Firishta's History (Gulshan-i Ibrāhīmī) 59: SULIM SHAH SOOR.
History of the Rise of the Mahomedan Power in India (Briggs) 59
- Language
- English
Contents
SULIM SHAH SOOR.
59.1.1
Julal Khan, the second son of Sheer Shah, is raised to the throne by his nobles, and assumes the title of Sulim. — Adil Khan, the King's elder brother, comes to Agra, and abjures his birthright — he quits the court — goes into revolt — is defeated, and flies to Bengal, after which he is never heard of — Insurrection at Lahore suppressed by the King in person. — The governor of Malwa revolts, but is expelled. — Kamran Mirza, the brother of Hoomayoon, flies from Kabul to Sulim Shah's court — he quits the court again, and returns to Kabul. — Sulim Shah dies — the character of his government. — The King's brother-in-law murders the King's only son, and ascends the throne.
59.1.2
At the time Sheer Shah died, his eldest son, Adil Khan, whom he had appointed his successor, was at Runtunbhore, and his younger son, Julal Khan, in the village of Reewa, near Punna. The officers who favoured Julal Khan more than his brother, then at so great a distance, insisted on the necessity of filling the throne as soon as possible, and for that purpose despatched expresses to Julal Khan, who arrived in three days in the camp. Julal Khan, through the influence of Eesa Khan and his party, ascended the throne, in the fortress of Kalunjur, on the 15th of Rubbee-ool-Awul, in the year 952, taking the title of Islam Shah, which by false pronunciation is called Sulim Shah, by which name he is more generally known. Sulim Shah, assuming the regalia, wrote to his elder brother, Adil Khan, in the following words: "You being at so great a distance, and I so near, have taken on me the command of the army till you arrive; but my intentions are only to forward your interest, and to support your authority." Julal Khan, after writing this letter, marched from Kalunjur towards Agra, and at Kora was met by Khowas Khan, commander of his father's forces, by whom he was formally crowned, and a second time ascended the throne, holding a magnificent festival upon the occasion. From Kora, Sulim Shah wrote another letter to his brother, begging in the most affectionate terms that he would come and see him.
59.1.3
Adil Khan wrote to the chiefs in the court of Sulim Shah, particularly to Kootub Khan, Eesa Khan, Khowas Khan, and Julal Khan Julwany, to ascertain for what purpose he was invited, and what assistance he might expect from them; at the same time he returned for answer to his brother, "That if he would send these four chiefs to him, with proper assurances, he would come." Sulim Shah accordingly deputed them to wait on Adil Khan, and to assure him in the most solemn manner that he would permit him, if he pleased, to depart after the first interview; and in order to reconcile him to the loss of his throne, of which there was no longer any doubt, he offered him the choice of any of the provinces of the kingdom as an estate. Adil Khan proceeded to Agra, and having arrived there while Sulim Shah was on a hunting party, joined him at the village of Seekry (now called Futtehpoor), and carpets were spread on the field for their interview. Here they evinced the greatest affection towards each other, and after some discourse proceeded to Agra. Sulim Shah, who resolved to seize his brother, gave private orders to admit but a few of his retinue into the courtyard; while Adil Khan, anticipating such a step, directed his people to force their way in, at all hazards.
59.1.4
Sulim Shah, perceiving his object had failed, had recourse to flattery and dissimulation, and even carried his courtesy so far as to lay hold of Adil Khan's hand, in order to force him to sit on the throne; but the latter, naturally timid and indolent, rejected the offer, knowing how little support he could expect from the nobles. Adil Khan, somewhat alarmed also at the disturbance which had been made by his guards at the palace-gate, made a formal resignation of his birthright, and placing Sulim Shah on the throne, saluted him King. This hint was instantly taken by the courtiers, who were waiting with impatience the issue of the meeting. The chiefs, now advancing to the throne in succession, according to their rank, presented their congratulatory offerings, while others performed the ceremony of Nisar, proclaiming aloud, "We offer our lives and fortunes to Sulim Shah." These ceremonies being over, Kootub Khan and the other chiefs who had passed their words to Adil Khan proposed, that as he had selected Byana for his estate, he should receive the sunnuds for that province at once, and be permitted to depart. Sulim Shah consented, and matters being arranged accordingly, Adil Khan left Agra, accompanied by Eesa Khan and Khowas Khan. Two months afterwards, Sulim Shah sent for Ghazy Mhally, one of his eunuchs, and gave him a pair of golden fetters, directing him to bring Adil Khan prisoner to court.
