The Cambridge History of India, Vol. IV: The Mughul Period v4.c15.152

v4.c15.152

Akbar reached Āgra on 13 April, after a pilgrimage to Ajmer, and sent an expedition to besiege Ranthambhor, which Rājā Surjan Rāi held as a vassal of the Rānā, but before the force reached its destination news was received that the Mīrzās had invaded Mālwā and were besieging Ujjain. The design of besieging Ranthambhor was therefore abandoned for the time and the troops destined thither were reinforced and ordered to march into Mālwā and attack the Mīrzās. The latter, on hearing of their approach, raised the siege of Ujjain and fled towards Māndū, pursued by the forces of the local assignees. They were unable to make any stand and crossed the Narbadā, after losing many of their followers. Having thus placed themselves beyond the reach of the imperial troops they heard of the assassination of Chingīz Khān in Gujarāt by Jhajār Khān the African and, foreseeing rich opportunities in the disturbed condition of that state, returned thither without delay. Their anticipations were realised and for the next two years they were fully, and not unprofitably, employed in Gujarāt. The expeditionary force which had been sent against them returned to Āgra, where its leaders were, for a time, under a cloud on suspicion of their having been lukewarm in the pursuit of the Mīrzās.