Muntakhab al-lubab 157: Troops sent against Farrukh Siyar.
Muntakhabu-l Lubáb, of Kháfí Khán (Elliot & Dowson, extracts) 157
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Troops sent against Farrukh Siyar.
157.1
[Text, vol. ii. p. 697.] Information was continually brought to Jahandar Shah of the proceedings of Farrukh Siyar and the Saiyids of Barha. He now sent against them his son A'azzu-d din Khan, with 5000 horse; and he deputed with him Khwaja Hasan Khan, to whom he gave the title of Khan-dauran, and under whom he placed the Prince and the army and all the artillery and military equipments. Zu-l fikar Khan was aware of the limited capacity, want of experience, imbecility and frivolity of the Prince. He was also aware of the extraction, character, and evil disposition of Khwaja Hasan Khan, who was one of the lowest men of the time. He disapproved of sending him with the Prince, and of placing such extensive authority in his hands. He mentioned this matter to the Emperor, but Miyan Kokaltash Khan, father of Khwaja Hasan, had long entertained inimical and jealous feelings towards Zu-l fikar Khan, and opposed everything that he proposed. The Emperor trusted Kokaltash Khan Koka and Lai Kunwar more than any one else at his Court, and so he shut his eyes to what was passing. Chin Kalich Khan, who had also been directed to accompany the Prince, was unable to do so for want of the means of transport, and was ordered to follow him.
157.2
No sooner had Prince A'azzu-d din passed the Jumna than great disorder arose in his army in consequence of jealousy and want of co-operation among the sardars, and the irresolution of the Prince. When Kulich Khan arrived at Agra, he heard of the disordered state of the Prince's army in consequence of the want of union among the officers, and he advised a delay of a few days at Agra to see what course events would take. Muhammad Farrukh Siyar, supported by Saiyid 'Abdu-llah Khan, Husain 'Ali Khan, and other experienced warriors, was marching onwards. Chhabila Ram, Faujdar of Kora and Karra, with Asghar Khan, Faujdar of Itawa, took the treasure of their districts, and went to join Prince (A'azzu-d din); but when they got knowledge of the conduct and doings of Khan-dauran, the incapacity of the Prince, and the disorders in the army, they fell back and carried the treasure to Farrukh Siyar.
157.3
A'azzu-d din arrived at the town of Khajwa, and there he obtained intelligence of the approach of Farrukh Siyar. Although there was a distance of thirteen or fourteen kos between them, he was frightened. Towards the end of Shawwal he halted at Khajwa, and ordered intrenchments to be thrown up and lines to be drawn around his tents and his position. When the banners of Farrukh Siyar's advanced force were seen at the distance of two kos, a great panic fell upon his whole army. Saiyid 'Abdu-llah Khan, who commanded Farrukh Siyar's advanced force, having seized upon the walls about the ruined villages, opened fire, and continued his cannonade from the third watch of the day to the third watch of the night.
157.4
A'azzu-d din had long been angry with his father in consequence of the harsh treatment he had received from Lal Kunwar; and on the 29th Shawwal he was much dispirited, as he received no support and guidance from Khan-dauran, who showed more pusillanimity than ever. The terror of Khan-dauran was visible in his face, and the Prince consulted with him about running away. Both of them were so alarmed that they packed up what they could of their jewels, treasure and ashrafis to carry with them. The rest of their money, their tents, their wardrobes, and all their military implements, they left to plunderers. At a watch before day these two dignified chiefs, with some trusted companions, took horse and fled. Such a panic fell upon the whole army that the men lost all heart and self-command. Some of them did not wait to put saddles on their horses, or to collect their necessaries, but vied with each other in running away to save their lives. Messengers carried the news of their flight to the camp of Farrukh Siyar. Congratulations passed from tent to tent, and the sounds of rejoicing rose high. The ruffians of the bázár and the soldiers, more hungry than hawks on a hunting day, started off to plunder, and they seized upon money, horses, elephants, and whatever came under their hands.
