The Akbarī Generations 78.2
Tabakát-i Akbarí of Nizámu-d dín Ahmad (extracts) 78.2
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78.2.1
Sher Khan Fuladi now advanced as far as the town of Masana, fifteen kos from Pattan, and great consternation fell upon the garrison, so much so that they were on the point of abandoning Pattan, and going off to Jálor. I resolved at all hazards to fight, and went to encounter Sher Khán. Shahábu-d dín Ahmad Khán and 'Itimád Khán stopped in Pattan, the other amírs joined me. When we reached Masána, we found that Sher Khán had drawn up his forces, and he advanced to attack us with five thousand horse, while we did not exceed two thousand. Sher Khán was defeated, and went off to Ahmadábád. Many of his men were killed, and a large booty fell into our hands. I strenuously urged that we should advance against Ahmadábád, but the amírs who were with me would not agree.
78.2.2
When we reached Kárí, we remained there, awaiting the arrival of the soldiers who had been sent to Pattan with the spoils of our victory. We waited twelve days, and during that time several persons were sent to Pattan to collect men. We now heard that Muzaffar Gujarátí had bombarded the fort of Baroda, and that Kutbu-d dín, having received a promise (of safe conduct), had sent Zainu-d dín Kambú out (to treat). Muzaffar, regardless of his pledge, put Zainu-d dín to death. Kutbu-d dín, although the perfidy and vow-breaking of Muzaffar were manifest, was so demented, so blinded by fate, that he trusted to the promise of that promise-breaker, and went out to him. Then, at the instigation of Tárwárí, zamíndár of Pípla, he was put to death. Upon hearing of this, I, and the men who were with me at Kárí, returned to Pattan. From Baroda Muzaffar went to Broach, and the officers of Kutbu-d dín surrendered the fortress. He obtained there fourteen lacs of rupees which were in the royal treasury at Kambáy, and had been conveyed to Broach by Khwája 'Imádu-d dín Husain. And he also got possession of all the property and treasures of Kutbu-d din, which exceeded ten krors. Collecting the soldiers and Rajputs from all parts near him, he raised his force to nearly thirty thousand men.
78.2.3
When these occurrences were brought to the knowledge of the Emperor, he sent Mirza Khan, son of Bairam Khan, along with the jagirdars of Ajmir, such as Payinda Muhammad Khan Mughal * * and others too numerous to mention, by way of Jalor and Pattan; and he also sent Kalij Khan, who was the jagirdar of Surat, with * * jagirdars of Malwa, by the way of Malwa. This latter force had arrived at Sultanpur and Nandurbar while Muzaffar was engaged at Broach, but dread of Muzaffar prevented them from advancing a step further. I, the author, every day wrote letters from Pattan to Mirza Khan, urging his speedy approach. When he arrived with his force at Sirohi, I went forth to meet him, and brought him on with all speed. He remained one day in Pattan, and then advanced. When Mirza Khan's arrival became known to Muzaffar Gujarati, he left Broach, and returned to Ahmadabad, leaving the fort of Broach in charge of Nasir, his brother's son, and Charkas Rumi, one of the Imperial servants who had deserted to Muzaffar. Mirza Khan and his army encamped at Sarkaj, three kos from Ahmadabad. Muzaffar pitched his camp opposite the Imperial army, two kos distant, near the tomb of Shah Bhikan (God rest his soul!). On the day the two armies were thus brought near to each other and afterwards some fighting went on, to the advantage of the Imperial arms, until Friday, 16th Muharram, 991, when Muzaffar marshalled his forces and attacked us. Mirza Khan, on his side, had made his dispositions.
78.2.4
I, the author, and * * were directed to keep the town of Sarkaj on our right, and to fall upon the rear of the enemy. The two armies met, and the battle began. Saiyid Hashim and Khizr Aka, vakil of Mirza Khan, were slain, and many men fell. While Muzaffar was engaged with Mirza Khan, I brought round my men, and fell upon his rear. Rai Durga, also, of the left wing, under the orders of Mirza Khan, followed to support me. Muzaffar was put to flight, and great numbers of his men were slain. Next morning Mirza Khan entered the city, and issued a proclamation of amnesty, so that every one felt reassured. Muzaffar fled to Ma'murabad and the banks of the Mahindari river. From thence he went to Kambay. Many of the fugitives rejoined him there, so that his force again rose to nearly ten thousand men. Three days after the victory, Kalij Khan arrived at Ahmadabad with the army of Malwa. Mirza Khan and all the amirs then marched towards Kambay. On their arriving at ten kos from the place, Muzaffar went off towards Baroda. When Mirza Khan reached the village of Bdsad, near Patlad, on the bank of the Mahindari, he sent Kalij Khan and * * on in advance to overtake and attack the enemy; but this force, deterred by the difficulty and narrowness of the road, came to a halt, and Muzaffar got off to Raj-pipla and Nadot.
