Gul-i Rahmat, of Sa'ádat Yár Khán (Elliot & Dowson, extracts)
Translation of Gul-i Rahmat (Gul-i Raḥmat)
- Language
- English
- Date
- 1877 CE
- Translators
- Henry Miers Elliot, John Dowson
- Extent
- 16 passages, 3,742 words
- Text
- complete digital text
- Source
- archive.org · The History of India, as told by its own Historians. The Muhammadan Period. The posthumous papers of Sir H.… · Public domain (published before 1930)
Contents
- 1 — 3 parts
Text
1.1.1
[When Zabita Khan received intelligence of the passage (of the Ganges) by the Mahrattas, and of the deaths of Sa'adat Khan, Sadik Khan, and Karam Khan, the officers whom he had stationed to guard the ford, he was overpowered with astonishment, and fled in great bewilderment from Sakartal. He crossed the Ganges with a small escort, and proceeded to the camp of Faizu-llah Khan, carrying with him the intelligence of the Mahratta attack upon Najibabad. Faizu-llah Khan said : " I came here for the purpose of giving you advice ; but as you will not listen to my words, I shall now go back to my own country." On hearing this declaration, Zabita Khan was still more downcast, and returned to his own forces. When he reached the Ganges, the good fortune of the Emperor plunged him into a sea of hesitation, and notwithstanding the number of his forces, and his powerful armament, he made no attempt to cross the river, but returned to Faizu-llah Khan.
1.1.2
When he arrived, he found Faizu-llah Khan seated on an elephant, about to depart. He mounted the same elephant, and proceeded with Faizu-llah to Rampur. On the news of his flight to Katehr reaching Sakartal, his soldiers were dispirited. They plundered each other, and then scattered in all directions. On receiving intelligence of these movements, the Mahrattas quickly advanced to Sakartal, and fell to plundering. * * The garrison of the fort of Najibabad, who had held out in the hope of relief, were dismayed when they heard of the flight of Zabita Khan, and surrendered the fort to the royal forces. On taking possession of the fort, the people and family of Zabita Khan, including his son Ghulam Kadir, were placed in confinement. All the materiel, the treasure and the artillery collected by Najibu-d daula, fell into their hands. On the news of the advance of the Mahrattas towards Rampur reaching the chiefs of Katehr, all the inhabitants of Anwala and Bisauli assembled. Fearing to be attacked by the Mahrattas, they fled in dismay to Bareilly. Some of them went to Pilibhit, intending to proceed to the hills. Hafiz Rahmat Khan was returning from Farrukhabad to Tilhar when he heard of the defeat of Zabita Khan. He hastened to Bareilly, where he cheered and encouraged the chiefs and officers who were there assembled, and tried to dissuade them from removing to the hills. He said that the Mahrattas had no intention of attacking Katehr;
1.1.3
and that if they really did advance, negociations might be opened with them and with the Emperor. If terms were agreed upon, all would be well; if not, they would fight. His auditors replied that there was no fortress of strength in Bareilly or Pilibhit: it was therefore desirable to carry off their families and property to the hills; for after these were placed in security, they themselves would be ready either for business or for war. Hafiz Rahmat reluctantly consented to their wishes. After Shaikh Kabir had entered Bareilly, Hafiz Rahmat took his departure, and leaving 'Inayat Khan in Pilibhit, he proceeded to Nanak-math, in the skirt of the hills. From thence he went with his followers and chiefs and soldiers to Gangapur, five kos distant in the hills, and surrounded with dense jungle, which secures it from the attacks of horsemen. There he remained. There also arrived Zabita Khan, in company with Faizu-llah Khan, who made their way through the jungle. Zabita Khan remained at Gangapur four days. He then found that Shuja'u-d daula was encamped at Shahabad, having advanced to the borders of his territories on hearing of the Mahratta attack upon Katehr.
