Later Mughals v1.c8.s17: Sec. 17.—The Battle of Agra (13th Zul Hijja 1124 H. 10th January, 1713).
Later Mughals v1.c8.s17
- Language
- English
Sec. 17.—The Battle of Agra (13th Zul Hijja 1124 H. 10th January, 1713).
v1.c8.s17.1
Zulfiqar Khan chose a position resting, to the right or east, upon the gardens and houses of Agra, having to the left and the front, that is, the west and north, cultivated fields, thorny scrub, and many broad, deep ravines. To the south and rear the Emperor's camp was pitched. His troops were disposed in the following order. As the heavy artillery had been abandoned in the Jamuna sands, the light artillery under Raza Quli Khan was removed from the centre and sent to the front, where the guns were drawn up in line and chained together. The vanguard was divided by Zulfiqar Khan into two parts of fifteen thousand men each, one half under Kokaltash Khan (Khan Jahan) and the other under Jani Khan. In support, there were ten thousand men under Sabha Chand, Abdus-samad Khan and Muhammad Amin Khan. The first body was opposed to Abdullah Khan, and the second to Husain Ali Khan, who was on the right of Farrukh-siyar. Raji Muhammad Khan, the *Mir Atash*, was sent off with seven elephants to recover the heavy guns from the sand, and by great exertions he was able to bring forty of them into action.*
v1.c8.s17.2
By three o'clock in the afternoon of the 13th Zul Hijja or 19th Di (10th January 1713) the rain stopped and the mist lifted; the contending armies as the sun broke out were able to perceive each other's movements. Abdullah Khan mounted his elephant and displayed his war standard. Then he sent Chabela Ram Nagar, Khan Zaman (Ali Asghar) and Muhammad Khan, at the head of 8,000 horse, to meet Jani Khan, who was advancing in his direction.* Kokaltash Khan (Khan Jahan) who was on Jahandar Shah’s left, had been told to attack Husain Ali Khan, who was immediately in front of him. But disobeying Zulfiqar Khan’s orders, he turned his attack against Farrukh-siyar’s centre. Meanwhile, in the expectation that the guns would soon arrive, there was some hesitation on Jahandar Shah’s side in charging home. Husain Ali Khan, provoked that the enemy had assumed the initiative, lost patience and advancing into the field with Saf Shikan Khan (Hasan Beg) Mir Ashraf (of Lakhnau), Saifullah Khan, Fath Ali Khan, commanding Farrukh-siyar’s artillery, Bahadur Khan (Zain-ud-din) Rohela and others, delivered an attack on Kokaltash Khan.† They soon came to close quarters, Jahandar Shah’s side having the advantage. Seeing this result, Abdullah Khan sent forward reinforcements under Afrasyab Khan‡ and Imtiyaz Khan. Raza Quli Khan, commanding Jahandar Shah’s light artillery, poured a fire on them which did much damage. Husain Ali Khan, feeling that the crisis of the battle had come, dismounted from his elephant, as was the custom on an emergency, and continued the fight on foot, sword in hand, surrounded by his relations and tribesmen. At this juncture, Abdus-samad Khan appeared in the Sayyid’s rear and his Turani bowmen wounded Husain Ali Khan so severely that he fell to the ground and fainted. The Barha Sayyids closed round him and defended his body till they were cut down themselves. Bahadur Khan (Zain-ud-din) Rohela, was felled by a sword cut delivered by Muhammad Mah (Azam Khan), brother of Kokaltash Khan. Mir Ashraf (brother of Mir Mushrif) and Sayyid Fath Ali Khan* flung themselves on the Turanis and slew many before they were themselves slain. No one on Jahandar Shah’s side had anticipated that Kokaltash Khan would fight so bravely, and as it turned out, he was the only one of the chief generals who really exerted himself in his master’s cause. [K. K. 721, Khush-hal 393a.]
