The Book of Akbar (Shaykh Ilāhdād Faiḍī Sirhindī) 7: Conquest of the Dakhin.
Akbar-náma, of Shaikh Illahdád Faizí Sirhindí (Elliot & Dowson, extracts) 7
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Contents
Conquest of the Dakhin.
7.1.1
The Emperor Akbar had subjected to his rule the whole wide expanse of Hindustan, with the exception of a portion of the Dakhin, the rulers of which had, nevertheless, sent in former years representatives and presents to the Imperial throne. But some of these rulers had since failed in duly discharging their obligations, and had thus wounded the pride of the Emperor. Prince Shah Murad, Khan-khanan, and other amirs had been sent to effect the conquest of the country. The Prince went to that country, and distinguished himself by his services. Other amirs were afterwards sent, who fought bravely, and subjugated a considerable portion of the country. The work of conquest was still progressing, when it entered the heart of Prince Salim that he would proceed thither to support the amirs, and to accomplish the reduction of the remainder of the country, so that diversities of religion might be swept away, and that the whole country might repose in peace under the Imperial rule. For five or six years the conquest had been retarded by the bickerings of the amirs, and so he resolved to proceed from Lahore to the Imperial presence at Agra, there to obtain information of the true state of affairs, because that place was nearer to the scene of action ; and after due consultation, to proceed thither in person should it seem necessary. When intelligence arrived of the death of Prince Shah Murad, Prince Daniyal was sent thither;
7.1.2
but the Emperor not feeling at ease upon the state of affairs in the Dakhin, resolved to proceed in that direction, by making a hunting excursion to Malwa. His intention was to send a strong reinforcement to Prince Daniyal, under Bahadur, son of Raja 'Ali of Khandesh, and to rest awhile in Malwa till events took a favourable turn. The Emperor accordingly left Agra, * * and on the 21st of the month, after showing great honour and favour to Khan-khanan, he sent him on in advance. * * On the 7th Rabi'u-s sani, the Emperor reached Dholpur. The river Chambal was crossed by fords, and His Majesty went over on an elephant. On the 17th he reached the fort of Gwalior. * * * On the 29th Jumada-s sani, he passed through Sironj, and on the 1st Rajab the royal camp was pitched between Kaliyada and Ujjain. This city Ujjain is one of the most ancient in Hindustan, and contains many relics of antiquity. Kaliyada is the name of one of the most delightful places in the world. * * Here the Emperor rested for awhile, expecting that Bahadur Khan, son of Raja ’Ali Khan of Khandesh, would come to wait upon him. Raja ’Ali of Khandesh had been slain fighting bravely under Khan-khanan against the Dakhinis, and it was expected that his son would now come forward to give his services to the Imperial army, in the hope of revenging his father’s fall, and of gaining the Imperial favour.
7.1.3
Even while the Emperor was encamped at Ujjain, some intimation was received about his intentions, and he now sent an envoy to the Emperor, charged with many excuses and foolish evasions. Hereupon His Majesty, in his great kindness, sent Miran Sadr-i Jahan to Khandesh, to ascertain the exact state of affairs, and to remove any doubts which might have crept into the mind of Bahadur Khan.
7.1.4
The ambassador proceeded to Khandesh, and ascertained that when Bahadur Khan succeeded Raja ’Ali Khan, he was a prisoner in the fort of Asir. For it was the established custom among the rulers of Khandesh, that the reigning potentate kept his sons, brothers, and other relations in confinement, to guard against attempts upon the throne; so these unhappy persons, with their wives and families, passed all their lives in confinement. Bahadur Khan had passed nearly thirty years in prison, and knew nothing whatever of the ways of the world, and the business of government. When he came out of prison, and the title of ruler devolved upon him, he plunged recklessly into dissipation. No trace of the tact and nobility which had distinguished Raja ’Ali Khan was to be found in him. Unmindful of his obligations and obedience to the Imperial throne, he showed no gratitude and sent no tribute; nor did his craven spirit entertain one thought of avenging his father. When this became known to the Emperor, he remembered the loyalty and devotion of the late Raja, and sent Miran Sadr-i Jahan to give good counsel to the young Prince.
