Tarikh-i Manazilu-l Futuh, of Muhammad Ja'far Shamlu (Elliot & Dowson, extracts)
Translation of Manazil al-futuh (Manāzil al-futūḥ)
- Language
- English
- Date
- 1877 CE
- Translators
- Henry Miers Elliot, John Dowson
- Extent
- 21 passages, 4,363 words
- Text
- complete digital text
- Source
- archive.org · The History of India, as told by its own Historians. The Muhammadan Period. The posthumous papers of Sir H.… · Public domain (published before 1930)
Contents
- 1 — 3 parts
Text
1.1.1
From Kandahar, which Sultan Nadir first desolated and then founded Nadirabad in its stead, and Sultan Ahmad afterwards destroying the latter city and replacing it by that of Ahmad Shahi, the route to Kabul was as follows. [_Detailed and descriptive account of the route from Kandahar by Kabul, Peshawar, Attock and Lahore, to Dehli._] Having concluded a description of the marches along the whole length of the route, the dark-writing pen enters into a narrative of the battle fought by Ahmad Sultan Abdali Durrani, and the Hindustani chiefs who had coalesced with him, against Wiswas Rai and his deputy Bhao, who were of the Mahratta race; when, having engaged the infidel throng at the town of Panipat, he by the aid of Divine power inflicted a severe defeat, and expelled them from the face of Hindustan, insomuch that they never ventured to re-enter it for a period of twenty years. Now-a-days, since His Majesty, potent as Alexander, and famous as Solomon, the Emperor Abu-l Muzaffar Shah 'Alam the Second Badshah Ghazi Gurgani, has gone from Allahabad to the metropolis of Shah-Jahanabad, out of the power of the sword of Zu-l fikaru-d daula Najaf Khan Irani, and has brought a body of Mahrattas in his ever-victorious train, for the sake of chastising the Afghan Rohillas, this race has gained a fresh footing in Shah-Jahanabad and Agra. * *
1.1.2
In short, the author will explicitly relate a useful summary of the wondrous events that took place at the battle of Panipat, and the annihilation of the vile infidel Mahrattas; detailing both whatever he has seen with his own eyes, and whatever authentic information he has acquired from other historians in every quarter. Wherever any one else has written a different version to that of the author's, it is entirely erroneous, and unworthy of credence, and that man has, solely with a view to his own glorification, uttered falsehoods without any foundation. Now the author was at that time Comptroller of Affairs to Sardar Shah Pasand Khan, who was chief over 12,000 horse, consisting of Kazalbdshis, Abdalis, Ohahdras, Aimaks of Hirat, Marvis, Jazinis, Wardaks, Uzbaks, Charkhis, Hutakis, and Ghiljais; as well as ddrogha of Ahmad Sultan's stable, and of the paiks and harkdras (couriers and messengers). He formed the vanguard and advanced division of the army, and during the heat of the conflict we were opposed to Jhanku and Malhdr Rao, two leaders of the aforesaid Mahrattas, and from all sides couriers kept constantly bringing us intelligence. Nothing, therefore, more accurate than this that I have written, has ever met any one's sight; and accordingly the movements and dispositions of the forces, and other particulars of the action, and of the period they were halted confronting each other, will here be fully detailed.
1.1.3
Ahmad Sultdn, after fighting an action with Jhanku and Datta Patel on the banks of the river Attock, in which they were worsted, pursued them as far as Burya and Sarangpur. Just as his army was crossing the river at Burya, however, whilst a portion of it had effected its passage, another was midway across the stream, and another was still waiting to cross, the Mahrattas made a vigorous attack, and a tremendous conflict ensued. The action lasted for three or four gharis or even as long as a pahar, but ended in the ultimate discomfiture of the Mahrattas, 4000 of whom met their death, the survivors betaking themselves to Shah-Jahanabad, where they remained. On this side too, Ahmad Sultdn having arrived opposite Shdh-Jahandbad with his army and Najib Khan and Hafiz Rahmat, resolutely devoted his energies to the task of crossing the river Jumna from alongside Takia Majnun. The Mahrattas came out to prevent him, but notwithstanding all their exertions, they were forced to take to flight without effecting their object, and retreated precipitately. The troops in pursuing them entered Shah-Jahdnabad, and having plundered all quarters of the city, returned to their own camp.
