Muntakhab al-lubab 9: Movements of Aurangzeb.
Muntakhabu-l Lubáb, of Kháfí Khán (Elliot & Dowson, extracts) 9
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Movements of Aurangzeb.
9.1
About this time Mir Jumla arrived, who had been sent by Shah Jahan before his illness to support Aurangzeb, and he acted as a trusted friend and faithful counsellor. But Aurangzeb deemed it expedient, in order to avoid reproach, to leave Mir Jumla as a prisoner at Daulatabad, while he himself marched against his enemies. As a matter of prudence and expediency, Aurangzeb wrote repeatedly and in the most affectionate terms to Muhammad Murad Bakhsh, and offered him his congratulations. In his letters he said, "I have not the slightest liking for or wish to take any part in the government of this deceitful and unstable world, my only desire is that I may make the pilgrimage to the temple of God. But whatever course you have resolved upon in opposition to the good-for-nothing and unjust conduct of our disgraceful brother (biradar-i be-shukoh), you may consider me your sincere friend and ally. Our revered father is still alive, and I think that we two brothers should devote ourselves to his service, and to the punishment of the wilfulness of that haughty one and the presumption and conceit of that apostate. If it be possible, and we are permitted to see our father again, after exerting ourselves to put down that strife and insurrection, we will entreat the King to forgive the faults of our brother, who has involuntarily been impelled to such a course of action.
9.2
After setting the government in order, and punishing the enemies of the State, our brother must be reclaimed, and he must go to pay a visit to the holy temple. It is important that you should allow of no delay in your movements, but should march at once to chastise that presumptuous infidel Jaswant Singh. You must consider me as having arrived on your side of the Nerbadda, and must look upon my numerous army and powerful artillery as the means of securing your victory. You must know that I make the Word of God my bail for this treaty and compact, and you must by all means banish suspicion from your mind."
9.3
Aurangzeb arrived in Burhanpur on the 25th Jumada-l awwal, (1068 A.H., 19th February, 1658 A.D.), * * and remained there a month attending to necessary arrangements, and obtaining accurate intelligence. On the 25th Jumada-l akhir he set out on his march to the capital. * * Jaswant Singh knew nothing of the approach of the great army of the two brothers until they came within seven kos of Ujjain, when Raja Sheoraj, commandant of Mandu, obtained information of their having crossed at the ford of Akbarpur, and wrote the particulars to the Maharaja. Kasim Khan, on hearing that Prince Murad Bakhsh had left Ahmadabad, went forth in haste to welcome him. But when he learnt that the Prince had gone eighteen kos out of the way to meet Aurangzeb, he turned back disappointed. Dara Shukoh's men, who were in the fortress of Dhar, when they beheld the irresistible forces of the two brothers, took to flight and joined the Maharaja. Raja Jaswant Singh, with Kasim Khan, on the approach of Prince Aurangzeb, advanced a march to meet him, and pitched his camp at the distance of one kos and a half. Aurangzeb then sent a Brahman called Kab, who had a great reputation as a Hindi poet and master of language, to the Raja with this message: "My desire is to visit my father. I have no desire for war.
9.4
It is therefore desirable that you should either accompany me, or keep away from my route, so that no conflict may arise, or blood be shed." The Raja did not acquiesce in this proposition, and sent an impertinent answer. Next day both sides prepared for battle. * * * On the 22nd Rajab, 1068 A.H. (20th April, 1658 A.D.), the battle was joined. * * * Every minute the dark ranks of the infidel Rajputs were dispersed by the prowess of the followers of Islam. Dismay and great fear fell upon the heart of Jaswant, their leader, and he, far from acting like one of the renowned class of rajas, turned his back upon the battle, and was content to bring upon himself everlasting infamy. * * Kasim Khan also, with other Imperial officers and the forces of Dara Shukoh, took to flight. Shouts of victory arose from the men of Aurangzeb, and all the artillery, elephants, treasure, camels, baggage, animals, and equipments of the enemy, after being rifled and plundered, came into the possession of Aurangzeb. * * On the 27th Rajab the Prince marched from the borders of Ujjain, and on the 28th pitched his camp in the territories of Gwalior, * * and on the 1st of Ramazan crossed the Chambal.