7.1.5
Miran proceeded to Asir. Bahadur Khan received him at first with great respect and honour, and acknowledged the allegiance and duty he owed to the Emperor. The envoy on his side gave him good counsel and advice, and endeavoured to excite in him a spirit of loyalty. But fate was against the young ruler; he paid but little heed to good counsel, and persisted in his own perverse conduct. Sometimes he said he would go to see the Emperor; at others, that suspicions had been aroused in his mind by people’s talk, which would not allow him to make this visit at present; but he promised to send his son with suitable offerings, if the Emperor would graciously direct him to do so. After awhile, when all the dependents of the Imperial throne should have been confirmed in their places, and he should be able to throw off his feeling of shame, he would proceed in person to pay his respects to the Emperor. These excuses proceeded either from his wavering disposition, or from a settled design to act treacherously. When Miran, the envoy, found that his representations had no effect upon Bahadur, he communicated the result to the Emperor. This roused great anger in the breast of the Emperor, and was the cause of his sending Shaikh Farid Bokhari to Khandesh.
7.1.6
On the 14th Sha’ban, while the Imperial camp was at Dhar, Shaikh Farid Bakhshi-l Mulk received orders to lead a considerable force against the fort of Asir. His instructions were to re-assure and advise Bahadur Khan. If he proved tractable, he was to be brought to the presence of the Emperor; if not, the Bakhshi was to invest the fort of Asir, and reduce it with all possible speed. The Imperial officers were eager to proceed on this service, partly out of zeal in the service of the Emperor, partly from the wish to serve under the Bakhshi. Among those who accompanied him were * * and a large number whose names are too numerous to recount.
7.1.7
With this select force, the Bakhshi crossed the Nerbadda, and sought to get information about the enemy. He then learned that the forces of Bahadur Khan were under the command of Sadat Khan, son-in-law of the late Raja 'Ali Khan, the greatest and the most trusted of all his servants. He had been sent towards Sultanpur and Nandurbar, to make a diversion against the Imperial forces in that quarter. It was resolved to detach a force to watch this party, while the remainder marched through Khandesh. On arriving at Gharkol, a humble and submissive letter was brought from Bahadur Khan, recounting the services of his ancestors, and offering to send his son with suitable offerings to the Emperor. He also made excuses for his conduct, and solicited the kind intercession of Shaikh Farid to avert the consequences of his faults. The Shaikh sent this letter to the Emperor, and waited for an answer. The Emperor sent a gracious reply, offering to forgive his transgressions and to receive him into favour if he would hasten to pay his allegiance.
7.1.8
Marching forwards, the army passed over the summit of Sabalgarh, and arrived on the confines of Khandesh. Miran Sadr-i Jahan had previously advised that the force should be sent to Burhanpur, lest its advance upon Asir should drive Bahadur Khan to desperation. But when this opinion was represented to the Emperor, he the same day gave orders that no attention was to be paid to it; that the army was not to go to Burhanpur, but was to march direct to Asir, and invest the place. Accordingly, it advanced to within two or three kos of Asir.
7.1.9
On arriving there, it was learned that Miran Sadr-i Jahan and Peshrau Khan, who had also been sent by the Emperor to Bahadur, after alternately trying persuasion and menace, were unable to make any impression upon him, and had retired from Asir to Burhanpur. From thence they reported the failure of their mission, and left the Emperor to determine what was best to be done. On the 21st Sha'ban the Emperor proceeded to Mandu. [*Description of buildings.*] When Shaikh Farid came near to Asir, Bahadur Khan sent him another letter, containing the same appeals for merciful consideration, and offering the same excuses as he had made before. In reply, he was reminded how the kings of the Dakhin had united their armies, and had made war upon the Emperor’s allies, and how Raja ’Ali had fallen fighting bravely and loyally upon the Imperial side. The Emperor was now resolved upon revenging his death, and, with God’s help, would annex the territories of all the three kings to the Imperial dominions. His duty, therefore, was to join the army with his followers without delay, and to take revenge for his father’s blood — not to be a thorn in the way, and to say to the Emperor, “First strike me, and then the murderers of my father.” But fortune had turned her back upon the family, and the graceless fellow would listen to no reason or expostulation.
