Later Mughals v1.c9.s29.6

v1.c9.s29.6

Finally on the 15th Shawwal (10th September, 1718) Husain Ali Khan appointed his brother, Saif-ud-din Ali Khan, to the command of a vanguard of 4,000 to 5,000 men, and sent him towards Burhanpur to collect artillery and other stores. Alim Ali Khan,* his nephew and adopted son, was named as his representative during his absence. Saif-ud-din Ali Khan temporarily replaced Jan Nisar Khan as governor of Khandesh, and Sadat Khan, an old officer now blind of both eyes, was sent as commandant of the fort at Ahmadnagar. Alim Ali Khan was put under the tutelage of Shankara Malhar, a trusted agent of Rajah Sahu. About November, 1718, Husain Ali Khan started himself,* accompanied by Sayyid Asadullah (Nawab Auliya), the sons of Jan Nisar Khan Iwaz Khan, deputy governor of Berar, Asad Ali Khan, the one-handed, the Ali Murad Khani, Dil Diler Khan (brother of Lutfullah Khan Sadiq), Ikhtisas Khan (grandson of Khan Zaman), Haji Saif-ullah Khan, Zia-ud-din Khan, diwan of the Dakhin, Firuz Ali Khan Barha, the Amir-ul-umara's Bakhshi, Diyanat Khan (grandson of Amanat Khan Khafi), Rajah Jai Singh Bundela, Rajah Muhkam Singh, one of the chief employés, and Khizr Khan Panni (sister's son of Daud Khan Panni).† In all there were twenty-two imperial commanders, many of whom followed unwillingly. There were 8,000 or 9,000 of his own troops and 11,000 or 12,000 Mahrattas, besides Bhils and Telingas. He carried with him nearly all the civil establishments of the Dakhin, and any one who made excuses and turned back was punished by the loss of his jagir. The total force was 25,000 horsemen, besides the artillery, and 10,000 to 11,000 infantry armed with matchlocks. At the head of the Mahrattas were Balaji Wiswanath, the Peshwa, Khandu Rao Dhabariya, Santa,‡ and some others. These leaders received horses and elephants, robes of honour, and money for expenses, with many promises of future reward in addition to the release of Rajah Sambha's wife and son. These promises included ratification of the treaty for a grant of the chauth, or one-fourth share in the revenues of the Dakhin, a grant of the sardesmukhi or ten per cent. on the collections, and a confirmation of the hereditary Mahratta territory, or swa-raj. Each Mahratta trooper was to receive from the viceroy's treasure-chest half a Rupee, or, as some say, a Rupee a day. A number of zamindars and their levies also joined. The most disturbing rumours as to the fate of Qutb-ul-mulk, passed from mouth to mouth throughout Aurangabad. [K. K. 794—803.]