Later Mughals v2.c14.s39: Sec. 66.—Negotiations Between Sarbuland Khan and Abhai Singh.
Later Mughals v2.c14.s39
- Language
- English
Sec. 66.—Negotiations Between Sarbuland Khan and Abhai Singh.
v2.c14.s39.1
Next day when the Maharajah learnt that his opponent was unhurt he took the field once more. Sarbuland Khan was on the alert. But his spies soon reported that the Maharajah did not intend to fight on that day. The respite was used by both sides in carrying off the wounded and burying the dead. In the course of the day Abhai Singh resolved to offer terms to his predecessor. As envoys he selected two Muhammadans acquainted with Sarbuland Khan, Mukhlis Khan, jagirdar of Mahmudabad, and Mumin Khan, the news-recorder of his army and faujdar of Kambhayat. A note was sent, and upon receipt of a favourable answer Mukhlis Khan paid Sarbuland Khan a visit towards the end of the day. After the usual ceremonial he introduced his business and left again at night.
v2.c14.s39.2
Next day, Mukhlis Khan having been excused on account of his age and corpulence, the negotiation was resumed by Mumin Khan and Amar Sing Udawat. The terms made were that Sarbuland Khan should receive one lakh of Rupees in cash for expenses, that camels and carts be furnished for transport, and that visits should be interchanged. The first visit was to be paid by the Maharajah, it being arranged that each party should erect a tent for the purpose at a distance from his camp. Accordingly the Nawab put up a tent near the grove of Ghazi-ud-din Husain and the Maharajah spread a cloth in front of his camp opposite the tomb of Shah Bhikan. As so frequently happens in these cases, the Maharajah made all kinds of pretext to avoid paying the first visit and the whole of the next day was spent in the expectation of his arrival. In the afternoon of the following day Sarbuland Khan mounted his horse and followed by a small retinue made his way to the Maharajah's tent. He found the Marwaris drawn up in ranks, in armour cap-a-pie either as a precaution against treachery or merely out of a desire to see the Muhammadans. On Sarbuland Khan entering the tent enclosure the Maharajah advanced as far as the surrounding screen, the two nobles embraced, and then sat down like brothers side by side. As there was little time available they exchanged turbans in sign of brotherhood and then bade each other farewell. Sarbuland Khan returned to his camp, which was now at the grove of Muhammad Amin Khan and there his property and women had been transferred. Bakht Singh who had received an arrow wound did not attend at the interview; and it is said that Abhai Singh wore under his coat a shirt of chain-mail.