[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) › [Tadhkirah i Ānand-Rām “Mukhliṣ”](https://indike.org/pramana/in.darkages.mughal.later.tadhkirah-i-anand-ram-mukhlis) › [Tazkira, of Anand Ram Mukhlis (Elliot & Dowson, extracts)](https://indike.org/pramana/in.darkages.mughal.later.tadhkirah-i-anand-ram-mukhlis~en-elliot) › 1 # Tadhkirah i Anand-Ram “Mukhlish” 1 Tazkira, of Anand Ram Mukhlis (Elliot & Dowson, extracts) 1 - **Language:** English ### [1.1](https://indike.org/pramana/in.darkages.mughal.later.tadhkirah-i-anand-ram-mukhlis~en-elliot.1.1) March of the Emperor of Persia to Hindustan, and the consequent slaughter and devastation in that beautiful land. Strange events occurred after the capture of Kandahar. Before setting out from Ispahan, Nadir Shah had despatched a messenger, named 'Ali Mardan Khan, to Hindustan, with full powers to arrange with Muhammad Shah, the ruler of the land, certain matters of a nature peculiar to troublous times, and such as it becomes Emperors to settle amicably with one another. Nádir Shah reached Kandahár; but Muhammad Shah, it is probable, broke faith, and did not fulfil his promises, although a second messenger, named Muhammad Khan Turkoman, was sent to him; this messenger moreover never returned. The train had long been laid, and from these negociations sprang the spark that fired it. Nádir Shah was moved to anger; he resolved on the invasion of Hindustan; but though the apparent motive has been given above, the true cause was the weakness of its monarchy. Accordingly, on the 8th of Safar, in the twentieth year of Muhammad Sháh's reign, A.H. 1150, the Persian Emperor set his face towards Kabul, where he arrived about the end of the month. \* \* ### [1.2](https://indike.org/pramana/in.darkages.mughal.later.tadhkirah-i-anand-ram-mukhlis~en-elliot.1.2) The settlement of the conquered territory occupied the Emperor for four months and a half. The march was then continued to Jalalabad, a place famous for its pomegranates, which was reached on the 14th of Sha'ban. Násir Khán, son of the late Nasir Khan, governor of the province, who during these events had been at Peshawar, moved from this town and occupied a position half-way between 'Ali Masjid and Jamrud, which place is distant nine kos from Peshawar, to oppose the invader's progress. Nasir Khan had often written to Muhammad Shah concerning the want of money, but none of his representations had been attended to. He now wrote to the effect that he himself was but as a rose-bush withered by the blasts of autumn, while his soldiery were no more than a faded pageant, ill-provided and without spirit; he begged that, of the five years' salary due to him, one year's salary might be paid, that he might satisfy his creditors and have some little money at his command. The Nawab Sahib, however, exclaimed before the assembled díwán, that he could see no need for all this haste and flurry; "had he not written on the subject to the Emperor and the Wakálat-panáh, and, if the matter was not settled that day, why it would be so the next?" The Wakálat-panáh, when he laid the document before the Amiru-l umard Bahadur, and told him, with fear and trembling, in the Persian language, what had occurred in Kabul, received an answer which drove him to his wits' end; ### [1.3](https://indike.org/pramana/in.darkages.mughal.later.tadhkirah-i-anand-ram-mukhlis~en-elliot.1.3) "Know you not, Wakilu-panah," said the personage addressed, "that I am a man of too great experience to be caught by such stories that are only made up to extort gold ? My house is in the plain, and my imagination dwells only on what my eyes have seen. Your house is on a mountain, and perhaps from its summit you have caught a glimpse of the Persian host. Tell your employer that the governor of Bengal has been ordered to remit treasure after the rainy season, and the necessary sums will then be sent to him without delay." The Afghans of Kabul, particularly those of the Safi tribe, defended the mountain passes, and for a long time checked the advance of the Kazalbash invaders. If at that time a well-appointed army, under an experienced leader, had been sent to the support of the mountaineers, it is more than probable that Hindustan would have been saved. As it was, the enemy, ever on the watch to take advantage of any negligence on the part of their opponents, stole a march on the Afghans during the night of the 13th of Sha'ban, entered the Khaibar Pass while the stars still shone above their heads, and, moving with the rapidity of the wind, fell suddenly on the force of Nasir Khan, when a scene of slaughter and plunder ensued. \* \* Nadir Shah was now in possession of all the country as far as Attock, and Muhammad Shah and his advisers could no longer remain blind to the danger that threatened them. ### [1.4](https://indike.org/pramana/in.darkages.mughal.later.tadhkirah-i-anand-ram-mukhlis~en-elliot.1.4) They understood at length that this was no ordinary foe against whom they had to contend, no mere plunderer who would be sated with the spoil of a province and then return to his own country, but a leader of unshakeable resolution, who shaped his course with the sword. If, even at this juncture, the Emperor had sought to conciliate Nawab Sahib A'azzu-d daula Bahadur, Nazim of Multan and Lahore, and had supplied this fierce