Firishta's History (Gulshan-i Ibrāhīmī) 63.13
History of the Rise of the Mahomedan Power in India (Briggs) 63.13
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63.13.1
The King, in this year, went to Ajmere, and employed Shahbaz Khan Kumbo against Koombulmere, a strong fortress in the possession of the Rana of Oodipoor, which was taken in a masterly manner. In the mean time, the King marched by the route of Banswala and Mando to the Deccan frontier, and having learned that Moortuza Nizam Shah, King of Ahmudnuggur, was afflicted with insanity, thought the present a favourable opportunity to occupy that country. He was, however, diverted from his project at present by domestic affairs, and returned towards Agra by the way of Ajmere, where he appointed Moozuffur Khan to the high office of Minister. From Ajmere the King marched to Dehly, and from thence towards Kabul. On this journey a comet appeared every night (A. D. 1576). At Ajoodhun, Akbur visited the tomb of the famous Sheikh Fureed-ood-Deen; and giving up his intention of going to Kabul, returned to Futtehpoor Seekry. The great mosque in Futtehpoor was finished during this year. In the following year, Meeran Moobaruk Khan, ruler of Kandeish, having imprisoned Moozuffur Mirza, who, with his mother, had sought an asylum at Boorhanpoor, was compelled to deliver them into the King's hands. In the course of the same year, Hoossein Koolly Khan, Toorkoman, governor of Bengal, died. In 987 a great fire happened in the Furash Khana at Futtehpoor, which consumed many tents lined with velvet and brocade of great value.
63.13.2
After the death of Hoossein Koolly Khan, the Afghans began to raise insurrections in Bengal and Behar. Mirza Azeez Koka, late governor of Guzerat, was released from his confinement, and sent with a considerable army to suppress them. Mahomed Hukeem Mirza, the King's brother, taking advantage of the moment, made an attempt on Lahore, and sent Shadman Koka with a thousand horse, in advance. This officer, on crossing the Indus, was attacked by Koowur Man-Sing, in the Punjab, and routed; but on Mahomed Hukeem Mirza's reaching Rohtas, Koowur Man-Sing retreated to Lahore. The Prince, finding Rohtas was likely to be defended obstinately by Syud Yoosoof Khan Mushedy, marched to Lahore, and invested it on the 11th of Mohurrum, A. H. 989; in which place Raja Man-Sing, Syud Khan, and Raja Bhugwandas, had taken post. Notwithstanding the war in Bengal and Behar, the King marched from Agra to the relief of the north-western provinces; but on hearing of his approach, Mahomed Hukeem Mirza retreated to Kabul. On the King's arrival at Surhind, having learned that Shah Munsoor Shirazy had been carrying on a treasonable correspondence with his brother, he was executed. On reaching Rohtas, in Punjab, Syud Yoosoof Khan, the governor, came to pay his respects, and the army marched on to the Nilab; but finding it impracticable to throw a bridge across, owing to the rapidity of the stream, it crossed in boats. In consequence of this, Mahomed Hukeem Mirza's officers in Pishawur fled.
63.13.3
On the army reaching Julalabad, the Prince Sulim was left there, and the Prince Moorad proceeded with the advanced guard of the army. At the pass of Shooturgurduna, within thirty miles of Kabul, this division was attacked by Furedoon Khan, a general of Mahomed Hukeem Mirza, and lost almost all its baggage. On the 2d of Suffur, 989, Mahomed Hukeem Mirza opposed the Prince Moorad in person. Koowur Man-Sing and Toozuk Khan Atka having advanced, the elephant-swivels opened a fire. By mere accident an officer of Mahomed Hukeem Mirza, and three other persons, standing near him, were killed; on which he took to flight, losing many persons of distinction in the retreat. The King heard of this victory at Soorkhab, and entered Kabul without opposition on the 7th of Suffur. Mahomed Hukeem Mirza fled to Ghoorbund, and sent a deputation to the King, begging forgiveness, which being as readily granted, Kabul was restored to him, and on the 14th of Suffur the army returned towards Agra. Having reached the Nilab (Indus) the King ordered a fort to be built on its bank, which he called Attock, signifying, in the Indian language, the barrier; for, according to the superstitious notions of the Hindoos, it was held unlawful for them to cross that river. The King having arrived at Lahore on the 19th of Rumzan, conferred the government of that province on the Raja Bhugwandas, and in a few days marched to Futtehpoor Seekry, which now became the capital.
