The Book of Akbar (Shaykh Ilāhdād Faiḍī Sirhindī) 1
Akbar-náma, of Shaikh Illahdád Faizí Sirhindí (Elliot & Dowson, extracts) 1
- Language
- English
1.1
An Account of the manner in which the Khwaja Abdu-l Majid Asaf Khan conquered the country of Panna and Garha-katanka, by the eternal good fortune of His Majesty. It is not unknown to those who are acquainted with the events of this period, that Khwaja ’Abdu-l Majid Harawi was originally a scribe, who had, during the reign of the late blessed monarch, been constantly employed in transacting the affairs of the household. During His Majesty’s fortunate reign, he had also held similar offices of trust. Step by step he obtained promotion, and received the title of Asaf Khan. A jagir was given him in the sarkar of Garha-katanka, which is a very spacious country. Katanka is a separate village near Garha. In the year 970, and the eighth year of the reign, his experience induced him to desire to gain possession of the land of Panna, which adjoined his own possessions. He sent an urgent message to Raja Ram Chand, whose ancestors had always ruled that country, and with whom Ghazi Khan Tatar had taken refuge after his flight from the Court of the Asylum of the Universe. He counselled him strongly for his own welfare to become a subject of His Majesty, and pay him tribute. He also recommended him to send Ghazi Khan, who had been a rebel, and received shelter from him, to the Protector of the World.
1.2
Ram Chand’s ill-fortune and pride prevented him from being moved by these representations, and he made preparations for war. Asaf Khan, being free from apprehension, and trusting in the eternal success of His Majesty’s arms, brought an army against him. Raja Ram Chand, aided by Ghazi Khan Tatar, and a vast multitude, like locusts and ants, also drew up in battle array. Both parties did their best, and fought valiantly; but, at last, Ram Chand was routed, and Ghazi Khan and many others were put to the sword. Raja Ram Chand fled thence to the castle of Mandhun, which is noted for being one of the strongest fortified places in Hindustan. Much plunder fell into the hands of the victorious troops. Shortly afterwards Raja Ram Chand, repenting of what he had done, by the assistance of several of the chief Rajas who were faithful subjects of the King, was admitted into the train of the submissive and obedient. A royal farman was despatched to the effect, that as Raja Ram Chand had taken the best course for his own good, and submitted himself, his country was not to be invaded. On the receipt of this order, Asaf Khan returned to his own jagir, and took measures for the reduction of Garha, which was near his own territory. The chief place of that country is Chauragarh. The land contains 70,000 inhabited villages. It is bounded on one side by Malwa and the Dakhin, on another by Garha.
1.3
It is a separate principality, governed by a Rani named Durgavati, who was remarkable for her beauty and loveliness. Asaf Khan, whose possessions her country bordered on, and whose people were constantly going to and fro, managed to make himself well acquainted with its general condition, and the state of its revenues. He began to ravage and plunder the villages in its districts, waiting for an opportunity of taking more extreme measures. At last, in the year 971, in the ninth year of the reign, he valiantly set out with 10,000 horse and foot, purposing to take possession of the country. His valour made him look on this as a matter of easy accomplishment. The Rani, owing to her pride and confidence in her own skill and courage, attended to her own affairs, and utterly disregarded the fact that she had a neighbour whose valour had been proved on several occasions, particularly in the case of Baz Bahadur, who had attacked him with the Afghans of the tribe of Miyanah, and whom he had vanquished. She had always kept up a force of 20,000 horsemen, but she was suddenly told that the valiant troops of His Majesty had arrived at Damuda, one of her chief towns, at a time when her troops were dispersed. She had only 500 men with her. Adhar, who was entrusted with the management of the whole business of that country, informed her how affairs stood. The Rani said, “This is through your stupidity.
1.4
I have long ruled this country, and never acted in such a manner as to bring disgrace on myself. Now, from what you tell me, if the King were here in person, I would present myself before him; but now there is no remedy but war!” The Rani made four marches from that place, and found herself face to face with the Imperial army. Asaf Khan had gone as far as Damuda with great speed, but he delayed there. The Rani thus had time to collect some 4000 men, and her courtiers recommended her to give battle, advising her, however, to post herself in some strong position until the arrival of more troops. The Rani agreed to this counsel, and retreated into the jungles and strong places, so that Asaf Khan became ignorant of her whereabouts. Asaf Khan turned back from that place, and on reaching Garha, he took possession of its villages and territories. In the mean time, 5000 men had been collected. When Asaf Khan was informed of the Rani’s movements, he left a force in Garha, and proceeded in person against her. The Rani was informed of this, and said to her people, “How long shall we take refuge among the trees and jungles?” She then made up her mind to fight, and mounting her elephant, she went amidst her troops, endeavouring by suitable exhortations to encourage and prepare them for war. When both armies met, a desperate battle began. Three hundred Mughals obtained martyrdom, and the Rani pursued the fugitives.
