The Akbarī Generations 53.1
Tabakát-i Akbarí of Nizámu-d dín Ahmad (extracts) 53.1
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53.1.1
Sulaiman Kirani, one of the amirs of Salim Khán Afghan [Salim Shah], and ruler of Bengal and Bihar, who had always in his letters acknowledged himself a vassal of the Imperial throne, died while the Emperor was engaged in his Surat campaign, in the year 981 H. His eldest son Bayazid succeeded, but he was murdered by the amirs, and the younger son Dáúd was raised to the throne. The Emperor was informed that Dáúd had stepped out of his proper sphere, had assumed the title of king, and through his morose temper had destroyed the fort of Patna, which Khan-zaman built when he was ruler of Jaunpur. A farmán was immediately sent to Khán-khánán, directing him to chastise Daud, and to conquer the country of Bihar. At that time Daud was at Hájípur, and his chief noble, Lodi, who was in open hostility to him, was in the fort of Rohtas, and set up a claim to independence. Khán-khánán Mu'nim Khan marched with the Imperial forces against Patna and Hájípur. Lodi, knowing the destruction of the Afghans to be certain, notwithstanding his hostility towards Daud, made a sort of peace with Khan-khanan. The old friendship and respect which Khan-khanan had for the late Sulaiman Kirani led him to agree that, upon the payment of two lacs of rupees in money and one lac in stuffs as a tribute, the Imperial forces should be withdrawn. Then having sent Jalal Khan Krori, he entered into a peace with Daud.
53.1.2
But Daud was a dissolute scamp, and knew nothing of the business of governing. At the instigation of Katlu Khan, who had for a long time held the country of Jagannath and of Sridhar Hindu Bengali, and through his own want of judgment, he seized Lodi his amiru-l umara, and put him in confinement under the charge of Sridhar Bengali. When in prison, Lodi sent for Katlu and Sridhar, and sent Daud this message, "If you consider my death to be for the welfare of the country, put your mind quickly at ease about it; but you will be very sorry for it after I am dead. You have never given me any good wishes or advice, but still I am willing to advise you. Act upon my counsel, for it will be for your good. And this is my advice: After I am killed, fight the Mughals without hesitation, that you may gain the victory. If you do not do so, the Mughals will attack you, and you will not be able to help yourself. Do not be too sure about the peace with the Mughals, they are only biding their time."
53.1.3
The power of Daud and of all the Afghans was on the wane: it was God's will that they should fall, and that the power of the Emperor should be established over the country of Bengal. So Daud resolved to put Lodi out of the way, and by so doing to establish his authority to his own satisfaction. Katlu Khan and Sridhar Bengali had a bitter animosity against Lodi, and they thought that if he were removed, the offices of vakil and wazir would fall to them, so they made the best of their opportunity. They represented themselves to Daud as purely disinterested, but they repeatedly reminded him of those things which made Lodi's death desirable. Daud, in the pride and intoxication of youth, listened to the words of these sinister counsellors. The doomed victim was put to death, and Daud became the master of his elephants, his treasure, and his troops. But he was puffed up with conceit and folly, and took no precautions for combating his enemies, and relying upon that unsatisfactory peace which Lodi had concluded, he banished all care.
53.1.4
When the death of Lodi was reported to Khan-khanan and his circle, which was full of amirs of renown, he at once set his heart upon the conquest of Bengal and Lakhnauti, and marched against Patna and Hajipur. In high spirits he arrived in the vicinity of Patna. Daud now deeply regretted the murder of Lodi, who, by his wisdom, and judgment, and devotion, had kept the affairs of Bengal in order. He marched towards Patna, and was at first resolved upon battle; but he afterwards recoiled from trying an action, and resolved to take shelter in his fortifications. Khan-khanan was delighted when he was informed of this resolution, and he already foresaw the conquest of Patna and Hajipur. Daud, without drawing a sword or shooting an arrow, retired precipitately into the fort of Patna, and set about repairing the works.
