[Pramāṇa](https://indike.org/pramana/) › [Indian literature](https://indike.org/pramana/in) › [Dark Ages](https://indike.org/pramana/in.darkages) › [Mughals (1526–1857)](https://indike.org/pramana/in.darkages.mughal) › [Later Mughals (1707–1857)](https://indike.org/pramana/in.darkages.mughal.later) › [Muntakhab al-lubāb](https://indike.org/pramana/in.darkages.mughal.later.muntakhab-al-lubab) › [Muntakhabu-l Lubab, of Khafi Khan (Elliot & Dowson, extracts)](https://indike.org/pramana/in.darkages.mughal.later.muntakhab-al-lubab~en-elliot) › 165 # Muntakhab al-lubab 165: Husain 'Ali Khan in the Dakhin. Muntakhabu-l Lubáb, of Kháfí Khán (Elliot & Dowson, extracts) 165 - **Language:** English ### Husain 'Ali Khan in the Dakhin. ### [165.1](https://indike.org/pramana/in.darkages.mughal.later.muntakhab-al-lubab~en-elliot.165.1) Intelligence arrived \[in the Dakhin\] of the appointment of Amiru-l umara Husain 'Ali Khan to the Subadari of the Dakhin, and of the despatch of a sanad appointing Najabat Khan Subadar of Burhanpur for civil affairs, and Haidar Kuli Khan his diwan for revenue matters. Nizamu-l Mulk accordingly left Aurangabad at the beginning of Safar, with the intention of proceeding to Court, and got as far as Burhanpur. There he found that two or three Mahratta leaders with a large force were making threatening demonstrations; so he took horse, and went forth to attack them. \* \* The Mahrattas were unable to make any resistance, and after chastising and pursuing them for forty kos, he returned to Burhanpur, and resumed his journey to Court. ### [165.2](https://indike.org/pramana/in.darkages.mughal.later.muntakhab-al-lubab~en-elliot.165.2) Towards the end of Jumada-l awwal, Husain 'Ali Khan, who was on his journey from the capital, and Nizamu-l Mulk, passed within one or two kos of each other. Although Husain 'Ali Khan wished very much to meet Nizamu-l Mulk, out of consideration for the feelings of the Emperor he passed on. When Amiru-l umara Husain 'Ali arrived at the ford of Akbarpur on the Nerbadda, he there heard that Daud Khan Pani, Subahdar of Ahmadabad, having, in pursuance of orders, become Subahdar of Khandesh, had come to Burhanpur. Husain 'Ali Khan also heard the common report that secret orders had reached Daud Khan, directing him neither to meet nor obey Husain 'Ali, but rather to do his best in resisting him, and hopes were held out of his being appointed Subahdar of the whole Dakhin. So Daud Khan had set his heart upon winning the Subahdari, and had no intention of waiting upon Husain 'Ali Khan. Amiru-l umara, upon hearing these matters, sent a message to Daud Khan to the effect: "The whole Subahdari of the Dakhin has been confided to me, therefore you must not overstep the bounds of subordination, but must hasten to meet me. Otherwise you must proceed to the Emperor, so that there may be no disturbance and shedding of the blood of Musulmans." Daud Khan was unwilling to assent to either proposition, and although he very unwillingly came, he encamped outside the city; ### [165.3](https://indike.org/pramana/in.darkages.mughal.later.muntakhab-al-lubab~en-elliot.165.3) and he refrained from making his submission to Amiru-l umara Husain 'Ali, because he had very close relations with the Mahratta chiefs. Nima' Sindhia, who was the most important of all the servants of the State, having heard a report of Daud Khan's going to Husain 'Ali and giving him his support, had come with several other chiefs and encamped near Burhanpur, so that at the proper time he might join the stronger party. The dispute (guftgu) between Amiru-l umara and Daud Khan daily grew longer, and at length, in the beginning of Ramazan, it came to the test of battle. Amiru-l umara had 15,000 horse with him, and with these he went forth to battle. Daud Khan had not more than three or four thousand Afghan horse on that day; but he placed Hiraman Baksariya, who was always his chief swordsman, in command of his advanced force, and came to the field of battle in the plain of the Lal Bagh of Burhanpur. \* \* A desperate fight followed. \* \* Daud Khan had resolved to have a personal combat with Husain 