[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) › 169 # Muntakhab al-lubab 169: War with the Sikhs. Muntakhabu-l Lubáb, of Kháfí Khán (Elliot & Dowson, extracts) 169 - **Language:** English ### War with the Sikhs. ### [169.1](https://indike.org/pramana/in.darkages.mughal.later.muntakhab-al-lubab~en-elliot.169.1) \[Text, vol. ii. p. 761.\] The violence \[of the Sikhs\] passed all bounds. The injuries and indignities they inflicted on Musulmans, and the destruction of mosques and tombs, were looked upon by them as righteous meritorious acts. They had built a fort at Gurdaspur in the Panjab, ten or twelve days' journey from Dehli, and extended its limits so that fifty or sixty thousand horse and foot could find protection. They strengthened the towers and walls of the place, took possession of all the cultivated land around, and ravaged the country from Lahore to Sihrind, otherwise called Sirhind. 'Abdu-s Samad Khan Diler Jang was appointed Subadar of Lahore, and was sent thither with \* \* and with a select army and artillery. 'Abdu-s Samad engaged the vast army of the Guru near his fort. The infidels fought so fiercely that the army of Islam was nearly overpowered; and they over and over again showed the greatest daring. Great numbers were killed on both sides; but Mughal valour at length prevailed, and the infidels were defeated and driven to their stronghold. The infidels on several occasions showed the greatest boldness and daring, and made nocturnal attacks upon the Imperial forces. ### [169.2](https://indike.org/pramana/in.darkages.mughal.later.muntakhab-al-lubab~en-elliot.169.2) 'Abdu-s Samad Diler Jang, while lying in front of their poor fortress, was obliged to throw up an intrenchment for the defence of his force. He raised batteries, and pushed forward his approaches. The siege lasted a long time, and the enemy exhibited great courage and daring. They frequently made sallies into the trenches, and killed many of the besiegers. To relate all the struggles and exertions of 'Abdu-s Samad and his companions in arms would exceed our bounds. Suffice it to say that the Royal army in course of time succeeded in cutting off from the enemy his supplies of corn and fodder, and the stores in the fort were exhausted. \[\_Great straits and sufferings of the besieged.\_\] ### [169.3](https://indike.org/pramana/in.darkages.mughal.later.muntakhab-al-lubab~en-elliot.169.3) Being reduced to the last extremity, and despairing of life, the Sikhs offered to surrender on condition of their lives being spared. Diler Jang at first refused to grant quarter; but at length he advised them to beg pardon of their crimes and offences from the Emperor. Their chief Guru, with his son of seven or eight years old, his diwan, and three or four thousand persons, became prisoners, and received the predestined recompense for their deeds. 'Abdu-s Samad had three or four thousand of them put to the sword, and he filled that extensive plain with blood as if it had been a dish. Their heads were stuffed with hay and stuck upon spears. Those who escaped the sword were sent in collars and chains to the Emperor. \* \* 'Abdu-s Samad sent nearly two thousand heads stuffed with hay and a thousand persons bound with iron chains in charge of his son, Zakariya Khan, and others, to the Emperor. ### [169.4](https://indike.org/pramana/in.darkages.mughal.later.muntakhab-al-lubab~en-elliot.169.4) In the month of Muharram, the prisoners and the stuffed heads arrived at Dehli. The Bakhshi I'timadu-d daula Muhammad Amin Khan received orders to go out of the city, to blacken the faces and put wooden caps on the heads of the prisoners; to ride himself upon an elephant, place the prisoners on camels, and the heads on spears, and thus enter the city, to give a warning to all spectators. After they had entered the city, and passed before the Emperor, orders were given for confining the Guru, his son and two or three of his principal companions, in the fort. As to the rest of the prisoners, it was ordered that two or three hundred of the miserable wretches should be put to death every day before the kotwal's office and in the streets of the bazar. The men of the Khatri caste, who were secretly members of the sect, and followers of the Guru, sought by the offer of large sums of money to Muhammad Amin Khan and other mediators to save the life of the Guru, but they were unsuccessful. After all the Guru's companions had been killed, an order was given that his son should be slain in his presence, or rather that the boy should be killed by his own hands, in requital of the cruelty which that accursed one had shown in the slaughter of the sons of others. Afterwards, he himself was killed. Many stories are told about the wretched dogs of this sect, which the understanding rejects; but the author will relate what he saw with his own eyes. ### [169.5](https://indike.org/pramana/in.darkages.mughal.later.muntakhab-al-lubab~en-elliot.169.5) When the executions were going on, the mother of one of the prisoners, a young man just arrived at manhood, having obtained some influential support, pleaded the cause of her son with great feeling and earnestness before the Emperor and Saiyid 'Abdu-llah Khan. She represented that her son had suffered imprisonment and hardship at the hands of the sect. His property was plundered, and he was made prisoner. While in captivity, he was, without any fault of his own, introduced into the sect, and now stood innocent among those sentenced to death. Farrukh Siyar commiserated this artful woman, and mercifully sent an officer with orders to release the youth. That cunning woman arrived with the order of release just as the executioner was standing with his bloody sword upheld over the young man's head. She showed the order for his release. The youth then broke out into complaints, saying, "My mother tells a falsehood: I with heart and soul join my fellow-believers in devotion to the Guru: send me quickly after my companions." ### [169.6](https://indike.org/pramana/in.darkages.mughal.later.muntakhab-al-lubab~en-elliot.169.6) It is said that I'timadu-d daula Muhammad Amin Khan, when he had an interview with the Guru, said to him, "The marks of sense and intelligence are visible in thy countenance: how is it that you never thought about the recompense of your deeds, and that in a short span of life with a dreadful futurity you have been guilty of such cruelty and of such detestable actions to Hindus and Musulmans? He replied, "In all religions and sects, whenever disobedience and rebellion among mortal men passes all bounds, the Great Avenger raises up a severe man like me for the punishment of their sins and the due reward of their works. 'When He wishes to desolate the world, He places dominion in the hands of a tyrant.' When He desires to give the tyrant the recompense of his works, He sends a strong man like you to prevail over him, and to give him his due reward in this world: as you and I can see." --- Source: [https://indike.org/pramana/in.darkages.mughal.later.muntakhab-al-lubab~en-elliot.169](https://indike.org/pramana/in.darkages.mughal.later.muntakhab-al-lubab~en-elliot.169) · Pramāṇa