Tarikh-i Salatin-i Afaghina 3.2
Táríkh-i Salátín-i Afághana of Ahmad Yádgár (extracts) 3.2
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3.2.1
Sultán Ibráhím took up his abode at Agra, and many nobles who had been hostile to him came and tendered their submission. Karímdád Khán Tagh, with others of the umará, were sent to take charge of Dehlí. Meanwhile, the army of the Sultán besieged Gwálior, and 'Azam Humáyún was sent to take the command. Sultán Jalálu-d dín accordingly left that place, and retired to Málwa; where, not being well received by the Sultán Mahmúd, he fled to Garra-Kantak, where he fell into the hands of the Gonds, who seized him, and with a view to gain the good-will of the Sultán, sent their captive to him. The Sultán rejoiced at this intelligence, and caused all his court to assemble. Sultán Jalálu-d dín was brought hand-bound into this assembly, after which he was sent to the fort of Hánsi. Whilst he was en route to that place, Ahmad Khán was sent after him, and administered the draught of martyrdom. After these events, the Sultán ruled the country without fear, and without admitting a partner to share his empire. The Rája of Gwálior, who had been his enemy for years, having departed to the infernal regions, was succeeded by his son, Bikramájít. The Sultán, after a long war, wrested the fort from him; and taking down the copper bull, out of whose mouth a voice issued, from its place over the gate, brought it to the fort of Ágra, where it remained until the time of the Emperor Akbar, who caused it to be melted down for the purpose of making cannon.
3.2.2
When the Sultán had conquered Gwálior, he went to Dehli, and waxed very proud, so that he began to maltreat and punish the nobles of his father, many of whom held him in great awe. He imprisoned some of them, and throwing Mián Bhúa into chains, who had been the most powerful and independent grandee of the empire, and the absolute minister of Sultan Sikandar, his father, during a period of twenty-eight years, gave him over to the charge of Malik Adam Ghakkar. Certain nobles, who were envious of the Mian, counselled the King to erect a building with a subterranean chamber beneath it. When two months had elapsed, and the chamber was thoroughly dry, they filled it with bags of gunpowder. They then procured the release of Mian Bhua and certain other nobles against whom they were plotting, gave them dresses of honour, and money, and treated them with such kindness that they banished all apprehension from their minds. One day the King said to them, "Islam Khan was raised from the dust, and kindly treated by Sultan Sikandar; but he has since become apprehensive, and has rebelled and proclaimed open enmity. I pray you now to retire to the new house which I have built, sit there and deliberate amongst yourselves what course I ought to follow. I have such confidence in you that I am certain the conclusion you come to will be of benefit to me." They went unsuspiciously to the place, and commenced their consultation.
3.2.3
Suddenly the whole place was blown up, and Mian Bhua and all who were there present were scattered as leaves of trees by a gale of wind. Many nobles became aware of the King's fickle disposition, and raised the standard of opposition. Islam Khan threw off the mask of obedience in Agra, and began to assemble an army. When the Sultan heard this, he wished to send troops against him; but, suddenly, several grandees left Dehli, and went over to Islam Khan, and the insurrection was thus rendered more formidable. The Sultan appointed others of the umara, who proceeded towards Lucknow, near which place they were attacked by Ikbal Khan, of the tribe of 'Azam Humayun, with 5000 horsemen. Many men were slain, and the King's army defeated.
3.2.4
When this news reached him, he despatched another army, and directed that the insurgent nobles should first be subdued, and that afterwards steps should be taken to overcome Ikbal Khan. The army of Islam Khan amounted to nearly 40,000 horsemen, ready for action. Shaikh Raju tried to induce the rebels to submit. They replied that they would do so if 'Azam Humayun were released from prison. The Sultan, on a reference made to him, would not consent to this, and when all was ready for war such fighting took place as had never been witnessed. Three or four thousand soldiers fell on both sides, and streams of blood flowed. At last, a soldier of the Sultan's, who was an inhabitant of Kabul, facing Islam Khan, discharged his matchlock at him, and struck him in the forehead, when he fell to the earth. This caused the rebels to disperse, and the King's army, taking advantage of the panic, attacked them. Thus the only reward which Islam Khan met with for his rebellion and ingratitude was death, while Sa'id Khan and others were made prisoners. The rebel forces were utterly routed, and the insurrection suppressed. When the King learnt this, he was much pleased, and behaved towards the army, which had fought so well and loyally for him, with the greatest kindness; but he did not forget the malice of the nobles. At this period an army was prepared for the purpose of attacking Ráná Sanká.