7.2.1
The rulers of Khandesh were of the Faruki tribe, and the family had held rule in the country for more than 200 years. An ancestor who had connexions with the Dakhin, and had served there as a soldier, being aggrieved, left that country and went to Khandesh, which country was then held by different zamindars and Rajas. He came to a village which pleased him, and there a dog which accompanied him set off in pursuit of a hare, but the hare turned round and attacked the dog. This unusual exhibition of courage greatly impressed him, and he thought that the land where such a sight could be seen must be fertile in courage and daring, so he resolved to take up his abode there. He expressed his wish to the zamindar of the place, but it was refused. Afterwards he seized an opportunity of seeking assistance from the King of Dehli, and having collected some of his brethren (tribesmen?), he overpowered that zamindar, and took possession of the village. He extended his power over other villages around, and in the end he was master of several parganas, and commander of an armed force.
7.2.2
When he died, his authority descended to his grandson, who saw the value that a fortress would be as a place of safety for his family and dependents. Asir, which is situated on the top of a hill, was at that time an inhabited place. He contrived by various stratagems to obtain this place from the zamindar who held it, and fortified it strongly. He then assumed the name of ruler, and at length the whole country of Khandesh, about 150 kos in length, and 50 in breadth, more or less, came under his sway. These rulers acted so wisely and carefully that the kings of Dehli did not interfere with them. * * Upon the Government descending to Raja 'Ali Khan, he showed himself to be a man of great administrative powers, and it is probable that no one of the dynasty had been his equal in intelligence and ability. People of neighbouring and distant countries had been induced by his just and generous rule to take up their abode in his country. Among the best proofs of his intelligence was his loyalty to the Imperial throne, his obedience, and the magnificence of his offerings, in all which he excelled the other princes of the region.
7.2.3
His successor, Bahadur Khan, had none of his ability, and advice was thrown away upon him. The line was drawing to a close, and fortune had averted her face. Shaikh Farid invested the fort, and reported the fact to the Emperor, who sent him reinforcements, and himself passed over the Nerbadda on his way to superintend the siege. On the 4th Ramazan the Nauroz-i Sultani occurred, and His Majesty halted three days to celebrate the festival. * * The march of the Imperial force was then resumed. Letters now arrived from Nawab 'Allami Shaikh Abu-l Fazl, who was coming from the Dakhin with the elephants and valuable effects of the late Prince, and who announced his arrival at Burhanpur. He had received orders to join Shaikh Farid, and to concert measures with him for the punishment of the recusant Prince. On the 4th Farwardin the army marched, and encamped at two kos distance from the fort of Asir, because on that side there was no ground nearer the fort which was fit for a camp. Baz Bahadur Uzbek and Karabeg were sent forward immediately to select positions for the trenches and for the encampment of the besiegers.
7.2.4
On their return, they reported that they had never seen in any country a fort like this; for however long an army might press the siege, nothing but the extraordinary good fortune of the Emperor could effect its capture. Old soldiers, and men who had travelled into distant lands,—men who had seen the fortresses of Iran and Turan, of Rum, Europe, and of the whole habitable world, had never beheld the equal of this. It is situated on a high and strong hill, and three smaller hills, each having a fort, stand around it, like a halo round the moon. The ways of entrance and exit were difficult to discover. Near it there was no other hill commanding it, and no way of approach. All around was level ground, and there were no trees or jungle to serve as cover. All the time the country had been held by the dynasty, each prince, as he succeeded, did his best to keep the place in repair, to add to its strength, or to increase its stores. It was impossible to conceive a stronger fortress, or one more amply supplied with artillery, warlike stores, and provisions. There were 500 mans of opium, Akbar-shahi weight, in its stores. Were the fortress placed upon level ground, its reduction would be difficult; but such a hill, such a well-secured fortress, and such artillery, were not to be found in any one place on the face of the earth. After the capture of the fortress accounts were taken of the munitions.
