Later Mughals v1.c6.s14: Sec. 14.—Bahadur Shah's Second Visit to Rajputana.
Later Mughals v1.c6.s14
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Sec. 14.—Bahadur Shah's Second Visit to Rajputana.
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After he had crossed the Narmada on the 25th December 1709, Bahadur Shah marched by way of Mandu and Nalcha. He was at Dipalpur on the 19th January and camped on the banks of the Kaliyadah on the 7th February 1710. His route was continued by the Mukand Darrah or defile, which he passed through on the 5th April 1710. He was on the banks of the Kali Sindh on the 7th, and went through the Lokori Pass on the 28th of that month. On the 15th May 1710, the army passed Tonk and camped at Dandwa Sarai on the banks of the Banas, 30 kos from Ajmer. [Kamwar.]
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1710.) The death was reported to the Emperor on the 22nd Zul Qada (11 Jan. 1711.) [Kamwar, 84.]
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Here Yar Muhammad Qul and Nahar Khan of Hansi, who had been sent to the rebel Rajahs, brought in their *pradhans* or chief men, Bhikhari Das and others. On the 22nd May 1710 the Rajahs' letters were presented through Prince Azim-ush-shan and on the Prince's prayer their offences were pardoned and *khelats* were conferred by the Prince on the *pradhans*. On the 26th May 1710, when the army reached Lodah,* eighteen *khelats* from the Emperor were given to the servants of Rana Amar Singh and Ajit Singh and Jai Singh, and also one to the bringer of a letter from Durgadas Rathor [Kamwar 67-68.]
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While these negotiations were proceeding with the Rajputs, there came the unwelcome news of a rising of the Sikhs in the north of Sarhind, under one Fath Shah,† who had been joined by many scavengers, leather dressers and nomadic traders (i.e., Banjaras). Wazir Khan, the *faujdar* of Sarhind, had been killed in a fight with these men on the 22nd May 1710. This news forced on a speedy solution of the difficulty with the Rajputs. It was seen that a popular rising, such as that of the Sikhs, in a portion of the Empire so near the capital, might have much more serious and far reaching consequences than the then pending quarrel with the Rajputs, who, even if left in quiet possession of their hereditary country, were not likely to be thereby encouraged to further aggressions. It was therefore determined to come to as speedy a settlement with them as possible.
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† Kamwar Kh. is the only writer who gives this name. Others call him 'the false Guru' or 'the second Govind.' The Sikhs call him Banda (slave).
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At the request of Munim Khan, the Wazir, his eldest son, Mahabat Khan, was sent off to persuade the Rajahs that they had nothing to fear if they came in and presented themselves. After three days, when the Emperor was encamped at the village of Deorai, the minister informed His Majesty that his son Mahabat Khan writing from the village of Gangwana where he had met the Rajahs, reported that they had entered into an agreement to come in on the 20th June. Munim Khan was ordered to proceed to the Rajahs and bring them in after repeating in person the assurance conveyed through his son.
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∗ Seems to be Toda, 60 m. s. e. of Ajmer.
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On the 21st June 1710, as the Emperor was on the march, the two Rajahs were brought to him by Mahabat Khan. They made their obeisance and each gave an offering of 200 gold coins and 2000 Rupees. In return they were invested with dresses of honour, and received gifts of jewelled swords and daggers, valuable scarves, an elephant and Persian horses. The Emperor then granted them permission to return to their homes. The Rajahs then went together to Pushkar lake for the *Parb* bathing. There they separated, and Ajit Singh reached Jodhpur in July 1710. Bahadur Shah went on to Ajmer, which he reached on the 22nd June 1710. [Kamwar, Tod ii. 80].
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To show how little the Rajputs trusted the solemn promises made to them that they would be treated well, I may quote the fact mentioned by Kamwar Khan, the historian, who was present in the retinue of Prince Rafi-ush-shan. Beyond the four Princes and the great nobles there was no one else with the Emperor at the time. Kamwar Khan, while the interview was proceeding, saw that all the hills and plains round them were full of Rajputs. There were several thousand men on camels hidden in the hollows of the hills. On each camel rode two or even three men, fully armed with matchlock or bow and arrows. Evidently they were prepared to sell their lives dearly in defence of their chieftains, if there was any attempt at treachery.