v1.c8.s17.3
∗ Nur-ud-din, 102; Ijad, 91 *a*. Jahandar Shah's disposition is thus given by Khafi Khan, ii. 720, 721; *Right*—Kokaltash Khan, Azam Khan (M. Mah) Jani Khan; *Left*—Zulfiqar Khan, Abdus-samad Khan; *Yaman* (right) of Kokaltash Khan.—Mhd. Amin Khan, Chin Qilich Khan, Jan Nisar Khan; *Yaman* (right) and *Yasar* (left) of the *Iltamsh*—Raji Mhd. Khan, Islam Khan, Murtaza Khan, Hafizullah Khan and Raza Quli Khan. Farrukh-siyar's order of battle is given thus by Kamraj *Ibratnama* 50 *a*; *Vanguard* (*harawal*) S. Fath Ali Khan, Mir Atash, S. Husain Ali Khan, Saf Shikan Khan, Ghulam Ali Khan; *Iltamsh* and left (*jaranghar*) S. Hasan Ali Khan (i.e., Abdullah Kh.), S. Najm-ud-din Ali Khan, S. Saif-ud-din Ali Khan, Muhammad Khan Bangash; (*baranghar*) Rajah Chabela Ram, Girdhar Bahadur, Ali Asghar Khan; *centre* (*qul*), Farrukh-siyar, Ahmad Beg, Khwaja Asim, Mhd. Muzaffar, Mir Ghyas-ud-din.
v1.c8.s17.4
∗ Khafi Khan, 721, says this force was sent against Kokaltash Khan. Iradat Khan (J. Scott, II. Pt. iv., p. 93) appears to be referring to this movement when he says ‘After a cannonade, I saw two bodies from the enemy’s line charge ours one with a red and the other with a green standard. The former was the corps of Rajah Chabela Ram, and the latter, that of Sayyid Husain Ali Khan.’
v1.c8.s17.5
† Khafi Khan, 721, says this attack was against Zulfiqar Khan.
v1.c8.s17.6
‡ Suhrab known as Mirza Ajmeri, entitled A. Kh. Bahadur, Rustam Jang, son of Girshasp, died at Dihli on the night of the 25th Ramzan 1130 (21st August 1718), rank 5,000 (T-i-Mhdi). He had been Farrukh-siyar’s instructor in wrestling and archery. An anecdote of his strength is given in Akhbar-i-Muhabbat, 277. His elder brother was the Rashid Khan (ante, p. 173) who had been sent in 1124 H. to eject Jafar Khan (Murshid Quli Kh.) from Bengal, vide Gladwin, Transactions, 96, et seq.
v1.c8.s17.7
While the contest between Husain Ali Khan and Kokaltash Khan was proceeding, Chabela Ram made a fierce charge on Jani Khan. He was backed up by Khan Zaman (Ali Asghar) and Muhammad Khan Bangash, and both sides made play with their swords. Many a head was severed, many a saddle emptied. It was late in the afternoon and the booming of Jahandar Shah’s big guns could now be heard. Farrukh-siyar’s men seemed to lose heart; many left the field and took shelter in neighbouring villages.
v1.c8.s17.8
When Zulfiqar Khan noticed that Kokaltash Khan had begun to gain the upper hand, he directed Mukhtar Khan to lead a strong reinforcement to their right, to the aid of Jani Khan, and gave orders in person to the artillery to direct their fire against Abdullah Khan. The latter held his ground boldly against this artillery fire, his position being on a mound slightly raised above the plain. But some of his supporters, particularly the new levies, showed signs of giving way. In spite of this Abdullah Khan, surrounded by his Barha Sayyids, then not numbering more than two or three hundred, remained on the mound where he had taken up his place. Availing himself of his opportunity, Churaman Jat, a practised plunderer, fell on the rear of Jahandar Shah and captured many elephants and camels together with the baggage loaded upon them; and one of his officers, Girdhar Singh, tried to drive off the oxen, which were used to drag the heavy guns, but was slain by Raji Muhammad Khan in the attempt. [Nur. 106.]
v1.c8.s17.9
∗ Sister’s son of S. Abdullah Khan, Khush-hal Chand, 392b. On fol. 396b there is an incredible story that Abdullah Khan, jealous of his nephew’s reputation, sent a European doctor to him at Agra, where he was left behind wounded, with instructions to kill him by poisoned ointments, and it was done accordingly.
