The History of Shāhjahān (ʿInāyat Khān) 30: Account of Prince Muhammad Aurangzeb's March to Golkonda
Sháh Jahán-náma, of 'Ináyat Khán (Elliot & Dowson, extracts) 30
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Account of Prince Muhammad Aurangzeb's March to Golkonda
30.1
Among the important events that took place towards the close of this year was the march of the ever-successful Prince Muhammad Aurangzeb Bahadur to the territory of Golkonda, for the sake of coercing Kutbu-l Mulk, his exaction of a superb tributary offering on behalf of His Majesty's private exchequer, and his uniting in marriage of the latter's daughter with his own eldest son, Muhammad Sultan, an abridged narrative of which is as follows. When Mir Jumla sought to ally himself to the Imperial throne, Kutbu-l Mulk, the instant he gained intelligence of the matter, imprisoned Mir Jumla's son, Mir Muhammad Amin, together with his connexions, and having confiscated whatever he possessed, both in live stock and goods, forwarded him and his relatives to Golkonda. This circumstance having soon reached the ear of the fortunate Prince, through the intervention of news-writers, His Royal Highness despatched a quiet letter to Kutbu-l Mulk regarding the release of the prisoners, and the restoration of Mir Muhammad Amin's goods and chattels. Having likewise reported the state of the case to the Imperial presence, he solicited authority, that in case Kutbu-l Mulk persisted in keeping Mir Jumla's son in confinement, he might be permitted to march against him in person, and endeavour to liberate the captives; as supineness in resorting to arms would be a source of additional lethargy to the opulent lords of the Dakhin.
30.2
On the receipt of his report, a farmán was likewise forwarded with the utmost expedition to Kutbu-l Mulk, by the hands of some mace-bearers, respecting the surrender of Mir Jumla's son along with his relatives, and the infliction of the consequences of disobedience. A mandate was also addressed to the victorious Prince, instructing him to set out for his destination with the triumphant troops; and the ever-obeyed commands were issued to the governor of Málwa, and the mansabdárs serving in that province, to proceed and join His Royal Highness as quickly as possible. In short, as Kutbu-l Mulk, under the influence of the fumes of arrogance, would not heed the contents of the letter, the Prince despatched his eldest son, Muhammad Sultan, thither on the 8th of Rabi'u-l awwal this year, along with a host of nobles and mansabdárs and his own followers. It was farther determined that the army that was returning from Deogarh should halt in that vicinity, and unite itself to the illustrious Sultan; and that he himself should set out afterwards in the course of another month. About this time, the mansabdárs in whose charge the khil'ats and farmáns had been despatched for Kutbu-l Mulk and Mir Jumla from the brilliant presence, as has been related in its proper place, came and waited on that ward of the divine vigilance.
30.3
Although it was the realm-subduing Prince's opinion that Kutbu-l Mulk would release Mir Jumla's son from confinement previous to the arrival of Muhammad Sultan, "the tender sapling in the garden of prosperity and success," at the frontier of the Golkonda territory, and that the campaign would not consequently be prolonged to any great extent, yet Kutbu-l Mulk, from excessive negligence and extreme pride, had not the good sense to adopt this measure, and hold the farmán in dread and fear. After the last communication the Prince gave orders, directing Muhammad Sultan to enter his territory with the Imperial troops. On receiving the above farmán with the alarming intelligence of Muhammad Sultan's approach at the head of the royal forces, Kutbu-l Mulk awoke from his deep sleep of arrogance and conceit, and sent off Mir Jumla's son, along with his mother and connexions. He also forwarded a letter to Court, intimating this fact, and avowing his fealty and subservience, in charge of the mace-bearers who had brought the farmán. Mir Jumla's son having joined Muhammad Sultán twelve kos from Haidarabad, reposed in the cradle of peace and safety. Nevertheless as Kutbu-l Mulk, with grasping avarice, still retained the goods and property belonging to Mir Jumla and his son, and would not deliver them up, the illustrious Sultan set out for the city of Haidarabad.
30.4
Kutbu-l Mulk, on learning this news, started off his children to Golkonda, which is situated at a distance of three kos from Haidarabad, and where, owing to the impregnability of the position, he was in the habit of depositing his secret hoards of treasure; and he followed them shortly after himself. Whatever gems and jewelry, gold and silver articles, and cash he possessed, he likewise removed to the fort of Golkonda; and other property, such as various kinds of carpets, porcelain, etc., he made over to the chief of his confidential servants, and deputed him to contend with the royal forces.
30.5
Next morning, corresponding to the 5th of Rabi'u-s sani this year, when Muhammad Sultan, having arrived at the environs of Haidarabad, was just about to encamp on the banks of the Husain Sagar lake, one of Kutbu-l Mulk's confidential retainers came and waited on him with a casket full of jewels that his master had forwarded by his hands. Meanwhile, Kutbu-l Mulk's forces made their appearance, and assumed a menacing attitude; but the ever-triumphant troops, having engaged in the deadly strife from right and left, enveloped the enemy with speed and promptitude in the midst of a galling fire, and by the aid of His Majesty's daily-increasing good fortune, having gained the superiority, chased the routed fugitives up to the city walls. Many of the enemy were accordingly killed and wounded, and the survivors, from dread of the royalists' assaults, did not stay within the city walls, but fled into the fort. In short, as such an audacious act had been perpetrated by Kutbu-l Mulk, and the bearer of the casket of jewels was indicated as the originator of this hostile movement, Muhammad Sultan gave the order for his execution.