The Akbarī Generations 50.2
Tabakát-i Akbarí of Nizámu-d dín Ahmad (extracts) 50.2
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50.2.1
As soon as it was light, the bakhshis drew up the forces, and marched on without drawing rein to a place about three kos from Ahmadabad. Orders were given for every man to arm himself, and the royal armoury was opened, so that every man who had lost or damaged a weapon might choose one to suit him. Asaf Khan was sent to Khan-i 'azam, to inform him of the proximity of the Emperor, and directing him to effect a junction. Thus, in nine days, the Emperor marched from Fathpur to the outskirts of Ahmadabad, a feat which it is difficult for the pen to describe.
50.2.2
It was now discovered that the enemy, drunk with wine, were asleep on the bed of heedlessness, quite unaware of the approach of the royal army. The feeling ran through the royal ranks, that it was unmanly to fall upon an enemy unawares, and that they would wait till he was roused. When the blast of the trumpets was heard, the enemy, in amaze and alarm, rushed to their horses, Muhammad Husain Mirza advanced with two or three horsemen to the bank of the river to ascertain the truth, and it so happened that Subhan Kuli Turk had also gone down to the river with two or three men from our side. Muhammad Husain Mirza called out to Subhan Kuli, inquiring whose army it was, and he was answered that it was the Emperor, who had marched from Fathpur to punish traitors. The Mirza replied, "My spies have informed me, that fourteen days ago the Emperor was at Fathpur; and if this is the Imperial army, where are the royal elephants which always accompany it?" Subhan 'Ali said, "How could elephants have travelled with us 400 kos in nine days?" Muhammad Husain Mirza returned amazed and troubled to his army, and drawing out his forces, he prepared for battle. He directed Ikhtiyar Khan to take 5000 horse, and prevent Khan-i 'azam from sallying out of the city.
50.2.3
When the time for delay drew to an end, the Emperor directed the advance to cross the river, and that Wazir Khan also should cross with the left. This being done, he himself crossed over at the head of his chosen men. Some little confusion occurred in the passage, but the troops all got over together, and advanced a short distance on the other side, when a strong force of the enemy came in view. Muhammad Husain Mirza, with 1500 Mughals, all devoted men of his own, came up and fell upon the advanced force under Muhammad Kuli Khan and Tarkhan Diwana. Simultaneously the Habshis and Afghans attacked Wazir Khan, and then the fight grew close and warm. The Emperor perceived some signs of weakness and distress in the advanced force, so he gave the word, and charged the enemy like a fierce tiger. Another body of the royal forces came up and took them in flank. Saif Khan Koka made a rash charge and was killed. Muhammad Husain Mirza and Shah Mirza struggled manfully, but ill-luck attended them, so they turned and fled. The royal troops advanced and cut off some. His Majesty with several of his men drew up and stood fast. Muhammad Husain Mirza had received a wound, and in his haste to make his escape, he put his horse at a thorn hedge, but the animal fell. One of the royal troops, a Turk named Gada 'Ali, who pursued him, threw himself from his horse and made him prisoner.
50.2.4
Wazir Khan on the left fought well and bravely, but the Habshi and Gujarati troops made charge after charge, until they became acquainted with the defeat of Muhammad Husain Mirza and Shah Mirza. Then they also turned their backs. Mir Muhammad Khan on the right drove back the sons of Sher Khan Fuladi, and put many of their men to the sword. Victory now declared itself on every side, and His Majesty returned triumphant to his couch, which was placed at the edge of the battle-field, and there he offered up his thanks for the victory vouchsafed. Gada 'Ali Badakhshi and a servant of Khan-i kalan now brought in the wounded Muhammad Husain Mirza a prisoner, each laying claim to the honour of capturing him. Raja Birbal asked him who made him prisoner, and he replied, "Ingratitude to His Majesty;" and he spoke the truth. His Majesty spoke a few kind words to him, and gave him into the custody of Rai Singh. Among the prisoners taken was a man named Mard Azmai Shah, who declared himself the Koka of Mirza Ibrahim Husain. His Majesty struck him to the earth with a spear, and the attendants cut him to pieces with their swords. It was afterwards found out that he had killed in the battle of Sarnal, Bhupat, brother of Raja Bhagwan Das. An hour after the victory was won, another large division of the enemy made its appearance, and the vedettes brought the information that it was Ikhtiyaru-l Mulk Gujarati.