1.1.4
Next day Ahmad Sultdn marched into Shah-Jahdnabad, and at the earnest intercession of Maliku-z Zamani, the consort of Muhammad Shah, and daughter of Farrukh Siyar Babari, he prohibited his army from pillaging the city. This measure, however, was not attended with complete success, for every now and then the soldiery kept laying violent hands on the inhabitants, till, after an interval of twenty days, he marched away from thence, and proceeded to the city of Mathura. After attacking and plundering certain Jats, he crossed the river Jumna, and took up his quarters at Sabit-kasra for the hot weather. On the near approach of the rainy season, he marched off to Anupshahr, and laid the foundation of a cantonment, issuing orders to his army that every man should construct a thatched hut for himself, so that the camp equipage and baggage might not be damaged during the rains. The expert thatchers accordingly used their utmost diligence in preparing these abodes.
1.1.5
In the interim news arrived that Wiswas Rai, and his deputy Bhao, had entered Shah-Jahanabad at the head of an army numbering about three lacs and a half (350,000) of cavalry and infantry. On the same day, too, Nawab Shuja'u-d daula Bahadur, son of Safdar Jang Irani, joined Ahmad Sultan's army with 30,000 horse and foot, and fifty pieces of cannon. After an interview, Ahmad Sultan directed the Nawab, along with Shah Pasand Khan, to strike his tents, and repairing as quickly as possible to Shahdara, which lies on this side the river Jumna, to pitch his advanced camp there, in order that the garrison, which was shut up in the fort of Shah-Jahanabad, might take courage to hold its own. The above individuals traversed the distance as directed in the course of three or four days, wading with extreme difficulty through the floods caused by the rain; for all the country and the roads were covered with water up to a horse's chest, and the Hindan and Kali streams were scarcely passable, as no ford could be discovered. Having thus reached Shahdara and erected their tents, several Abdalis and Kazalbashis, who were besieged in the fort, embarked on board of boats, and repaired to the advanced camp. The third day Ahmad Sultan likewise came and entered it.
1.1.6
As it was the rainy season, the Mahrattas did not deem it expedient to attempt the passage of the river Jumna, on account of the impetuosity of the current, and the encampment of the army on the opposite bank. Some of the Afghan chieftains too, such as 'Abdu-s Samad Khan, Kutb Jang, and others, were at Kunjpura, coming to join the army with ten or fifteen thousand followers; but owing to the headlong force of the stream, had halted, and were making arrangements for crossing. As soon as this intelligence reached the ears of Bhao and Wiswas Rai, they set their hearts on coercing the chiefs in question, and moved towards Kunjpura. On arriving there, they entered into a sanguinary conflict with the said chiefs; and ultimately the Mahratta force, from its vast superiority in numbers, having overcome them, put the whole body ruthlessly to the sword. 'Abdu-s Samad Khan and Kutb Jang suffered death, and Nijabat Khan was taken prisoner. At that time the Mahratta power had reached to such a pitch, that they had brought all the country as far as the river Attock under their subjection.