59.1.5
The latter, however, having timely information of the design, fled to Mewat, where Khowas Khan then resided, and acquainted that chief, with tears in his eyes, of his brother's baseness. Khowas Khan, whose honour was concerned, roused with indignation, seized Ghazy Mhally, and went into open rebellion. Khowas Khan's character was so high, that by writing private letters to the nobles of the court he gained many partisans, and being now at the head of a considerable army, and accompanied by the Prince Adil Khan and Eesa Khan, he marched towards Agra. On the road, he received letters from Kootub Khan and Julal Khan Julwany, who, conceiving their honour equally implicated by the King's conduct, pledged themselves to join the Prince Adil Khan, at the same time recommending, that he should contrive to reach Agra before daylight, so as to enable his friends to join him at once. At length, when the Prince reached Seekry, which is 12 coss from Agra, he paid his respects to Sheikh Sulim, one of the most holy men of the age; and as it was the night of the Koorban festival, he was delayed so long at prayers, that he did not reach Agra till next day at chasht (breakfast). Sulim Shah, thrown into the utmost perplexity by this event, sent for Kootub Khan and Julal Khan Julwany, and reproached them for not dissuading him from the step which had involved him in such a dilemma. Kootub Khan replied, "That the affair was by no means without remedy;
59.1.6
and that, if permitted, he would settle it amicably." Sulim Shah, unsuspicious of the fidelity of the two chiefs, desired that they would go to the Prince Adil Khan, and conciliate him. They were, however, no sooner gone, than Sulim Shah revealed to his friends his intention of flying to Chunar, where the treasure was lodged, and resolved to raise an army to reduce his brother, whom he was at present in no condition to engage. Eesa Khan Meer Hujib dissuaded him from this measure, reminding him, "that he had with him ten thousand Firmully Afghans, besides many other faithful soldiers who had served with him before he ascended the throne, of whose fidelity he could have no doubt;" observing, "that it was the height of imprudence to trust the kingdom which God had given him to the caprice of fortune, while he had it in his power to defend it by instantly taking the field." "Do not (said Eesa Khan) "cast off the friends whom you have acquired in "your prosperity, with a vain hope to find others "in the hour of adversity. The wisest course for "you, is to appear at the head of your army, "and to take the field. This will at once se- "cure your wavering troops, and intimidate the "enemy." Sulim Shah, encouraged by this advice, resolved to stand his ground, and recalled Kootub Khan and the other chiefs, who had not yet set out to accommodate matters with the Prince Adil Khan, to his presence.
59.1.7
He told them, that on reconsideration he was resolved not to place his faithful chiefs in the hands of his enemies; and forthwith ordering his troops under arms, marched out of the city, and formed them on the plain. The officers, who had promised to favour the Prince Adil Khan, seeing their King in the field, were ashamed to desert him, and felt it their duty to fight; a disappointment which so greatly disconcerted Khowas Khan, that, although his troops behaved with great bravery, he was overthrown. After the action, the Prince Adil Khan fled, in the first instance, to Patna; but soon after disappearing, was never again heard of; while Khowas Khan and Eesa Khan retreated to Mewat, to which place Sulim Shah sent an army, which was defeated at Firozepoor. The royal army being soon after reinforced, the insurgent chiefs were obliged to retreat among the mountains of Kumaoon. Sulim Shah detached Kootub Khan in pursuit, who effected nothing beyond plundering the countries lying in the neighbourhood of the hills. Sulim Shah meanwhile marched to Chunar, and being informed of the treasonable correspondence Julal Khan Julwany had maintained with the Prince Adil Khan before the late battle, he caused him to be put to death, together with his brother, who was concerned in the same conspiracy. On his arrival at Chunar, the King, having secured the treasure of his father, sent it to Gualiar, and returned to Agra.
59.1.8
At this time, Kootub Khan, finding that Sulim Shah was no stranger to the part he had taken in the late disturbances, and apprehensive of returning to court, fled to place himself under the protection of Heibut Khan, governor of Lahore, then known by the title of Azim Hoomayoon. Sulim Shah, however, having despatched orders for his being delivered into his hands, Kootub Khan was sent prisoner to Gualiar, with many other suspected persons, among whom was Shahbaz Khan Lohany, the King's brother-in-law, who was deprived of his sight. The governor of Lahore and Shoojaat Khan, governor of Malwa, were about this time called to court. Azim Hoomayoon evaded the order; but the latter, obeying the summons, had the address to clear himself from all suspicion, and was permitted to resume his government.
