The Akbarī Generations 75: Affairs of Bengal.
Tabakát-i Akbarí of Nizámu-d dín Ahmad (extracts) 75
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Affairs of Bengal.
75.1
Muzaffar Khán, on arriving in Bengal, set about arranging the affairs of that province. But his prosperity was on the wane, and his day was gone by. He was harsh in his measures, he offended men with his words, he deprived many amírs of their jágírs, he demanded the dágh (brand-tax), and brought old practices up again. Bábá Khán Kákshál, although he was conciliatory, and begged that his jágír might be left undisturbed, was called upon for the dágh, and received no attention. The pargana of Jalesar, which was the jágír of Khaldí Khán, was taken away from him at the beginning of the spring harvest, and was added as tankhwáh to the jágír of Sháh Jamálu-d dín Husain. A sum of money due from the spring harvest had been received by Khaldí Khán, and to recover this Muzaffar Khán put him in prison, and ordered him to be scourged and bastinadoed.
75.2
At this time a farmán arrived from the Imperial Court, directing Muzaffar Khán to apprehend and put to death a servant of Mírzá Muhammad Hakím named Roshan Beg, who had left Kábul and gone into Bengal, and to send his head to Court. This Roshan Beg was among the Káksháls, and Muzaffar Beg issued an order for his execution. He also spake some harsh words about Baba Khan Kakshal. The soldiers who were present, and especially Baba Khan and the Kakshals, trembled together, and resolved upon mutiny. They shaved their heads, put on their high caps, and broke out into revolt. Crossing the river, they went to the city of Gaur, celebrated in old times under the name of Lakhnauti. There they collected men, and having found property of Muzaffar Khan in several places, they took it or destroyed it. Muzaffar Khan collected boats, and sent Hakim Abu-l Fath and Patar Das, with an army against them on the banks of the river. When the disaffection of the Kakshals was reported to the Emperor, he sent a farman to Muzaffar Khan, in which he said that the Kakshals had long been servants of the throne, and that it was not right to hurt them; they were therefore to be conciliated and encouraged with hopes of the Emperor's favour, and the matter of their jagirs was to be settled. The farman arrived at the time when Muzaffar Khan was in face of the insurgents.
75.3
Upon the arrival of the farman, Baba Khan and the other rebels made a show of submission, and sent a message to Muzaffar Khan, asking him to send Rizwi Khan and Patar Das to arrange terms with them, and to set their minds at ease. He accordingly sent Rizwi Khan, Mir Abu Ishak, son of Mir Rafi'u-d din and Rai Patar Das. Baba Khan put all three of them in confinement, and so stirred the fire of warfare. Coincident with this, it so happened that Mulla Taiyib, Purkhottam Bakhshi, and the revenue officials of Bihar, also entered upon harsh dealings. They took away the jagirs of Muhammad Ma'sum Kabuli, 'Arab Bahadur, and all the amirs, and so laid the foundation of an evil system. Ma'sum Kabuli, who after this insurrection obtained the cognomen of 'Asi, having leagued with 'Arab Bahadur and Sufaid Badakhshi, resolved to rebel, and kill Mulla Taiyib and Rai Purkhottam. Having put them to flight, they plundered their dwellings. After a few days, Purkhottam rallied some loyal subjects, and crossed the river Jausa with the intention of attacking the rebels. But the rebel 'Arab Bahadur anticipated him, took him unawares, and killed him.
75.4
Upon intelligence of 'Asi Ma'sum's rebellion reaching Baba Khan Kakshal, a correspondence was opened between them, and when the Kakshals confronted Muzaffar Khan, 'Asi marched to assist them, and arrived at Garhi. Muzaffar Khan then sent Khwaja Shamsu-d din Muhammad Khwafi with a detachment and some guns to the passes of Garhi, to arrest the progress of 'Asi Ma'sum. But the latter had a strong force; he broke through Garhi, and attacked the Khwaja and defeated him. He then formed a junction with the Kakshals, and the revolt gathered strength.
