[Pramāṇa](https://indike.org/pramana/) › [Indian literature](https://indike.org/pramana/in) › [Dark Ages](https://indike.org/pramana/in.darkages) › [Panjab and the Sikhs](https://indike.org/pramana/in.darkages.sikh) › [Aḥwāl-i Dīnā Bēg Khān](https://indike.org/pramana/in.darkages.sikh.ahwal-i-dina-beg-khan) › Farhatu-n Nazirin, of Muhammad Aslam (Elliot & Dowson, extracts) # Farhatu-n Nazirin, of Muhammad Aslam (Elliot & Dowson, extracts) Translation of [Ahwal-i Dina Beg Khan (Aḥwāl-i Dīnā Bēg Khān)](https://indike.org/pramana/in.darkages.sikh.ahwal-i-dina-beg-khan) - **Language:** English - **Date:** 1877 CE - **Translators:** [Henry Miers Elliot](https://indike.org/pramana/person/elliot), [John Dowson](https://indike.org/pramana/person/dowson) - **Extent:** 8 passages, 2,804 words - **Text:** complete digital text - **Source:** archive.org · The History of India, as told by its own Historians. The Muhammadan Period. The posthumous papers of Sir H.… · Public domain (published before 1930) ## Contents - [1](https://indike.org/pramana/in.darkages.sikh.ahwal-i-dina-beg-khan~en-elliot.1) - [2 Reign of 'Alamgir II.](https://indike.org/pramana/in.darkages.sikh.ahwal-i-dina-beg-khan~en-elliot.2) — 5 parts - [3 Shah 'Alam, son of 'Alamgir the Second.](https://indike.org/pramana/in.darkages.sikh.ahwal-i-dina-beg-khan~en-elliot.3) - [4 Nawabs of Oudh.](https://indike.org/pramana/in.darkages.sikh.ahwal-i-dina-beg-khan~en-elliot.4) ## Text ### [1](https://indike.org/pramana/in.darkages.sikh.ahwal-i-dina-beg-khan~en-elliot.1) In the third year of Ahmad Sháh's reign, corresponding with A.H. 1160, Ahmad Sháh Durrání, with the renewed intention of conquering Hindustán, arrived in the neighbourhood of Sodra, and Mír Mu'ínu-l Mulk, alias Mír Mannú, left Lahore with an army for the purpose of expelling him; but, being unable to take the field against him, he intrenched himself. The nobles and mírzás of Dehlí hoped that Mír Mannú might be destroyed, and after this desirable event they would take measures against the Abdálí. They would thus extirpate the thorn which the race of the Túránís had planted in their side. The Mír requested assistance from the Emperor of Dehlí and his minister for four months, but all in vain. He was consequently obliged to sue for peace, and he persuaded the Durrání to return to Kandahár by assigning to him four maháls, viz. Siálkot, Parsarúr, Gujarát, and Aurangábád, which had belonged to Kábul from the time of 'Álamgír. The Durrání, having reached Kandahár, collected a large force, and returned with the intention of conquering Hindustán. In 1164 A.H. (1750-1 A.D.) Ahmad came by forced marches to Lahore, and began to devastate the country. In the month of Rabi'u-l awwal he crossed the Chinab, and encamped between Sodra and Wazirabad. Mu'inu-l Mulk also, at the head of a formidable army, crossed the Ravi, which flows under the city of Lahore, and pitched his tents in front of the invader. For some time there was continued firing with guns and matchlocks, and the whole country between the Ravi and Chinab was desolated by the ravages and massacres committed by the Durranis. In those days the writer of these leaves was engaged in learning the Kuran by heart. In the end, neither party gained any perceptible advantage. The Durranis suddenly broke up their quarters, with the intention of crossing the Ravi, and plundering the district and city of Lahore. Mir Mannu marched back in alarm to the city, barricaded all the streets, and strengthened the interior defences. Every day there were skirmishes, till at last the supply of provisions was closed on all sides. There was such a dearth of corn and grass that with the utmost difficulty two sirs of wheat flour could be had for a rupee, to say nothing of rice. To procure for horses other forage than rushes or house-thatch was next to an impossibility. This obliged Mir Mannu and his army to take the field. He sallied out with his right and left wings, and fanned the embers of war into a flame. The chief agent of Mir Mannu was a man named Kora Mal, who had been a corn-chandler, and could scarcely earn his bread, but had now become master of immense riches, and had obtained kettle-drums and flags, with the governorship of Multan. With him, Adina Beg Khan Bahram Jang had for certain reasons taken some cause of offence, and retired to his own government in the (Jalandhar) Doab. Adina Beg now reluctantly joined Mu'inu-l Mulk against the Durranis, and, availing himself of his opportunity in the midst of battle, instructed one of the Afghans of Kasur to put an end to the existence of that unworthy wretch Kora Mal by a musket-ball. In