The Cambridge History of India, Vol. IV: The Mughul Period v4.c17.17

v4.c17.17

The Punjabi Rājā Basu, who had replaced ‘Abdullah Khān in the Mewār campaign, had not been successful in it, as might have been anticipated from his previous history. He had several times revolted during Akbar’s reign, and had supported Salīm in his attempt to seize the throne. Apart from the Mewār campaign and the unsatisfactory operations in the Deccan the country was generally quiet. In 1610 a man who pretended that he was Khusrav, and to support his claim pointed to certain marks round his eyes alleged to be the result of an attempt to blind him (see p. 158), had seized Patna during the absence of the governor, but the rebellion was soon quelled. The Afghāns of Bengal had also given trouble. A Persian adventurer called ‘Alī Qulī, after rendering good military service, had been attracted to Salīm’s staff, and was rewarded by the title of Sher Afgan (tiger-slayer) for his gallant conduct during a hunting expedition. Though he had resumed his allegiance to Akbar after first joining in Salīm’s revolt he had been forgiven by Jahāngīr on his accession and appointed to an office in Bengal. In 1607 he was suspected of complicity with the Afghāns and Qutb-ud-dīn, the foster-brother of Jahāngīr who had been appointed successor to Rājā Mān Singh as governor of Bengal, was directed to send him to court. Sher Afgan appeared before the governor and was at once surrounded by guards. Impelled either by apprehension for his own life, or by the knowledge of his own guilt, he immediately attacked Qutb-ud-dīn, wounding him mortally, and was cut to pieces on the spot.