Later Mughals v2.c14.s25: Sec. 50.—Death of Ibrahim Quli Khan.
Later Mughals v2.c14.s25
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Sec. 50.—Death of Ibrahim Quli Khan.
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Ibrahim Quli Khan, owing to rumours of Hamid Khan's approach, had enlisted more troops and had made preparations to defend the city. Two days before the battle he had gone to live in his house in the Karez Bazar.* Safdar Khan Babi had long borne a grudge aganist Shujaat Khan and his brothers, founded on injuries done to him by Haidar Quli Khan, their patron, when ruler of Surat. He now pretended to be Ibrahim Quli Khan's friend and offered to intercede with Hamid Khan. The young man, suspicious of this new-born friendship, declined the offer and sought instead the mediation of another officer,† who was a native of Ahmadabad. Through this man, who became his surety for the good faith and loyal conduct on both sides, he presented himself at the new governor's audience, where he was well received and was given a turban ornament.
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∗ More correctly, Karanj. It was a building with a fountain in the centre of the outer court of the Bhadar and opposite the middle of the three gateways. [Bombay Gazetteer, iv. 273.] † Mumin Khan, the diwan of the province, according to Kamwar.
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A few days after the battle, over-persuaded by Safdar Khan and other evil-minded persons, Hamid Khan resolved to break his pledged word, send for and imprison Ibrahim Quli Khan, and in the end slay him. The secret was badly kept, for as the saying is "A secret is never concealed when many share in it", and passing from mouth to mouth the news soon reached the ear of the officer who had stood security. This man sought out Ibrahim Quli Khan at midnight, told him what was purposed, and advised him to flee [to Kambhayat and Surat, during the darkness] while there was yet time. His friend offered to join him. Ibrahim Quli Khan was too proud to seek refuge in flight. He accepted the decrees of Fate and was prepared to die. Soon the agents of the governor made their appearance and demanded his attendance and the delivery of the valuables belonging to his late brother, which were asserted to be in his possession. Aqa Hadi, the family's trusted man of business, had already been sent to prison. On the 20th Dec. 1724, at about 9 A.M., after having taken a bath of purification and bidden a long farewell to those of his household, Ibrahim Quli Khan set out, followed by thirty to forty men who were still found faithful in adversity, and accompanied by his surety at the head of seven or eight men.
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Arriving at the Bhadar or palace of the governor, Ibrahim Quli Khan entered fearlessly with his party at his heels. The body of mace-bearers and doorkeepers on guard at the gate of the garden-house objected to their entering. Ibrahim Quli Khan must lay down his arms before he could enter and could take with him no more than two or three of his men. In spite of these remonstrances, the party forced its way in, thus only incensing the doorkeepers still more; they vociferated louder and louder, became abusive and made a show of force. Ibrahim Quli Khan's patience was soon exhausted and he struck at once at them with the short sword he was carrying. His friends then drew and all ran as fast as they could towards the audience-hall. Hamid Khan had not yet come out and the visitors waiting to see him dispersed. Ibrahim Quli Khan made for the door of the private apartments close to the hot bath (hamam). There he met face to face Nauindh Rai, manager of Nizam-ul-mulk's lands, Bhara Mal faujdar of Duraha, Girdhar Lal diwan, and one Patiya, head agent of the zamindar of Jhalwa.* In the struggle Patiya was killed and the two others wounded. Ibrahim Quli Khan passed on into the private apartments. The men on duty fled, some escaping by a drain leading to the Sabarmati. Hamid Khan had escaped to the roof and could not be found. His enemy sought him in the women's rooms, but the more he sought the less he found. By Hamid Khan's orders soldiers came from all sides. Soon Ibrahim Quli Khan met his death from the bullets fired, and the stones and clods thrown at him. His head was severed from the body, and both head and trunk were taken out and exposed separately upon the gates. A body of Purbiya soldiers ran about trying to appropriate whatever weapon and clothes they could lay hands upon. The gates of the Bhadar were closed, no one was allowed to go out or enter, and search was made for the accomplices of Ibrahim Quli Khan. Among those waiting in the courtyard for audience were Ali Muhammad Khan, agent for Sarbuland Khan, Ashraf Ali Khan son of the late Mihr Ali Khan diwan and his introducer Aqil Khan faujdar of Idar. These men feared that they might be accused. As Ali Muhammad Khan knew the eunuch in charge of it, they hid in the wardrobe room (toshak-khana).
