The Cambridge History of India, Vol. IV: The Mughul Period v4.c15.115

v4.c15.115

Akbar, who had returned to Jaunpur, marched in January, 1566, to Benares, inspecting on his way the fortress of Chunār, which he had not yet seen. His suspicions of Khān Zamān were soon justified, for the rebel violated the terms of his pardon by crossing the Gogra to Muhammadābād and sent detachments to Jaunpur and Ghāzīpur. Akbar reproached Mun‘im Khān with his advocacy of a traitor so perfidious and marched to attack him, ordering Ashraf Khān to imprison his mother at Jaunpur. Khān Zamān fled across the Gogra and Akbar captured his tents and baggage and sent a force in pursuit of him, but it was ascertained that he had fled into the Himālaya and the pursuers returned. Akbar then learnt that Bahādur Khan had descended on Jaunpur, released his mother and imprisoned Ashraf Khān, laid waste the district, and marched on to Benares, which town and district also he plundered. He marched to Jaunpur and punished the sloth and incompetence of the officers who had permitted Bahādur to raid the town by declaring that it should be his capital until the rebels were captured, and the threat was taken so seriously that some began to build themselves houses. Khān Zamān, on learning Akbar’s decision, once more approached Mun‘im Khān with a view to a reconciliation, but Mun‘im Khān dared not again broach the subject to the emperor and other intermediaries were employed. At their intercession Akbar, with an alacrity which showed that he was weary of the campaign and was desirous of peace at any price, pardoned the rebels and reinstated them in their positions. He reached Āgra on 29 March and enjoyed some well-earned leisure at Nagarchain.