The Akbarī Generations 44: Campaign in Gujarat.
Tabakát-i Akbarí of Nizámu-d dín Ahmad (extracts) 44
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Campaign in Gujarat.
44.1
In the Court of the Emperor conversation continually turned upon the state of affairs in Gujarat, and information was often brought about the oppression and wilfulness of its petty rulers, and about the ruin of its towns and cities. Now that His Majesty's mind was set quite at rest by the suppression of rebels, and the reduction of their lofty forts, he turned his attention to the conquest of Gujarat. The order was given for the assembling of the army, and on the 20th Safar, 980, in the eighteenth year of the reign, the Emperor started and proceeded, enjoying the chase on his way, to Ajmir. On the 15th Rabi'u-l awwal, he paid a visit to the tomb of Khwaja Mu'inu-d din Chishti, and gladdened the hearts of the shaikhs and attendants with his munificent gifts. Next day he made a visit to the tomb of Saiyid Husain Khang-sawar, a descendant of Zainu-l 'abidin, which is on the top of a hill at Ajmir. Next day, Mir Muhammad Khan Atka, better known by the title of Khan-i kalan, was sent on in advance with 10,000 horse, and His Majesty followed on the 22nd Rabi'u-s sani.
44.2
Two stages from Nagor, messengers brought him the news that in the night of Wednesday, 2nd Jumada-l awwal, a son was born to him [at Ajmir]. He spent several days in rejoicing, and made many happy by his munificence. As the child had been born in the house of Shaikh Daniyal, one of the most pious and celebrated shaikhs of the time, he gave the prince the name of Daniyal. After the rejoicings were over, he again marched and arrived at Nagor, on the 9th Jumada-l awwal. There he remained fourteen days employed in arranging for the supply of his army.
44.3
From thence he marched to Mirath, and there he was informed that when Mir Muhammad Khan came near to Sirohi, the Raja of that place professed subjection and obedience, and sent some Rajputs as envoys to wait upon the Mir. The envoys arrived and delivered their message. Mir Muhammad Khán gave them an appropriate answer and fine robes, and then, according to the etiquette observed among the people of India, he dismissed them with his own hand. One of those desperate envoys at that moment stabbed the Khán in the breast, and the weapon pierced through to his back under the shoulder. Bahádur Khán, a young man and a servant of the Khán, who was standing behind Sher Khán, but now has his place among the nobles, rushed forward, and seizing the Rajput, dashed him to the ground. Muhammad Sádik Khán, who was seated by the side of the Khán, arose and despatched the accursed wretch with his dagger. When this intelligence reached the Emperor, on the same day he sent Lashkar Khán Mír-bakhshí to inquire after Mír Muhammad Khán, and next day he marched forward himself. Sádik Muhammad Khán and the other amírs called in surgeons, who dressed the Khán's wounds, and by the Emperor's good fortune the severe wound was cured in fifteen days, and the Khán mounted his horse with his quiver girt upon his loins. The Emperor continued his march, and on the 8th Jumáda-s sání formed a junction with the advanced force.
44.4
When he reached Sirohi, eighty Rajputs in a temple and seventy in the Rája's house, stood ready to perform the vow they had made to die. In a few moments they were all despatched. Dost Muhammad, son of Tátár Khán, perished in the Rája's house. At this stage His Majesty resolved to send one of his officers to make sure of the territory of Joudhpur, and keep the road to Gujarát open, so that none of the Ránás might be able to inflict any loss. This duty was imposed upon Rái Singh Bíkanírí, who was sent with a strong force of Imperial troops. Farmáns were written to the amirs and jagirdars of that province, directing them to render Rai Singh every assistance he might require. At this stage Yar 'Ali Turkoman, with an escort of Turkomans, came as an ambassador from Sultan Muhammad Mirza, and from Shah Tahmasp, King of Khurasan, bringing with them Arab and Persian horses, and other presents. They were received by His Majesty with all due state and honour. The Emperor then marched from Sirohi to Pattan Nahrwala, and when he arrived near the fort of Disa, which is twenty kos from Pattan, intelligence was brought that the sons of Sher Khan Fuladi had taken off their troops and families towards I'dar. The Emperor sent Raja Man Singh in command of a detachment after them. On the 1st Rajab, 980, the army arrived in sight of Pattan, and rested there for a week.
44.5
The government of the country was conferred upon Saiyid Ahmad Khan Barha, a man of courage and resolution, who had numerous friends and allies among the Saiyids of Hindustan. At this halt Raja Man Singh returned, bringing in a large booty, which he had taken from the remnant of the Afghans. The Emperor then marched towards Ahmadabad. Sher Khan Fuladi had been engaged for six months besieging Ahmadabad, which was held by 'Itimad Khan; but when he heard of the Emperor's approach, he took to flight. The Emperor had hardly advanced two stages from Pattan, when Sultan Muzaffar, son of Sultan Mahmud Gujarati, whom 'Itimad Khan had kept continually in confinement, came with a great display of respect to meet the Emperor, and on Sunday, the 9th Rajab, was admitted to an interview. Next day, 'Itimad Khan, the ruler of Ahmadabad, Mir Abu Turab, Saiyid Ahmad Bukhari, Ikhtiyaru-l Mulk, Malik Ashraf, Wajhu-l Mulk, Ulugh Khan Habshi, Jajhar Khan Habshi, and other amirs and chiefs of Gujarat, too numerous to mention, came in to wait upon the Emperor, and make their offerings. 'Itimad Khan presented the keys of Ahmadabad, and showed every sign of submission.
44.6
The officers of the Court were suspicious of evil designs on the part of the Habshis (Abyssinians), and brought the matter to the notice of His Majesty, and although he desired to act generously and royally towards them, as a precaution he committed them to the charge of some of his attendants. The Emperor then marched on, and on Friday, 14th Rajab, pitched his camp on the banks of the river of Ahmadabad. The khutba was read in the name of the Emperor, and all the people of the city and environs came to offer congratulations and thanksgivings. On the 20th Rajab, Saiyid Mahmud Khan Barha and Shaikh Muhammad Bukhari brought their wives into the royal camp. On the same day Jalal Khan, who had been sent on an embassy to the Rana, returned.
44.7
Ibrahim Husain Mirza and Muhammad Husain Mirza held Broach, Baroda, and Surat, in defiance of the Emperor, so he resolved to free the country of Gujarat from their rebellious power. On Monday, 2nd Sha'ban, he started from the river of Ahmadabad, and marched towards Kambay. 'Itimad Khan and other of the Gujarat amirs were, at the request of some of the great officials, allowed to remain behind in Ahmadabad for a few days to arrange their affairs. Seizing this opportunity, Ikhtiyaru-l Mulk, one of the chief nobles of Gujarat, fled on the 4th Sha'ban from Ahmadabad to Ahmadnagar. As no reliance could be placed on the nobles of Gujarat, 'Itimad Khan was given into the custody of Shahbaz Khan Kambu. On the 6th the Emperor reached Kambay. He went to look at the sea, and leaving Kambay on the 12th, he reached Baroda on the 14th. After reflecting upon the best means of guarding and governing the country of Gujarat, he appointed Mirza 'Aziz Muhammad Kokaltash the Khan-i 'azam to be the governor of the country, and especially of its capital Ahmadabad.