marched from Nizamabad to Jaunpur, where he ordered a pleasant site to be selected, and a splendid palace to be built; and the nobles also were to build houses and palaces suitable to their rank. For it was determined that so long as 'Alí Kulí Khán and his brother should remain in the world, Jaunpúr should be the capital of the State. The royal forces were sent in pursuit of the fugitives, with instructions to take no rest until they had inflicted the punishment due to them. When 'Alí Kulí Khán heard of this, he left the Siwálik hills, whither he had fled, and came to the side of the Ganges. Then he sent a faithful follower named Mírzá Mubárak Rizwí to Court with a message. This man went along with the mother of Khán-zamán to Khán-khánán, and delivered his message. Khán-khánán, with the assistance of Mír 'Abdu-l Latíf, Mullá 'Abdu-lla Makhdúmu-l Mulk, who was Shaikhu-l Islám of Hind, and Shaikh 'Abdu-n Nabí the Sadr, again made intercession for Khán-zamán; and the Emperor, in his great kindness, once more pardoned his offences.
28.4
Khwája-jahán, Mír Murtaza Sharífí, and Makhdúmu-l Mulk were commanded to go to Khán-zamán, to reprove him, and to convey to him the glad tidings of his forgiveness. When the party reached the camp of Khán-zamán, he came forth to meet them, and conducted them with great honour to his dwelling. He detained them some time, and treated them most respectfully. Then as required, he expressed contrition for his faults, took an oath of fidelity, and bade his visitors farewell. The Emperor's opponents having repented of their unrighteous deeds, and made their submission, he returned to the capital in the beginning of the eleventh year of the reign, corresponding with 973 H.