The Cambridge History of India, Vol. IV: The Mughul Period v4.c18.10

v4.c18.10

The rains of 1630 failed completely in Gujarāt, the Deccan and the country extending across India to the east coast. For three previous years the seasons had been unfavourable and the result was a terrible famine, aggravated by a campaign in part of the territory affected.¹ Muqarrab Khān, commander of the Ahmadnagar forces, had been holding Jālna a few miles south-west of the main Mughul army. When in the autumn A‘zam Khān moved out of Dewalgāon, Muqarrab Khān withdrew to the south, closely followed by the Mughuls. Khān Jahān remained at his headquarters at Bīr, awaiting the scattered parties he had sent out to collect revenue, a difficult task in time of famine, and hoping to receive reinforcements from Muqarrab Khān. Hearing of A‘zam Khān’s approach he decided to move, but before he started A‘zam Khān made a night march and drew an attack by sending a small force while holding his main body in reserve. The attacking force withdrew in disorder when it found the whole of the imperial army was coming against it. Khān Jahān, finding that his retreat was cut off, determined to make a stand. He sent away his women towards the north-west and rallied his troops, sending a nephew against one of the smaller detachments of the Mughuls, with some preliminary success. A fierce battle raged and though the rebels fought bravely they were defeated and pursued till the tired horses of the Mughuls, who had traversed sixty miles in twenty hours, could go no farther. Khān Jahān with a few followers, who were mostly wounded, escaped on fresh horses with his ladies, who had to abandon their elephants and also ride on horseback.