1.1.4
Zabita Khan went off in great distress from Gangapur to see Shujau-d daula, and to solicit his assistance in obtaining the release of his family. After talking over the matter, Shuja'u-d daula postponed any action until after the arrival of Hafiz Rahmat. Zabita Khan wrote repeatedly to Hafiz Rahmat, begging him to come quickly. * * The chiefs of Katehr suffered much from the inclemency of the climate of Gangapur, and yielding to their solicitations, Hafiz Rahmat proceeded quickly to Shahabad, at the beginning of the year 1186 A.H. (1772 A.D.), with three or four thousand men, horse and foot. When he approached, Shuja'u-d daula and the General Sahib went forth to meet him and pay him due respect. After they had sat down together, they talked about the release of Zabita Khan's family, and of the settlement of his affairs with the Mahrattas. After much debate, Shuja'u-d daula and the General Sahib sent their wakils with some officers of Hafiz Rahmat to the Mahratta sardars. A great deal was said at the interview; but at length the Mahrattas sent a message to the effect that they had expended fifty lacs of rupees, and that they would not give up the family of Zabita Khan until this sum of money was paid, nor would they loosen their hold upon his territory or the country of Katehr. The wakils had several meetings, and the Mahrattas at length agreed to take forty lacs; but they demanded as security for payment a deed under the seal of Shuja'u-d daula.
1.1.5
The Nawab said that he had entered upon the matter entirely out of regard to Hafiz Rahmat, and that if Hafiz would give a bond for the payment of the money, he would send his own bond to the Mahratta sardars. All the chiefs of Katehr who were present at the Council besought Hafiz Rahmat that he would without hesitation give his bond to Shuja'u-d daula, to secure peace for Zabita Khan, and said that they would all assist in the payment of the money. So Hafiz Rahmat, to befriend Zabita Khan, and to gratify the chiefs of Katehr, gave his bond for forty lacs of rupees to Shuja'u-d daula. The latter then executed his bond, and sent it to the Mahrattas. In this he undertook to pay them forty lacs of rupees, when they had retired over the Jumna and entered Shah-Jahanabad; and when they had sent back the family of Zabita Khan, and had withdrawn their hands from the country of Katehr.
1.1.6
On receipt of this document, the Mahrattas sent the family of Zabita Khan to Shuja'u-d daula and Hafiz Rahmat; they then crossed the Ganges and proceeded towards Shah-Jahanabad. * * When Hafiz Rahmat heard that Zabita Khan's family had reached Bareilly, he took leave of Shuja'u-d daula and General Parker, and went to Pilibhit. * * After some days, Hafiz Rahmat called upon the chiefs of Katehr for the money he had become responsible for at their solicitation, and for which he had given his bond to Shuja'u-d daula. They all began to lament their destitute condition, and made all sorts of excuses and evasions. Unable to do what he wished, Hafiz Rahmat did what he could, and sent the sum of five lacs out of his own treasury to Shuja'u-d daula. * * The wakils of Mahaji Sindhia and Taku Holkar, chiefs of the Mahrattas, waited upon Hafiz Rahmat, and informed him that their chiefs were about to attack the territories of Shuja'u-d daula, and that if he would join them, he should receive half of whatever territory should be conquered. If he declined to join them, they would respect his country, and return to him Shuja'u-d daula's bond for the forty lacs of rupees, no part of which had been paid, and give up all claim on that account, provided he would allow them a passage, and would make no opposition to their crossing the Ganges. In reply to these proposals, Hafiz Rahmat requested time for consideration.
1.1.7
Keeping the Mahratta wakils with him, he sent to inform Shuja'u-d daula of what the Mahrattas proposed, adding that they undertook to forego all claim upon himself for the forty lacs of rupees on condition of his remaining neutral. He added, "If you will send me back my sealed bond, and will hasten to oppose the Mahrattas, I will dismiss the Mahratta wakils, and will guard the fords of the Ganges. United, we will beat the Mahrattas, and drive them from this country." Upon receipt of this letter, Shuja'u-d daula immediately wrote a reply (expressing his gratification), adding that he sent Saiyid Shah Madan as his representative, and that he would not deviate a hair's breadth from any agreement the Saiyid should make. * * After his arrival, the Saiyid promised Hafiz Rahmat that the bond should be returned to him after the repulse of the Mahrattas, when he and Shuja'u-d daula would soon meet. The Nawab entreated Hafiz Rahmat to banish all suspicion, for there was no cause of dissension between them. * * Hafiz Rahmat sent back the wakils with a proper answer to Shuja'u-d daula. On the same day he sent Ahmad Khan, son of the Bakhshi, in all haste from Aonla to secure the ford of Ram-ghat. A few days afterwards, hearing of the approach of the Mahrattas, he marched from Bareilly by way of Aonla to Bisauli. From that place he sent back the wakils of the Mahrattas, rejecting their proposals. He then proceeded with his small force to Ram-ghat.