63.13.4
The disturbances in Bengal still continuing, Shahbaz Khan Kumbo, who had been placed under restraint, was released, and sent to reinforce the army in that quarter. At this time the King was taken dangerously ill of a bowel-complaint; and as his Majesty had adopted the habit of eating opium, as Hoomayoon, his father, had done before him, people became apprehensive on his account. He recovered shortly after, and gave away large sums in charity. In the month of Mohurrum, A. H. 991, Mirza Azeez Koka came from Bengal to pay his respects, and returned to his government. In the month of Shuval, the King went to Allahabad, where he caused the fort of Allahabad to be built, at the confluence of the Jumna and Ganges. Moozuffur Shah of Guzerat, who had been at large since the occupation of that country by Akbur, had gained so considerably on the King's favour, as to procure for him a handsome estate; on which having resided many years, he suddenly fled to Guzerat, and in concert with Sheer Khan Folady created an insurrection. Itimad Khan, Guzeratty, was now appointed governor, and Shahab-ood-Deen Ahmud Khan Nyshapoory recalled to court. After the arrival of the new governor, Shahab-ood-Deen Ahmud Khan, quitting Ahmudabad, came to Puttun, and halted some days; but most of his followers who had formed connections in Guzerat, unwilling to undertake the journey to court, deserted to Moozuffur Shah, who collected a considerable force.
63.13.5
Itimad Khan, leaving an officer in charge of Ahmudabad, went to Puttun, where Shahab-ood-Deen still remained encamped; and Moozuffur Shah, marching to Ahmudabad, got possession of it without difficulty. Itimad Khan having now prevailed on Shahab-ood-Deen Ahmud Khan to return with him, they both marched back to recover the capital; but Moozuffur Shah, coming out to oppose them, defeated and compelled them to fall back on Puttun; from whence Itimad Khan sent an express to acquaint Akbur of the state of affairs. Informed of these events, the King sent Mirza Abdool Ruheem, commonly called Mirza Khan, the son of the late Beiram Khan, Toorkoman, together with the officers stationed in Ajmere, to reinforce Itimad Khan; but before the arrival of Mirza Khan, Moozuffur Shah took Baroach, held by Mirza Kootb-ood-Deen Atka, in jageer, and having put him to death, obtained possession of fourteen lacks of rupees belonging to the King, beside all the private property of Kootb-ood-Deen Khan, estimated at more than ten crores. Moozuffur Shah, now repairing to Ahmudabad, was enabled to raise a large army. Mirza Khan, in the mean while, arrived at Puttun, and forming a junction with Shahab-ood-Deen Ahmud Khan, and other officers, mustered an army of eight thousand good horse, and marched to Ahmudabad. On reaching the village of Surkech, within six miles of that city, Moozuffur Shah, on the 15th of Mohurrum, 992, opposed him with an army of thirty thousand horse;
63.13.6
when a sanguinary battle took place, in which Mirza Khan was completely victorious. He forced the enemy to fly before him into the town of Ahmudabad, through which the Guzeratties were driven, and expelled with great slaughter, by the opposite gate. Being soon after joined by Kullich Khan, and some officers from Malwa, Mirza Khan pursued Moozuffur Shah towards Cambay, and drove him among the mountains of Nadote, where he made another feeble attempt to oppose the Moguls, but was expelled from his position by Mirza Khan's artillery, and eventually sought refuge in the vicinity of Joonagur with the Jam. Mirza Khan, returning to Ahmudabad, detached Kullich Khan to besiege the fort of Baroach, which he recovered out of the hands of Nuseer Khan, the brother-in-law of Moozuffur Shah. After a siege of seven months, Nuseer Khan evacuated the fort, and escaped to the Deccan. Moozuffur Shah, soon after, assisted by Jam Ameen, the Prince of Joonagur, advanced to a spot within sixty coss (ninety miles) of Ahmudabad; but no sooner had Mirza Khan marched to oppose him, than he fled to the jungle, without waiting his approach. After some time, however, having collected a number of Bheels, Colies, and Girassias, he made a third attempt to recover his dominions; but was defeated at Siranty, and compelled to seek refuge with Ray Sing Katty, Raja of Julwara. After a period of five months Mirza Khan was recalled to court;
63.13.7
but Moozuffur Shah again appearing in arms, the Mirza received the title of Khan Khanan, and returned as governor to Guzerat. In this year, Boorhan Nizam, the son of the late Hoossein Nizam Shah, and brother of Moortuza Nizam Shah Bheiry, King of Ahmudnuggur, left his brother and came to the court of Agra, where he was graciously received. Not long after, Shah Futteh Oolla Shirazy, one of the most learned men of that age, came also from the Deccan, and had an honourable office assigned to him near the King's person. In the year 993, Syed Moortuza Subzwarry and Khoodawund Khan Hubshy, having been defeated by Sulabut Khan, took refuge at the Mogul court. The King, who had long entertained thoughts of invading the Deccan, sent all the refugees from Ahmudnuggur to reside with Mirza Azeez Koka, who was now appointed governor of Malwa, with orders to take advantage of circumstances, and march into the Deccan. At the same time, Shah Futteh Oolla Shirazy having received the title of Azd-ood-Dowla, was also sent thither, to aid in arrangements for the same purpose.