Muntakhab al-lubab 82: Thirty-first Year of the Reign, 1098 A.H. (1687 A.D.).

Muntakhabu-l Lubáb, of Kháfí Khán (Elliot & Dowson, extracts) 82

Language: English

Thirty-first Year of the Reign, 1098 A.H. (1687 A.D.).

82.1

[Text, vol. ii. p. 361.] At the beginning of the month Zi-l ka'da, at the commencement of the thirty-first year of the reign, agreeing with 1098 A.H. (Sept. 1687), by the efforts of Ruhu-llah Khan, a negociation was concluded, through Ranmast Khan Afghan Pani, with 'Abdu-llah Khan, who was one of the confidential officers of Abu-l Hasan, and had charge of the gate called the khirki (wicket). In the last watch of the night Ruhu-llah Khan and * *, at a sign from 'Abdu-llah, entered the fortress by means of ladders. Prince Muhammad A'zam, mounted on an elephant, had a large force ready to enter by the gate. Those who had got in went to the gate, posted their men, opened the gate, and raised the cry of victory. 'Abdu-r Razzak Lari heard this, and, springing on a horse without any saddle, with a sword in one hand and a shield in the other, and accompanied by ten or twelve followers, he rushed to the open gate, through which the Imperial forces were pouring in. Although his followers were dispersed, he alone, like a drop of water falling into the sea, or an atom of dust struggling in the rays of the sun, threw himself upon the advancing foe, and fought with inconceivable fury and desperation, shouting that he would fight to the death for Abu-l Hasan. Every step he advanced, thousands of swords were aimed at him, and he received so many wounds from swords and spears that he was covered with wounds from the crown of his head to the nails of his feet.

82.2

But his time was not yet come, and he fought his way to the gate of the citadel without being brought down. He received twelve wounds upon his face alone, and the skin of his forehead hung down over his eyes and nose. One eye was severely wounded, and the cuts upon his body seemed as numerous as the stars. His horse also was covered with wounds, and reeled under his weight, so he gave the reins to the beast, and by great exertion kept his seat. The horse carried him to a garden called Nagina, near the citadel, to the foot of an old cocoa-nut tree, where, by the help of the tree, he threw himself off. On the morning of the second day a party of men belonging to Husaini Beg passed, and recognizing him by his horse and other signs, they took compassion upon him, and carried him upon a bedstead to a house. When his own men heard of this, they came and dressed his wounds. The remainder of the story of this brave devoted warrior shall be told hereafter.

82.3

The shouts and cries, and the groans and lamentations, within and without, made Abu-l Hasan aware that all was over. He went into his harem to comfort his women, to ask pardon of them, and take leave of them. Then, though his heart was sad, he controlled himself, and went to his reception room, and took his seat upon the masnad, and watched for the coming of his unbidden guests. When the time for taking his meal arrived, he ordered the food to be served up. As Ruhu-llah Khan and others arrived, he saluted them all, and never for a moment lost his dignity. With perfect self-control he received them with courtesy, and spoke to them with warmth and elegance. * * Abu-l Hasan called for his horse and accompanied the amirs, carrying a great wealth of pearls upon his neck. When he was introduced into the presence of Prince Muhammad A'zam Shah, he took off his necklace of pearls and presented it to the Prince in a most graceful way. The Prince took it, and placing his hand upon his back, he did what he could to console and encourage him. He then conducted him to the presence of Aurangzeb, who also received him very courteously. After a few days the Emperor sent him to the fortress of Daulatabad, and settled a suitable allowance for providing him with food, raiment, and other necessaries. Officers were appointed to take possession of the effects of Abu-l Hasan and his nobles.