1.1.8
When the Mahratta wakils returned, they informed their chiefs of the little support given to Hafiz Rahmat, and of the smallness of his force. Hafiz Rahmat advanced to the distance of three kos from Asadpur, where Ahmad Khan was encamped, and in consequence of the celerity of his march his whole force had not come up: he had with him only four or five thousand men, horse and foot. The Mahrattas had received information through their spies of the limited number of his men, and resolved to attack him. They crossed the river during the night, and pressed onwards; but during the darkness they lost their way, and came upon Ahmad Khan's force, which they attacked. The pickets which Ahmad Khan had thrown out were watchful, and upon their reports the men were posted in the buildings and gardens of Asadpur. The fight raged hotly all day from morn till eve, and notwithstanding the immense numbers of the Mahrattas, they were unable to prevail over the small body of Afghans. After many men had been slain on both sides, Ahmad Khan, considering the immense force arrayed against him, sent a message to Takui Holkar and Sindhia, proposing an interview. They were only too glad to accede. Ahmad Khan went with a few followers to meet them. The Mahratta sardars kept him with them, and pitched their camp there.
1.2.1
The intelligence reached Hafiz Rahmat, while he was encamped near Asadpur, that 60,000 Mahrattas had crossed the river, and had attacked Ahmad Khan. He instantly drew out his forces, and was about to march for the relief of Ahmad Khan; but just then the news came that the Khan had gone to see the Mahratta chiefs. Hafiz Rahmat's chiefs and officers now urged upon him that it was inexpedient with his small force to wage war against the Mahratta hosts. * * Muhibbu-llah Khan joined him with two or three thousand men, and Mustakim Khan also arrived with four or five thousand more; some others also came in, so that he now mustered ten or twelve thousand men. In the morning Hafiz Rahmat gave orders for the mustering of his forces to attack the Mahrattas, and all were in readiness, awaiting further orders, when messengers arrived from Shuja'u-d daula, announcing that his army was close at hand. As soon as he heard this, Hafiz Rahmat marched to attack the Mahrattas. At the same time the advanced forces of Shuja'u-d daula, General Chamkin (Champion) and Mahbub 'Ali Khan eunuch, came up at the critical moment, and opened fire with their guns upon the Mahrattas. The forces of the Mahrattas were in two divisions. Mahaji Sindhia opposed Shujau-d daula, and Taku Holkar attacked Hafiz Rahmat. Both bodies of Mahrattas fought well and bravely; but the heavy fire of the English artillery and the flashing swords of the Afghans made them recede, and they took to flight.
1.2.2
Mahaji Sindhia passed over the Ganges by a bridge of boats, and halted on the other side. Taku Holkar was too hard pressed by the Afghans to be able to cross; so he fled on the same side of the river towards Sambhal. General Chamkin (Champion) and Mahbub 'Ali Khan crossed the river in their boats and attacked Sindhia, when he precipitately abandoned his baggage and camp, and took to flight, never stopping till he had covered five kos. The General seized upon his camp, took everything he found, and pitched his own camp upon the spot. Hafiz Rahmat pursued Holkar for some distance; but the Mahrattas were mounted on swift horses, and traversed a long distance in the night. Hafiz Rahmat stopped near the battle-field to rest his men; Holkar went nearly to Sambhal, and he sent forward his advanced forces to plunder that place, and Muradabad and Rampur. * * Hafiz Rahmat followed with all his force, and when Holkar heard of his near approach, he gave up his design upon Rampur, and fled in great disorder from Sambhal towards the ford of Phaphu. He reached the Ganges, and having crossed it with great exertion by swimming, he united his force with that of Sindhia. When Hafiz Rahmat heard of his having crossed and effected a junction with Sindhia, he proceeded towards Phaphu, and encamped upon the bank of the river. Afterwards he marched to join Shuja'u-d daula, who was encamped twelve kos off in face of Sindhia, to consult with him about the release of Ahmad Khan.
