Muntakhab al-lubab 118.1

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.