The Akbarī Generations 50.1
Tabakát-i Akbarí of Nizámu-d dín Ahmad (extracts) 50.1
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50.1.1
When the Emperor had settled the affairs of Gujarat, and had returned to his capital, the disaffected and rebellious men, who had crept into corners and hidden themselves in dread of the royal forces, once more raised their heads. Having assembled round Ikhtiyaru-l Mulk, they got possession of Ahmadnagar and the surrounding territory. Muhammad Husain Mirza left the Dekhin with the intention of attempting the recapture of Surat. Kalij Khan, who was jagirdar of the fort, made it secure, and prepared for a siege; so Husain Mirza gave up the project, and made a rapid march upon Kambay. Hasan Khan Karkarah, the shikkdar, being unable to make any resistance, fled to Ahmadabad. Khan-i 'azam sent Naurang Khan and Saiyid Ahmad Bukhari against the Mirza, while he himself marched to Ahmadnagar and Idar against Ikhtiyaru-l Mulk. When Naurang Khan and Saiyid Bukhari approached Kambay, Muhammad Husain Mirza came out to meet him. Sharp fighting went on for several days, and Saiyid Jalal, son of Saiyid Bahau-d din Bukhari, was killed. At length the Mirza was worsted, and fled to join Ikhtiyaru-l Mulk. 'Azam Khan, who had marched against Ikhtiyaru-l Mulk, took a position near Ahmadnagar. He several times attacked him, and fighting went on for several days between Ahmadnagar and Idar with no decisive result.
50.1.2
Intelligence now came that the sons of Sher Khan Fuladi, the son of Jajhar Khan, and Mirza Muhammad Husain had joined Ikhtiyaru-l Mulk, and had formed the plan of making a rapid march by a different road to Ahmadabad. On being informed of this, Khan-i 'azam marched for that city, and when he reached it he sent a messenger to summon Kutbu-d din Muhammad Khan from Broach, who accordingly marched and joined Khan-i 'azam at Ahmadabad. Ikhtiyaru-l Mulk and Muhammad Husain Mirza, and the other insurgents, got together a force of 20,000 men — Mughals, Gujaratis, Habshis, Afghans, and Rajputs — around Ahmadabad. The Raja of Idar also kept up a connexion with them. Khan-i 'azam and Kutbu-d din, being unable to depend upon some of their men, shut themselves up in the town, but sallied out every day and fought under the walls. One day Fazil Khan, son of Khan-i kalan, went out and made a bold attack upon the enemy, and killed several men; but he was slain by a thrust from a spear. Khan-i 'azam daily sent off despatches to the Emperor, calling for assistance. The Emperor therefore resolved once more to raise his banner in Gujarat, to clear the country of the rebels, and to uproot their families.
50.1.3
The Emperor summoned his clerks and officials, and gave them directions to provide for the outfit of an army. The former campaign had lasted a year, and the men through the length of the march were without accoutrements. After returning they had not had sufficient time to get money from their jagirs to replace their necessaries. His Majesty therefore issued money from the public treasury to the soldiers, and made liberal grants for procuring the materials of war. He sent Shuja'at Khan on in advance with his camp equipage, and he sent with it his horses under the charge of Khwaja Auka Khan. He personally enjoined the diwani officers to use the greatest despatch in outfitting the army. To expedite matters he on the same day sent the men of his advanced guard out of the city to join his camp equipage. He frequently said that although he was exerting himself in the organization and despatch of the army, no one would be ready sooner than himself to take his part in its work.
