The Book of Akbar (Shaykh Ilāhdād Faiḍī Sirhindī) 7.1
Akbar-náma, of Shaikh Illahdád Faizí Sirhindí (Elliot & Dowson, extracts) 7.1
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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.