v1.c8.s17.10
Mukhtar Khan reached Jani Khan’s side at a critical moment. By his aid, the ranks of Chabela Ram were thrown into confusion and his men were almost on the point of flight. Then Chabela Ram and Muhammad Khan, taking their lives in their hands, drove their elephants alongside that ridden by Jani Khan, and succeeded in killing him. On the death of their leader Jani Khan’s men fled, but Mukhtar Khan with 4,000 men continued the fight until he was severely wounded and forced to withdraw.*
v1.c8.s17.11
At this stage of the battle Farrukh-siyar’s defeat seemed assured. Reports had spread that Husain Ali Khan was dead; while separated from his standard elephant and from most of his captains, Abdullah Khan had only a few men left around him; and in the centre, with Farrukh-siyar himself, there were no more than six thousand men. Even these men had no heart left in them and were only waiting for a way of escape. On the other side was Zulfiqar Khan with 25,000 fresh troops, many noted leaders, and powerful artillery. But for some reason, either that he despised the enemy or that he wished Kokaltash Khan to be thoroughly defeated, he refrained from intervening in the fight. Although repeatedly asked for permission, he declined to give the order to attack. At length, learning that Jani Khan was dead, Zulfiqar Khan despatched Chin Qilich Khan to support Kokaltash Khan, with instructions, when free of that duty, to turn his attack against Farrukh-siyar’s centre. Zulfiqar Khan then made ready to deal himself with Abdullah Khan, who was still in his former position. Chabela Ram withdrew his men into ambush, while Muhammad Khan succeeded in joining Abdullah Khan. The scattered troops of Husain Ali Khan re-assembled round the elder Sayyid brother. Farrukh-siyar sent two thousand men from the centre, which he commanded in person. In all Abdullah Khan had now some four thousand men at his disposal.*
v1.c8.s17.12
∗ Nur-ud-din, 108. Khafi Khan, 702, says Mukhtar Khan was killed on the spot. Kamwar Khan, 126, however, explains that he was killed by plunderers during the retreat on Dihli. He was the son of Mukhtar Khan Alam Bahadur-Shahi, (d. Safar 1121 H. April 1709), M. U. iii. 655. Kamwar Khan spells it Mukhtyar Khan.
v1.c8.s17.13
Leaving Zulfiqar Khan's division on his right, Abdullah Khan began to work round to the rearguard of Jahandar Shah, at the moment when Kokaltash Khan on his way to Farrukh-siyar's centre, had been met and stopped by Chabela Ram. Abdullah Khan, as soon as he saw the Prince's danger, had detached Muhammad Khan, to protect their centre. Raza Quli Khan, general of Jahandar Shah's light artillery, had just turned his guns on Farrukh-siyar, when Muhammad Khan came up and by a hand to hand encounter silenced his fire, Raza Quli Khan himself losing his life. Chabela Ram, meanwhile, had defeated and killed Kokaltash Khan, whereupon that noble's men fell back upon the main body of Jahandar Shah's army, and threw his centre into confusion. Azam Khan, (Mhd Mah), brother of Kokaltash Khan, who had been severely wounded, succeeded in rejoining Jahandar Shah.†
v1.c8.s17.14
These events assisted Abdullah Khan in making good his advance. Accompanied now by Chabela Ram, Muhammad Khan, and Ali Asghar Khan, he came out behind the rear of Jahandar Shah. The movement was facilitated, or rather made possible, by the defection of the Turanis under Chin Qilich Khan and Muhammad Amin Khan, who according to the previous agreement, stood aloof and made no effort to interfere. At the rear there was no preparation for defence. Abdullah Khan, without a moment's hesitation, marched straight upon the elephants bearing Jahandar Shah's women. Islam Khan and Murtaza Khan came out and did their best to stem the torrent. But they were soon killed. [Nur. 110-111.]
v1.c8.s17.15
Zulfiqar Khan, on seeing the enemy opposed to him move away to one side, adopted the erroneous idea that they had abandoned the field and were in full flight. He drew rein and countermanded his attack. Many urged that as Husain Ali Khan was dead (as was then thought) and Abdullah Khan had left the field, it would be easy to decide the day by attacking Farrukh-siyar, who could have with him no more than 3,000 or 4,000 disheartened men, already more than half-inclined to take to flight. Zulfiqar Khan objected that the field of battle had been already vacated by the enemy, and that night was coming on. He would cause the drums to beat for the victory and encamp where they stood. The few of the enemy left were unable to cross the river at night, flight was barred to them in every direction. Why then trouble any further? In the morning they could take them alive at their leisure. The drums were beaten, in forgetfulness of Zal’s advice to Rustam, ‘No enemy can be counted despicable or powerless.’
v1.c8.s17.16
∗ Nur-ud-din, 109; Khafi Khan, ii. 702, 722, 723; Khush-hal Chand, 393a. † Nur-ud-din 110, Khafi Khan ii. 703, 724. K. K. says, 724, that Raza Quli Khan after being wounded, escaped to Agra and was there poisoned.