1.1.7
When the news of the defeat and death of the above-mentioned chieftains reached Ahmad Sultan, he expressed the deepest regret; but no benefit accrued therefrom to those who had fallen. As the rainy season, however, had drawn to a close, he marched from Shahdara with a view to seek revenge, and turned in the direction of Kunjpura. Directly intelligence of Ahmad Sultan's movement reached the Mahratta leaders, they quitted Kunjpura, and arriving at the town of Panipat, encamped there. On this side, Ahmad Sultan, at the head of his army, consisting of 60,000 cavalry and 20,000 infantry Jazailchis, 2000 camel swivels, and 200 pieces of cannon, repaired to the bank of the river Jumna, right opposite to Panipat, accompanied by the chieftains of Hindustan; such as Nawab Waziru-l mamalik Shuja'u-d daula Bahadur, son of Safdar Jang Bahadur Irani, with 30,000 horse and foot, and 50 pieces of artillery; Ahmad Khan Bangash, with 15,000 horse and foot, and 60 guns; Najib Khan, with 30,000 horse and foot, and 30 guns; Hafiz Rahmat Khan Afghan Rohilla, with 25,000 horse, and 25 guns; Dundi Khan Afghan Rohilla, with 12,000 horse and foot, and 10 guns; and Asadu-llah Khan Afghan Rohilla, with a similar force. Having crossed the stream in the course of three days, he pitched his camp and pavilion in front of the Mahratta army.
1.1.8
The Mahratta chiefs then sent Kaka Pandit, a renowned leader, who had 12,000 horsemen under his command, towards Ghaziu-d din Nagar, for the purpose of pillaging the banjdras who were in the habit of bringing grain to the camp of Ahmad Sultan and the chiefs of Hindustan, so as to prevent their receiving supplies. Accordingly, in the course of three days, the price of grain rose to a rupee a sir in the Sultan's camp. As soon as the soldiery became downcast and dispirited on account of the dearth of provisions, Ahmad Sultan mounted on horseback, under pretence of enjoying field-sports; but in the very midst of his sport, he directed Haji Nawab Alkuzai ('Atai Khan) to go after some game in a certain direction at the head of 2000 dauntless horsemen. The latter had been privately instructed, however, to go and chastise Kaka Pandit, and drive him off the road. Haji Nawab Khan, therefore, having crossed the river Jumna, reached Ghaziu-d din Nagar by forced marches in a day, and at once attacked them. The contest was carried on vigorously for two hours on both sides, but the Mahratta party were eventually defeated, and a large number of them fell a prey to the keen swords of the Abdali warriors. Kaka Pandit himself met with his death, and the surviving remnant of the force fled away, and betook themselves to a place of security. Haji Nawab then rejoined the army, victorious and successful, bringing the banjaras along with him;
1.1.9
whereupon grain became plentiful and cheap in the camp markets, and the fears of the soldiery being removed, they engaged in their military duties with zeal and cheerfulness.
1.2.1
The two vast armies, having fixed their standing camps at a distance from each other of twice the range of a cannon-ball, maintained their respective positions; and the skirmishers on either side used daily to engage one another. On one occasion during this interval a thousand horsemen, each one carrying 2000 rupees with him on his horse, were proceeding from Shah-Jahanabad to their own camp, and as they stood in fear of the Abdali army, they used to march during the night. One of the horsemen belonging to the party, having become oppressed with drowsiness towards morning, missed his road, and moved towards the Abdali camp. Having thus come face to face with the hostile picquets, he got caught in the grasp of calamity, and prepared for the road of ruin. From his own mouth it was discovered that they were conveying treasure to the Mahratta army; so a number of the boldest spirits out of every band set out for the Mahratta camp without any order from Ahmad Sultan, and during that short period of dawn until the rising of the great luminary pillaged three or four hundred of the horsemen. Among the number of those out in quest of booty was 'Aka Sandal Habshi, chief eunuch to Shah Kuli Khan the Wazir, who put one Mahratta horseman to death himself, and carried off his 2000 rupees. The remnant of the Mahratta party gained their own camp by a precipitate flight, and so escaped from the grasp of death till their predestined day.
