[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) › 49 # The Akbarī Generations 49: March of Husain Kulí Khán against Nagarkot. Tabakát-i Akbarí of Nizámu-d dín Ahmad (extracts) 49 - **Language:** English ### March of Husain Kulí Khán against Nagarkot. ### [49.1](https://indike.org/pramana/in.darkages.general.tabaqat-i-akbari~en-elliot.49.1) (There was a brahman named Brahma Dás, a bard (bád-farosh), who was distinguished above all his compeers for his skill in celebrating the achievements of great men, and he used to make excellent Hindi verses. He was some years in the service of the Emperor, and was admitted among the number of his private attendants, when he received the title of Kab Rái, chief of poets). When the Emperor's favour was alienated from Rája Jai Chandar, Rája of Nagarkot, he issued orders for putting him in confinement. The Rája's son, Badí Chand, although a minor, assumed the place of his father, and deeming him as dead, broke out in revolt. The Emperor having given to Kab Rái the title of Rája Bírbal, bestowed upon him the country of Nagarkot. Thereupon farmáns were sent to Husain Kulí Khán, and the amírs of the Panjáb commanding them to take Nagarkot from Badí Chand, and place it in the possession of Rája Bírbal. Bírbal in Hindí signifies courageous and great, so his title means "Brave and mighty Rája." ### [49.2](https://indike.org/pramana/in.darkages.general.tabaqat-i-akbari~en-elliot.49.2) When the Raja arrived at Lahore, Husain Kuli Khan, \* \* \* and other nobles of the Panjab, set out for Nagarkot. On reaching Damhari, the holder of that place, whose name was Choto, and who was a relative of Jai Chand, relying on the security of his fort which he had strengthened, kept himself in private, and sent two vakils with his offerings. He also sent a message excusing himself from attending in person, on the ground of his fears and anxiety, but he undertook the duty of keeping the roads clear. Husain Kuli Khan presented the vakils with robes and sent them back. Leaving a party of men at a village situated near the opening of the road, he went onwards. On arriving at the fort of Kutila, he pitched his camp. This fort is a very high one. It formerly belonged to Raja Ram Chandar, of Gwalior; but Raja Dharm Chand and Raja Jai Chand had obtained possession of it by force. ### [49.3](https://indike.org/pramana/in.darkages.general.tabaqat-i-akbari~en-elliot.49.3) The officers left in charge of the fort by Raja Jai Chand discharged muskets and arrows and stones against the troops who had dispersed in search of plunder, and inflicted some damage. Upon hearing of this, Husain Kuli Khan mounted his horse with the other amirs to reconnoitre the place. He ascended a hill which is opposite to the fort, and commands it. With great labour some guns were brought up the hill, and fire was opened upon the fort. Its cracked masonry was shattered by the balls. A large number of men stood under the walls, and great loss was suffered. As evening approached, he returned to the camp, leaving a force in charge of that position. During the night, the Rajputs who were in the fortress, and were terrified by the cannonade, made their escape. In the morning Husain Kuli Khan, beating his drums, marched into the fort of Kutila, which he delivered over to the Raja of Gwalior, to whose ancestors it had formerly belonged ; but he left a garrison of his own there. ### [49.4](https://indike.org/pramana/in.darkages.general.tabaqat-i-akbari~en-elliot.49.4) Continuing his march, he came to a thickly wooded country, through which it was difficult even for an ant or a snake to creep; so a party of men was set to cut a road through the jungle. On the 1st Rajab, 990, he encamped by a field of maize near Nagarkot. The fortress (hisár) of Bhun, which is an idol temple of Mahámaí, and in which none but her servants dwelt, was taken by the valour and resolution of the assailants at the first assault. A party of Rájputs, who had resolved to die, fought most desperately till they were all cut down. A number of Brahmans, who for many years had served the temple, never gave one thought to flight, and were killed. Nearly 200 black cows belonging to the Hindus, during the struggle, had crowded together for shelter in the temple. Some savage Turks, while the arrows and bullets were falling like rain, killed these cows one by one. They then took off their boots and filled them with the blood, and cast it upon the roof and walls of the temple. ### [49.5](https://indike.org/pramana/in.darkages.general.tabaqat-i-akbari~en-elliot.49.5) The outer fortifications having fallen, the buildings were destroyed and levelled to make a camping ground. After this the fort was invested. Sábáts were formed, and a mound commanding the fort (sar-koh) was raised. Some large guns were also placed upon a neighbouring hill, and were fired several times a day upon the fort and the residence of the Rájá. One day the commander of the artillery fired a large gun upon a place which the Rájá had thought to be safe, and in which he was sitting at meat. The ball struck the walls, and killed nearly eighty people who were within the building. Among them was Bhuj deo, son of Rájá Takhat Mal. ### [49.6](https://indike.org/pramana/in.darkages.general.tabaqat-i-akbari~en-elliot.49.6) In the beginning of Shawwál, letters came from Lahore with the intelligence that Ibráhím Husain Mírzá had crossed the Satlada (Satlej), and was marching upon Dípálpur. Husain Kulí Khán held a secret council with the amírs about the course necessary to be pursued. The army was suffering great hardships, and the dogs in the fortress were anxious for peace, so Husain Kulí Khán felt constrained to accede. The infidels Undertook to pay a large tribute: five mans of gold, Akbarshahi weight, and various kinds of stuffs for His Majesty. A mosque was founded in front of the palace of Raja Jai Chandar, and after the completion of the first arch a pulpit was raised, and Hafiz Muhammad Bakir read the khutba in the name of the Emperor on Friday, in the middle of Shawwal, 980. As he repeated the titles of the Emperor, gold was showered upon his head. When peace was concluded, the khutba read, and the coins stamped with the Emperor's name, Husain Kuli Khan marched away. ### [49.7](https://indike.org/pramana/in.darkages.general.tabaqat-i-akbari~en-elliot.49.7) He then proceeded against Ibrahim Husain Mirza. At the town of Jamari he paid a visit to the holy Khwaja 'Abdu-sh shahid, who presented him with his garment, and sent his blessings with him. When he reached Tulambha, he achieved the victory, which has already been described. Upon His Majesty arriving at Fathpur after his campaign in Gujarat, Husain Kuli Khan took Mas'ud Husain Mirza with him, and went to wait upon the Emperor. The other prisoners, nearly 300 in number, were presented to the eyes of the Emperor with cow-hides placed on their necks in a strange fashion. The eyes of Mas'ud Husain Mirza were sewed up, but the Emperor in his kindness ordered them to be opened. Several of the prisoners were liberated, but some, who had taken a leading part among the rebels, were kept in custody. On the same day Sa'id Khan arrived, bringing with him as an offering the head of Ibrahim Husain Mirza, and he received distinguished marks of favour. When the Emperor returned from Gujarat, there remained no resistance in that country, all the forts were in the hands of his servants, and such of his troops as had not served on the campaign were sent to strengthen 'Azam Khan. But he had hardly been six months in his capital, when news of fresh outbreaks came in time after time, and 'Azam Khan himself wrote for reinforcements. --- Source: [https://indike.org/pramana/in.darkages.general.tabaqat-i-akbari~en-elliot.49](https://indike.org/pramana/in.darkages.general.tabaqat-i-akbari~en-elliot.49) · Pramāṇa