Later Mughals v1.c7.s6: Sec. 6.—Defeat and Death of Rafi-Ush-Shan.
Later Mughals v1.c7.s6
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Sec. 6.—Defeat and Death of Rafi-Ush-Shan.
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Until two hours after sunset on this day, Rafi-ush-shan stood two *kos* from the field of battle, with his army drawn up in readiness. He had been advised to stand aloof and await the result of Jahan Shah’s efforts. The astrologers had also told him that in the end, the prize would fall to his lot. In this way his inaction is to be accounted for. It was now necessary to find out how the day had gone.† The patrols and scouts brought in conflicting reports; the only thing certain was that one or other of the two parties had gained the day. At length, when about one-fourth of the night had passed, an elephant without a driver appeared in the distance. When it had been captured, it was found that within the canopy was seated one of the children of Jahan Shah with its nurse. Rafi-ush-shan re-assured the child by giving him some fruit, and from his lips the fate of the battle was learnt. The Prince then sent one of his eunuchs to Jahandar Shah with a message to the effect that he (Rafi-ush-shan) not having in any way broken the compact, what were his brother’s intentions with respect to him? On reaching the tent of Jahandar Shah, the eunuch was told that the Emperor, tired out by exertions extending over a whole day and night, had retired to rest and could not be disturbed. The messenger proceeded next to the quarters of Zulfiqar Khan, where he was met with the same excuse. He now took his way to Kokaltash Khan, whom he found still awake, and to him he conveyed his master's message. Kokaltash Khan, styled indignantly by Kamwar Khan a 'senseless blockhead,' called out 'Perhaps you have come to see Jahan Shah; there they are, the corpses of father and son; tell Rafi if he wants to fight, he will meet the same fate.' The eunuch returned and reported to his master what he had heard and seen. [Kamwar 112, Qasim 58.]
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∗ Warid, 70; M. U. ii. 93; Khafi Khan, ii. 687; Mhd. Qasim, 57. † Valentyn, iv. 293, says that, although Rafi-ush-shan had received twenty-five lakhs of Rupees to remain neutral, he attacked Jahandar Shah's rear, while Jahan Shah went against his flank. Rafi-ush-shan then kept up a cannonade all through the night.
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At midnight Rafi-ush-shan dismounted from his elephant and called his chief men around him for a council of war. One officer argued that as Jahandar Shah and his men were worn out, they ought to attack him at once. Others objected to fighting in the dark. No clear conclusion was arrived at. Anxious and disheartened, the Prince again ascended his elephant and waited wearily for the dawn. When day broke on the 20th Safar (28th March, 1712),* orders were given to Jahangir Quli Khan and Muin Khan to advance with the artillery and begin the action. As the sun appeared above the horizon, Fath-ullah Khan Mughal, who had received large sums from the Prince, deserted his post in the right wing and rode off to Jahandar Shah. Shamsher Khan Qureshi, of Hansi Hisar, Afzal Khan, and other of his relations and dependents had been ordered out to reinforce him. On reaching the field, they found he had gone over to the other side, and greeted them with a volley from his swivel guns. They pulled up and took to their bows and their matchlocks, with which they replied for about the space of one hour. Shamsher Khan and some of his relations were killed. Afzal Khan received two arrow wounds, and his son Mirza Nakki, two sword cuts.†
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† Kamwar Khan, 113; Mhd. Qasim 60; Yahya Khan, 118a.
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The Prince's choicest troops, who had been sent to the front first, having deserted, the army of Jahandar Shah, under Zabardast Khan (grandson of Ali Mardan Khan), Shakir Khan, and Hafiz Ali Khan, advanced against the centre division under Rafi-ush-shan's personal command. His troops, largely composed of new levies, turned and fled. The few that stood fast resisted to the best of their power. Hatim Khan and Kazim Khan Najm Sani* received severe wounds, of which they finally died. Abdur-rahim Khan was wounded, and Nur Khan Afghan, who had been placed in charge of the women, hastened to his master's aid and after a valorous defence was cut down. Anup Singh Naroka and eleven of his relations were cut to pieces in front of the Prince's elephant. Finally Rafi-ush-shan, followed by Abdul-latif, his teacher, jumped from his elephant, and rushing sword in hand upon the foe, met his death bravely fighting, being shot through the heart. His army was entirely overthrown; tents, mules, horses, camels, goods of every kind were plundered. The Prince's body, accompanied by his three sons and the litters of his wives, was carried off to Jahandar Shah. For three days the latter allowed the bodies of his brothers and his nephew to lie exposed on the sands, and on the fourth day only gave orders for their interment. The three biers were despatched with that of Bahadur Shah to Dihli for interment.
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∗ The 21st Safar in Mirza Muhammad, p. 135; Valentyn, 294, gives the 29th March ( = 21st Safar ); Yahya Khan, 118a, has the 20th but gives the year 1123 H. which should be 1124 H.
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∗ i.e., a descendant of Mirza Yar Ahmad, surnamed Najm Sani, Wazir of Ismail I. Safawi, king of Persia. He died in Ramzan 918 H. (November 1512), Beale, 290.