78.2.5
Mirza Khan and his army entered Baroda on the 16th, and there rested. While he was there, intelligence arrived that Saiyid Daulat, one of the officers of Muzaffar, had entered Kambay, and overpowered the royal forces in the place. Naurang Khan was sent to repress this diversion, and having driven out the insurgent, he returned. Saiyid Daulat then came back and seized the town again. Khojam Burdi, an officer of Mirza Khan's, marched against him from Patlad, and defeated him. Mirza Khan marched with his army to Nadot, and Muzaffar went off into the mountains. Atalik Bahadur now deserted from the Imperial army, and joined Muzaffar. So the insurgents were again set in motion. Mirza Khan imprisoned Jan Bahadur Uzbek, of whom he was suspicious on account of his relations with Atalik Bahadur, and he resolved to attack the rebels. Sharif Khan and Naurang Khan were appointed to the right, Kalij Khan and Tolak Khan to the left, Payinda Khan and some other amirs to the advance. I was sent forward to reconnoitre, and find out the best way of attacking the enemy. When I reached the foot of the hills, I attacked the enemy's infantry, and drove them back for a good kos to where their main force was drawn up in array. A sharp action ensued. The discharge of arrows and bullets was quite bewildering, and many men and horses on both sides were wounded. I dismounted some of my best men, and rode on with them to the mountain, and I sent some to call up Kalij Khan.
78.2.6
I also sent Khwaja Muhammad Piaha, a man renowned for his courage. Kalij Khan came up on the left, and becoming engaged, he bore back the enemy a little. But reinforcements were brought up by the enemy, and Kalij Khan and Tolak Khan were repulsed, and fell back a bow-shot distance. The men whom I had dismounted, while the enemy was pushing after Kalij Khan, finding the way clear, ascended the hill. When the enemy returned, they attacked us, and many men were killed. Kalij Khan had found some shelter and held his ground. I sent to Mirza Khan for the elephant guns (hath-nal). They were brought up upon the elephants, and we discharged several guns against the spot where Muzaffar was standing. Naurang Khan now came up the mountain which covered the enemy's left, and got the command of his position. When the balls from the elephant guns fell in the midst of Muzaffar's division, he fled, and great numbers of his men were taken prisoners or killed. The Imperial arms obtained a complete victory. Mirza Khan returned, and came to Ahmadabad, where he busied himself in arranging the affairs of the army and the peasantry. He left Kalij Khan and * * the other Malwa amirs to proceed against Broach. For seven months he remained in Ahmadabad, and at the end of that time the fort of Broach was captured. Charkas Rumi, who had deserted Kutbu-d din Muhammad Khan to join Muzaffar, and was appointed by him commandant of the fortress of Broach, was taken in the fort, and executed.
78.2.7
Nasir, who was also an officer, escaped, though half-dead. At the time when Mirza Khan was sent to Gujarat, His Majesty commanded a city and fort to be built at Payag, at the confluence of the Ganges and Jumna, to which the name of Illahabas was given. His Majesty went there by boat from Agra, and spent four months there pleasantly. * * When intelligence of the killing of Kutbu-d din and the spread of the revolt in Gujarat arrived, His Majesty started for Agra and Fathpur, so that he might set out from the latter place to Gujarat. On reaching Etawa, intelligence of the victory arrived, and so he stayed at Fathpur. He sent farmans to the amirs in Gujarat. To Mirza Khan he gave the title of Khan-khanan, a horse, a robe, a jewelled dagger, and the banner of 5000 (tuman togh). On me, the author, he bestowed a horse, a robe, and increased emoluments. All the officers received marks of his favour.