The Book of Akbar (Shaykh Ilāhdād Faiḍī Sirhindī) 3: Campaign in the Siwalik.
Akbar-náma, of Shaikh Illahdád Faizí Sirhindí (Elliot & Dowson, extracts) 3
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Campaign in the Siwalik.
3.1
[Armaments had been several times sent under different amirs of distinction to effect the subjugation of Jammu, Ramgarh, and other places; but this difficult enterprise had never been satisfactorily accomplished. So, on the 10th Muharram, 1003, the Emperor sent Shaikh Farid Bakhshiu-l Mulk, with several other amirs and a considerable force, to effect the conquest. He had great confidence in the ability and resolution of the Bakhshi. The force marched to the Siwalik hills, and the Bakhshi resolved to begin by attacking Jammu, one of the strongest forts in that country, which had once been reduced after considerable resistance by Salim Khan Sur. The Raja made signs of resistance, and it was resolved to attack him before the army proceeded to occupy the territories of the rebels in other directions. Husain Beg and some other officers were accordingly sent against him. When the Raja and the zamindars heard of the approach of the Imperial forces, they were greatly alarmed, and surrendered the fort of Jammu. After placing a garrison in the place, the Bakhshi marched against the fort of Ramgarh, which he took by assault, and placed in the custody of the men of Nawab Zain Khan Koka. Husain Beg now returned and joined the main force. Another force was now sent under Payinda Kakshal, to receive the submission of such Rajas and zamindars as were willing to pay their allegiance, and to coerce those who resisted.
3.2
The army then proceeded towards Jasruna and Lakhanpur, and the Rajas and zamindars, who had long been independent, submitted and paid their revenue. On reaching Samba, Bhabu, the Raja of Jasruna, and Balidar, the zamindar of Lakhanpur, came in. This Bhabu had been the leader of the rebels, and the great promoter of the strife. * * Next day Suraj Singh, son of Basu, the Raja of Mu, came in, and made his allegiance, and he was placed in charge of Husain Beg Shaikh ’Umari, until it should be determined by the Emperor how the parganas of Samba and Jasruna should be disposed of. Two kos from Samba a fort was built. Muhammad Khan Turkoman was sent forward to take charge of Lakhanpur.
3.3
The army next proceeded to the village of Aliya, where Bhabu was, and there encamped. This is a strong place, surrounded on all sides by jungle so dense, that it was difficult to pass through it. Hither the rebels and fugitives fled and hid, deeming themselves safe from all pursuit. Shaikh Farid stayed for some days at that village, and gave orders for clearing away the jungle by the axe and by fire. The soldiers were engaged in the work for several days; but were unable to clear away more than a road of twenty or thirty gaz wide. Several of the old trees which were fit for building purposes were cut down and sent to Lahore for use in the government buildings. Bhabu, before mentioned, had been the chief and most active of the rebels, and he had done an immense deal of harm. A royal order had been given, that no effort should be spared to capture him. Now that he was in the hands of the army, it was determined to send him to the Emperor in charge of ’Alí Muhammad.
3.4
When the army reached Jasrúna, the native place of Bhabú, his sons and brethren and friends gathered together, and took up a strong position at a small castle on a hill. This hill was covered with jungle from top to bottom, with only one narrow way, along which one or two horsemen might pass. On each side of this road there was a wall, with loopholes through which muskets might be fired, and arrows shot, upon strangers and foes, to prevent their approach. At the bottom of the hill, on the level ground, there was a cultivated tract, in which there was a fort, with moats. Shaikh Faríd, when he perceived these hostile preparations, determined to capture the place, and punish the rebels. He first sent forward Husain Beg to attack the lower fort. By great exertion the moat was filled, the gates burst open, and the fort was taken. Several of the assailants were killed by wounds from gun-shots and arrows. Then the troops entered the jungle to attack the upper fort. The enemy hotly disputed the passage through the jungle with their muskets and bows. But the valiant soldiers returned the fire, and pressed on till they reached the gate of the fort. Then they set fire to the place, and the rebels fled for refuge into the jungle. All the buildings and crops were burnt.
