The Book of Akbar 20: Destruction of Himu's family. — Alwar and Ajmir. (See Vol. V. p. 253.)

20

[Text, vol. ii. p. 56.] Akbar was now informed that Haji Khan, a ghulam of Sher Khan Afghan [Sher Shah], a brave and able general, was setting up pretensions to rule in Alwar, and that Himu's father and wife, and all his property and wealth, were in that country. So the Emperor sent Nasiru-l Mulk [Pir Muhammad Sarwani] with a select force to attack him. Haji Khan, in dread of the Imperial army, fled before it arrived. Alwar and all the territory of Mewat thus came into the Imperial power. The fugitives proceeded to Dewati-majari, a strong place, which was Himu's family home. Much resistance and fighting followed. Himu's father was taken alive, and brought before Nasiru-l Mulk, who tried to convert him to the faith; but the old man said, "For eighty years I have worshipped God in the way of my own religion; how can I now forsake my faith? Shall I, through fear of death, embrace your religion without understanding it?" Maulana Pir Muhammad treated his question as unheard, but gave him an answer with the tongue of the sword. He then returned with much spoil and fifty elephants to the Emperor.
Haji Khan, when he left Alwar, proceeded to Ajmir, deeming that a secure refuge for his family, and prepared his soldiers for battle. The Rana, who was a great zamindar, was the son of that Rana who had acted improperly towards the late Emperor Humayun, and had suffered defeat at his hands. Haji Khan made demands upon him, and grievously troubled him, so that a battle was fought between them in the vicinity of Ajmir. Haji Khan and Muzaffar Khan Sarwani, his vakil, exhibited conspicuous gallantry in the fight, and the Rana, who was too confident in the number of his forces, was defeated. Haji Khan then took possession of Ajmir and Nagor and all those parts. When this success of Haji Khan’s was reported to the Emperor, he appointed Saiyid Muhammad Kasim Khan Naishapuri and * * to march against him. * * * Intelligence was now brought that Haji Khan was so strong as to offer resistance to the forces sent against him; so the Emperor determined to proceed to Hisar, and to send reinforcements from thence. After visiting the tomb of his father at Sirhind, he proceeded to Hisar, accompanied by Bairam Khan. * * * When intelligence of this reached Haji Khan, his forces dispersed. Every man went to his own place, and Haji Khan himself hastened to Gujarat. Muhammad Kasim Khan was sent by the Emperor to take charge of Ajmir. Saiyid Muhammad Barha and Shah Kuli Khan Mahram were sent out with a force to capture Jitasaran, and they killed a great many Rajputs, and made themselves masters of the fort.