The Cambridge History of India, Vol. IV: The Mughul Period v4.c16.53

v4.c16.53

The unfortunate province of Gujarāt, which had hardly begun to enjoy peace, was now the scene of another rebellion. The young Muzaffar Husain Mīrzā, son of Ibrāhīm Husain Mīrzā, who had been slain in 1573, had been carried off to Ahmadnagar by his mother, but was now persuaded by Mihr ‘Alī, a turbulent and ambitious adherent, to attempt to wrest Gujarāt from Akbar. He was able, owing to the treachery or cowardice of the imperial officers, to occupy Nandurbār and Barodā without striking a blow, and on 25 May 1577 the expeditionary force in Khāndesh was ordered to march against him. He defeated one force, and compelled another to seek refuge behind the walls of Ahmadābād; but Todar Mal, who had been occupied at Pātan with financial affairs, hastened to Ahmadābād and drove the rebels towards Cambay. They were obliged to retire from Cambay and were defeated on 6 June near Dholka, whence the Mīrzā fled with a few followers to Junāgarh, but, after Todar Mal’s departure, returned, plundered Cambay, defeated Vazīr Khān, the viceroy at Sarnāl, and drove him into Ahmadābād, where he besieged him. The rebels even effected an entrance into the city, and were engaged in plundering when a stray bullet killed Mihr ‘Alī, their real leader, and the youthful Mīrzā and his followers fled in dismay to Nandurbār, whither Vazīr Khān, suspecting a trap, did not venture to follow them.