The Cambridge History of India, Vol. IV: The Mughul Period v4.c17.48.1

v4.c17.48.1

Shāh Jahān then retreated to Māndū, and was followed by his brother Parvīz, who was in nominal command, while his nephew Dāwar Bakhsh, son of Khusrav, marched towards Ahmadābād, the capital of Gujarāt, which had been committed to his charge. The emperor himself proceeded to Ajmer to be nearer the operations. The hot weather was now advanced and rainy weather made fighting difficult. Shāh Jahān's attempts to use Marāthā horse were ineffective and Mahābat Khān successfully intrigued to detach support from him. In a battle near Kaliya Dih some of the prince's soldiers deserted him, and he withdrew south across the Narbadā. An intercepted letter from the Khān Khānān to Mahābat Khān showed that treachery was everywhere. Though the strong fortress of Asīr yielded to him, his trusted officers in Gujarāt failed him, and ‘Abdullah Khān, who was sent to restore his power in Gujarāt, was defeated near Ahmadābād, and finally had to join Shāh Jahān at Burhānpur with the small amount of money he was able to raise at Surat. The rebel was now reduced to pitiable devices. Malik ‘Ambar, whom he had twice defeated, refused aid as he was himself gathering forces to attack Bījāpur. An envoy sent to Golconda had no greater success. In despair Shāh Jahān decided to approach his father, and sent Khān Khānān to Mahābat Khān after taking from him the most solemn oath of faithfulness.