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To preserve his reputation at Court, Hamid Khan wrote to his agent at Dihli that Shujaat Khan when on the march to Ahmadabad had been attacked near that city and killed by Kanthaji ; that he (Hamid Khan) not being far off hastened to the spot, took measures to protect the city, and had preserved it from injury. As his letter was the first to arrive, the Emperor recorded his thanks and granted him robes of honour and a string of pearls. Two days afterwards letters arrived from Sarbuland Khan's agent and the truth became known.
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∗ Was it Jabwa, midway between Ahmadabad and Indore or, more probably, Jhalod in Panch Mahals? [J. S.] This narrative is based on Mirat and Khush-hal.
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SEC. 51.—ADVANCE AND DEATH OF RUSTAM ALI KHAN.
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As soon as the real course of events was reported at Dihli, orders were issued to Rustam Ali Khan, the middle brother, then deputy governor of Surat and faujdar of Baroda and Pitlad, to draw from the treasury of that port whatever money there was in hand, and therewith equip a force to eject Hamid Khan. When these orders reached him, Rustam Ali Khan was at the pass of Khanapur some miles from Surat, engaged in a contest with Pilaji Mahratta. He returned at once to the city, and in a few days' time had got ready a force of 15,000 horsemen, 20,000 matchlockmen and bowmen, and sufficient artillery. The more prudent of his advisers pointed out to Rustam Ali Khan that in the three months when the rains began the Mahrattas would as usual withdraw. The interval could be best used at Surat in perfecting his preparations; and when they advanced they would in all probability win without a contest. But Rustam Ali Khan could brook no delay. Pilaji Mahratta, with whom Rustam Ali Khan had recently had some skirmishes, had followed him to Surat, and with 10,000 horsemen under his command barred the way. Mustafa Khan was sent to interview the Mahratta leader. Terms of alliance were offered to him, and for a payment of two lakhs of Rupees he consented, at least outwardly, to give his services.* Taking with him Kamgar Ali Khan, his brother-in-law, then faujdar of Baroda, Rustam Ali Khan set out in haste towards Ahmadabad, Pilaji his new ally marching one stage behind him.
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On learning this news, Hamid Khan left Safdar Khan Babi in the Bhadar as his deputy and placed his family in the care of Allahdad and Muhammad Ashraf brother of Muhammad Khan Ghorni, one of Rustam Ali Khan's commanders. He then quitted Ahmadabad, pitched his camp at Tal Kakariya,* and there awaited reinforcements for which he had sent in all directions. Leaving Tal Kakariya at the head of thirty to forty thousand horsemen, Hamid Khan marched towards Baroda. After a halt of two or three days in the open plain outside Ahmadabad, he continued his route, and at a distance of about 70 miles from Ahmadabad reached the bank of the Mahi river, and there encamped. Followed by Pilaji at one day's interval, Rustam Ali Khan crossed the river Mahi and reached the village of Aras in pargana Pitlad. Pilaji's camp was on one side, not very far off. This was on the 7th Feb. 1725. On the same day Hamid Khan with his ally Kanthaji Mahratta and certain nobles, Salabat Muhammad Khan Babi, Sayyid Fayyaz Khan and others, arrived from Ahmadabad and pitched his camp about five miles from that of Rustam Ali Khan. He was joined here by Mir Nathu and Salabat Khan Rohela, who had come from Malwa in search of employment.
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∗ The above account is based on Kamwar and Khafi Khan (968). Mirat (180b-181a) adds the following details:—"At the camp between Karju and Bajud near Baroda, Rustam Ali Khan and Pilaji met and here they halted for several days, while matters were under discussion. A lakh of Rupees was paid in cash, and gifts of an elephant cloth and jewels were added. Pilaji with Mustafa Khan then crossed the Mahendri and encamped."
