The Cambridge History of India, Vol. IV: The Mughul Period v4.c19.99

v4.c19.99

Meantime, Aurangzīb had written a false letter to Akbar, praising him for having so successfully carried out the emperor’s stratagem of luring all the Rājput fighters within his reach, and now instructing him to place these Rājputs in his van in next morning’s battle so that they might be easily crushed between the imperial forces and Akbar’s own troops. As contrived by the emperor, this letter fell into Durgā Dās’s hands, who read it and in surprise went to Akbar’s tent for an explanation. That prince was reported to be asleep and his eunuchs refused to wake him. Durgā Dās next sent some men to call Tahavvur, when it was discovered that the soul of the whole enterprise had secretly gone over to the emperor some hours before. The prince’s sleep was taken to be a ruse. The intercepted letter was believed to have been verified by these facts. The Rājputs promptly arranged to save themselves. Three hours before dawn they took horse, robbed what they could of Akbar’s property, and galloped off to Mewār. Profiting by this confusion, the remaining imperial troopers whom Akbar had forced to accompany him escaped towards Aurangzīb’s camp. Tahavvur Khān was the connecting link between the Rājputs and Akbar; he had been the new emperor’s commander-in-chief and prime minister in one, and his flight at once dissolved the confederacy. In the morning Akbar awoke to find himself deserted by all, save a faithful band of 350 horse. He hurriedly rode away for life in the track of his Rājput allies, taking only some of his wives and children and a little treasure with him. The rest of his property and his deserted family—one wife, two sons and three daughters—were seized by the emperor. Relentless punishment was meted out to his followers, especially the four Mullās; his ally, the princess Zīb-un-Nisā, was deprived of her property and confined in the Salīmgarh fortress.