1.2.2
In like manner, as often as one or two thousand of the Mahratta horse went out for grass and forage, the Abdali and Hindustani heroes used to pillage them on their way; till at length affairs reached such a pass that none would stir out fruitlessly from their position, which they had surrounded with a strong intrenchment, except wretched naked labourers who, going by stealth into the open country, used to dig up grass from the ground with their kharpas, and offer it for sale. As soon as Ahmad Sultan became cognizant of these matters, he directed Khanjan Khan, the head of the Fufalzai chiefs, who is generally known as Jahan Khan, along with three or four thousand Kazalbashis who were under his command; as well as Haji Nawab Khan Alkuzai; to mount every day and patrol round the Mahratta camp at a distance of two kos from their intrenchments, one from the northern side, and the other from the southern; and whenever any forager with grass should approach the enemy's camp, to put him to death. The chiefs in question accordingly continued for a period of two months to patrol round the intrenched camp, slaying and pillaging every forager they came across, who attempted to convey grain, fodder, or grass to the enemy; afterwards they used to separate from each other on the east and west. The Mahratta army being reduced to great extremities for want of grass, fodder, and grain, marched out with intent to give battle;
1.2.3
and at the time of their moving off from their position, such clouds of dust ascended up to heaven from beneath their horses' hoofs, that the bright day appeared to all eyes darker and gloomier than the murky shades of a pitch-black night; in so much that two persons seated side by side could not distinguish each other. Ahmad Sultan then commissioned Shah Pasand Khan,—who was both a great chieftain and charkhi-bashi, as well as commander of the vanguard, and darogha of the stable,—the harkaras and the paiks, to go and procure information as to the state and strength of the Mahratta army. The chief in question, taking the author of this work, and ten other dauntless cavaliers from amongst his relatives and dependents along with him, pursued the road to their camp in the intense obscurity with perfect certainty, as there had been daily skirmishes with them on the plains, and a thorough knowledge of all the paths had been acquired. In the course of four hours we had advanced half a kos, when at that moment the noise of artillery wheels struck on the sensitive ears of the author and his comrades, while the tramp of our horses' hoofs also reached the ears of the enemy's gunners. They immediately suspected that a force from the Abdali army was advancing under cover of the dense clouds of dust to make an assault, and fired several rounds, the shot of which passed close by our horsemen.
1.2.4
The horsemen in question having thus happily escaped the destructive effects of those cannon-balls, we turned back, and reported the news to Ahmad Sultan, that their army was steadily advancing with the resolute determination of giving battle. The Sultan then set about disposing his troops in order, and marshalling their ranks. * * Ahmad Sultan took his stand in the centre of the army, and planted 2000 camel swivels well in advance of his position. In rear of the camel swivels came 20,000 infantry gazallas, backed by the domestics of the royal darbar. Behind these again was the band of music, and in rear of that Ahmad Sultan took up his position, supported behind by the Kazalbash cavalry, counting over 10,000 sabres, and lastly by the force composed of Durranis, Ghiljais, etc. In rear of the line on the right-hand side was stationed Haji Jamal Khan Barakzai, who stood alert and ready for action at the distance of half a kos; so that whenever the enemy should make a desperate assault upon any one of the divisions that were drawn up in front, he might render it assistance. On the left Shuja'u-d daula and others stood ready to furnish succour, and to do his utmost to repel the enemy, whenever any reverse should happen to one of those divisions in the front line.
1.2.5
Both sides having arrayed their troops in line, stood confronting each other till noon, when * * the ranks of the two armies appeared clearly to each other's sight. Then the gallant youths, entering upon the martial strife, commenced the battle and dealt out lusty blows, whilst the expert gunners of European birth kindled the flames of war by discharging their thunder-voiced ordnance, and the rocketmen of magical skill consumed the thread of life of the heroes of the battle-field by darting their falcon-winged missiles. As for a musket bullet, the heroes cared not what it might do, and in that scene of carnage and slaughter the only dread entertained by the renowned and gallant combatants was for a cannon-ball, or the flight of a rocket. From noon until only three gharis of the day remained, the battle continued to rage, the brave warriors being earnestly engaged in wielding sword and spear, and the wounded in yielding up life with groans and agonizing cries. Bháo and Wiswás Rái, in the early part of the engagement, made such incessant assaults, that Ahmad Sultán was under an apprehension that he would not be able to withstand them, and despatched a person to mount the ladies of his household on fleet steeds swift as the wind, and keep them waiting inside his private pavilion; so that, whenever the infidels should gain the superiority, they might be ready to pursue the path of flight, and betake themselves to the verge of safety and the nook of security.