59.2.1
The King now moved towards Rohtas, to bring to Agra the treasure which his father had deposited in that place. On the route, Syeed Khan, the brother of Azim Hoomayoon, having left the camp suddenly, fled to Lahore, and the King, concluding that some insurrection was in agitation, returned immediately to his capital, where, having assembled his forces from all quarters, he marched to Dehly, and on this occasion ordered the new city built by Hoomayoon Padshah to be walled in with stone. At Dehly he was joined by Shoojaat Khan from Malwa, and having remained only a few days to organize his army, he took the route of Lahore. Azim Hoomayoon, Khowas Khan, and other disaffected chiefs, with more than double the King's forces, met him at Amballa. Sulim Shah, arriving within sight of the insurgents, ascended a rising ground for the purpose of reconnoitring, and after viewing for some time their disposition, said, "It is not consistent with my honour to trifle with these rebels;" and having ordered his line out, he advanced against them. It happened fortunately for him, that on the preceding night a dispute had arisen among the confederate generals as to the succession to the throne. Khowas Khan, still a friend to the family of his patron Sheer Shah, insisted on search being made for the Prince Adil Khan;
59.2.2
while Azim Hoomayoon affirmed, "That empire was no man's inheritance, but belonged to him who had the longest sword." This so plainly indicated his own ambitious views, that faction arose in the camp, and on the next day, when the troops were formed, Khowas Khan withdrew with his division without going into action at all. This circumstance so discouraged the army of the confederates, that their resistance was faint, and Sulim Shah gained an easy victory.
59.2.3
In the midst of this good fortune, Sulim Shah narrowly escaped with his life from a daring attempt of Syeed Khan, the brother of Azim Hoomayoon. This chieftain, with ten faithful friends, in armour, mixed without discovery among the royal troops, and advanced towards the King as if about to congratulate him. An elephant driver, who stood near the royal person, recognizing Syeed Khan, struck him with his spear. In spite of this circumstance, Syeed Khan and his band cut their way through the guards sword in hand, and escaped. The insurgents (styling themselves Neeazies) retreated after this defeat to D'hunkote, near Roh, in the mountains. Sulim Shah pursued them as far as the new fort of Rohtas, which his father had built; and having directed Khwaja Veis Sheerwany to continue the pursuit, he returned by the route of Agra to Gualiar. Shoojaat Khan, governor of Malwa, on going up to the fort one day, in front of the King, was attacked by one Othman, a person whom he had deprived of his right hand some time before, and who now, concealing himself by the road-side, rushed out, and inflicted a dagger wound on Shoojaat Khan; who, without further enquiry, conceiving the act had been preconcerted with the King, fled with precipitation towards Malwa with all his troops. The King pursued him as far as Mando; but hearing that he had fled to Banswalla, he returned, leaving Eesa Khan Soor, with twenty thousand horse, at Oojein, to watch his motions. These events occurred in the year 954.
59.2.4
Khwaja Veis Sherwany having been some time before deputed to carry on the war against the Neeazies, engaged them near D'hunkote, but was defeated by Azim Hoomayoon, and pursued as far as Nowshehra. Sulim Shah, hearing of this circumstance, sent another army against the insurgents, which compelled them in turn to retreat to D'hunkote. A third action took place at Sumballa, in which the Neeazies were overthrown with great slaughter, and Azim Hoomayoon's mother, together with all his family, were taken prisoners. After this defeat, the Neeazies were compelled to seek protection among the Gukkurs, in the mountains of Kashmere. Sulim Shah, finding that he should have little peace without effectually putting down this rebellion, marched in person to the Punjab, and for the space of two years carried on war against the united force of the Gukkurs and Neeazies.
59.2.5
In this expedition, a person having concealed himself one day in a narrow path, by which Sulim Shah was ascending the mountain of Mankot, rushed on him with a drawn sword. Sulim Shah had scarcely time to draw to defend himself; but having slain the assassin, he perceived the sword of the ruffian to be one that he had formerly given to Yekbal Khan, one of his own officers. The Gukkurs and Neeazies, driven from place to place, and unable to face the King's troops, Azim Hoomayoon endeavoured to enter the kingdom of Kashmere; but the ruler of that country, apprehensive of Sulim Shah's resentment, not only opposed and defeated him, but sent the heads of Azim Hoomayoon, his brother Syeed Khan, and Shahbaz Khan to the King. Sulim Shah, thus secure against further disturbance in that quarter, returned to Dehly.
