Later Mughals v2.c14.s35: Sec. 62.—Sarbuland Prepares to Resist Maharajah Abhai Singh, His Successor.
Later Mughals v2.c14.s35
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Sec. 62.—Sarbuland Prepares to Resist Maharajah Abhai Singh, His Successor.
v2.c14.s35.1
Towards the end of Safar (Sept. 12, 1730) Salabat Muhammad Khan Babi who was faujdar of Viramgaon obtained permission to march to that place. Ude Karan, the headman or desai who held charge on his behalf, had been killed. He was set on at night by one Ali brother of Daulat Muhammad Tank, a native of the town, and stabbed to death. The cause of quarrel was not known. Salabat Muhammad Khan made his first march to the village of Paleri on the other or western side of the Sabarmati river and there waited until his men should collect. Two days afterwards he had an attack of cholera and was at the point of death.
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It so chanced that on the very same day Sarbuland Khan announced that he also would march to Viramgaon. But his real object was to confer with Salabat Muhammad Khan about resistance to the new governor Maharajah Abhai Singh, reported to be then at Jhalor. Suddenly without apparent cause Sarbuland Khan started, leaving by the wicket gate of the garden in the Bhadar which opens upon the road. With him were the few intimates who happened to be present. Finding Salabat Muhammad Khan in a state of collapse, the governor awaited the arrival of his own tents and men, and his camp was pitched close to the great dome. In the evening Salabat Muhammad Khan's body was carried to the city in the hope that although unconscious he might revive. But he was beyond treatment and died that night.
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Sarbuland Khan remained at his first halting place for several days which were employed in the collection of men, material of war and supplies. When he heard that Maharajah Abhai Singh had reached Palanpur 82 miles from Ahmadabad [in the north] he moved to the village of Kali* north of the city, on the west side of the Sabarmati, and there prepared to block the road from the north. His total force consisted of four thousand horsemen and as many Baksari and Arab matchlockmen. Out of this total, five hundred horse and one thousand foot were sent back to protect the city, under the command of Muhammad Amin Beg and Shaikh Allahyar, who took with them the governor's younger son, Shah Nawaz Khan. Round the camp were placed seven hundred pieces of cannon, large and small, chained together, and about one thousand wall-pieces. There were in store two thousand maunds of lead and powder. Thus equipped Sarbuland Khan awaited the approach of the Maharajah.
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∗ There is a Kari, 25 m. n. e. and a Kalol 16 m. n. of Ahmadabad. Neither of them can be the place meant, as the Bombay Gazetteer, (Vol. I. pt. 1, 311) says that Sarbuland's camp was between Ahmadabad and Adalaj, 9 miles north of it. There is a Karhi 8 m. n. e. of the city, but on the eastern bank of the river. (Indian Atlas, 22 N. E.) [J. Sarkar.]
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Some of the men whom Sarbuland Khan admitted to his confidence, asked what his object was in thus preparing to resist. Had he not frequently sent in his resignation? Why, then, refuse to give over possession to the successor sent to relieve him? Sarbuland Khan answered: "My offers to resign were quite genuine. But immense sums have accumulated for arrears of pay, which I am unable to meet. The newly appointed man is an infidel and so are all his soldiers. If I am slain in this contest, I shall not only be quit of the debt for arrears, but shall at the same time acquire the glory of a martyr to the faith."