The Book of Akbar 38.7

38.7

According to report Aman Das, who received the name of Sangram, had really no son. It is said that he induced Gobind Das Kachhwaha, one of his attendants, to allow his wife, who was pregnant, to be delivered in his (Aman’s) female apartments. If a daughter was born, it was to belong to the father; but if a boy, Aman Das was to acknowledge it as his own, and no one should know anything about it. Gobind Das acquiesced, and a boy was born, who was represented to be the Raja’s son. He received the name of Dalpat, and was married to Rani Durgavati. When he died, he left a son, named Bir Narayan, only five years of age. With the assistance of Adhar Kayath, the Rani assumed the government, showing no want of courage and ability, and managing her foreign relations with judgment and prudence. She carried on some great wars against Baz Bahadur and his officers, and was everywhere victorious. She had as many as twenty thousand excellent horse soldiers, and a thousand fine elephants. The treasures of the Rajas of that country came into her possession. She was a good shot, both with the bow and musket, and frequently went out hunting, when she used to bring down the animals with her own gun. When she heard of a tiger, she never rested till she had shot it. Many stories of her courage and daring are current in Hindustan. But she had one great fault. She listened to the voice of flatterers, and being puffed up with ideas of her power, she did not pay her allegiance to the Emperor.