'Ali Khan. He went into the field fully accoutred, and he directed his elephant-driver to place his elephant by the side of that ridden by Husain 'Ali. \* \* Although few men remained with Daud Khan, he fought most vigorously against Husain 'Ali. With the two or three hundred devoted Afghan horse which remained with him, he pressed forward, discharging arrows, to encounter Husain 'Ali. ### [165.4](https://indike.org/pramana/in.darkages.mughal.later.muntakhab-al-lubab~en-elliot.165.4) Great disorder and panic spread in the Amiru-l umara's force, and \[many of his nobles\] were killed and wounded. ### [165.5](https://indike.org/pramana/in.darkages.mughal.later.muntakhab-al-lubab~en-elliot.165.5) Mir Mushrif, who was renowned for his bravery and personal strength, went out to battle clad in armour. Seated in a splendid howda, and drawing his bowstring to his ear, he urged his elephant on against that of Daud Khan. As Daud Khan had come into the field without armour, he cried out to Mir Mushrif, "Why do you cover up your face like a woman? Put off your armour that I may see your person!" Saying this he discharged an arrow at him, which wounded him in the throat. Mir Mushrif pulled out the arrow with great pain, and fell fainting in his howda. According to the statements of several elephant-drivers, Daud Khan then tried to fasten the two elephants together, and, in so doing, struck Mir Mushrif three or four blows on the back and side with the elephant-goad. Mir Mushrif's driver managed to get his elephant away from that of Daud Khan; but Amiru-l umara's men, who had seen the blows, thought Mir Mushrif was killed; so great alarm spread through their ranks, and a total rout seemed about to fall upon the army. Some indeed withdrew from the fight, leaving their leaders still holding their ground and fighting bravely. At this critical moment a musket-ball struck Daud Khan and killed him. The elephant-driver and Daud's companions, who had escaped the sword, finding that he was dead, turned away the elephant from the field. The bloody elephant was brought back, and the corpse of Daud was taken out and tied to its tail, and in that state it was brought to the city. ### [165.6](https://indike.org/pramana/in.darkages.mughal.later.muntakhab-al-lubab~en-elliot.165.6) Nima Sindhia and the other Mahratta chiefs who had joined Amiru-l umara looked on the battle from a distance with an eye to plundering the vanquished party. In the height of the battle they withdrew, and prepared to flee; but they came to offer their congratulations to Amiru-l umara on his victory. Their men fell to plundering the baggage and property of Daud Khan's army; but all the treasure, elephants, horses, and warlike stores fell into the hands of Amiru-l umara. Out of all this he sent some elephants to the Emperor after the lapse of two years. Daud Khan was said to be impotent; but when he was Subadar of Ahmadabad, a daughter of one of the zamindars was brought, and, according to the custom of the country, was presented to the ruler as tribute. He converted her to Islam, and married her. She became pregnant by him, and when he went forth to battle, she was seven months gone with child. On his departure, she, in her pride, took the dagger from his belt, and kept it carefully by her. When she heard of his death, she ripped open her belly, brought forth the child alive, and then departed with her husband to the next world. But this story has not been authenticated. ### [165.7](https://indike.org/pramana/in.darkages.mughal.later.muntakhab-al-lubab~en-elliot.165.7) When the result of the battle and the death of Daud Khan was reported to Farrukh Siyar, his countenance seemed clouded with sorrow, and he said to Kutbu-l Mulk Saiyid 'Abdu-llah that it was a pity such a renowned and noble chief had been killed. Kutbu-l Mulk replied, "If my brother had been slain by the hands of the Afghan, it would have given Your Majesty satisfaction." --- Source: [https://indike.org/pramana/in.darkages.mughal.later.muntakhab-al-lubab~en-elliot.165](https://indike.org/pramana/in.darkages.mughal.later.muntakhab-al-lubab~en-elliot.165) · Pramāṇa