75.5
The Kakshals then crossed the river, and advanced against Muzaffar Khan. Wazir Jamil, one of the old amirs of the State, along with Jan Muhammad Bihbudi and some others, deserted Muzaffar Khan, and joined the insurgents. Muzaffar Khan then took shelter in the fort of Tanda, which was nothing better than four walls. The rebels occupied the town of Tanda. They took Hakim Abu-l Fath, Khwaja Shamsu-d din and others prisoners, and began to pillage. Hakim Abu-l Fath with the Khwaja and Rai Patar Das effected their escape by artifice, and fled on foot. By the help of the zamindars, they managed to reach Hajipur. The rebels made themselves masters of the fort of Tanda, brought Muzaffar Khan out of his house upon a solemn assurance (of safety), and put him to death. They took possession of his property and effects, and all the country of Bengal and Bihar fell into their hands. Nearly 30,000 horsemen assembled round the rebels. The Emperor some time before this had taken Mirza Sharafu-d din Husain out of prison, and sent him to Bengal to Muzaffar Khan. The rebels now released him from confinement, and placed him at their head. So the revolt increased.
75.6
Upon the facts being communicated to the Emperor, he sent Raja Todar Mal * * and other amirs to repress it. Farmans were sent to Muhammad Ma'sum Farankhudi, governor of Jaunpur, and Samanji Khan and the jagirdars of that country, directing them to place themselves under the command of Todar Mal, and render every assistance to quash the rebellion. While the Imperial army was on the march, Shaham Khan Jalair fought with Saiyid Badakhshi and killed him. When the army reached Jaunpur, Muhammad Ma'sum joined Todar Mal with 3000 horsemen fully armed, and marched on with him. But Muhammad Ma'sum was a weak-minded man, his dignity and the strength of his army had turned his brain, and he began to show many little actions savouring of disaffection, and to utter expressions indicative of disloyalty. Raja Todar Mal, like a prudent and experienced man, temporized with him, and did all he could to reassure and conciliate him.
75.7
When the Imperial army reached Mongir, 'Asi Kabuli and the Kakshals, and Mirza Sharafu-d din Husain with 30,000 horse, and 500 elephants, and with war-boats and artillery, in battle order, advanced to meet the Imperial army. Raja Todar Mal had no confidence in the (cohesion of the) adventurers composing the enemy's army, and deeming it inexpedient to fight, he occupied the fort of Mongir, and throwing up other fortifications around it, he kept that position. Every day combats occurred between the men of the outposts. When these proceedings were reported to the Emperor, he on one occasion sent Zainu-d din Kambu by dak-chauki with a lac of rupees for the expenditure of the army. Some days after, he sent the same amount by the hands of Darya Khan ab-dar, and so on by different persons. At different times he sent a great deal of money.
75.8
At this time Humayun Farmuli and Tarkhan Diwana deserted the Imperial army and joined the insurgents. For four months the loyal forces and the insurgents faced each other, but at length some loyal zamindars of the vicinity cut off the supplies from the insurgents, and great scarcity prevailed among them. Baba Khan Kakshal fell sick at Tanda and died. Jabbari, son of Majnun Khan Kakshal, who was the main prop of the rabble, being informed of the sinking condition of Baba Khan, wanted to go to Tanda. 'Asi [Ma'sum], not being able to maintain his ground, withdrew to Bihar. 'Arab Bahadur made a rapid march to Patna, seized upon the city, and appropriated the treasure. Bihar Khan Khassa-khail went into the fort of Patna, and held out. Raja Todar Mal and his supporters sent Muhammad Ma'sum Farankhudi with a detachment to the relief of Patna. On hearing of his approach, 'Arab Bahadur raised the siege, and went off towards Gajpati, one of the chief zamindars of that country.
75.9
The Raja and Sadik Khan and * * * and the other amirs marched to Bihar after 'Asi Ma'sum, who sought an opportunity to make a night attack upon Sadik Khan's camp. But Sadik Khan was a wary commander, and on that night he and his men were prepared. Jan Beg and Ulugh Khan Habshi were in command of his advanced force, and the enemy attacking them unawares, Jan Beg was killed and Ulugh Khan fell back. Sadik Khan had to resist a sharp attack, but the Emperor's good fortune aided him, and he defeated Ma'sum, who went off to Bengal in sorry plight. Now, Garhi fell into the hands of the royal troops. Among the strange occurrences of the time was this: A letter was sent by the hands of Hasan tawachi-bashi to Shuja'at Khan, ruler of Malwa, summoning him to Court. Accordingly, he and his son Kiyam Khan set off from Sarangpur to attend upon His Majesty. His attendants were seized with the desire to rebel, so they killed both him and his son, and then dispersed, each one taking his own way. When the Emperor heard this, he sent Sharif Khan Atka to be governor of Malwa, and called the young surviving children of Shuja'at Khan to Court.