82.4

'Abdu-r Razzak, senseless, but with a spark of life remaining, was carried to the house of Ruhu-llah Khan. As soon as the eyes of Saf-shikan Khan fell upon him, he cried out, "This is that vile Lari! cut off his head and hang it over the gate." Ruhu-llah replied that to cut off the head of a dying man without orders, when there was no hope of his surviving, was far from being humane. A little bird made the matter known to Aurangzeb, who had heard of 'Abdu-r Razzak's daring and courage and loyalty, and he graciously ordered that two surgeons, one a European, the other a Hindu, should be sent to attend the wounded man, who were to make daily reports of his condition to Aurangzeb. The Emperor sent for Ruhu-llah Khan, and told him that if Abu-l Hasan had possessed only one more servant devoted like 'Abdu-r Razzak, it would have taken much longer to subdue the fortress. The surgeons reported that they had counted nearly seventy wounds, besides the many wounds upon wounds which could not be counted. Although one eye was not injured, it was probable that he would lose the sight of both. They were directed carefully to attend to his cure. At the end of sixteen days, the doctors reported that he had opened one eye, and spoken a few faltering words expressing a hope of recovery.

82.5

Aurangzeb sent a message to him, forgiving him his offences, and desiring him to send his eldest son 'Abdu-l Kadir with his other sons, that they might receive suitable mansabs and honours, and return thanks for the pardon granted to their father, and for the mansabs and other favours. When this gracious message reached that devoted and peerless hero, he gasped out a few words of reverence and gratitude, but he said that there was little hope of his recovery. If, however, it pleased the Almighty to spare him and give him a second life, it was not likely that he would be fit for service; but should he ever be capable of service, he felt that no one who had eaten the salt of Abu-l Hasan, and had thriven on his bounty, could enter the service of King 'Alamgir (Aurangzeb). On hearing these words, a cloud was seen to pass over the face of His Majesty; but he kindly said, "When he is quite well, let me know." Most of 'Abdu-r Razzak's property had been plundered, but such as was left was given over to him.

82.6

Some time afterwards it was reported that 'Abdu-r Razzak had got quite well, and an order was issued to the Subadar to send him to the royal presence. 'Abdu-r Razzak tried to excuse himself, and expressed a wish to go with his children on the pilgrimage to Mecca, on returning from which blessed journey he would devote himself to prayer for the long life of His Majesty. Orders were then given for arresting him and sending him to Court. Firoz Jang got information of this, and with great sympathy invited 'Abdu-r Razzak to come and stay with him. He kept him for some time with marked kindness, and after the lapse of a year 'Abdu-r Razzak entered the Imperial service with a mansab of 4000 and 3000 horse. The property of Abu-l Hasan which was recovered after its dispersion amounted to eight lacs and fifty-one thousand huns, and two krors and fifty-three thousand rupees, altogether six krors eighty lacs and ten thousand rupees, besides jewels, inlaid articles and vessels of gold and silver. The total in dams was one arb fifteen krors sixteen lacs and a fraction, which was the sum entered on the records.

82.7

The mud fort of Golkonda was built by the ancestors of Raja Deo Rai, and it was acquired by the Bahmani Sultans after a good deal of resistance. Upon the fall of the Bahmani dynasty, their territories fell into the hands of a number of petty chiefs; but Sultan Muhammad Kuli, entitled Kutbu-l Mulk, who had been one of the nobles of Sultan Muhammad Shah Bahmani, brought some of the provinces of the Dakhin under his rule. For the old mud fort of Raja Deo Rai, which stood upon the summit of a hill, he substituted one of stone. After some descents, the kingdom came to Muhammad Kutbu-l Mulk, for all the descendants bore the name of Kutbu-l Mulk. He took great pains in repairing the fort of Golkonda. He had a wife named Bhagmati, of whom he was very fond. At her request, he built a city two kos distant from the fortress, to which he gave the name of Bhagnagar. Some time after the death of Bhagmati, the name was changed to Haidarabad; but in the vernacular language of the people it is still called Bhagnagar. That woman had established many brothels and drinking shops in that place, and the rulers had always been addicted to pleasure and to all sorts of debauchery. Abu-l Hasan exceeded all his predecessors in his devotion to pleasure. So the city got an evil name for licentiousness. After the conquest by Aurangzeb, it was called the hostile country (daru-l jihad). [Surrender of the fort of Sakar between Haidarabad and Bijapur.]