Later Mughals v1.c9.s17: Sec. 18.—Fight Between the Retainers of Muhammad Amin Khan and of Khan Dauran (April 1st, 1716).

v1.c9.s17.1

As an illustration of the disorder and want of discipline prevailing, even when the Emperor was present, among the large bodies of troops maintained by the chief nobles, we will here recount a fight which took place between the men of Muhammad Amin Khan and those of Khan Dauran. On the 6th Rabi II. 1128 H. (29th March, 1716), Farrukh-siyar started for one of his numerous hunting expeditions to Siuli, a preserve near Sonpat and about 20 miles north of Dihli. On the 26th (18th April, 1716), he returned to Agharabad, just north of the city, and pitched his camp near the garden of Shalimar. Three days afterwards (21st April, 1716), Mirza Muhammad rode out from the city in the morning, and after paying some visits, alighted at the tents of Sadullah Khan, where he ate his breakfast and took a sleep. Near the time of afternoon prayer (zuhar), at less than three hours to sunset, as he was preparing to go home, he heard the sound of cannon and musketry fire. The men of Muhammad Amin Khan and of Khan Dauran had begun to fight. The contest went on for over an hour, and as Mirza Muhammad was riding home, he met crowds of armed men, who were hurrying from the city to take a part in the affray, the majority being retainers of Muhammad Amin Khan, most of whose men had gone into the city, whereas Khan Dauran’s were still with him. Opposite the Surkh-sangi or red-stone mosque, Qamr-ud-din Khan, son of Muhammad Amin Khan, was encountered, galloping at the head of some men to his father’s aid. During the night word was brought into the city that by Farrukh-siyar’s orders, Amin-ud-din Khan and others had parted the combatants and settled the dispute. The origin of the affair was this. Muhammad Amin Khan’s retinue was returning from the audience to their own tents at the time Khan Dauran's wife was on her road from the city. The two cortéges met, and in passing each other there was some confusion and hustling. As soon as Khan Dauran's men had escorted the Begam to her destination, they returned in a body and attacked Muhammad Amin Khan's baggage. The few guards resisted, and a bow and arrow and matchlock fight continued for about one and a half hours. One Namdar Khan and several soldiers lost their lives; many of the bazar followers also being killed and wounded. The Emperor reduced both nobles 1,000 zat in rank, and the faujdari of Muradabad was taken from Muhammad Amin Khan and conferred on Amin-ud-din Khan. For two or three days neither noble would come to darbar. Then Farrukh-siyar wrote a note to Khan Dauran and sent Itimad Khan, a eunuch, to bring Muhammad Amin Khan. A reconciliation was effected between the two men; and after their arrival in the city, they entertained each other in turn as a sign of renewed friendship. [Kamwar 163, M. M. 260, Khush-hal 404a.]