7.2.5
Of pieces of artillery (zarb-zan), small and great, there were more than 1300, besides some which were disused. The balls varied in weight from nearly two mans down to a sir or a half sir. There were great numbers of mortars (hukka-dan), and also many manjaniks, each of which threw stones of 1000 or 2000 mans. On every bastion there were large iron cauldrons, in each of which twenty or thirty mans of oil could be boiled and poured down upon the assailants in case of assault. No account was taken of the muskets. Of provisions of all sorts, wines, medicines, aromatic roots, and of everything required for the use of man, there was vast abundance. When, after a protracted siege of eleven months, the place fell into the hands of the Imperial army, the quantities of grain, oil, etc., which remained, after some thousands of men had been fed (during the siege), seemed as if the stores had never been touched. The stores of ammunition were such, that thousands of mans were left, although the quantity consumed had been enormous. For throughout the siege a constant firing was kept up night and day, with object and without object ; so that in the dark nights of the rainy season no man dared to raise his head, and a demon even would not move about. There were large chambers full of powder. There were no springs of water in the fortress ;
7.2.6
but there were two or three immense reservoirs, in which the (rain) water was collected and stored from year to year, and amply sufficed for the requirements of the garrison. In the dwelling of each officer of importance there was a separate reservoir, containing a sufficient supply of pure water for his household. Nor had all this preparation been made for the occasion ; it had been kept up from the foundation of the fortress. The rulers of the country had incessantly cared for the strengthening and provisioning of the fort, more especially in respect of artillery. The revenues of several parganas were specially and separately assigned to keep up the supply of artillery, so that the officers of the department had independent sources for maintaining its efficiency. The population in the fortress was like that of a city, for it was full of men of every kind. After the surrender, the inhabitants came out, and there was a continuous throng night and day for a week.
7.2.7
The houses of the chiefs were fine lofty buildings, and there were open spaces, gardens and fountains. In the walls of the fort, which were of great thickness, chambers and rooms were constructed for the officers of the artillery, where, during all seasons, they could live in comfort, and keep up a fire of cannon and musketry. The fortress has one gate, and outside this gate there is another fort called Kamargarh, the walls of which are joined on both sides to the great fort. This was looked upon as an outwork, and was held by inferior ranks of men, such as musketeers and archers. Below this fort, but still on an elevated spot, is another fort called Malgarh, which also is very strong. In comparison with the fortress, it seems at the bottom of the earth; but compared with the surface of the ground, it looks half-way up to the sky. This being the most advanced of the works, great care had been taken to strengthen it with guns and other implements. Below this was an inhabited place called Takhati, as large as a city. In short, the fortress is one of the wonders of the world, and it is impossible to convey an idea of it to any one who has not seen it. Shaikh Farid, after collecting all available information about the fortress, wrote a description to the Emperor, and devoted himself to devising a plan for its capture. As the actual strength of the place was not fully known to the Emperor, envious men represented its reduction as being an easy matter, and thus vexed him.
7.2.8
* * A letter at length arrived from the camp, announcing the Emperor's intention to come and examine into matters with his own eyes. About the same time also Shaikh Abu-l Fazl arrived from Burhanpur, and encamped three or four kos from Asir, as he was hastening to join the Emperor. He sent to inform Shaikh Farid of his presence, and the Shaikh set off to see him. He had gone but a little way, when he remembered that Bahadur had promised to see him next day; so he stopped and returned to camp. Next day Bahadur came down from the fort to meet the Shaikh, and his spies busied themselves in observing all they could. It so happened that on that day a letter was coming from the Emperor, and the Shaikh mounted to go and meet it. But just as he was starting, his spies brought him word that the cavalcade was approaching. Although Shaikh Farid had with him a large force of horse and foot, musketeers, rocket-men, and elephants, the matter seemed to him important, and he was apprehensive that there was some design against him. So he halted where he was, and sent a messenger to Shaikh Abu-l Fazl, to say that he should not come to see him that day, as circumstances prevented him. * * Shaikh Farid sent messengers to re-assure Bahadur, and he came with a large escort to the Shaikh’s tent, and had an interview with him. Every argument was used to induce him to make his submission to the Emperor, and as he had no answer to give, he merely shook his head.