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During the night after his arrival, Hamid Khan sent to Pilaji the letters of Nizam-ul-mulk calling upon him to give assistance to the writer's uncle. It suited Pilaji to meet favourably these overtures. He knew that for the carrying out of his purpose of seizing the country the removal of Rustam Ali Khan was necessary, but he felt that he could not do this by his own strength alone. The same night he visited Hamid Khan's camp, terms were agreed on, robes of honour and an elephant were conferred upon him, and he returned to his own camp. This betrayal was forthwith brought to Rustam Ali Khan's knowledge. He professed to be quite indifferent; for was not victory the gift of heaven, it depended not upon this, that or the other man;—"Be it he whom the Friend desires or to whom His inclination turns."
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On the following day, as the sun rose Rustam Ali Khan sounded his drums and took the field with some four thousand horse and four thousand foot. His vanguard was led by Sardar Muhammad Khan Ghorni and Kamgar Ali Khan his brother-inlaw. On the right was Ahmad Quli Khan (son of Shujaat Khan) and on the left Kazim Beg Khan (son of Kazim Beg Khan). Muhammad Panah commanded the rearguard; the leader himself held the centre. From the fact that Hamid Khan had posted his artillery in front the night before, Rustam Ali Khan looked forward to an artillery action. He therefore sent his baggage and transport away to the village where there was a small fort, in which these were accommodated so far as possible, a body of Arab infantry being left for their protection. The drums beat and the trumpets blew; the cannon on both sides began to roar.
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∗ A reservoir covering 72 acres and more than a mile round, situated about three-fourths of a mile from the Raypur gate, and surrounded by many tiers of cut stone steps. [Bombay Gaz. iv. 17.]
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Rustam Ali Khan rode straight at the cannon and after a short struggle took possession of them, Girdhar Lal, Hamid Khan’s diwan, and many others being killed where they stood. Seeing this reverse, Mir Nathu and Salabat Khan Rohela (who were in Hamid Khan’s vanguard) now advanced and the battle became general. Sardar Muhammad Khan brought his elephant alongside that ridden by Mir Nathu. After exchanging several passes with their swords, Sardar Muhammad Khan succeeded in slaying his opponent. Rustam Ali Khan engaged Hamid Khan. The latter thinking that, as the proverb says, "Well-timed fight is the same as victory", descended from his elephant, mounted a horse and escaped.
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The Mahratta leaders, who had a wholesome fear of Rustam Ali Khan, held aloof and merely looked on, while he forced his way to Hamid Khan’s camp and there released the sons of the late Shujaat Khan, Husain Quli and Mustafa Quli, and his chief agent, Aqa Hadi. They were found in fetters. Rustam Ali Khan collected as much as he could of the property belonging to Hamid Khan and remained in the camp a couple of hours. Finding there was no further opposition, he carried off the lead and powder with a few of the guns, and spiked the rest. He then returned to his own camp, taking with him such soldiers and camp-followers as had asked for and received quarter.∗
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∗ Rustam Ali, who looked on himself as the victor and believed he had slain his enemy (Hamid Khan), wrote an account of the battle to the Emperor at Dihli. The letter reached the capital in 10 or 12 days, and in
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As soon as Rustam Ali Khan, having driven Hamid Khan off the field, had gone away towards his own camp, Kanthaji began to plunder the rest of Hamid Khan’s baggage, the horses and goods of the survivors were appropriated, and in a few minutes a clean sweep was made of everything. On the other side, while this fight had been going on, Pilaji had laid hands similarly on the camp of Rustam Ali Khan, and had taken everything belonging to him except what was in the fort held by the Arab guard. The gun-carriages were set fire to, the guns spiked; horses, lead, powder, everything was removed as far as possible and the rest burnt. On Rustam Ali Khan’s return he found not a trace of his tents. Some of the men whose goods had gone told him their story; and all he could do was to pitch a small tent on the edge of the village tank. The wounded were attended to and the dead buried; among the latter was Kazim Beg Khan, who had fallen in the first onset.