3.5
Husain Beg halted here, and sent intelligence of his success to Shaikh Faríd. An answer was returned, directing him to fortify the place and stay there the night, or to leave a detachment, and himself rejoin the main force. It was late in the day, the army was two kos distant, the way through the jungle was narrow and difficult, and the returning force might be attacked at great disadvantage; so Husain Beg resolved to rest for the night, and to make his way back in the morning. All night long the enemy harassed them from all parts of the jungle with arrows; but according to the plan agreed upon, each man sat behind his breastwork (morchal) with his shield over his head, never moving or making a noise. The night was thus passed mid a constant rain of arrows; but in the morning the forces made their way through the jungle, and effected their junction safely. Husain Beg obtained great praise for his gallantry, and rewards in in'ams, money, and robes were bestowed upon the officers and soldiers. Having left Husain Beg there with a garrison, the army proceeded towards Lakhanpur. The Raja came out to meet it. The pargana was given to Muhammad Khan Turkoman, and a sufficient garrison was placed in the fort. Then the army crossed the Ravi by a ford, and proceeded to the pargana of Pathan; next day it marched to Mu, a pargana under the authority of Basu. At this time Basu was at Court, but his son had at the first come forward and accompanied the army.
3.6
He was now told that he ought to seize the opportunity for sending a suitable offering in acknowledgment of the country having been graciously confirmed to him. The son of Basu sent two vakils to invite the Bakhshi to his home, a fort on the top of a hill, to receive the tribute. So the chief men of the army proceeded with an escort to Mu, which is a very strong fort. Excepting some cultivated land immediately joining the fort, the whole hill is covered with impenetrable jungle. The road through is very narrow, and in places strong gates are erected across it. At the foot of the hill there is also cultivated land, and around it there are stone walls and deep ditches. The country round is exceedingly pleasant, the gardens are full of fruit trees, and there are plenty of running streams. Basu’s residence was a fine extensive building. The place was visited and examined, and after Basu’s vakils had discharged the duties of hospitality, the tribute was brought forth, consisting of valuable horses and fine cloths. The other territories of the neighbourhood, which had been held by rebellious Rajas and zamindars, were granted to jagirdars as tankhwah.
3.7
The army then proceeded to Gwalior, which is also a strong fort belonging to a different Raja, who came out to meet the army and show his loyalty. The Rani of Nagarkot, whose son was at the Imperial Court, sent her vakil to pay her respects. On every side the rebels were compelled to submit, and show their obedience. All the country which had been in the hands of the rebels between Jammu and Nagarkot was reduced, and the Rajas and zamindars made their submission, or received merited punishment. In fact, the country was subjugated in a manner which it had never been before. The affairs of the clan (jama'at) of the Jasuwalas, who are zamindars with a (common) army, now had to be settled. But when they heard of the approach of the royal army, and of the reduction of the territories of the zamindars, all hope of successful resistance was beaten out of them, and they made humble submission.
3.8
Intelligence now arrived that Kazi Hasan had been appointed to relieve Shaikh Farid. The reason of this was, that the Emperor greatly valued the services of the Shaikh, and when he learned that the country had been reduced, and there remained but little to require his presence there, he appointed Kazi Hasan, who had formerly seen service and gained experience in the hills under the son of Kalij Khan, to go and relieve the Shaikh, and to finish what yet remained to be done in concert with the other nobles in the army. Shaikh Farid Bakhshi was to return to Court. When the Kazi arrived, the Bakhshi represented that there still remained some work to be done, and it seemed advisable for him to remain a few days and accomplish his work, after which he would proceed to Court. It might be that things which were easy for him might become difficult after his departure. But the Kazi did not assent to this, and urged immediate submission to the royal command. So, at the beginning of the month of De, the Bakhshi started, and travelling express by way of Desoha and Batala, he reached Lahore in three days, and having paid his respects to the Emperor, received great honours. About this time Khwaja Nizamu-d din Ahmad Bakhshi, the author of the Tabakat-i Akbar-shahi, died, being nearly forty-eight years of age, on the 22nd Safar, 1003 H., and the thirty-ninth year of the reign.
3.9
On the 22nd Rabi’u-l akhir, Nawab-i ’Azam Khan returned from Mecca, and was graciously received by His Majesty. His son, Mirza ’Abdu-lla, was with him, and he also received many marks of the royal favour. * * On the 27th of the month Koka died at Lahore. On the 3rd Rabi’u-s sani Asaf Khan, who had been sent to Kashmir, having performed his mission, returned to Court. He accomplished the journey from Kashmir in three days. At the end of Jumada-s sani, despatches arrived announcing the taking of the fort of Siwi after an arduous siege. Many of the defenders were slain, and great spoil was secured. Mir Ma’sum Bhakkari, one of the bravest men in the army, had taken a distinguished part in the siege, and was richly rewarded.