157.5
When Prince A'azzu-d dín arrived at Agra, Chín Kalích Khán advised him to go no farther, and kept him there. On the 18th of the month Jumáda-l awwal Jahándár Sháh entered Dehlí. He was looking for news of victory from his son; and when he received the intelligence of his defeat he exerted the sense and judgment which the plunderers of the army of Venus had left him in making preparations for war. About the middle of Zí-l ka'da he left Dehlí. The forces under the command of Zú-l fikár Khán Nusrat Jang did not exceed 20,000 horse. Twenty-five thousand horse under Kokaltásh Khán came to the muster. Altogether the army contained about seventy or eighty thousand horse, and nearly a hundred thousand infantry. With this force he marched against Farrukh Siyar, and reached Samúgarh near Agra. Farrukh Siyar's army did not number one-third of that of Jahándár Sháh, which was advancing with difficulty.
157.6
When Farrukh Siyar drew near to Agra, and his forces were compared with Jahándár's, most men anticipated a victory for the latter. But the Emperor's partiality for low women, his liking for low company, and his patronage of base-born nameless men, had disgusted all the nobles of Irán and Túrán. They spoke with discontent, and uttered ominous words about the defeat of Jahandar Shah. The victory of Farrukh Siyar became the hope of every man in the army, great and small. Kalich Khan Bahadur and Muhammad Amin Khan, both of them leaders of the men of Turan, had come to an understanding with Farrukh Siyar, and endeavoured to bring on a battle. Zu-l fikar Khan and Kokaltash Khan considered themselves loyal and devoted servants; but their envy and hatred of each other appeared in all their acts, and everything that one did was opposed by the other. * * On the 16th Zi-l hijja the armies confronted each other, and the battle began by Saiyid 'Abdu-llah Khan attacking Jahandar's army. * * The repulse of the Saiyids of Barha drew shouts of victory from Jahandar's army. But Saiyid 'Abdu-llah Khan came up and attacked the centre, in which Jahandar was present. * * Fright seized the elephants of the zanana. The elephants which carried Lal Kunwar and the singers and eunuchs were worried by the arrows; they began to dance and became violent. Some of Jahandar's companions also were overcome with fright, and thought of fleeing.
157.7
Just at this time Jahandar Shah's elephant became unmanageable, and his driver lost all control over him. The fierce attack of the Barha Saiyids threw Jahandar's army into confusion, and he now heard of the death of Kokaltash Khan and * *. He was so disheartened that he mounted the elephant of Lal Kunwar, and, towards the end of the day, moved off, with the intention of flying to Agra. Zu-l fikar Khan was informed of these facts; but although the day was going hard with him, he struggled on until one watch of the night, waiting to be assured of the truth about Jahandar Shah and Prince A'azzu-d din; for he said, "If they find A'azzu-d din, let them bring him forward quickly, for with his support I can repulse the enemy." No trace of him was to be found. Zu-l fikar Khan had not the heart to persevere, although he might with a little exertion have made Farrukh Siyar prisoner, for the Prince was in front of him, protected by only a small force. According to common report, Jahandar Shah shaved off his beard, and riding behind Lal Kunwar, took the road to Dehli. Zu-l fikar Khan having lost all hope, repaired to his father at Dehli, and he and Jahandar Shah reached that city within one watch of each other. Jahandar Shah proceeded alone to the house of 'Asafu-d daula Asad Khan, to seek his counsel and assistance.
157.8
Zu-l fikar Khan reached his father's house soon after, and said that if Jahandar Shah was sent off to the Dakhin or Kabul, another army might be raised, and something might be done to retrieve the position. 'Asafu-d daula, however, perceived that the matter was beyond remedy, that Jahandar Shah was not fit to reign, and that money for one month's expenditure would be difficult to raise; so he thought the best course was to send Jahandar to the fort, and keep him under restraint. * * The reign of Jahandar Shah had reached only eleven months when he met his death from the hands of Muhammad Farrukh Siyar.