The Book of Akbar 99: Invasion of the Dakhin.
Akbar-náma, of Shaikh Abu-l Fazl (Elliot & Dowson, extracts) 99
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Invasion of the Dakhin.
99.1
[Text, vol. iii. p. 741.] Prince [Murad], in pursuance of orders, now prepared for the invasion of the Dakhin; but Khan-khanan was delayed by the tardy gathering of his men. Before he joined, some little dissension had sprung up between them. The Prince’s desire was that the heads of the army should all join him, and proceed by that road [from Gujarat] to the Dakhin. It was the opinion of the commander-in-chief (Khan-khanan), that he should advance from Malwa. As their opinions did not agree, the Prince, on the 20th Aban, marched from Ahmadabad, and rested awhile at Broach, in expectation of getting more men. On the 22nd Khurdad, he left Broach. Khan-khanan remained for some time at Bhilsa, which was in his ikta', to assemble his forces. On the 9th Amurdad, he marched for Ujjain. This greatly incensed the Prince, who sent him an angry message. He wrote in reply that he would join the Prince’s army as soon as he had received the promised contingent from the ruler (marzban) of Khandesh; the Prince might meanwhile enjoy the pleasures of the chase in Gujarat. The Prince was enraged with this reply, and his flatterers fanned his anger. He marched with his army towards Ahmadnagar. The chief nobles, and Raja ’Ali Khan, were inclined to the Prince, and when Khan-khanan became aware of this, he left his army, artillery, and elephants with Mirza Shah Rukh and other amirs, while he started off express with Raja ’Ali Khan (to meet the Prince).
99.2
On the 19th Azur, he met the Prince at the fort of Chand, thirty kos from Ahmadnagar. The meeting was not cordial. After a great deal of talk, a darbar was held. When the army moved, there was no unity of feeling. Khan-khanan, with his numerous force, was offended, and kept aloof from the management of the business. Sadik Khan brought up an old grievance which he had against Shahbaz Khan, and rarely went to the darbar. On the 8th De, the army encamped half a kos from the city, and on that day Khan-khanan and Shahbaz Khan went to the city (ba shahr raftand). Through their negligence an attack was made upon the baggage of the army, which was with difficulty repelled, and the people of the city were encouraged by the evident signs of dissension. On the 8th, the fortress was invested. Chand Bibi, sister of Burhan, prepared for resistance. As they had carried off Ahmad, the son, Ikhlas Khan came to Ahmadnagar with Moti, and being defeated, fled to Pattan.
99.3
When the royal army approached, Manjuh (the wazir) carried off Ahmad, with a portion of the treasure and some of the elephants, to Bijapur; but he was nearly taken prisoner. From want of proper munitions, the siege was protracted. Chand Bibi was afraid of being taken prisoner; but being informed of the condition of the assailants, she was encouraged to defend the city. On the 9th, Shah 'Ali and Abhang Khan made a night attack in force upon the battery of Khan-khanan; but the defenders fought bravely, killed many of the assailants, and repelled the attack. If the repulse had been followed up, the pursuers might have entered the fort with the fugitives, and the place would have fallen. The close blockade and scarcity of provisions were taking effect on the garrison. * * On the 13th, an unsuccessful attack was made upon the camp. * * On the 16th, a caravan from Gujarat came near, and was plundered by Sa'adat Khan. * * On the 19th, Sher Khwaja, Shaikh Daulat, Kamran Beg, and Daulat Khan, were sent with a force towards Pattan. They inflicted a defeat on Ikhlas Khan, and secured great booty. Then, eager for further plunder, they pillaged the inhabitants of Pattan, a city which had received letters of protection. On the 11th Isfandarmuz, a portion of the wall was broken down. A mine was carried from the battery of the Prince, and a hole cleared out under the wall. It was filled with powder and exploded, when it brought down about thirty gaz of the wall.
99.4
The troops were ready for the assault ; but another mine, which had been carried under the wall from the battery of Shahbaz Khan, was discovered by the garrison and emptied. From fear of a disaster like that which occurred at Chitor, the storming party was held back, and such a delay occurred, that the daylight passed away, and during the night the garrison repaired the breach. But the garrison was greatly disheartened by the activity of the besiegers, and now proposed an accommodation. They offered to elevate Bahadur, son of the son of Burhanu-l Mulk, to the throne, with the title of Nizamu-l Mulk, and as a vassal of the Imperial throne. The territory of Ahmadnagar was to be confirmed to him, and the province of Birar given up to the Emperor. Jewels, the pick of the elephants, and other things were to be sent as tribute to the Emperor. Notwithstanding the desperate state of the place, and the scarcity of provisions, these unworthy terms were agreed to, and a treaty was concluded on the 17th Isfandarmuz.