Muntakhab al-lubab 118: Siege of Wákinkera.
Muntakhabu-l Lubáb, of Kháfí Khán (Elliot & Dowson, extracts) 118
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Siege of Wákinkera.
118.1
[p. 524.] Pem Náik, a zamíndár of low origin, belonging to the tribe of Bedar, which is the Hindí for "fearless," sprang from the caste of Dhers, the most impure caste of the Dakhin. He was noted for his turbulent habits. At the time of the war with Haidarábád, he sent his forces to the aid of Abú-l Hasan, and Pádsháh Khánzada Khán, son of Rúhu-llah Khán, was sent to subdue his fort of Ságar, and to occupy his fastnesses and retreats. He submitted to the royal army, and came to wait on the Emperor, but soon hastened back to his home. Pem Náik had a nephew named Parya Náik. In the thirty-second year of the reign, when Rúhu-llah Khán senior was sent to reduce Ráichor, and when the royal court was at Ahmadábád, before the Bíjápur affair, this Parya Náik, having seen the great power of Aurangzeb, came to his Court, and received a mansab. Rúhu-llah thought he might be of service at Ráichor, and took him there. There the good-for-nothing knave took part in the fighting, and rendered good service. After the reduction of Ráichor, he asked leave to go to Wákinkera, his ancestral abode, promising to levy all his powers there, and to present himself with a proper army wherever he was summoned. Upon receiving permission, he went to Wákinkera, which is a village on the top of a hill, and one of the dependencies of Sagar. The place is inhabited by many Barkanddzes, which name signifies "black-faced infantry," and these people are famed for their skill in archery and missiles.
118.2
After Sagar had been taken from the hands of Pern Naik, the worthless Parya Nalk, by craft and wiles, made it the abode of his family and children. Having taken up his residence at Wakinkera, he showed no signs of moving, but set about strengthening and adding to the defences, and laying in warlike stores. Favoured by fortune, he in time collected nearly fourteen or fifteen thousand infantry of vigour and audacity. He made his hill a strong fortress, and, collecting in a short time four or five thousand horse, he ravaged flourishing places far and near, and plundered caravans. Whenever an army was sent against him, the strong force which he had collected around him, the strength of his retreat, the influence of money spent in bribery, a practice which he well understood, his knowledge of darbar proceedings, and his own audacity, carried him through; and bags of money and a variety of presents covered all discrepancies in his statements. In his letters he made all sorts of artful excuses, and represented himself as one of the most obedient of zamindars and punctual of revenue-payers. Every month and year he exerted himself in increasing his buildings, strengthening his towers and walls, in gathering forces, and acquiring guns, great and small. At last his place became well known as the fort of Wakinkera, and he became a fast ally of the Mahrattas, the disturbers of the Dakhin.
118.3
Jagna, son of Pern Naik, who was the heir to his property, came to Court, was honoured with a mansab, and received a sanad for the zamindari as its rightful heir. He went thither with an army, but could not get in, and after some fighting he suffered a defeat. Prince Muhammad A'zam was afterwards sent to punish Parya Naik, and the royal forces ravaged the outskirts of his territory. But he seized his opportunity, and went to wait upon the Prince. He expressed his humility and repentance, and with subtle artifice promised a tribute of seven lacs of rupees to the Emperor, and to make a present of two lacs to the Prince. Besides these, he dispensed gratifications to the officials. By these means he rescued himself from the clutches of the royal anger. As soon as the Prince had returned to Court, he went on in his old way, and fanned the fires of rebellion more violently than before. Firoz Jang was afterwards sent with a large army to repress him, and pressed him very hard. But he resumed his old artifices, sent deceptive and alluring messages, and by a promise of obedience and nine lacs of rupees as tribute, he saved his life and honour. When the royal army marched against Puna, and lay encamped for seven months and a half near Junir, two or three unimportant forts were taken. Every day fresh news was brought of the insolence and turbulence of Parya Naik, and in consequence Aurangzeb resolved to march in person against Wakinkera.