chieftain with the sinews of war as such an emergency required, then indeed might the world have witnessed a very different result. As it was, when the Emperor learned from the news-writers the advance of the Persian army to Attock, he, on the 1st of the blessed month of Ramazan, appointed Asaf Jah Bahadur Wakilu-s Saltanat, I'timadu-d daula Chin Bahadur Waziru-l Mamalik, and Amiru-l umara Bahadur to be Bakhshi-u-l Mamalik, for the defence of the monarchy, and with his own hands bound on the heads of the chiefs a malaband of Burhanpur workmanship. That same day these noblemen left the city for their camp, which was pitched near the Shalamar gardens. They received one kror of rupees in cash, and cannon and munitions of war in abundance. Besides their own troops, 50,000 horsemen were given to them. ### [1.5](https://indike.org/pramana/in.darkages.mughal.later.tadhkirah-i-anand-ram-mukhlis~en-elliot.1.5) Now was the time for these chiefs to have marched without delay, and, acting in concert with the Nazim of Multan and Lahore, whose troops amounted to no less than 20,000 bold horsemen, to have advanced to the banks of the Jhelam or Chinab, and have closed the roads and passes against the invader by skilful dispositions and by force of arms. Instead of this, the army remained a whole month encamped near the Shalamar gardens, detained by sundry petty causes which I cannot detail. Nadir Shah, after Nasir Khan's defeat, had entered Peshawar, where he occupied the residence of the Khan. Having settled the affairs of this district he marched, on the 26th of Ramazan, towards Attock, where the army encamped on the fifth day. The construction of a bridge here caused inevitable delay, but Aka Muhammad was detached with a strong force to devastate the country, and leave no means of destruction untried. A'azzu-d daula might now have displayed the same indifference as his royal master; but, far from this, he drew together a number of troops at vast expense to himself, and on the 17th of Ramazan formed his camp on the banks of the Ravi. Not being at liberty to move forward until joined by the Emperor's army, he contented himself with placing his cannon in the best positions, and throwing up entrenchments round his camp. ### [1.6](https://indike.org/pramana/in.darkages.mughal.later.tadhkirah-i-anand-ram-mukhlis~en-elliot.1.6) On the 4th of Shawwal the Persian army crossed the Attock river on a bridge of boats. On the 8th the Emperor reached the left bank of the Chinab river, and on the 9th encamped close to the bridge of Shah-daula. But how to relate the ruin and desolation that overwhelmed this beautiful country! Wazirabad, Imanabad, and Gujarat, towns which, for population, might almost be called cities, were levelled with the earth. Nothing was respected, no sort of violence remained unpractised; property of all kinds became the spoil of the plunderer, and women the prey of the ravisher. On the 10th of Shawwal the Shah and his army crossed the bridge of Shah-daula; then, leaving far to the left the artillery of the Nazim, which was in position along the opposite bank of the Ravi, they forded the river and advanced to the Shalamar gardens, which are on the high road to Shah-Jahanabad. All that day, from morn till night, the contest was maintained against the army of the Nazim, who repeatedly tried to force his way back to the town. The bravest warriors put forth their strength and many of the Kazalbashis fell. Yahya Khan, the eldest son of the Nazim, cut his way through with a few followers, and proceeding towards Shah-Jahanabad by forced marches, reached the camp of Nawab Sahib Waziru-l Mamalik Bahadur in the vicinity of Panipat. The fighting was renewed on the 11th, and the plain was strewed with the slain. ### [1.7](https://indike.org/pramana/in.darkages.mughal.later.tadhkirah-i-anand-ram-mukhlis~en-elliot.1.7) Both armies were now worn out with the struggle, and it was found advisable to make terms. On the 12th, the Nazim was met by the illustrious Wazir 'Abdu-l Baki, and conducted into the presence of the Shah, the greatest honour and respect being shown him. He was courteously received and presented with a chapkan of gold brocade, a jewelled dagger and a horse. The Nazim again repaired to the presence of the Shah on the 14th, and paid, by way of offering, a sum of twenty lacs of rupees, a portion of which had been taken from the state coffers, and the remainder contributed by the wealthiest inhabitants. He then departed in all honour. By this payment Lahore was saved from horrors among which death and spoliation were the least. The Sháh, who was full of kindness for the Názim (A'azzu-d daula), took into his service his second son, Hayátu-llah Khán Bahádur, and appointed him to the command of five hundred horse. On the 15th of the month the Sháh continued his march towards Sháh-Jahánábád. He advanced rapidly. Leaving his camp equipage at Sháhábád, on the 15th of Zí-l ka'da he appeared in the neighbourhood of Karnál, where Muhammad Sháh's army awaited his coming. But it is now time to return to Muhammad Sháh, lest the thread of the narrative should be broken. --- Source: [https://indike.org/pramana/in.darkages.mughal.later.tadhkirah-i-anand-ram-mukhlis~en-elliot.1](https://indike.org/pramana/in.darkages.mughal.later.tadhkirah-i-anand-ram-mukhlis~en-elliot.1) · Pramāṇa