7.2.9
At length he returned to his old excuse of being afraid, and rejecting all advice, he returned to the fortress. Some men have maintained that the Shaikh ought to have made him prisoner at this meeting; but resort to subterfuge and want of faith and truth never prove successful. Besides this, Bahadur had with him a force sufficient to resist the weak army of the Shaikh. Next day the Shaikh went to visit Shaikh Abu-l Fazl at his camp, three or four kos from the fortress, and the meeting with Bahadur was discussed, and a report sent off to the Emperor.
7.3.1
All expectation of Bahadur’s submission being now given up, Abu-l Fazl, who had waited to see the result of the interview, proceeded to join the Emperor. Having first directed his attention to the occupation of the country, the closing of the roads, the way into and out of the fortress, the forming of the trenches, and other matters connected with the siege, Shaikh Farid sent a detachment to Burhanpur, to arrest the officers of Bahadur, and to occupy the city. But on arriving there, it was found that the governor had already made his submission to the Emperor. Some experienced officers thought it desirable that a force should be stationed there, * * and Shaikh Farid finally decided that 1000 horse should be stationed between Burhanpur and Asir. This force took up a position about two kos from the fortress, and cut off all communication between it and the city. Next day Shaikh Abu-l Barakat, brother of Shaikh Abu-l Fazl, joined the besieging force with the elephants and artillery which had been sent under his command. The army now removed to a more favourable position, and it was resolved to form trenches in every suitable place near the fort, and to close the roads and entrances. Another letter was received from Bahadur Khan, * * to which Shaikh Farid replied. * * But Bahadur Khan trusted in the strength of his fort, and thought that its height and strength were such that no mortal force could take it.
7.3.2
One day when the commander rode towards the fort to examine it, a large gun was fired at him. It is related that some of the battlements of the tower on which it was placed fell down, and the gun itself also fell. This was received as a good omen by the Imperial army. Mir Sadr-i Jahan, who had returned to the Emperor, now came back, charged with an Imperial message. Next day Miyan Saiyid went round and looked after many things in the construction of the trenches, so that they might afford protection to the men, and enable them to stay there day and night. The Emperor’s mind was intent upon this undertaking. Letters constantly arrived from him with instructions and urgent directions. Every day some one of his officers came to inspect and report upon the business of the siege. * *
7.3.3
Having received orders to wait upon the Emperor, Shaikh Farid proceeded on the 18th to the royal camp at Burganw, seven or eight kos from Asir. He was received very kindly, and he related all the details of the siege. He remained there the next day, and on the following day the Imperial camp moved towards Asir. On the 21st Farwardin, or 25th Ramazan, it reached the city of Burhanpur, and the Emperor took up his abode in the palace of the old rulers. Intent upon the siege, he then marched on, attended by numerous amirs, and arrived under the fort on the 3rd Shawwal. Shaikh Farid then received orders to attend to his own duties as Bakhshi, and wait upon His Majesty, and to appoint the other amirs to the direction of the trenches, so that he might be ready, upon emergency, to lead a force in any direction.
7.3.4
The trenches were then allotted to the different amirs. The first to Khan-i ’Azam, * * another to Nawab Asaf Khan, another to Mirza Jani Beg of Tatta * A fourth trench he placed in charge of his brethren and adherents, and having well examined it, he gave it into their charge, while he himself proceeded with a chosen force to attend upon the Emperor. It was impossible to dig mines or construct sábáts; so the men in each trench endeavoured to bring the investment as close as possible. At the end of the month, 'Azam Khan and Asaf Khan reported that the garrison kept up a fire from different kinds of guns all night and day, with object and without object, necessary and unnecessary; and that the besiegers endured it with great bravery.