1.2.6
That day, however, Mahmúd Khán Gurd Bulhás, who was chief eunuch, Kulalar-akási, and commander of eight or nine thousand dauntless and bloodthirsty Kazalbásh horse, was posted in rear of Ahmad Sultán. He having planted his foot firmly on the plain of contention, caused great slaughter with his keen-edged sword. * * Through the reiterated charges of the Khán and his adherents, the pagan Mahrattas were unable to push on a step in advance of the position they had first assumed; and at this juncture an order was given to the zambúrakchís and jazáílchís, not to be slack in keeping up their fire, but to consume the harvest of the enemy's lives with the flame of their bullets. * * At length, by Ahmad Sultan's good fortune, one zamburak ball struck Wiswas Rai on the forehead, and another hit Bhao on the side. From these bullet wounds both of them quickly pursued the road to the realms of perdition, and betook themselves to the lowermost pits of hell; while the rest subsided into the sleep of annihilation through the sword cuts inflicted by the Kazalbash youth.
1.2.7
In a word, as soon as the Mahratta army perceived its chieftains travelling the desert of perdition, turning its face from the field of battle, it pursued the path of flight; and in an instant the scene of strife and bloodshed became cleared and purified, like the surface of a mirror, from the foulness of the vile infidels' presence. Couriers then conveyed the information to Shah Pasand Khan that the worthless pagan Mahrattas had fled, and not one of them was left remaining on the field. Jhanku and Malhar, who were two mighty chiefs, having planted firmly the foot of stability, kept fighting at the head of a lac of horsemen in front of Shah Pasand Khan; so the latter, being re-animated with the news of the infidels' retreat, charged the chiefs opposed to him, and was occupied for two gharis in dealing forth blows and taunts on them. Eventually they came to the determination of fleeing, and taking the route to the Dakhin, they departed from the field of battle. The Irani and Durrani warriors, who were with Shah Pasand Khan, pursued them; excepting the author of this work, who remained standing close by him. At last Shah Pasand Khan remarked that he was going to offer his congratulations to Ahmad Sultan, and told me to go and carry off some booty for myself.
1.3.1
When the author had thus received permission, he put his horse to the gallop in company with a cousin of his own, and one attendant; and on reaching their camp, found about 30,000 infantry matchlockmen, or even more, going along with matchlocks at their backs, and naked swords in their hands. We three individuals passed through the midst of them, however, and after seizing two strings (katar) of laden camels, by which is meant fourteen of these beasts of burden, we returned again through the midst of that multitude numbering upwards of 30,000 souls, and so greatly were they inspired with terror and consternation, that they had not the power to use their weapons. Stranger still, whilst returning to our own camp, a Mahratta chief, who had been stationed in the hindmost ranks of their army, and was fleeing towards the Dakhin with six or seven thousand horse, happened to meet us three individuals. With a view to save ourselves from harm, we fired off our three matchlocks ; whereupon that force turned away from us, and proceeded in a different direction. The author, together with his two companions, took from them a couple more camels, one of which carried a kettle-drum, and the other forage ; and we re-entered our camp in safety and security just as five gharis of the night were past, at which time the glad sounds of the kettle-drums were reverberating through the ethereal sky from the army of Ahmad Sultan and the chieftains of Hindustan.
