The Book of Akbar 86: Conquest of Birar.

86

[Text, vol. iii. p. 503.] Birar is a Rajput state adjoining the country of Malwa. The rulers of the Dakhin did not pay proper obedience to the Imperial Government, so Khan-i ’Azam Mirza Koka received orders to march, with a great many other amirs, to inflict punishment upon them. He proceeded to Hindia, to make preparations for the campaign, and a force which he sent in advance took Sanwali-garh from Nahir Rao. Other zamindars made offers of submission. But dissensions suddenly arose among the amirs of the Imperial army. The commander gave grants in Malwa to his own adherents, and the amirs who had been sent on the campaign had great altercations with him, so that divisions arose, and the work of the campaign was arrested. Shahabu-d din Ahmad Khan went off in anger to his jagir, and instead of lending assistance, prepared for opposition. By the exertions of prudent men, a conflict was prevented; but the two amirs would not work together. Tolak Khan, one of the principal amirs, was thrown into prison on a false charge. Amir Fathu-lla Shirazi received many annoyances, and retired before the ruler of Khandesh, to seek refuge with Khan-khanan in Gujarat. By unnecessary delays and dispersion of the troops, the Imperial army in a short time dwindled down, and the enemy, who before had trembled, now grew bold. Raja ’Ali Khan of Khandesh and * * assembled the forces of Birar and Ahmadnagar, and advanced to give battle. The royal amirs now awoke from their dream, and endeavoured to form some plan, but did not know friend from foe, and could not distinguish between supporters and opponents. Vacillation and discordant counsels made all hope of unity and resistance vain; so they retired before the enemy towards Birar, leaving their baggage. On their march, they put their guide, Hathya Rao Bumi, to death, upon suspicion of treachery. From want of proper information, a force was sent into an intricate country, near Kherla, and suffered great loss. Finding Birar unoccupied, they plundered it, and on New Year’s Day they sacked Ellichpur, the capital of the country. One party was for going off to Ahmadnagar, another for trying to hold the country. This proposition was not listened to, and so they moved off with their plunder towards Gujarat. * * When the enemy got intelligence of the retreat, he left his artillery and heavy baggage, and marching quickly against Hindia, he plundered and burnt that town. * * The Khan-i ’Azam went off express to Gujarat, to seek the aid of the forces under Khan-khanan.