The Cambridge History of India, Vol. IV: The Mughul Period v4.c18.5

v4.c18.5

Nearer the capital a fresh anxiety arose before a year had passed. Bīr Singh Deo, the Rājā of Bundelkhand who had ministered to the revenge of Jahāngīr by the murder of Abu-’l-Fazl, died a few months before his patron, and was succeeded by his son Jujhār Singh, who at first came to court leaving his son Bikramājīt Singh to administer the country. Bundelkhand was a wild tract, especially difficult of access in the rainy season, and its chiefs after centuries of obscurity were rising in importance. Bikramājīt Singh showed himself harsh and rapacious and his father was alarmed by the enquiries made into past collections of revenue. Jujhār Singh, therefore, left Āgra and proceeding to his fort at Orchha began to prepare for independence. For a time no action was taken, as a Jānid chief of Transoxiana had made a raid on Kābul territory. This was beaten off by the local governor and Mahābat Khan, who had been hastily despatched to defend the frontier, was recalled and took a large force to subdue the rebel in Bundelkhand. Another force under ‘Abdullah Khān was to march from the east, and Khān Jahān was ordered to advance from the Deccan with Rājā Bharat who also aspired to the chieftainship of the Bundelas. Shāh Jahān himself left Āgra and arrived at Gwalior at the beginning of January, 1629. Abdullah Khān promptly attacked and took Erachh,¹ while Khān Jahān approached from the south and began to ravage the country. Jujhār Singh had also to face opposition among his own people. Suspecting his wife of an intrigue with his brother Hardaur Singh, he had poisoned the latter, who had a considerable following.² Opposition to the imperial forces being thus hopeless, he made his submission to Mahābat Khān and his offences were pardoned on condition that he gave up some of his assignments and proceeded on service to the Deccan.