7.3.5
In the early days of Zi-l ka'da, Bahadur sent out of the fortress sixty-four elephants, along with his mother and son, to the Emperor, and begged forgiveness of his offences. The Emperor replied, that if he desired pardon, he must come out at once to make submission, and trust to the Emperor's mercy. * * On the 16th Zi-l hijja a sortie was made, in which many of the garrison lost their lives in a desperate struggle. When they were driven back, a little hill called Koriya fell into the hands of the besiegers. This eminence is so close to the fortress as to have command over it. The besiegers then saw that by occupying this commanding position, and by getting possession of another which was strongly fortified, they might overawe the garrison. The former masters of the place had seen the importance of this position, and had scarped the rock so that no one could climb up. * * * After hard fighting, this position was carried. * * *
7.3.6
On the 21st Safar news arrived of the capture of Ahmadnagar on the 18th. The fortress had long been defended by Chand Bai, the sister of Nizamu-l Mulk, and when formerly besieged, dissensions among the Imperial amirs averted its capture. Prince Daniyal, assisted by some of the great amirs, had now taken it by assault. The siege had now been carried on for nearly six months, and a constant fire had been kept up without effect. Khan-khanan thought that mining must be resorted to, and the other amirs coinciding with him, a mine was formed. It was charged with 180 mans of gunpowder, and was exploded on the 20th Shahryur, in the 45th year of the reign. A bastion was blown up with seventy or eighty gaz of the wall. Khan-khanan, Raja Jagannath, and the other amirs exerted themselves to incite their troops, and gave orders that the troops were to rush in and finish the work directly after the explosion. This order was duly executed; and a force under Yusuf Khan scaled the wall, by means of a mound, in another place. The assailants pressed on, and after a severe fight, in which 1000 of the besiegers fell, the fortress was captured. The grandson of Nizamu-l Mulk was taken prisoner, and carried to the Emperor. * *
7.3.7
A few days after, Bahadur sent Sadat Khan and Shaikh Pir Muhammad Husain, two of his chief men, to the Emperor, with ten elephants and an entreaty for forgiveness. Two days afterwards Shaikh Pir Muhammad was sent back into the fortress, and Sadat Khan was kept as the guest of Shaikh Farid. The escort which had come out with him was ordered to return with Pir Muhammad; but the men, about a hundred in number, declared that they would not return into the fortress and become prisoners (asir) in Asir. Permission to remain was given to those who could give some bail that they would not run away, otherwise they were to be put in confinement. In the end some found the required bail, and some went back into the fortress. Among the causes which brought about the surrender of the fortress was the impurity of the atmosphere, which engendered two diseases. One was paralysis of the lower extremities, from the waist downwards, which deprived the sufferer of the powers of motion; the other was weakness of sight. These maladies greatly distressed and discouraged the men of the garrison, so that men of all ranks and degrees were of one mind and voice in urging Bahadur to capitulate. At their instance he wrote to the Emperor offering to surrender. The siege thus ended.
7.3.8
When Bahadur came out, the Emperor held a grand darbar, at which all the great men were present, and Bahadur was amazed at the splendour and state. Mukarrib Khan, and several other of Bahadur’s nobles, were sent into the fortress, in advance of Shaikh Abu-l Fazl, to inform the garrison of the surrender, and to require the giving up of the keys. When they approached, Mukarrib Khan’s father mounted the top of the fort, and reviled him for having thrown his master into bonds and surrendered the fort. Unable to endure his abuse, the son stabbed himself two or three times in the abdomen, and a few days afterwards he died. On the 17th Safar the royal forces were admitted, and the keys were given up. * * * Khan-khanan, who had come from Ahmadnagar, went into the fortress and placed the royal seal on the treasure and warlike stores, which were then placed in charge of responsible officers. Just at this time Mirza Jani Beg of Tatta died.
7.3.9
On the 8th Sha’ban the Emperor bestowed great honours on Shaikh Abu-l Fazl, including a banner and kettle-drums; and a hundred amirs were placed under his orders to assist in the subjugation of the Dakhin. Khan-khanan was sent to Ahmadnagar, and the general conquest of the Dakhin was committed to him. The Emperor went in and inspected the fortress. All the treasures and effects of Bahadur Khan, which had been collected by his ancestors during two hundred years, were brought out, and the wives and women of Bahadur, two hundred in number, were presented. The Emperor stayed in the place three days, and then proceeded to Burhanpur. * * On the 28th Shawwal all the country of the Dakhin, Birar, Khandesh, Malwa, and Gujarat were placed under the rule of Prince Daniyal.]