50.2.5
He had been charged with the duty of closing the road against 'Azam Khan, but when he heard of the defeat of the Mirzas, he left the city roads and came out into the field. His Majesty ordered a force to advance and assail him with arrows. When he came in sight, some fierce horsemen charged and overthrew the troop which preceded him. Ikhtiyaru-l Mulk in his fright cast a look upon the hill whereon the royal standard was planted, and he (and his men) ran off on both sides of it in such disgraceful panic that the royal troops pulled the arrows out of the quivers of the fugitives, and used them against them. A Turkoman named Suhrab Beg now recognized Ikhtiyáru-l Mulk, and pursued him. Coming to a thorn hedge, the fugitive endeavoured to make his horse leap over, but the animal threw him. Suhrab Beg dismounted and took him prisoner. Ikhtiyáru-l Mulk said, "You look like a Turkoman, and the Turkomans are followers of 'Alí. I belong to the Saiyids of Bokhara, do not kill me." Suhrab Beg replied, "I recognized you and pursued you. You are Ikhtiyáru-l Mulk." Thus having said he cut off his head and returned to mount his horse, but some one had taken it, so he wrapped the head in the skirt of his garment and walked back. At the time that Ikhtiyáru-l Mulk advanced towards the hill on which the Emperor was standing, the Rajputs of Rái Singh, who had charge of Muhammad Husain Mírzá, cast the Mírzá off an elephant to the ground, and despatched him with a spear.
50.2.6
After the victory, 'Azam Khán and the other officers who had been besieged in the city came out to the Emperor, who bestowed upon the Khán many marks of his approval. To every one of the Kháns he gave promotion or other distinctions, and he had hardly finished with them, when Suhrab Beg Turkoman came up and threw down the head of Ikhtiyáru-l Mulk. When the Emperor saw it, he praised him and liberally rewarded him; and then he ordered that a pyramid should be raised of the heads of the rebels who had fallen in the battle, and these were more than 2000 in number. After this he proceeded into Ahmadábád, and occupied the royal abode, which is in the citadel. The men of the city of all ranks waited upon him with their offerings and congratulations. He rested five days in the citadel, and then he removed to the house of 'Itimád Khán, in the middle of the city. His first act was to see that all those who had rendered good service in this campaign, especially those who had distinguished themselves in the battle, should receive their due reward in advanced rank and increased allowances. Eloquent scribes were employed to write despatches of the victory, and the heads of Muhammad Husain Mirza and Ikhtiyaru-l Mulk were sent to be hung up over the gates of Agra and Fathpur.
50.2.7
After attending to the wants of the poor people of Ahmadabad, he sent Kutbu-d din Muhammad Khan and Naurang Khan to Broach and Champanir, to uproot the power of Shah Mirza. Raja Bhagwan Das, Shah Kuli Mahram, Lashkar Khan Mir-bakhshi, and several others, were sent to Idar, to ravage the country which Rana Udai Singh had abandoned. The government of Pattan was again confided to Mir Muhammad Khan (Khan-i Kalan). Wazir Khan was appointed to Dulaka and Danduka, and he was to support Khan-i 'azam.
50.2.8
When the Emperor had made all his arrangements, he resolved to return home, and on Sunday, 16th Jumada-l awwal, he left Ahmadabad for Mahmudabad, and rested in the lofty and fine palace of Sultan Mahmud of Gujarat. Khwaja Ghiyasu-d din 'Ali Bakhshi, who had rendered good service in this campaign, received the title of Asaf Khan, and he was appointed diwan and bakhshi of Gujarat, so he remained behind with Khan-i 'azam. The Emperor travelled by night from Dulaka to Kari, and from Kari also by night to Sitapur. Here a despatch was received from Raja Bhagwan Das, and Shah Kuli Mahram, reporting the capture of the fort of Barnagar, and a letter of thanks was returned. He made no other halt till he reached Sirohi, where he gave Sadik Khan a commission to chastise rebels and robbers. On Wednesday, 3rd Jumada-l awwal, 981, he reached Ajmir, and immediately went to visit the tomb of Khwaja Mu'inu-d din Chishti, and made liberal donations to the poor. Next day he departed, and marching night and day, he reached the village of Puna, three kos from Sanganir, in the jagir of Ram Das Kachhwaha. Here Ram Das had prepared an entertainment for His Majesty and all his attendants.
50.2.9
At this station Raja Todar Mal, who had been directed to fit out a thousand boats (kishti) and ghrabs at Agra, had an interview with His Majesty. The revenues of Gujarat had not been paid up satisfactorily, so the Raja was sent to ascertain and settle the assets, and draw up an account of them for the royal exchequer. The Emperor started again at midnight, and rode to Toda, which he reached on the morning of the 6th, and, after resting for a while, he again mounted and reached Basawar in the middle of the night, where he was met by Khwaja-jahan and Shahabu-d din Ahmad Khan, who had come out of Fathpur to meet him. At dawn he again started and went to the town of Bajuna, where he remained till the following day. He then ordered his attendants to march into Fathpur with spears in their hands. He himself followed, riding upon a gray horse, and holding a spear in his hand. Thus he reached Fathpur on Saturday, 7th Jumada-l akhir, having been absent forty-three days.