The Cambridge History of India, Vol. IV: The Mughul Period v4.c18.31

v4.c18.31

Apart from a slight insurrection among the Bhīls of Mālwa, which was easily suppressed, the internal peace of the empire was unbroken at the end of 1632. The southern border was, however, far from quiet. Shāhjī the Marāthā chief, when he first made his submission to the Mughuls, had been rewarded with grants of land which had been held by Fath Khān of Ahmadnagar. These grants were restored to Fath Khān as a reward for his murder of the king. Enraged by this alienation Shāhjī offered his services to the king of Bījāpur, promising to take Daulatābād from Fath Khān if an army from Bījāpur would help him. Daulatābād was not ready to stand a siege and Fath Khān addressed Mahābat Khān, offering to make it over to the imperial forces, and to proceed himself for service at the court. A force under Khān Zamān, son of Mahābat Khān, defeated the troops from Bījāpur, and their general Randola Khān, having lost in the field, had resort to intrigue. He offered Fath Khān a considerable sum of money and supplies, and was successful in getting him to break his pledge to the Mughuls. On hearing of this treachery Mahābat Khān decided to take Daulatābād by storm, a task which had never been accomplished since the construction of the central fortress by Muhammad bin Tughluq three centuries earlier.¹ It was protected by a number of later fortifications, especially the works known as ‘Ambar Kot, which had been built by Malik ‘Ambar. The place was invested under the direct supervision of Mahābat Khān who proceeded by sapping and mining. At the same time, having an army of about 20,000 cavalry in the field against him, he maintained a large mobile force to prevent the reinforcement of the garrison and the entry of supplies which were badly needed. Within six weeks a large mine was exploded which tore down a long stretch of the outer wall and part of a bastion. As the explosion had been premature the storming troops were not ready and a fierce struggle ensued before the defences made by Malik ‘Ambar were taken. Diversions made in Berār, and attempts by Randola Khān and Shāhjī to relieve the garrison, all failed. The small contingent of Bījāpur troops within the fortress, dispirited alike by the straits to which they had been reduced, and by the success and vigour of the besiegers, asked to be allowed to escape secretly. Mahābat Khān sent a written consent and received them kindly when they made their way down a ladder and gave them presents. In less than two months after the penetration of the outworks, a mine was ready for exploding under the next line of defences. Communications between opposing forces were more frequent than in modern warfare, and Fath Khān, aware of the instant danger, asked for a day to arrange for terms with his Bījāpur allies. His treachery had been exposed so often that Mahābat Khān declined to allow any terms unless Fath Khān would send his son as a hostage. The son did not appear and the mine was sprung, tearing down a bastion and part of the wall. Fresh trenches were started within the wall, and renewed attempts by the Bījāpur army were defeated. An epidemic had broken out in the fortress, and Fath Khān was now alarmed for the safety and honour of his own ladies and the harem of the king. To save them he sent his son with a prayer for forgiveness and help to remove the women. Exulting in his victory Mahābat Khān was generous, and not only provided his own elephants and camels with several litters for the women, but also restored some of the treasure already taken. At the end of June, 1633, after a siege of three and a half months, Fath Khān yielded up the stronghold with all the guns and munitions of war, and Mahābat Khān, entering, had prayers read in the name of the emperor. Fath Khān and Husain Nizām Shāh, the boy king, were sent to court; their lives were spared but Husain was committed to the state prison in the Gwalior fort for life, while Fath Khān was allowed to live at Lahore with an ample pension.