53.1.5
Khan-khanan, with the concurrence of the amirs, proceeded to invest Patna. Upon hearing this, the Emperor determined to personally direct the operations against Patna and Hajipur. After resting for a few days at Fathpur, he sent off his camp and elephants by land under the command of Mirza Yusuf Khan Rizwi one of his chief amirs. He placed Agra in charge of Shahabu-d din Ahmad Khan Naishapuri, and embarked on board a boat on Sunday the last day of Safar, 982 H. The young princes went with him. The boats carried all his equipments and establishments, armour, drums, treasure, carpets, kitchen utensils, stud, etc., etc. Two large boats were specially prepared for his own accommodation, in which he embarked with his attendants. The boats required by the amirs for themselves and their establishments were in the rear of the royal boats, and so they started. On arriving at the village of Ratambh, one of the dependencies of Agra, he stopped and sent a letter to Khan-khanan Mu'nim Khan, to give information of his approach. On the 1st Rabi'u-l awwal the expedition proceeded. Every day he left the boat and went hunting on shore. Every day he was joined by fresh parties of troops. [Punishment of a brahman guilty of incest with his daughter.]
53.1.6
On the 23rd of the month the Emperor reached Illahabas, which is situated at the confluence of the Ganges and Jumna. This is a great place of pilgrimage for the Hindus, and contains some fine buildings. It is celebrated in all parts of the world as a holy place of the Hindus, who resort thither from all parts. On the 25th he reached Benares, from whence he sent on Sher Beg Tawachi in a boat to Khan-khanan Mu'nim Khan, to apprise him of the Emperor's arrival at Benares. At that city he remained three days taking rest. On the 28th he reached the village of Kori, a dependency of Saiyidpur, at the confluence of the Gumti and Ganges, and there anchored. Here he was waited upon by Mirza Yusuf Khan, who had brought down the army by land. He now determined that until he received accurate intelligence from Khan-khanan, he and the young prince and his wives would go and stay at Jaunpur. So he left the army at this encampment, and went up the Gumti in boats to Jaunpur.
53.1.7
On the 2nd Rabi'u-s sani he reached the village of Yahyapur, a dependency of Jaunpur. Here a despatch arrived from Khan-khanan, urging him to march on with all speed. So on the 3rd he sent on the young prince and ladies to Jaunpur, and then departed on his campaign against Bengal. On the 4th the boats fell down the Gumti to the Ganges, and Mirza Yusuf Khan, the commander of the army, waited on His Majesty. It was now arranged that the army should keep within sight of the royal flotilla. On the 6th it encamped in the plain of Ghazipur, and the Emperor went hunting. * * * On the 7th he halted at Gangadaspur, and here he was met by the eunuch 'Itimad Khan, a distinguished noble, who had been rendering good service in the siege of Patna, and who now made a full report of all the occurrences to His Majesty, and urged him to hasten forward. His Majesty thereupon directed Saiyid Mirak Ispahani, one of his principal attendants, who was learned in charms, to seek an augury in his books by sortilege. The augury was favourable, and a few days proved its truth.
53.1.8
On Tuesday, the 8th Rabi'u-s sani, he encamped at the ferry of Chaunsa, and here a despatch arrived from Khan-khanan, reporting that 'Isa Khan Niazi, an Afghan renowned for his courage, had made a sortie with elephants and a large force from Patna, and had attacked the besiegers, 'Isa Khan was slain by Lashkar Khan, one of the Emperor's men, and a great number of Afghans fell. This news was sent on to the princes. On the following day Dilawar Khan was ordered to transport the army over at the ferry of Chaunsa, and on the 10th the army encamped at the village of Domni, belonging to Bhojpur. Kasim 'Ali Khan, was now sent to inform Khan-khanan of the near approach of the Emperor, and to inquire what he advised to be done. The Khan advised the Emperor to advance as hitherto, himself by boat and his army by land; and he requested that some horses might be sent to replace those that had been rendered useless by the rains. Horses and arms were accordingly sent. Khan-khanan and the other amirs advanced two kos from Patna to meet His Majesty, who, on the 16th Rabi'u-s sani, reached his destination, and took up his abode in the tents of Khan-khanan. Great rejoicings followed, and rich offerings were made.