59.2.6
Much about this time, Kamran Mirza, flying from his brother Hoomayoon, who was now on his march from Persia to the East, took protection with Sulim Shah; but being ill received, he retired to the mountains of Sewalik, and eventually joined the Gukkurs. Shortly after this, Sulim Shah received advices that Hoomayoon Padsha had crossed the Indus. The King, when he gained the information, was under the operation of leeches. He instantly started from his seat, and issued orders to march, and on that very evening encamped six miles distant from Dehly. He there halted for his artillery, which was drawn out by men till the oxen, which were grazing in the country, could be collected. The guns being very heavy and unwieldy, one or two thousand men were required to drag them; yet in this manner he proceeded with considerable expedition till he reached Lahore. Meanwhile Hoomayoon Padshah retreated, as we shall have occasion to mention in the sequel; and Sulim Shah, returning to Dehly, eventually retired to Gualiar, where he took up his residence. Sulim Shah, while taking the diversion of the chase near Attehr, was waylaid by a banditti instigated by some of his enemies; but having perceived them, he was able not only to avoid, but to seize the whole band. On examination, they implicated many of his chiefs, who were executed without much investigation; after which the King became so extremely suspicious, that numbers of officers suffered death on slight suspicions.
59.2.7
Khowas Khan, a man justly renowned for his personal courage, his honour, and his great abilities in war, and who had been raised to distinction by the late Sheer Shah, was driven to revolt; and, after flying from place to place, came to Taj Khan Kirany (who owed his preferment to him), and was then governor of Sumbhul. Taj Khan, in violation of a solemn oath, and of the laws of hospitality, assassinated Khowas Khan, in order to recommend himself to Sulim Shah. His corpse was, however, afterwards conveyed to Dehly, where it was interred; and such is the veneration in which the name of Khowas Khan is held, even at the present day, that his tomb is frequented, and the common people, considering him a saint, go there to offer prayers for success in their undertakings.
59.2.8
Not long after this event, of which Sulim Shah was said to be the instigator, that Prince became afflicted with a fistula, of which he died, in the year 960, having reigned nine years. Like Sheer Shah, he was magnificent in his court equipage, and studied the convenience of travellers. From Bengal to the Indus he built an intermediate post-house between each of those which his father had erected, requiring that all who passed along the great road should be entertained at the public expence. In this year also died Mahmood Shah, King of Guzerat, and Boorhan Nizam Shah, King of Ahmudnuggur. In commemoration of the remarkable circumstance of these monarchs dying almost at the same time, the father of the author wrote a short epitaph, in which the words, "The ruin of kings," exhibit the date (i. e. 960.)
59.2.9
Among the most extraordinary events of this reign, is the insurrection produced by Sheikh Allayee. The story is as follows: — The father of Sheikh Allayee was Sheikh Hussun, who professed himself to be a holy man, in the town of Byana; but he adopted opposite tenets to those of Sheikh Sulim of Seekry. Sheikh Hussun dying, was succeeded by his eldest son, Sheikh Allayee, a person as remarkable for his ambition as for his learning. It happened that one Sheikh Abdoolla, a Neeazy Afghan, and a pupil of Sheikh Sulim, having returned from a pilgrimage to Mecca, arrived at Byana, and professed the Mehdvy doctrines of Syeed Mahomed Joonpoory. He and Sheikh Allayee becoming intimate, the latter imbibed the Mehdevy tenets, and abandoning the doctrines of his father and ancestors, quitted his house in town, and, in conformity with the practice of the Mehdvies, took up his residence outside of Byana; and with a considerable number of adherents, abandoning all worldly pursuits, gave himself up wholly to devotion, under the firm conviction of predestination. He preached daily with such persuasive eloquence, that many persons, becoming riveted to the spot, would not quit him, and abandoning their families, became converts to his doctrines, and ranged themselves among the disciples of Mahomed Joonpoory, the founder of the sect; so that, in some instances, men employed in agriculture or trade made vows to devote one-tenth of their receipts to charity and to religious purposes.