1.5
At the close of day, the Rani consulted with her chiefs as to what was best to be done, and every one said something. The Rani was of opinion that she had better return to her camp, and thence make a night attack, or else remain where they were until daybreak and then renew the battle, because, in the event of her not doing something, Asaf Khan would seize the hill in the morning, and post his artillery on it. Having determined on a night attack, she returned to her camp, but no one agreed with her on this matter, or showed any resolution. At daybreak, what she had predicted, happened, Asaf Khan possessed himself of the summit of the hill, and having fortified it, he took post there with his army. The Rani again, intent on fighting, drew up her soldiers and mounted her best elephant. She caused Adhar, who has been mentioned before, to ride before her on her elephant. Such a conflict took place, that, throwing away guns and arrows, the combatants seized each other's collars, and fought hand to hand. Raja Birsah, the heir-apparent, behaved with the utmost valour. The conflict lasted until the third watch of the day, and the Raja repulsed the royal troops three times, but at last he was wounded. When the Rani learnt what had happened to her son, she directed her confidential servants to convey him in the best way they could from the field of battle to a place of safety, which they did.
1.6
Whilst this was going on, so large a body of men went away from the Rani, that not more than 300 remained with her. Notwithstanding this, she firmly maintained her ground, and encouraged her men to fight. Suddenly fate directed an arrow, which struck her on the temple. This she courageously drew out herself, but its barb remained in the wound. This arrow was followed by another, which wounded her in the neck, which she extracted in the same way, but fainted from excess of pain. When she came round, she said to Adhar, who was in front of her, “I have always placed trust and confidence in you against a day like this; so that, in the event of my meeting with defeat, you might not suffer me to fall into the hands of the enemy.” Adhar had not the power to do what she required, so she drew out her dagger, and died a manly death. Very many of her confidential adherents loyally gave up their lives. By the favour of the Almighty, and the fortune of the King of Kings, a victory, the splendour of which exceeded all other victories, was obtained. A thousand elephants, and countless booty, fell into the hands of the victorious troops, and an extensive territory was added to His Majesty’s dominions.
1.7
Asaf Khan, after the lapse of two months, proceeded towards Chauragarh. The Rani’s son, who had gone thither from the field of battle, came out to oppose him; but after a short struggle, the army of the King gained possession of the fort. In it were found a great amount of gold, priceless jewels, gold and silver plate, and images of their divinities, together with other valuables and property, which had been collected there by the Rajas during many centuries, as is the custom of those people. All these fell into the hands of Asaf Khan; a hundred and one cooking pots, full of large and valuable gold coins, came into his possession. The performance of this notable action caused his pomp and dignity greatly to increase, and men placed great trust in him. Nevertheless, this faithless man only sent 200 out of the 1000 elephants which he had captured as a pesh-kash to Court, and withheld the jewels and valuables altogether. His Majesty’s magnanimity overlooked this, and he took no notice of the circumstance. Asaf Khan remained established in the government of Garha and Karra, until His Majesty proceeded to Jaunpur for the purpose of chastising Khan-zaman.
1.8
A most remarkable event occurred at Chauragarh. When Raja Birsah, the Rani’s son, was shut up there, a certain number of men were appointed, in the event of a defeat, for the purpose of performing the Jauhar, an ancient custom of the Rajas of Hind. On occasions like this, they shut their women up in the house, and after heaping up straw, wood, cotton, and ghee around it, they set fire to the pile and burn them. This they look upon as a means of saving their honour. When the fort was nearly reduced, they did this, and all the beautiful women were reduced to ashes. After the capture of the place, when the flames had ceased on the second day, they examined the place, and discovered two females underneath a large block of wood. One of them was the Rani’s sister, the other the Raja’s wife, with whom he had not yet cohabited. They were taken out unhurt, and sent to the royal harem.