The Cambridge History of India, Vol. IV: The Mughul Period v4.c18.35

v4.c18.35

While affairs had been progressing so badly in the Deccan the emperor had been making his first visit to Lahore since his accession. On his return to Āgra he conferred on Āsaf Khān the title of Khān Khānān which had been held by Mahābat Khān. A fresh insurrection now broke out in Bundelkhand. For five years Jujhār Singh had served in the Deccan and had assisted in the capture of Daulatābād. He then returned to Orchha, leaving his son and the Bundelā contingent with Mahābat Khān. Reviving his old ambition he sought to extend his authority over Gondwāna, the hilly tract lying south of Bundelkhand, which had never been brought under direct Mughul rule, though one of Akbar's generals had raided it and stormed the extensive fortress of Chaurāgarh. Jujhār Singh laid siege to this place and, though he received warnings from the emperor not to persist, he took it and treacherously put to death the Gond Rājā Prem Nārāyan. The son of the dead raja appealed to Shāh Jahān, who called on Jujhār Singh to surrender the conquered territory to the imperial officers, or to give up his own lands, and also to pay a fine of a million rupees. Jujhār Singh refused to obey and sent a message to his son to bring back his troops from the Bālāghāt. On their way back they were attacked by imperial forces and lost heavily, but the son escaped, though wounded, and joined his father. Prince Aurangzīb was now deputed with an army to suppress the rebellion. The force concentrated at Bhānder and marched south on Orchha, which was surrounded by thick jungle not traversed by open roads. Making slow progress through this, the troops were subject to constant attacks by the Bundelās, but still pressed on. Alarmed by their progress, Jujhār Singh left Orchha in charge of a garrison and with his son, their families and valuables retreated south to Dhāmonī.¹ Orchha was stormed and the prince drew near Dhāmonī, when news was received that Jujhār Singh had left for Chaurāgarh which he hoped to be able to hold against all attacks, if the Mughuls pursued him into such difficult country. Dhāmonī was stormed and the imperial army still advanced. Dismayed at last, Jujhār Singh abandoned Chaurāgarh and hastened towards the Deccan with a force about 6000 strong, and sixty elephants carrying his family and valuables. The rebels had a fortnight's start and travelled speedily, but were pursued and pressed. Jujhār Singh put to death several of his women whose horses had foundered and turned on the Mughuls, but was beaten and his men scattered in the jungles. The remnants made for Golconda and were again taken by surprise. They had not time to perform the full rites of *jauhar* (the Rājput sacrifice of women in such an emergency) but stabbed a number, and were about to fly when they were forced to fight. The Mughuls took several male relatives of Jujhār Singh prisoners, and picked up the wounded women. While they rested after their long marches news came that Jujhār Singh and one of his sons had been murdered by the Gonds in the jungles where they had sought to hide. Shāh Jahān himself had proceeded towards Orchha and just before Christmas, 1634, came news of the capture of the strong fort of Jhānsī, a few miles away. For several years following these defeats the Orchha branch of Bundelās had no chief recognised by the emperor.