The Book of Akbar 76: Defeat of Ma'sum Kabuli by Shahbaz Khan.

76

[Text, vol. iii. p. 412.] After the defeat of the rebels, a portion of the victorious forces marched towards Orissa, and encamped by the river Damodar. There they rested, and a detachment was sent to Ghora-ghat, to secure the safety of the Kakshals. After some time, Ma’sum Khan, at the head of a strong rebel force, came out of the country of Bhati against Mirza Beg Kakshal, who sought refuge with Tarsun Khan at Tajpur. Ma’sum detached parties to plunder the neighbourhood, and Tarsun Khan shut himself up in the fort. The country was overrun to within seven kos of Tanda. When Shahbaz Khan was informed of this, he marched to inflict punishment on the rebel. An advanced force was sent on with all speed, and he himself marched from Patna with his army. He proceeded by land, and in a short time reached the disturbed districts, and the rebels fell back before him. Ma’sum Khan was near the Jumna, and there he rested. Shahbaz wrote from Tanda to the amir who held Orissa, saying, that Katlu had no longer the courage to face the royal army, and that they should send a portion of their forces to support himself. Accordingly Wazir Khan and * * joined Shahbaz Khan. That officer then crossed the Ganges, when he was providentially joined by 3000 artillerymen from Bhati, who had been in the service of Shah Bardi, then lately deceased. This reinforcement raised great hopes of victory, and was attached to the divisions of Tarsun Khan and Mirza Beg Kakshal. Shah Kuli Khan, and two or three other chiefs of distinction, came and joined the royal army. Intelligence was now brought that Baba Bhakari, with a rebel force, had gone to the town of Santus, and defeated Tarsun Khan. Shahbaz Khan sent a detachment under Muhibb ’Ali Khan to support Tarsun, and he himself quickly followed. The enemy then fled, and much spoil fell into the hands of the royal forces. Ma’sum Khan, knowing the crossing of the river to be a difficult operation, took up a position on the bank of the Jumna, opposite the Imperial army. Shahbaz Khan at length cut short the negociations, and crossed the river mid a storm of arrows and bullets. The action soon grew warm, and the rebels were beaten, and put to flight, on the 4th Azur. The boats of the Imperial fleet did not arrive to take part in the fight; but Narain Bumi and Murad Kakshal brought up their vessels, and contributed to the victory. Muhibb ’Ali Khan was sent in pursuit of the fugitives; but a party of them rallied, and gave battle to the pursuers. Shahbaz, hearing of this check, marched on to retrieve it. Another sharp battle was fought, in which the enemy was again defeated, and Farankhudi was made prisoner. Much spoil was secured, and the foe fled in confusion. Mirza Beg, and Sangram, and Dalpat rendered effective assistance. The royal forces pursued the fugitives over rivers and through marshes to Ghora-ghat, which was once more plundered. Ma’sum Khan fled with a few followers to Bhati, and Jabbari to Kuch. About 150 men were taken prisoners.