The Akbarī Generations 48: Eighteenth Year of the Reign.
Tabakát-i Akbarí of Nizámu-d dín Ahmad (extracts) 48
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Eighteenth Year of the Reign.
48.1
The beginning of this year corresponded with Wednesday, 5th Zi-l ka'da, 980 (11th March, 1573). The Emperor arrived at Ahmadabad on the last day of Zi-l ka'da, and there he entrusted the government of Gujarat to Khan-i 'azam (Mirza Koka). On the 10th Zi-l hijja, the 'Id-zuha, he commenced his journey to the capital. On the 18th Zi-l hijja, at the town of Haibatpur, one of the dependencies of Pattan, he gave fine robes and horses to 'Azam Khan and the other amirs, and dismissed them to their jagirs. At the same place, Muzaffar Khan (late King of Gujarat) received the Imperial bounty. The sarkars of Sarangpur and Ujjain in Malwa were taken from the Rani and granted to him, with fifty lacs of tankas in jagir. He was then sent to his jagir. The Emperor continued his journey by Jalor towards Fathpur. At one stage from Ajmir, he received a communication from Sa'id Khan, the governor of Multan, to inform him of the death of Ibrahim Husain Mirza. When Ibrahim Husain Mirza hurried off from Gujarat, he proceeded to the town of Mirtha. At eleven kos from that place, he plundered a caravan which was on its way from Gujarat to Agra. Upon reaching Nagor, Farrukh Khan, son of Khan-i kalan, who governed there on behalf of his father, withdrew into the fort, and the Mirza, after plundering the houses of the poor people in the environs of the city, went on to Narnaul.
48.2
Rai Ram and Rai Singh, whom the Emperor had left at Joudhpur with about 1000 horse to keep open the communications when he marched into Gujarat, gathered their men and pursued the Mirza. On reaching Nagor, they joined Farrukh Khan, and continuing the pursuit, they came up with the Mirza one evening at the village of Katholi, twenty kos from Nagor, but he took the alarm, and managed to make his escape. On the 2nd Ramazan, 980, the troops halted on the banks of a great tank, when the Mirza, who was only a little in advance, turned back and attacked the troops which were in pursuit of him. The troops held their ground and defended themselves. Three times the Mirza, forming his men in two divisions, attacked them on two sides, and showered arrows upon them. Finding he could make no impression, he again fled. One division got separated in the darkness, and the men were scattered in the neighbouring villages, where they were taken prisoners, and many of them were put to death. Nearly 200 fell alive into the hands of Farrukh Khan and the amirs of Joudhpur.
48.3
The Mirza, with about 300 men who accompanied him, plundered the villages and places in their road, and crossing the Jumna and Ganges, he proceeded to the pargana of 'Azampur, in the district of Sambal, which had been his jagir while he was loyal to the Emperor. He stayed there five or six days, and then started for the Panjab. He plundered Panipat, Sonpat, Karnal, and other places on his route. Many plunderers and adventurers joined him, and inflicted great wrongs upon the people.
48.4
When he reached the Panjab, Husain Kuli Khan Turkoman, Amiru-l umara of the Panjab, was engaged with the forces of his province in besieging Kangra, well known as Nagarkot. On hearing of the Mirza's arrival, Husain Kuli Khan set off with his brother Isma'il Khan * * * and other amirs, and by forced marches came up with the Mirza near the town of Tulambha, forty kos from Multan. He was returning from hunting free from apprehension and in disorder, when he was attacked. His men were dispersed, and were unable to reach him. His brother Mas'ud Husain Mirza, who had come up before him, attacked the troops of Husain Kuli Khan, but was taken prisoner. Ibrahim Husain Mirza, being unable to do anything, made off. Upon arriving near Multan, he wanted to pass the Gara, which is the name of the river formed by the junction of the Biyah and Satlej. But it was night, and he had no boats, so he rested on the bank. A party of Jhils, who are fishermen dwelling about Multan, made an attack upon him in the night, and the Mirza received a wound in his throat from an arrow. Seeing no other means of escape, he quickly changed his clothes, and separating from his people, endeavoured to get away. But some of the people of that country recognized him, took him prisoner, and carried him to Sa'id Khan at Multan, and in the custody of the Khan he died.
48.5
On the 12th Muharram, 981, in the eighteenth year of the reign, the Emperor paid a visit to the tomb of Khwája Mu'ínu-d dín Chishti, and observed the usual ceremonies, and dispensed his customary gifts. He remained there a week, and every morning and evening paid a visit to the tomb, showing strict attention to all the observances. From thence he started for the capital, and on reaching Sánganír, he left his camp and went on express with a few attendants to Fathpúr. In two nights and one day he reached the town of Bachúna, twelve kos from Fathpúr. To secure an auspicious time, he remained there three days, and on the 2nd Safar he arrived at Fathpúr.