Later Mughals v2.c14.s23: Sec. 48.—Shujaat Khan Replaces Hamid Khan in Gujarat.
Later Mughals v2.c14.s23
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Sec. 48.—Shujaat Khan Replaces Hamid Khan in Gujarat.
v2.c14.s23.1
In Dec. 1723 Nizam-ul-mulk left Court, as we have seen, without the Emperor's consent, and Mubariz Khan was incited to resist his advance into the Dakhin, the result being a triumph for Nizam-ul-mulk. The Emperor thought it expedient to make concessions and in exchange for the confirmation of his vice-royalty in the Dakhin, Nizam-ul-mulk resigned the office of Wazir and with it the governorship of Malwa and Gujarat. The new governor of the latter province, Sarbuland Khan Mubariz-ul-mulk, nominated Shujaat Khan as his deputy until his own arrival, and Hamid Khan was directed to return to Court. Rustam Ali Khan, younger brother of Shujaat Khan, was at the same time appointed to the charge of Surat in place of Mumin Khan Najm Sani, who in turn replaced Fidwi Khan in the office of diwan of the subah. [K. K. 966]. The official order, accompanied by a letter from Sarbuland Khan, reached Ahmadabad in July-August 1724. Hamid Khan was made acquainted with the orders, and the new deputy proceeded to appoint his own officers. Shujaat Khan called upon Hamid Khan to evacuate the Bhadar or governor's palace. As it was the middle of the rainy season, he asked for a little time. Shujaat Khan would make no concession and began to erect batteries in preparation for an ejectment by force. The fighting went on for three nights and days, and many houses near the fort were injured. Those men of Ahmadabad who envied Shujaat Khan went so far as to send their followers to aid Hamid Khan and gave him encouragement in his resistance. But Ali Muhammad Khan* thought it wise to attempt a compromise. He therefore saw Safdar Khan Babi and said to that man's sons, "Another governor has been appointed, it will be wise for you to quench these flames if you want to stand well with the new man." He forced them to mount their horses and visit Hamid Khan. Ali Muhammad Khan next interviewed Shujaat Khan. In this way hostilities ceased and Hamid Khan quitted the city. His intention was to join his cousin Azim-ullah Khan, governor of Malwa, but finding that he had already quitted his Government and returned to Dihli, Hamid Khan until the rainy season had passed halted at Dohad 110 miles east of Ahmadabad. Thence he reported the facts to Nizam-ul-mulk and requested an answer. He also wrote to Dihli representing that he was in great straits for money; thereupon an order for two lakhs of Rupees was sent to him, payable from the treasury at Sironj. [Mirat, Kamwar.]
v2.c14.s23.2
It seems that Shujaat Khan, knowing that the late Wazir was out of favour at Court, had offered to attack him in the Dakhin; and that the Emperor had granted three lakhs for this purpose from the treasury of Surat with which he engaged to raise twenty thousand men. As a counter-blast to this project, Nizam-ul-mulk entered into engagements with Kanthaji Kadam Bande, one of Rajah Sahu's generals, offering him the *chauth* or one-fourth of the revenues of Gujarat in return for the reinstatement of Hamid Khan. He was also embittered by the summary way in which his uncle had been ejected by Shujaat Khan. At the end of the rains Kanthaji Kadam came across the Narmada with 15,000 to 20,000 horsemen and joined Hamid Khan. The two allies came first to Kaparwanj, about 32 miles east of Ahmadabad, whence Hamid Khan opened communications with his friends at Ahmadabad, who encouraged him to advance as the chances were all in his favour. At this time Shujaat Khan was away from Ahmadabad, engaged in suppressing some unruly zamindars. He had with him only 4,000 to 5,000 horsemen : and thought he could overcome his enemy without waiting for reinforcements. [Mirat, Kamwar.]
v2.c14.s23.3
∗ Faujdar of Haveli Ahmadabad and father of the author of the Mirat-i-Ahmadi. The author himself returned to Ahmadabad in 1724.
v2.c14.s23.4
Hearing that Hamid Khan was making for the city of Ahmadabad, Shujaat Khan returned in that direction by forced marches and reached the village of Dhabora, nine *kos* from the city. He neglected to send out scouts, and being thus quite unaware of the enemy's approach he ordered a halt in order to collect tribute from the village. On Thursday the 14th Dec. 1724 he resumed his march towards the city, many of the soldiers and people of the bazars dispersing as he went.*