59.3.1
Several instances occurred wherein fathers abandoned their children, sons their fathers, husbands their wives, and wives their husbands, and devoted themselves to worship and retirement from the world; it being a principle among the sect to divide in common among their brethren all they possessed or received in charity. In cases where members of the sect got nothing for two or three days, they have been known to fast, resigning themselves entirely to their fate without complaint. It was their practice to go armed, and in every instance where they saw any person doing what they conceived contrary to the holy law, they warned him to abstain; but if he persisted, they used to attack and put him or them to death. Many of the magistrates themselves, being Mehdvies, connived at these proceedings, and those who even did not approve, were afraid to check and to punish them. Sheikh Abdoolla, perceiving to what lengths the zeal of Sheikh Allayee had carried him, recommended him to go on pilgrimage to Mecca, by way of removing him for a time from the sect, and he accordingly left Byana with a retinue of three hundred and seventy followers. On his arrival at Khowaspoor, the famous Khowas Khan came out to meet him, and embraced his tenets; but shortly after, disgusted with the conduct of the Mehdvies, he gave them up.
59.3.2
Sheikh Allayee, considering the defection of so great a man as Khowas Khan of too much importance to be allowed to pass unnoticed, he upbraided him with his apostasy, and, giving up his intention of proceeding to Mecca, returned to Byana. On the accession of Sulim Shah, Sheikh Allayee was sent for to Agra, to be present at the coronation; but he behaved so as to offend the King, who received him with great coolness, which the holy man resenting, matters proceeded to such lengths, that Moolla Abdoolla of Sooltanpoor eventually pronounced sentence of death on Sheikh Allayee. He was tried in the presence of the King by Meer Ruffeea-ood-Deen Anjoo, Moolla Julal Danishmund, Moolla Abool Futteh Tahnesurry, and sundry other eminently learned men, to ascertain if his pertinaciously disrespectful manner to the King was consistent with his situation as a subject, or was enjoined by any precept of the Koran. Sheikh Allayee failed to plead any thing in extenuation in his defence. Sulim Shah, however, promised not only to pardon him, but to make him Mohtisab, "Censor of Morals," throughout his kingdom, provided he would abandon the Mehdvy tenets. But refusing to apostatise from his doctrines, Sulim Shah caused him to be banished to Hindia, south of the Nerbudda. Behar Khan, one of the King's officers, was governor of Hindia, and he with all his followers shortly became converted by the persuasive eloquence of Sheikh Allayee.
59.3.3
Moolla Abdoolla, his inveterate foe, procured him to be sent for to Agra, where he underwent a second trial before a council of holy men, and was accused of personating the Imam Mehdy himself. Sulim Shah was informed by the same Moolla Abdoolla, that a large portion of his army, and many even of his own relations, had become the disciples of Sheikh Allayee, and he declared that the very throne was in danger. Sulim Shah, rejecting all that Moolla Abdoolla had said, sent Sheikh Allayee to Behar to be examined by Sheikh Burry, his own religious preceptor, with a determination of acting according to his opinion. Meanwhile the King went to Lahore. Sheikh Allayee, being sent to Behar, was tried and condemned by Sheikh Burry, and the sentence was submitted to the King for approval. A pestilence breaking out at this time, Sheikh Allayee was seized with the disease, and being brought before Sulim Shah, he was required to abjure his tenets; but he remained firm to the last, and having been ordered to be stripped and whipped, he died under the third lash.
59.3.4
Shortly after this event, which took place in the year 955, Sulim Shah died, and was succeeded by his son, the Prince Feroze, then twelve years of age, who was placed on the throne by the chiefs of the tribe of Soor at Gualiar. He had not reigned three days, when Moobariz Khan, the son of Nizam Khan Soor, at once the nephew of the late Sheer Shah, and brother-in-law of Sulim Shah, assassinated the young Prince, and ascending the throne, assumed the title of Mahomed Shah Adil. Nizam-ood-Deen Ahmud Bukshy states, in his history of Akbur, that Sulim Shah frequently told his wife, Beeby Bye, if she had any affection for her child Feroze, to consent to the execution of her brother Moobariz Khan, or she might rely on his putting his nephew to death on the first opportunity. She always replied, "My brother is too fond of dissipation and pleasure to encumber himself with the load of anxiety which belongs to a King." But it happened otherwise; for on the third day after the death of Sulim Shah, Moobariz Khan, having entered the female apartments, slew with his own hand the unhappy Prince, whom he dragged from the arms of his mother, Beeby Bye, his own sister.