1.3.2
In this battle, out of the Mahratta leaders, Shamsher Bahadur, who was the Peshwa's son, and Ibrahim Khan Gardi, who had 30,000 Tilanga Gardis under his command, together with the Governor of the province of Gujarat Ahmadabad, met their deaths. Out of that vast army too, consisting of three lacs and fifty thousand cavalry and infantry, only 50,000 souls succeeded in returning to the Dakhin, after undergoing a thousand hardships and difficulties ; while the remainder pursued the path of perdition, either in the field or on the road, through the swords of the holy warriors. All that the author witnessed with his own eyes, as well as what he learnt from the couriers under his authority and other comrades, every one of whom was on the spot, he has inserted in these pages; and it is his opinion, that there is none who can possibly be better acquainted with this engagement than his humble self; because the harkáras (couriers) were under his master's orders, and he was his master's factotum, everything that occurred being reported to the chief through him. Whenever any one else, therefore, out of self-conceit, tells a different tale to this, it is a tissue of lies and falsehoods, and his statement is unworthy of credit.
1.3.3
The ever-victorious Kazalbásh and Durrání warriors pursued the fugitives as far as the villages of Balaragarh and Farídábád, which are twelve kos from the metropolis of Sháh-Jahánábád, in the direction of Akbarábád, and from Pánípat to that spot must be sixty kos. Wherever they found the vile Hindú Mahrattas, they carried off their horses and equipments, and put the individuals themselves to death. Some of the soldiers, who were rather merciful and compassionate, wounded a party of Mahrattas and then let them go, as in the following instance. The author of this work, together with Muhammad Beg Khán Hamadání Írání, who held the title of Iftikháru-d daula Fíroz Jang from the Emperor of Hindústán, had about 20,000 horse and foot under his command, and was greatly honoured and esteemed by the late Nawáb Najaf Khán, was for some time in the camp of Mádhají Patel Sindhia, the Mahratta; and Sindhia was so excessively lame, that two persons used to hold him under both arms to raise him from his seat. Some one inquired of Sindhia the reason of his being lame, whereupon the latter, heaving a deep sigh, replied: "When fate is unpropitious, the wisest plans are unsuccessful. I had purchased a Bhúnrathallí mare for the sum of 12,000 rupees, which outstripped the cold winter's blast in speed, and I was mounted on her back. At the time when Bháo and Wiswás Ráo met with their deaths, I got separated to a distance from Jhanku, the chief of my adherents, and was fleeing away alone;
1.3.4
when a young Mughal riding a Turki charger set out in pursuit of me. However much I pressed my steed, whenever I looked behind, there I saw his horse shaking his ears, and coming straight on; till at last, the mare being incapable of further exertion, he overtook me. He then took away my steed and accoutrements, and gave me a wound in the leg, saying: 'This shall give you a mark to remember for years to come.' From that day to the present I have continued suffering from this painful wound, insomuch that I remember it well." Another extraordinary incident was this. During the flight of the Mahratta forces, a party of them had stopped at the caravanserai of Sonpat, for the purpose of eating bread and drinking water; when the Kazalbásh and Abdáli warriors came up in pursuit, and through fear of them, the guardians of the serai closed its gates. As soon as the Mahrattas got intelligence of their arrival, every one mounted his horse, wishing to escape, but found the gate shut. One of them spurred on his mare, which he conceived to be a good galloper, that he might clear the wall of the serai at a leap. The gallant animal, flying off the ground like a falcon, stuck amongst the battlements of the wall, and there expired. Thirty years ago the author of this work, happening to alight at that serai, beheld the horse's skeleton fixed in the battlements. This noble feat is famous throughout the world.
1.3.5
These singular events took place in the year 1174 A.H. (1760-1 A.D.). One of the poets of Hindustan, with a view to ingratiate himself with the Nawab Waziru-l mamalik Shuja'u-d daula Bahadur, composed the following chronogram of the victory: "Wisdom grew delighted and exclaimed, Come! May the triumph of our Nawab be propitious." This humble individual, too, has written down all these particulars exactly as they happened, in order that they may be made apparent to His Highness's understanding.