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Upon escaping from the battle-field Hamid Khan sought refuge with Kanthaji, whom he cursed heartily, first, for standing by idly looking on; then, for plundering the camp. The Mahratta made profuse excuses and returned a few tents, such as were absolutely necessary, and the Nawab’s riding elephant. Hamid Khan remained in the Mahratta camp; and for two days not a Mahratta showed himself to the other side, in fact on the day of battle many had crossed the Mahi river. Then a force of Mahrattas arrived from the Dakhin under the command of Puar and Sombanshi. This party was an advance guard of the thousands of Mahrattas who hearing of Shujaat Khan’s death flocked to Gujarat as to a promised land. In the end some seventy to eighty thousand of these men were collected.
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On the day next but one after the first fight, the Mahrattas brought up several cannon and resumed the offensive. Rustam reward for this victory and the [supposed] death of Hamid Khan, Rustam Ali’s rank was raised to 6,000 zat (same number of sawar) and the Government of Gujarat was granted to him in his own name. It was currently reported at Dihli that the bodies of the slain were to be seen along a distance of twenty-three kos, and some four or five thousand Mahrattas lost their lives. Salabat Rohela and a large number of the Afghans who had come with him from Malwa were also slain. [Kamwar.]
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Ali Khan’s side replied. But the swarms of Mahrattas blocked the way for all supplies of grain or grass. Night and day the cannonade continued; the Muhammadans were devoid of shelter, and each day a number of them fell victims.
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While this fighting was going on elsewhere, in Ahmadabad the loose characters and city thieves and those who had lost everything in Shujaat Khan’s camp, began to plunder. They appropriated horses and carriages; they interfered with the dependents and servants of Hamid Khan. They collected in crowds and attacked the Bhadar palace, emptied the Government store-houses of their carpets and clothes. Safdar Khan Babi escaped with difficulty from these rioters, and leaving the palace returned to his own dwelling, while Hamid Khan’s men hid wherever they could find a refuge. Word had been sent by Rustam Ali Khan to Mumin Khan diwan with a request to preserve order in the city, while Mir Ibrahim a dependant of the late Shujaat Khan was sent to occupy the Bhadar palace. The diwan enlisted men and deputed his son, Muhammad Baqir, to patrol the city at night and visit the outposts.
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Meanwhile, in Rustam Ali Khan’s camp idle stories were brought in daily of the death of Hamid Khan.* Rustam Ali Khan had intended in the day of his first success to march forthwith to Ahmadabad. The destruction of his camp equipage hindered this; and for eight days and nights he lay helpless on the bank of the pond in Aras village. From morn to eve he was cannonaded. Finally, the 14th Feb. 1725 he ventured to make a start in the direction of Ahmadabad, with four or five thousand men unprovided with artillery or sufficient equipment. The Mahrattas in enormous numbers hovered round him, and he had to fight for every step, advancing daily not more than three or four miles. They succeeded in getting no further than the village Napad in Chaurasi Kambhayat. In the two succeeding days, under similar difficulties, they reached fort Kalamsar and then Napa in pargana Pitlad. They were never left in peace for one moment day or night: and wherever there was an opportunity the camp-followers and such of Hamid Khan's men as had asked quarter, disappeared. Daily the numbers diminished through death and desertion. Aqa Hadi, who had been rescued only a few days before, lost his life one day in the rearguard on his elephant when the animal, taking fright from the noise of the rockets, refused to obey its driver and made off into the enemy's line.
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∗ Two or three days after the battle, Rustam Ali Khan at last ascertained that Hamid Khan, severely wounded, had found refuge among the Mahrattas. His surrender, dead or alive, was demanded. As they were in need of time for the arrival of reinforcements from the Dakhin, the Mahrattas gained some days by deceitful promises. Then one of Rustam Ali Khan’s clerks, who had fallen a prisoner into their hands, wrote to him secretly that a large reinforcement of Mahrattas was on its way from Aurangabad via Surat and that the promises made were nothing but pretences for delay. [Kamwar.]
