Muntakhab al-lubab 137: Prince Muhammad Kam Bakhsh.
Muntakhabu-l Lubáb, of Kháfí Khán (Elliot & Dowson, extracts) 137
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Prince Muhammad Kam Bakhsh.
137.1
[Text, vol. ii. p. 608.] A kind and admonitory letter was addressed by the Emperor to his brother Prince Muhammad Kam Bakhsh to the following effect : "Our father entrusted you with the government of the suba of Bijapur; we now relinquish to you the government of the two subas of Bijapur and Haidarabad, with all their subjects and belongings, upon the condition, according to the old rule of the Dakhin, that the coins shall be struck and the khutba read in our name. The tribute which has hitherto been paid by the governors of these two provinces we remit." * * A few words shall now be written about Prince Muhammad Kam Bakhsh and his proceedings. [_Cruel punishments and execution of Ahsan Khan and others._] In answer to the kind letter which Kam Bakhsh received from his brother Bahadur Shah, he wrote a provoking reply. Kam Bakhsh arrived at Burhanpur at the beginning of Jumada-l awwal, where he was detained some time by the swollen state of the Tapti. * * Marching from thence by way of Malkapur and Mander, he had got within two or three marches of Haidarabad at the end of Shawwal. His whole army had dwindled away through his violent bloodthirsty madness; five or six hundred horse were all that remained with him, and they were sorely distressed by harsh treatment, hunger, and sight of bloodshed. Bahadur Shah had with him nearly 8000 horse. * * Kam Bakhsh advanced until he was only two or three kos from Haidarabad.
137.2
His small force now consisted only of * * a few bold companions who would not leave him and three or four hundred horse. * * The orders given to Bahadur Shah's commanders were that they were not to bring on a fight, but to surround Kam Bakhsh so that he should not be killed, and the blood of Musulmans should not be spilt. * * Khan-khanan and Zu-l fikar Khan, with their respective forces, were about a cannon-shot distant from the enemy, expecting the order to attack. As they had been ordered not to begin the battle, they waited until noon, but sent repeated messages to the Emperor for leave to begin. They were told that he was taking his usual nap. Whether it were so, or whether this evasion was connived at, the generals received no reply.
137.3
Zu-l fikar Khan had an old-standing aversion to Kam Bakhsh, and repeatedly urged Khan-khanan to attack. Kam Bakhsh, with a heart full of fear and hope, stood firm, expecting the onslaught. At length Zu-l fikar Khan, awaiting no longer the consent of the Emperor or the co-operation of Khan-khanan, advanced to the attack. This movement compelled Khan-khanan to advance also with his fourteen or fifteen thousand horse. * * Two or three of the companions of Kam Bakhsh were killed or wounded, but he stood firm, fighting desperately. He received three or four wounds, but he used his bow so well in the face of three thousand foes, that a terror fell upon them, and they were near upon taking flight. He emptied two quivers and wounded and brought many men down; but loss of blood from his many wounds prevailed; he lost his strength, and the enemy surrounded his elephant and made him prisoner. His youngest son, who was on the same elephant, was also made prisoner after receiving four or five severe wounds. Muhiu-s Sunnat, the eldest son, fought bravely. The drivers and others on his elephant fell wounded one after the other. He then drove the animal himself, but fell in the howda wounded with balls and arrows. * * The elephant ran off into the country, but was caught by a party of Mahrattas, and the Prince became a prisoner. * * All the men of Kam Bakhsh who fought near his elephant were killed, and were found to be sixty-two in number. * *
137.4
Kam Bakhsh and his two sons, all desperately wounded, were taken to Khuld-manzil, and placed near the royal tent. European and Greek surgeons were appointed to attend them. Kam Bakhsh rejected all treatment, and refused to take the broth prepared for his food. In the evening the King went to see his brother. He sat down by his side, and took the cloak from his own back, and covered him who lay dejected and despairing, fallen from throne and fortune. He showed him the greatest kindness, asked him about his state, and said, "I never wished to see you in this condition." Kam Bakhsh replied, "Neither did I wish that one of the race of Timur should be made prisoner with the imputation of cowardice and want of spirit." The King gave him two or three spoonfuls of broth with his own hands, and then departed with his eyes full of tears. Three or four watches afterwards, Kam Bakhsh and one of his sons named Firozmand died. Both Corpses were sent to Dehli, to be interred near the tomb of Humayun.