1.2.3
After much parley Sindhia agreed to release his prisoner for a ransom of two lacs of rupees; and on payment of the money, Ahmad Khan obtained his liberty. Sindhia then marched off towards Dehli; Háfiz Rahmat and Shuja'u-d daula, by way of precaution, remained some days at the same place, and the two had frequent interviews. Háfiz Rahmat sent Muhammad Khán and 'Abdu-llah Khán * * to require from Shujá'u-d daula the return of the bond for forty lacs, in accordance with the verbal promise made by Sháh Madan, his wakíl. Shujá'u-d daula denied that he had ever made any promise to return it, and that Sháh Madan could never have made such an offer. Háfiz Rahmat's friends urged that Shuja'u-d daula had written a letter promising to faithfully adhere to the verbal arrangements made by Sháh Madan. They then required that Sháh Madan should be brought forward, that he might be questioned upon the point. Shujá'u-d daula sent for him, and after trying to bias him, asked what it was that he had said to Háfiz Rahmat about the bond. Sháh Madan was one of the honourable Saiyids of Sháhábád, and deeming a lie to be derogatory to his honour, he spoke the whole truth, and nothing but the truth, saying, "In accordance with the directions of His Highness, I made a promise for the restoration of the bond." Shuja'u-d daula got into a rage, and said it was all a lie and a conspiracy, for he had never uttered a word of such a promise.
1.2.4
Sháh Madan three or four times affirmed the truth of his statement, and then held his peace. Khán Muhammad, seeing no hope of obtaining the bond, uttered some sharp words, at which Shujá'u-d daula also waxed warm, and went into his private apartments in a rage. * * Háfiz Rahmat did not deem it advisable to press further for the restoration of the bond at that time, and, concealing his annoyance, he said no more about it. Shuja'u-d daula was very much vexed with Háfiz Rahmat. He remained several days at the same place, and busied himself in winning over Háfiz Rahmat's officers and soldiers. * * At the end of the year 1187 A.H. (1773 A.D.), Shujau-d daula busied himself in winning over to his side, by various inducements, the people of Katehr, both small and great. * * Having gained several chiefs and officers of that country, he felt full confidence, and marched to effect first the conquest of Etawa. The Mahratta detachments, which had been left there when their armies returned to the Dakhin, were too small in numbers to offer any resistance, and retreated before him. He soon made himself master of Etawa, and prepared to settle its administration. But Hafiz Rahmat wrote to him, protesting against this, and saying that the country of Etawa had been conferred upon him, after the battle of Panipat, by Ahmad Shah Durrani, as the Nawab knew full well.
1.2.5
That after the end of the war, he had obtained possession of a large portion of the country, and although circumstances had made it necessary for him to allow the land to pass into the hands of the Mahrattas, he was about to take measures for recovering it. * * Shuja'u-d daula wrote in answer that he had not taken the country from Hafiz Rahmat, but from the Mahrattas, so there was no cause of complaint. * * Hafiz Rahmat repeatedly urged the restoration of Etawa; but Shuja'u-d daula, having secured the support of the chiefs of Katehr, was desirous of bringing the question to the test of war. So he wrote to Hafiz Rahmat, demanding speedy payment of the thirty-five lacs of rupees, which were due out of the forty thousand for which he (Shuja'u-d daula) had given his bond to the Mahrattas. After this had been settled, the question of Etawa might be gone into. After this, Shuja'u-d daula called together his forces, and prepared to march into Katehr.