v1.c8.s17.17
Abdullah Khan heard Zulfiqar Khan’s drums beating. He was perplexed by the sound and feared that some calamity had overtaken Farrukh-siyar. Resolving to sell his life as dearly as possible, he charged the enemy’s centre from its rear. Jahandar Shah was still engaged in repelling this onset when his attention was diverted by new assailants. Clouds of arrows had struck the elephants bearing his women and the women singers; the uproar and confusion were increased by the Jat plunderers, who fell at once on the baggage placed in charge of the rearguard. The men defending it were scattered and fled to the centre division. This point became in its turn the object of Abdullah Khan’s attack, his force having swollen on the way to some 12,000 men. Jahandar Shah’s elephant, on receiving several arrow wounds on its face, got out of its driver’s control. The Emperor made an effort to reach Zulfiqar Khan, so that their united forces might turn and face the foe. But the elephant was quite uncontrollable and rushed first in one direction and then in another; any horseman or foot-soldier that it saw it rushed at and killed. The Emperor’s bodyguard fled in all directions to save their lives. Jahandar Shah was thus forced to descend from his elephant and mount a horse. [Nur. 112-113, Warid 142a.]
v1.c8.s17.18
Hardly had the Emperor settled himself in the saddle, when Lal Kunwar arrived in search of him. She forced him to come into her howda, and together they took the road to Akbarabad (Agra). Night was now rapidly approaching and his troops in despair abandoned the field. Zulfiqar Khan sent men to repel the enemy but the movement was ineffectual; in the darkness many were slain by the Barha Sayyids, and some, among them Mukhtar Khan (son of Khan Alam, Bahadur-Shahi) and Wazarat Khan (son of Mir Khan, the elder), were killed by plunderers. The camp-followers of Jahandar Shah's army, who had taken to flight, were trodden under foot by the retreating elephants, of which there were over two hundred present.* When this rout was reported to Zulfiqar Khan, he made no attempt to retreat, but stood where he was for at least three hours after night had fallen. Although on Farrukh-siyar's side they were beating their drums in token of victory, no one, not even Abdullah Khan, ventured to move against Zulfiqar Khan. Meanwhile the latter had sent messengers, to whom he had promised large rewards, to search for Jahandar Shah and Azz-ud-din, and bring one or the other back to the battlefield. If one of them could be found, he intended to make one final charge in the hope of retrieving the day. In spite of all efforts, no trace of either father or son could be found. Uneasy at seeing Zulfiqar Khan still holding the field at the head of his troops, Farrukh-siyar sent him a message asking the reason. If he claimed the crown for himself, his persistence was understood. If on the other hand, he were only a subject, then one heir of the house of Taimur was as much entitled to his allegiance as another. When Azam Shah was defeated, he had submitted himself to Bahadur Shah; he was bound to adopt the same course now. On this appeal, Zulfiqar Khan withdrew slowly and in good order towards Agra. To all his enquiries for Jahandar Shah the answer was that he must have gone to the city of Agra. Zulfiqar Khan pushed on as fast as possible towards the city, in the hope of finding the Emperor and returning with him to renew the contest. He drew up at Shahganj near the city, where he remained until midnight, then finding no trace of Jahandar Shah or his son, he marched off accompanied by Abdus-samad Khan, Raji Muhammad Khan, Shakir Khan and other leaders with their troops. His first march made at night carried him to near Kakrol, he then changed his direction and made for Dihli.*
v1.c8.s17.19
∗ Nur-ud-din, 113; Khafi Khan, ii. 703, 724; Kamwar Khan, 126.
v1.c8.s17.20
Some of Zulfiqar Khan’s officers, notably Abdus-samad Khan Ahrari, had advised him to attempt the seizure of Farrukh-siyar’s person, an easy enterprize, and if in the morning it were found that Jahandar Shah and his son were slain, Farrukh-siyar’s gratitude could be assured by placing him on the throne. Zulfiqar Khan declined to entertain this project. Others advised an immediate retreat on the Dakhin, where the Nawab’s deputy, Daud Khan, possessed sufficient troops and treasure to renew the struggle. This proposal seemed likely to be accepted. But Sabha Chand interposed with the remark, ‘Think of your weak old father! Will you by your own act give him over to be killed?’ The bystanders remarked to each other that it was an omen of ill-fortune when, at such a moment, a scribe’s opinion was taken and that of soldiers neglected. [Warid 143b, M.U. ii. 93.]