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In this emergency one Banarsi, headman of Basu in pargana Pitlad, a village about 25 miles from the city of Ahmadabad, came forward with an offer of aid. Food and a small reinforcement of men would be found in his village. If Rustam Ali Khan could reach it, he might remain a few days to recruit his strength and await the arrival of any reinforcements despatched from Ahmadabad. Accordingly they directed their march towards that village. But Hamid Khan and the Mahrattas made use of threats to Banarsi; and Rustam Ali Khan's enemies in Ahmadabad also used their influence upon him. Banarsi grew alarmed, and at night-time evacuated the village, taking everything with him and leaving it quite empty.
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Rustam Ali Khan with his 800 men fought his way to Basu village and reached it at nightfall on the 18th. During this day's march Kamgar Ali Khan and others lost their lives. A halt was made at the tank near the village; but on exploring further not a trace of inhabitants nor a scrap of food could be found. No one dared to come to their assistance, and the enemy fired on them all through the night,[*] such as were killed being buried on the bank where they were camped. Next day they found that to march was impossible; a halt was called. As the village was a large one and only recently abandoned, a close search produced a small amount of grain and forage, which enabled the men to feed themselves and their horses. The day after (the 20th), at break of day they resumed the contest. By immense efforts they forced their way a mile or so onward, to the edge of a small artificial lake called Sai Talawar, where they halted. Incapable of further struggle, this fragment of an army lost heart and hope, nay, abandoned their horses, threw away their arms, disguised themselves as far as they could, and as night came on fled.
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∗ Kamwar: From the 20th February Rustam Ali's force was so closely pressed that the men had hardly time to get a drink of water, much less to cook and eat their food.
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The sun rose on Thursday the 21st February and found Rustam Ali Khan still undaunted. He said his morning prayer composedly and called for his coffee. Sardar Muhammad Khan Ghorni rode up and called to him: "It is time to mount and begin the fight." Reaching a cup of coffee to him, Rustam Ali Khan said, "Let us spread our rug here, and await our fate." His officer still urged him to mount, and an elephant was brought. But Rustam Ali Khan said "Now is the time for horseback and a mêlée." Shouting "Allah! Allah!" he turned his steed towards the foe. Under the pressure of the Mahratta numbers his men dispersed, many were killed, many were wounded, a few were made prisoner, a few escaped unscathed. Sardar Muhammad Khan was left on the field severely wounded. At first the Mahrattas got out of Rustam Ali Khan's way, but in the end gathered round him and inflicted on him many a wound by arrow and spear. At length in a hand-to-hand fight he was cut down and killed. Husain Quli Khan and Ahmad Quli Khan, the sons of Shujaat Khan, were a second time made captive. The Dakhinis severed Rustam Ali Khan's head from the body and sent it to Hamid Khan. Pilaji removed one of the hands and sent it as a memorial of his valour to his abode at Songarh.* The head was sent in to Ahmadabad; the body was buried at Basu village. News of Rustam Ali Khan's defeat and death reached the city on the Friday, and his head lay before the Police office for one day and night. It was then buried beside the body of his brother Ibrahim Quli Khan.
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∗ 50 m. e. of Surat. Mirat (175a): "Soner, a village in pargana Nokara of sarkar Surat, 32 kos from that port. Pilaji made an alliance with the zamindar to whom it belonged, and on a high hill near it erected a small fort and at the foot of the hill built a small walled town." Bomb. Gaz. vii. 585, 169.
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All the friends and backers of Hamid Khan now emerged from their hiding places, and seeking to revenge their ancient wrong committed fresh excesses. Mir Ibrahim under the protection of Sayyid Nur-ullah, whose troops he had hired, removed from the Bhadar to his own house and then escaped. Hamid Khan and the Mahrattas arrived, and after one night at the Shahi-Bagh entered the Bhadar. The gates of the fortress of Ahmadabad were destroyed. Pilaji and Kanthaji, mounted on Rustam Ali Khan's elephant and followed by their troops, came into the city and paid a formal visit to Hamid Khan. Mumin Khan diwan and Fidwi Khan ex-diwan each presented a female elephant with such clothes and other outfit as they had ready, Hamid Khan having repeatedly complained to them of the distress caused to him by the recent plundering of his camp.