Later Mughals v1.c6.s9: Sec. 9.—Bahadur Shah Invades Rajputana.
Later Mughals v1.c6.s9
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Sec. 9.—Bahadur Shah Invades Rajputana.
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Rana Amar Singh of Udaipur averted the threatened blow by sending Bakht Singh his brother to Agra with a letter of congratulation, one hundred gold coins, one thousand Rupees, two horses with gold mounted trappings, an elephant, nine swords, and other productions of his country. Bakht Singh was presented to the Emperor by Prince Jahandar Shah a few days before the commencement of the march from Bagh Dahr-Ara. On the 15th Shaban 1119 (10th Nov. 1707) the advance-tents were sent on and the camp was pitched on the banks of a large tank or artificial lake. On the 17th Shaban the first march was made, gifts being distributed according to the advice of the astrologers attached to the Court. On the 26th Shaban a visit was paid in passing to the shrine of Shaikh Salim Chishti at Fathpur Sikri. For the greater part of the month of Ramzan (25 Nov.—24 Dec.) a halt was made at Bhasawar* both on account of the annual fast and by reason of Prince Jahan Shah's illness. In this interval Mihrab Khan, *faujdar* of Jodhpur, was sent off to take possession of that city. (*Bahadur-Shah-nama*, 44; *Dil.* 169 *b*, 170 *a*; Kamraj, 37 *a*.)
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The advance was resumed on the 28th December 1707. As they drew near to Amber, the capital of the Kachhwahas, Bahadur Shah directed that as there was a dispute for the throne between the two brothers, Jai Singh and Bijai Singh, the State should be annexed to the Empire, that the name of the town should be altered to Islamabad, and that a new *faujdar* should be sent there in the person of Sayyid Ahmad Said Khan Barha. By the route taken Hindaun Biana lay on their left, and passing Todah belonging to Jagannath Kachhwaha, they went through Deosa, in the Dhudhar country, Kherwali and Bairath. It was a desolate land, the few inhabitants had fled before the army, and sweet water was hardly attainable, what there was being brought from great distances. The army reached Amber about the 20th January 1708, and on a Friday the Emperor went in state to pray at a mosque situated in that town. Rajah Jai Singh had deserted Azam Shah before the close of the battle at Jajau, and apparently had been now some time in the imperial camp at Agra and on the march. The officials now proceeded to confiscate his goods, but they were given back to him. The country of Amber, however, was made over to Bijai Singh, Jai Singh's younger brother, who on the 10th Safar 1120 (30th April, 1708) received the title of Mirza Rajah. Jewels worth 1,00,000 Rupees were given to him with the order to make them over to his mother. (Bahadur-Shah-nama, 62—64.)
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∗ *Bhoosawar* (Ind. At. 50), 58 m. west of Agra, 74 m. east of Jaipur, and 12 m. south of the railway. [J. S.]
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After a stay of three days in Amber, the palaces and houses of which had been deserted by their inhabitants, Bahadur Shah continued his march towards Jodhpur, passing Sanganer and Kishangarh.* He was still on his way to Ajmer when two important reports were received. First, it was notified that on hearing of the Emperor's drawing near to Ajmer, Rana Amar Singh had fled in fright from Udaipur sending his family and property to a hiding place in the hills. The second report came from the Dakhin, and it had reference to Muhammad Kam Bakhsh. He had issued coinage and caused the khutba to be read in his own name. This was, of course, a declaration of independence, and in spite of Bahadur Shah's love of peace, this was apparently a claim that he felt bound to resist. From this time he resolved as soon as he had dealt with Jodhpur to march into the Dakhin to suppress Kam Bakhsh.
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When he had reached the neighbourhood of Ajmer, Bahadur Shah announced that he intended to march to Jodhpur. On hearing this, Mukand Singh and Bakht Singh, the representatives of Ajit Singh then in attendance on the Emperor, offered to bring in the Rajah to make his submission. At this time it was learnt that when Mihrab Khan, faujdar of Jodhpur, reached within seven kos of Mairtha, he had been attacked by Rajah Ajit Singh. The Rajah was defeated and fled, and Mairtha was then occupied. On the 12th February 1708 a *farman* was sent by messenger to Durgadas Rathor, but the advance continued. Three days afterwards when several marches had been completed, an answer arrived from Ajit Singh. It was not altogether unfavourable, but he professed to entertain grave doubts as to the Emperor's intentions. A written answer was sent off at once to Durgadas Rathor, by the hand of Rashid Beg, a mace-bearer. The next day the Wazir's son, Khan Zaman, accompanied by Rajah Budh Singh Hada and Nejabat Khan, was despatched to interview Rajah Ajit Singh at Jodhpur. (*Bahadur-Shah-nama*, 68.)