consequence of his death, the army of Mir Mannu suffered a complete defeat, and he was obliged to send for his horse, and, advancing with some of his personal attendants, proceeded to kiss the threshold of the Durrani, who honoured him with the grant of a valuable khil'at and the title of Farzand Khan. ### Reign of 'Alamgir II. ### [2.1](https://indike.org/pramana/in.darkages.sikh.ahwal-i-dina-beg-khan~en-elliot.2.1) In the third year of the reign of 'Alamgir II., the minister Ghaziu-d din Khan, having released Wala Gauhar, the eldest son of 'Alamgir, from prison, took him towards Lahore. He went as far as Ludhiyana, and then returned, and having sent for the daughter of Mu'Inu-l Mulk from Lahore, he married her. He deprived the Emperor of all power whatever, and conducted all the affairs of the State. A misunderstanding arose during this year between him and Najibu-d daula, which at this very day is the cause of all the disorganization which is ruining the country. Najibu-d daula, having found means of secretly communicating with the Abdali, invited him to come to Hindustan. Accordingly, in the beginning of the fourth year of the reign, he came to Dehli, and, having ravaged it, proceeded to Muttra, where he massacred the inhabitants, broke the temples, and having plundered the town of immense wealth in property and cash, he cut the very nose of Hindustan, and returned to Lahore, where he gave his youngest son the title of Timur Shah ; and left Jahdn Khan there with the designation of minister. Waziru-l mumalik Ghaziu-d din Khan marched his army into the provinces of Allahabad and Oudh, but returned to Dehli without meeting with any success. Najib Khdn and Kutb Shah, having collected a force, plundered the house of Ghaziu-d din Khan, carried off all the cash, furniture and jewels which were found in it, and also dishonoured his zenana. ### [2.2](https://indike.org/pramana/in.darkages.sikh.ahwal-i-dina-beg-khan~en-elliot.2.2) Ghaziu-d din, assembling a body of men, sat watching the opportunity of vengeance, but in vain. Adina Beg Khdn, being sorely pressed by the army of the Abdalis, invited Malhar, Raghu and other Mahratta chiefs from the Dakhin, gave them fifty lacs of rupees, and proceeded to attack the officers of the Abdali. He first overcame the Faujdar of Sirhind, whose name was 'Abdu-s Samad Khdn, and who was stationed in that city with a body of 20,000 Rohillas, horse and foot. After subjugating the whole of that district, Adina Beg proceeded to Lahore. When he reached that city, Jahan Khan, with Prince Timur, pitched his tents at Kachchi-sarai, and having intrenched himself, prepared for action. Adina Beg Khdn joined his forces with those of the Mahrattas, and Jahan Khdn, having sustained a defeat, fled towards Peshawar with two hundred horse, leaving all his treasure and property to be plundered by the enemy's army. Adina Beg Khdn, on the achievement of this unexpected victory, ordered the happy occasion to be celebrated by beat of drums. He dismissed the Mahratta army to Dehli, and himself proceeded to Batala, where he fixed his head-quarters. He then turned his attention to the appointment of governors for the provinces of Multan, Thatta, and Lahore. Soon after this he died a natural death, on the 11th of Muharram, in the fifth year of 'Alamgir's reign, and the province of Lahore again came into the possession of the Sikhs. ### [2.3](https://indike.org/pramana/in.darkages.sikh.ahwal-i-dina-beg-khan~en-elliot.2.3) Ghaziu-d din Khdn sent Jhanku Mahratta against Najibu-d daula, who, being unable to oppose him, departed to Sakartal on the banks of the Ganges, where he fixed his batteries, and prepared for resistance. He sent his envoy to Ahmad Shah Abdali to solicit assistance. The army of Jhanku invested him closely, and after four months' fighting, it crossed the Ganges near Hardwar, where the river was found fordable, and overran the country. Nawab Shuja'u-d daula, son of Waziru-l mamalik Mansuru-l Mulk Safdar Jang, who was coming to aid Najibu-d daula, arrived soon after, and expelled the Mahrattas from the territory of the Afghans. Ghaziu-d din Khan, on receiving the news of Shuja'u-d daula's arrival, marched from Dehli and joined the camp of Jhanku. He then directed some of his sardars to go to the fort of Shah-Jahanabad, and put 'Azizu-d din ('Alamgir) to death. In the mean time Ahmad Shah Abdali reached the environs of Sirhind, and defeated the Mahratta army which was quartered in that district. On receiving the intelligence, Jhanku advanced to oppose the Abdali. Najib Khan, finding an opportunity, joined the Abdali's camp at Saharanpur, by forced