75.10
In consequence of the state of affairs in Bengal, 'Azam Khan who had been living for some time in retirement at Agra, was again received into favour, and he was sent with 5000 horse to assume the government of Bihar. For greater security, Shahbaz Khan Kambu, who was engaged against Rana Kika, and had nearly driven the Rana from the country, was summoned and sent with an army to the support of the forces in Bengal. When Shahbaz Khan came near to Hajipur, where 'Arab Bahadur had taken refuge with Raja Gajpati, he marched to attack him. For one month he carried on operations against him, clearing away the jungle, until at length he drove off 'Arab Bahadur, and made the Raja succumb. [The Emperor pays a visit to Sharif Khan Atka. Hakimu-l Mulk Gilani appointed "Leader of the Pilgrimage."]
75.11
A despatch now arrived from Raja Todar Mal, stating that he had kept Muhammad Ma'sum Farankhudi along with him by conciliatory treatment and all kinds of expedients. That Khwaja Mansur [the diwan] had written sharp letters to him, claiming a good deal of money due from him. He [the diwan] had also written letters to Tarsun Muhammad Khan, one of the great amirs and commander of an army, holding out threats to him, at a time when encouragement was necessary. The sharp practice of the diwan having been repeatedly mentioned to His Majesty, he removed him from office, and placed him in charge of Shah Kuli Khan. An order was promulgated appointing Wazir Khan to be diwan in chief instead of him, and Kazi 'Ali, son of Kutbu-d din Baghdadi, was to assist him in deciding important questions. A great natural curiosity was brought to the notice of the Emperor at this time. It was a man born without ears or any orifice of the ears, who yet heard all that was spoken, just like people with ears. His Majesty was greatly interested in the man, and settled a pension upon him. [_Prince Daniyal makes the usual pilgrimage to Ajmir instead of the Emperor._]
75.12
Raja Todar Mal, Tarsun Muhammad Khan, and the other amirs took up their quarters in Hajipur during the rainy season, and Ma'sum Farankhudi, with their permission, went to Jaunpur, which was his jagir. There he began to show signs of disaffection. His Majesty therefore sent Peshrau Khan, darogha of the farash-khana, to set him at ease; he also gave him the country of Oudh instead of Jaunpur, and bestowed the latter upon Tarsun Khan. Ma'sum spoke dutiful words to Peshrau Khan, and did not show his disaffection; but as Oudh was near, he went there. Niyabat Khan, son of Hashim Khan Naishapuri, who had grown up in the nurture of the Imperial Court, broke out in rebellion in his jagir of Jausa and Payag (Allahabad), and attacked the fort of Karra, which was the jagir of Isma'il Kuli Khan. Ilyas Khan, who was shikkdar of that place for Isma'il Kuli, fought with him and was killed. He then invested the fort of Garha, and began to pillage. This being reported to His Majesty, he sent Isma'il Kuli Khan, * * and several other amirs to repress him. He also sent Raja Birbal and Shah Kuli Khan Mahram to excite the hopes of Ma'sum Khan Farankhudi, and bring him to Court. When Wazir Khan had departed, Khwaja Mansur was released from confinement, and again appointed to the office of diwan.
75.13
As soon as Niyabat heard of the approach of the royal army, he raised the siege of Karra, and went towards Kantal, one of the dependencies of Patna. The amirs followed him, crossed over the river, and came up with him. Niyabat Khan attacked them, and a hard fight ensued, but at last he was defeated and went off to Ma'sum Khan. At this time, also, 'Arab Bahadur fled before Shahbaz Khan, and took refuge with Ma'sum. Shahbaz Khan, in pursuit of him, went to Jaunpur, and from thence to Oudh against Ma'sum. But Ma'sum advanced to meet him, defeated him, and put him to flight. In one day Shahbaz Khan travelled forty kos to Jaunpur. Tarsun Muhammad Khan, who commanded the right wing of Shahbaz Khan's force, had been hidden by the jungle, and when Ma'sum's army was disordered, this force came up and defeated it. When Shahbaz Khan was informed of this, he returned immediately, joined his right wing, and rallying his forces, pursued the enemy. Ma'sum fought again in the vicinity of the city of Oudh, and was again defeated. His mother and sisters, wives and children, property and troops were taken. He himself fled to the Siwalik hills. This happened in the month of Zi-l hijja, in the year 988 H.