The Cambridge History of India, Vol. IV: The Mughul Period v4.c17.6

v4.c17.6

A few months after his accession Jahāngīr celebrated the new year (March, 1606) or vernal equinox with the gorgeous display that marked his reign. Roe has described³ these ceremonies observed some years later when he was present at the festival; the emperor sitting in public received rich presents, delighting in those which were rare or curious, and critical of those which did not strike his fancy. Almost at once, however, occurred a sudden challenge to the new emperor. Rājā Mān Singh, who had begged and obtained assurances for the safety of prince Khusrav, his nephew, had left for his post of governor in Bengal, and Khusrav had been placed in semi-confinement in the fort at Āgra. On the pretext of a ride to visit the tomb of Akbar, a few miles distant, he escaped northwards with a small body of men, which grew rapidly as the flight continued through the Punjab. Funds were obtained by the capture of a convoy with treasure intended for the court, and ‘Abdur-Rahīm, the revenue minister of Lahore, was appointed prime minister; Gurū Arjan Singh, the spiritual leader of the Sikhs, gave a present, and the force, which now exceeded 12,000, laid siege to Lahore. Here, however, the stout resistance of the governor gave time for pursuers to arrive. The emperor himself was following with I‘timād-ud-daula, and he sent ahead Shaikh Farīd, a brave soldier whom he had promoted for his support during Akbar’s last months. Khusrav was now in danger both from the garrison at Lahore and from the relieving force. With most of his troops he turned to meet the latter. Jahāngīr was still willing to treat with his son, who was a favourite even in rebellion, but the negotiations failed and a battle was fought at Bhairowāl. Most of the rebel army consisted of untrained men, and it was defeated by the imperial troops in spite of the success of its cavalry under Husain Beg. After the battle Husain Beg suggested flight to the north, but the fords were guarded and the fugitives were arrested and taken to Lahore. Husain Beg was sewn up in a raw hide and paraded through the city on an ass, while the skin slowly dried and crushed him to death. Several hundred of the rebels were impaled on stakes by the roadside and Khusrav was taken past them in chains to receive the ironical homage of his would-be subjects. Gurū Arjan Singh was executed for aiding the rebel, and his death raised among his followers a mutinous spirit which under Aurangzīb and his successors led to open rebellion. Not long afterwards Rājā Mān Singh was removed from the governorship of Bengal where he had done such excellent service under Akbar.