3.2.5
Mián Husain Khan Zarlakhsh, Mián Khán-khánan Farmuli, and Mián Ma'ruf, who were the chief commanders in the army of Sultán Sikandar, and whom he had distinguished beyond all others by associating with them, and increasing their rank and preferments, — who were the bravest men of the age, and could have instructed even Rustam in the art of war, — and who during the reign of the deceased Sultán had fought many battles and taken many castles; — these generals the Sultán placed under Mián Makhan, the commander-in-chief of this expedition. When they arrived in the Ráná's country, the Sultán wrote, ordering Mián Makhan to seize Mián Husain Khán and Mián Ma'ruf Khán in the best way he could, and send them prisoners to him. Makhan Khán went to the tent of Ma'ruf Khán, under the pretence of condoling with him for the loss of his son, notwithstanding he had died two months previously. Mián Husain Khán was informed of this, and went speedily thither, and told Mián Makhan that he had better forego his intention of imprisoning Mián Ma'ruf, and that he had better rise and depart in safety, remarking that the King had gone mad. Makhan upon this remonstrance departed, and sent intelligence of the circumstances to the Sultan, who replied by inquiring why he went to people's tents, and ordering him to raise a large tent in the plain, and send information to the chiefs that a royal farman had arrived, and that they must come and hear its contents.
3.2.6
Mian Makhan was commanded to seize Husain Khan first, and he obeyed these orders. When the chiefs were assembled, Mian Husain came, bringing with him a thousand men clothed in chain armour, which was concealed by white clothing. He directed them to keep strict watch outside when he entered the tent. Mian Makhan had caused another tent to be erected near the first, in which he had placed a thousand soldiers, with orders, when Ma'ruf Khan approached, to lay hands first on Husain Khan. When Husain Khan arrived near the tent, he was told that soldiers were concealed in it for the purpose of seizing him and Ma'ruf Khan. When Mian Husain Khan reached it, he ordered his men to undo the ropes of the tent in which Mian Makhan's soldiers were placed in ambush, and consequently the tent fell on them. He then went into the other tent, and requested Mian Makhan to read the farman. Mian Makhan said, "It is contrary to orders to read it after this fashion." Mian Husain Khan replied, "I am fully aware that the object of these troops and this farman is to take away my life, and I am not going to yield it to any such worthless contrivance." He then took the hand of Mian Ma'ruf and went out.
3.2.7
When Mian Husain saw that there was no escape from the King's injustice, he determined to send his vakil to the Rana to inform him of his coming. The Rana was at first fearful and suspicious of Husain Khan, of whose renown he had heard. He was afraid that he meditated some stratagem. After entering into a compact, Mian Husain went to the Rana with a thousand horsemen, and the Rana sent his own nephew to meet him. After which they had an interview.
3.2.8
On account of the departure of Husain Khan, Mian Makhan, notwithstanding that he had with him 30,000 horsemen and 300 gigantic elephants, was much discouraged. The day after he put his army in battle array, for the purpose of attacking the Rana. The Rana, together with Mian Husain Khan, advanced against him with an innumerable army, and the elephants of Husain Khan were recognized amongst them. Mian Makhan sent a message to Mian Ma'ruf, saying, "You and Husain Khan are great friends. He is now in rebellion, and has joined the Sultan's enemies ; what is the good of your remaining with us?" Ma'ruf replied, "I have eaten the salt of Sultan Bahlol and his offspring for thirty years ; and I was chief commander of the army during the reign of Sultan Sikandar. The fort of Jiind was captured through my skill. I slew the Raja of Nagarkot ; and that stone, which the Hindus had worshipped for 3000 years, I exposed to be trodden under foot by all the people. From the period of the revelation of Islam to the present day, many noble monarchs, who fancied that they resembled Faridun and Sikandar, and who vanquished the world, were unable even so much as to besiege that fort ; yet it yielded to my prowess. I brought seven mans of gold from the Raja of Bihar. Since King Ibrahim's accession to the throne all sorts of upstarts have arisen, who accuse me of being faithless and rebellious. Even now I am ready to undertake any duty that may be assigned, and will not flinch from its performance."