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∗ *Deosa*, 30 m. east of Jaipur. *Kherwal*, 24 m. east of Jaipur. *Dhudhar*. the old name of the Kachhwaha State, now known as Jaipur. (Tod, ii. 333, Calcutta reprint of 1874). *Bairath* in sarkar Alwar is quite off the route from Biana. *Sanganer*, about 12 m. south of Amber, *Kishangarh*, the chief town of Rajah Raj Singh Rathor, about 80 m. s. w. of Amber, and 20 m.n.e. of Ajmer.
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On the 21st February 1708 Bahadur Shah reached the town of Mairtha. On the 24th Rajah Ajit Singh came with Khan Zaman and was allotted quarters in the camp of Munim Khan, the Wazir. Next day the Rajah was presented, and with his hands tied together by a handkerchief, he made his obeisance, and offered one hundred gold coins and one thousand Rupees. Bahadur Shah receiving him graciously, directed Islam Khan, superintendent of the Privy Council chamber and general of artillery, to conduct him to the artillery park, and there invest him with the special robes of honour and the jewelled scarf which had been conferred on him. On the 26th February the Rajah was present in the Privy audience-hall being placed on the left of the throne. Two days afterwards more gifts were made to him, and again others on the 3rd March. Some time elapsed, and on the 10th March and 23rd April 1708 he received the title of Maharajah and the rank of 3500 *zat* and 3000 horse (of which 1000 was *Duaspah*), a standard, and kettledrums ; while his eldest son, Abhai Singh, was appointed 1500, (300 horse), his second son, Rakhi Singh, 700, (200 horse), and the third and fourth sons each 500, (100 horse). [*Bahadur-Shah-nama*, 82 and 95 ; Kamraj, 37.]
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The difficulty with Jodhpur being thus, to all appearance, satisfactorily disposed of, the Emperor retraced his steps from Mairtha and returned to Ajmer. On the way, on the 28th February 1708, the chief Qazi of the Empire, Qazi Khan, and Muhammad Ghaus mufti were ordered off to Jodhpur for the purpose of re-establishing there the public worship of the Muhammadan faith. An additional reason for believing that the Rajputs would now remain quiet was the receipt of a deputation from Rana Amar Singh consisting of eleven persons headed by the Rana's brother, Bakht Singh. As we have said already, the Rana had fled from his capital on learning that Bahadur Shah was marching on Ajmer. A present of a jewelled dagger worth five thousand Rupees had been sent to him through his brother Bakht Singh, while a reassuring letter was addressed to him bidding him not to be afraid but remain in peace at his own abode. Bakht Singh on this second occasion received an elephant worth twelve thousand Rupees for his brother Rana Amar Singh. At the same time he and his eleven companions received robes of honour and were sent to their homes. [*Bahadur-Shah-nama*, 66-74.]
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On the 24th March 1708, after sixteen marches* Bahadur Shah arrived at Ajmer on his return from Mairtha. He visited the city mosque and said his prayers there; and he also recited a short prayer (*fatiha*) at the shrine of Muin-ud-din Chishti. On the 2nd April the march was resumed in the direction of Chitor and Ujjain. On the 12th April the camp was not far from Husainipur. On the 14th Sultan Begi and others, six men in all, brought in a communication from Rana Amar Singh, with an offering of twenty-seven gold coins. The next day the Wazir reported that the Rana had again made off into the hills, in terror at His Majesty's near approach, nor would he agree to come in and do homage. The Emperor ruled that the matter of Kam Bakhsh was now more urgent. When, by God's aid, that business had been settled, he would undertake the punishment of that unbeliever, *i.e.*, the Rana. [*Bahadur-Shah-nama*, 89-94; *Dil.* 172*a*; Kamwar.]
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Early in Safar the camp was in pargana Mandeshwar of subah Malwa, and on the 10th (30th April) when it was at the town of Mandeshwar itself it was learnt that Maharajah Ajit Singh, Rajah Jai Singh Kachhwaha, and Durgadas Rathor, had taken to flight. [*Bahadur* 96-97 ; *Dil.* 172b ; *Khush-hal* 376b.]
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∗ Kamraj, 37*a*, says that when the camp was at the village of Jitaran the feast of *jalus* (coronation anniversary) was held and then after *jushan* (rejoicings) for seven days and nights (18th to 25th Zul Hijja), the Emperor marched on to Ajmer.
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Here we will leave the further development of events in Rajputana to be resumed at a future stage, and now turn to see what Kam Bakhsh had been doing meanwhile in the Dakhin. Here, too, we will break off our account of the Emperor's advance, merely noting that Bahadur Shah went through the Naunahra Pass on the 11th May 1708 and crossed the Narmada river into the Dakhin on the 17th of that month. [*Bahadur*, 100-101 ; *Dil.* 172b.]