marches. Jhanku, having sustained a repulse at that place, came to Dehli, where he fought a very severe battle, but was at last obliged to fly. The period of 'Alamgir the Second's reign is said to be six years, and that of his life about sixty. The events above related took place in A.H. 1174 (1760-1 A.D.). ### [2.4](https://indike.org/pramana/in.darkages.sikh.ahwal-i-dina-beg-khan~en-elliot.2.4) I will minutely relate the Abdali's victory over the Dakhin army, when we enter upon his history in detail. I content myself here with giving a concise narrative of it as follows. When Jhanku sustained a defeat from the army of the Abdali, and fled away with Ghaziu-d din Khan, the Abdali sacked Dehli and encamped at Anupnagar. Shuja'u-d daula also came there and kissed his threshold. After the rainy season, Bhao Wiswas Rai, with the son of the Raja his master, marched from the Dakhin at the head of 200,000 horse, 20,000 foot, and 300 guns. He entered the city of Dehli, and having taken the fort from the officers of the Abdali, proceeded to Kunjpura and Sirhind. 'Abdu-s Samad Khan and seven other officers who were stationed at the former place, with a body of 20,000 horse and foot, offered resistance, and after a battle of about one hour, were all slain. Bhao plundered Kunjpura, sent those who were taken alive to prison, and pitched his tents on the banks of the Jumna. Ahmad Shah, on hearing this sad news, writhed like a serpent, and kindling the fire of anger, moved towards the enemy. Although the river flowed with great impetuosity, yet he forded it at Baghpat, and engaged with the enemy, who, not being able to withstand him in the field, retreated to Panipat, and fixed their batteries there. The Abdali besieged their camp, and when the siege had lasted five months, the enemy one morning left their intrenchments, and drew out their army in battle array. ### [2.5](https://indike.org/pramana/in.darkages.sikh.ahwal-i-dina-beg-khan~en-elliot.2.5) The fire of battle raged from early morn and was not extinguished till evening. At last the gale of victory blew over the royal flags, and all the Dakhin host was cut down by the swords of the Muhammadan warriors. Of their chiefs none except Malhar saved his life. The dead lay strewn shoulder to shoulder from the plain of Panipat to Dehli. About ninety thousand persons, male and female, were taken prisoners, and obtained eternal happiness by embracing the Muhammadan faith. Indeed, never was such a splendid victory achieved from the time of Amir Mahmud Subuktigin to the present day by any of the Sultans but by this Emperor of Emperors. After this conquest, he appointed Waziru-l mamalik Shuja'u-d daula to the office of Wazir, Najib Khan to that of Bakhshi, and having granted tracts of land to the other Afghans, and dismissed them to their respective abodes, returned himself to Kandahar. The history of this sovereign will be given in full detail in its proper place. When Nawab Shuja'u-d daula arrived in his province, he went to kiss the threshold of His Majesty Wala Gauhar Shah 'Alam, and obtained the high rank of Prime Minister. I am now going to relate a full account of this great Emperor and his wise Minister. ### [3](https://indike.org/pramana/in.darkages.sikh.ahwal-i-dina-beg-khan~en-elliot.3) That prince of noble extraction, the jewel of the crown of sovereignty, fought a battle with Ghaziu-d din Khan in the fifth year of his venerable father's reign, and having left Dehli, proceeded to the eastward. None of the Afghan chiefs received him hospitably, through fear of Ghaziu-d din Khan. He was obliged to resort to that hero of the world (Shuja'u-d daula) in the fort of Jalalabad, where he was respectfully and hospitably received. After some days' halt, he proceeded to invade Bengal. Muhammad Kuli Khan, Governor of the province of Allahabad, and Zainu-l 'Abidin Khan, joined him. He allowed them to remain with the camp, and ordered them to raise an army. In a few days a force of about one hundred thousand horsemen was collected, and he went to take Patna 'Azimabad. After the city was besieged, and much blood was shed, Miran, son of Ja'far 'Ali Khan, Governor of the province of Bengal, assembled a large force, and having invited the Firingi armies to assist him, waged war with the Emperor. Though the garrison was on the point of being overpowered and Miran of taking to flight, yet, through the disaffection of the nobles in whom the Emperor confided, and the want of treasure, which can never be amassed without possessing dominion (dominion and treasure being twins), great disaffection arose in the Emperor's army. Many, from fear of scarcity of provisions, went