1.2.6
Hafiz Rahmat, seeing that Shuja'u-d daula was intent upon war, wrote in reply, "The money which the Mahrattas received from you has already been repaid; to demand more from me than the Mahrattas have either received or asked, and to make it the excuse for strife and warfare, is unworthy of your high position. If, in spite of everything, you are resolved upon war, I am ready for you." On receipt of this letter, the Nawab drew together his forces, and prepared to pass the Ganges by way of Koriya-ganj. Hafiz Rahmat also ordered his camp to be pitched outside of the town on the Anwala side.
1.2.7
General Champion, who was with Shuja'u-d daula, wrote to Háfiz Rahmat, promising that, if he would pay the money, or would promise to pay it in two or three months, he (the General) would, by his own influence, effect a peace, and cause Shuja'u-d daula to return to his own country. Pahár Singh, díwán of Katehr, [urged Háfiz Rahmat to assent to the General's advice]. But death had deprived him of all his friends and supporters, such as * *, and especially of 'Ináyat Khán, his son; he had therefore withdrawn his heart from the world, and was desirous of martyrdom. He said that he had not got the money, or he would send it; and that to ask others for it, to seize it by force, or to be under any obligation to Shujá'u-d daula for it, he considered so disgraceful, that he would leave the matter to the arbitrament of God, and would welcome martyrdom. * * He sent an answer to the General to the above effect. Then he issued a general order in these words, "Let those who think fit accompany me, and let those who are unwilling depart. Each man may do as he likes. I have many enemies and few friends, but this I heed not."
1.3
On the 11th Muharram, 1188 A.H. (24th March, 1774 A.D.), Háfiz Rahmat marched out of Bareilly with a moderate force, and went towards Anwála. * * The alarm of war having spread, numbers of Afgháns from Mau and Farrukhábád, and the inhabitants of Katehr, both subjects and strangers, obeying the instinct of clanship, gathered round Háfiz Rahmat. Zamíndárs of the Rájpút tribe, who had lived in peace under his rule, came in troops to support him without summons, so that his array increased in numbers every day. * * Háfiz Rahmat marched from Tánda, and crossing the Rám-gangá at the ford of Kiyára, he entered Farídpur, seven kos to the east of Bareilly. Shujá'u-d daula advanced by successive marches to Sháh-Jahánpúr. * * From thence he went on to Tilhar, where he rested and prepared for action. Háfiz Rahmat then marched from Farídpur, and crossing the river Bhagal, encamped in the groves around Karra. There was then a distance of not more than seven or eight kos between the two armies. * * Two or three days after, Shuja'u-d daula, acting on the advice of General Champion, who was the most accomplished General of the time, made a march towards Pilibhit, and halted at the village of Musali, where there was a wide open plain. Reports of an intended attack on Pilibhit spread through both armies. Hafiz Rahmat thereupon left Farra, for the purpose of protecting Pilibhit, and encamped in face of the enemy in the open plain. * * General Champion cheered the drooping heart of Shuja'u-d daula, and taking the command of the advanced force, he selected the positions for the guns, and made the necessary arrangements for the battle. * *
On the 11th Safar Shuja'u-d daula advanced with an army numbering 115,000 horse and foot. * * Hafiz Rahmat went to the tent of Faizu-llah Khan, and said, "My end is near at hand. So long as I remain alive, do not turn away from the field; but when I fall, beware, do not press the battle, but leave the field directly, and flee with my children and dependents to the hills. This is the best course for you to take, and if you act upon my advice, it will be the better for you." After giving these directions, he mounted his horse, and marched against the enemy with ten thousand horse and foot. He had proceeded only a short distance, when the advanced force of the enemy came in sight, and fire was opened from cannons and muskets. * * Ahmad Khan, son of the Bakhshi, who had made a secret agreement with Shuja'u-d daula, now fell back, and set the example of flight, which many others followed. * * Hafiz Rahmat had only about fifty supporters left when he drew near to the Telingas and English. He was recognized by his umbrella, of which spies had given a description, and a cannon was levelled against him. He advanced in front of all his companions, using his utmost efforts. The cannon-balls fell all around, and * * at length one struck him on the breast. He was lifted off his horse, and after taking a sip or two of water, he drank the cup of martyrdom.