50.1.4
When several amirs with their troops had been set in motion for Gujarat, he bestowed the title of Khan-jahan upon Husain Kuli Khan, who had rendered good service, and he increased his jagirs and allowances. He confirmed to him the government of Lahore and the sarkar of the Panjab, and then dismissed him to his duty. Each person who sought for an increase of dignity, or for an increase of his allowances, met with a favourable hearing. Raja Todar Mal was ordered to join Khan-jahan Husain Kuli Khan, and to give him and the amirs of the Panjab the benefit of his experience and advice in the management of the province. All the amirs of the Panjab took their leave with Khan-jahan, excepting Mirza Yusuf Khan. The Mirza and Muhammad Zaman, who exhibited great intelligence, were to accompany the Emperor. Sa'id Khan, the ruler of Multan, was sent to his jagir, taking with him his brother Makhsus Khan, who had been promoted. In the early morning of Sunday, 24th Rabi'u-l akhir, 981, the Emperor, with his companions and attendants, mounted swift she-camels, and took their departure. On that day he rode to the town of Toda without drawing rein. There he ate what he could get, and continued his journey. On the morning of Monday, he took a short rest at Hans-mahal, but quickly resumed his journey. One watch of the night of Tuesday had passed, when he reached the village of Mu'izabad. He was now fatigued, and several of his attendants had dropped behind, so he stayed a few hours to take rest.
50.1.5
After his attendants had come up, he mounted a fast-going cart, and travelled all night. On Tuesday he reached the tomb of Khwája Mu'ínu-d dín Chishti (at Ajmír), where he went through the usual observances, and bestowed his gifts upon the poor. He rested for a while in the palace, which he had built for his own use, but towards the end of the day he mounted his horse, and continued his journey. Among his attendants when he started were Mírzá Khán, son of Khán-khánán Bairam, Asaf Khán Koka, Zain Khán Koka, and * * *. The night was bright moonlight. In the morning they joined Sháh Kulí Khán Mahram, and Muhammad Kulí Khán Tughbáni, who had been sent on in advance from Fathpúr. The intelligencers now brought the information of the royal army having marched. His Majesty alighted at the town of Pálí, which was near at hand, and then, having chosen Khwája 'Abdu-lla, Asaf Khán Bakhshí, and Raisál Darbárí, he took them along with him. On the 2nd Jumáda-l awwal, 981, he reached the town of Dísa, twenty kos from Pattan, in Gujarát, where the shikkdár * * came forth to meet him. His Majesty now sent Asaf Khán to Muhammad Khán, directing him to collect his forces, and join the party at the town of Bálisána, five kos from Pattan. In the middle of the night His Majesty started from Dísa for Bálisána, and turning aside from Pattan, came in sight of Bálisána in the morning, and there halted.
50.1.6
Here he was joined by Mír Muhammad Khán with his army and all his amirs and attendants, such as * * * and a party of the principal Rajputs, such as Khangár, the nephew of Rája Bhagwán Dás, who had previously marched from Fathpur to support Khán-i 'azam, but whom caution had restrained from advancing beyond Pattan. An order was now issued for all the troops to appear fully armed and accoutred. The amirs accordingly brought out their men, and the Emperor reviewed them. Although he had full trust and hope of heavenly assistance, he neglected no material means of success. He gave the command of the centre, which is the place of the Sultán, to Mirzá Khán, son of (the late) Khán-khánán Bairám Khán, a young man of great parts and promise. He also appointed Saiyid Muhammad Khán Bárha, a man of great bravery, and Shujá'at Khán and Sádik Khán to the centre. The command of the right was given to Mir Muhammad Khán-i kalán, and that of the left to Wazir Khán. The advance, composed of a number of brave fellows, was placed under the command of Muhammad Kuli Khán and Tarkhán Diwána. His Majesty kept under his own immediate direction 100 horsemen, men who had been picked out from a thousand thousand — a reserve intended to support any division which might be hard pressed. Strict orders were issued that no man was to stray from his place.
50.1.7
Although the horsemen under his colours were only 3000 in number, and the enemy had more than 20,000, he put his trust in God, and in the latter part of the day marched from Bálisána towards Ahmadábád. A messenger was sent to apprise Khán-i 'azam of his approach. He marched all night, and on Tuesday, 3rd Jumáda-l awwal, he reached Kari, a town twenty kos from Ahmadábád. The scouts now brought in the intelligence that a large force of the enemy had come out of the fort to give battle. Orders were accordingly given to attack them, and drive them from the road, but not to incur any embarrassment by attacking the fort. This was accomplished in the twinkling of an eye, and those of the enemy who escaped the sword, threw themselves into the fort. Leaving the fort untouched, in obedience to orders, the army marched five kos from Kari, where it rested till dawn.