Later Mughals v2.c14.s25.4

v2.c14.s25.4

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).