to their homes, and others who had no shame joined with Ram Narain and Miran. The army of the Emperor met with a terrible defeat. Just afterwards Miran was killed by a stroke of lightning, and peace was concluded by the agency of the Christians. Muhammad Kuli Khan came to Allahabad, and the news of 'Azizu-d din 'Alamgir's death reached Shah 'Alam in Patna, on which he was much afflicted in his mind ; but ascribing the event to the wise dispensations of Providence, he sat upon the throne of sovereignty on the 5th of Jumada-l awwal. Nawab Shuja'u-d daula, after a few days, came to the border of his territories, and having invited the Emperor from 'Azimabad, obtained the honour of an interview, and was exalted to the hereditary office of Wazir, and afterwards accompanied him to Allahabad. It is through the means of that great man that the name of Sahib Kiran Gurgan (Timur) still remains; otherwise, the Abdali would not have allowed one of his descendants to survive. The Emperor now fixed his residence at Allahabad, kept the eldest son of Shuja'u-d daula in his Court as deputy of his father, whom he permitted to return to the province of Oudh, which is his jagir and altamgha. As it is at this time the 1180th year of the Hijra, it is therefore the twelfth year of His Majesty's reign, which commenced from the month of Jumada-l awwal. May God render His Majesty kind towards all wise and learned men, towards the poor, and towards all his subjects: and may he give him grace to walk in the paths of the Holy Law! To relate in detail the events of Shah 'Alam's reign would require a separate history. The writer contents himself therefore with giving the above succinct account of him. ### [4](https://indike.org/pramana/in.darkages.sikh.ahwal-i-dina-beg-khan~en-elliot.4) Burhanu-l Mulk, in consideration of the valuable services he had rendered to the Emperor, was elevated to the rank of five thousand personal and the command of five thousand horse. He also obtained the title of Bahadur Jang and the governorship of Agra; and greatly exerted himself in subverting and destroying the rebels. When Maharaja Jai Singh Sawai was sent against Churaman Jat, the governorship of the province of Oudh was conferred on Burhanu-l Mulk, and with it that title. He took such measures that no trace of revolters remained within the limits of his province; This is well known and requires no comment. At the time of the invasion of Nadir Shah, he came to Court with all haste, and although dissuaded by the Emperor and the nobles, yet he fought very boldly against the Shah. After the action he visited the Shah, and was received with great honour. Distressed beyond measure at the misfortunes which afflicted the times, he poisoned himself, leaving Safdar Jang Abu-l Mansur Khan, his sister's son, as his successor, in whose forehead the light of greatness shone, and in whose appearance the marks of dignity and grandeur were conspicuous. At the time of the invasion of Ahmad Shah Abdali, who killed Nadir Shah, and had come down with a numerous army to conquer Hindustan, Safdar Jang, with great intrepidity, stood firm to his ground, and, with a view to preserve his honour and fame, fought very severe battles with that hardy and stubborn enemy. Although Kamru-d din Khan, the minister, had fallen, and the son of Raja Jai Singh Sawai had fled from the field; although at the same time the news of the death of the Emperor was received, and the royal army was routed and dispersed, yet he repulsed and defeated him. After the flight of the Abdali, he placed Ahmad Shah upon the throne, and assuming the office of wazir, brought him to Delhi, and turned his attention to the administration of the Government. As at all times the creators of disturbance were at their work, a misunderstanding arose between him and the Emperor. For some time he was engaged in punishing and subduing the insurgents, and tried to correct the conduct of the Emperor, who, being addicted to luxury and pleasure, took no care of his duties. But seeing that it was all in vain, he left the Emperor, and went to the province which had been assigned to him. After some days he expired, and was succeeded by his son, the most upright, accomplished, and brave Jalalu-d din Haidar Shuja'u-d daula, who in the time of Shah 'Alam obtained the office of wazir, and excelled all competitors in wealth and rank. The son was even superior to the father, and an account of him shall be given hereafter. --- Source: [https://indike.org/pramana/in.darkages.sikh.ahwal-i-dina-beg-khan~en-elliot](https://indike.org/pramana/in.darkages.sikh.ahwal-i-dina-beg-khan~en-elliot) · Pramāṇa