History of Aurangzib, Based on Original Sources v3.c36.s6.18

v3.c36.s6.18

Early in 1662 a disputed succession called in the intervention of the Mughal suzerain in Halar, the north-western district of KATHIAWAD. Here the young Rajah Chhatra Sal, Jam of Nawanagar, had been deposed and imprisoned by his uncle Rai Singh, who had usurped the throne and expelled the Mughal officers deputed to collect the tribute and administer the port near the capital which was also a mint-town and a seat of pearl-fishery. The dispossessed prince appealed to the Emperor, who sent an army under Qutb-ud-din Khan Kheshgi, the faujdar of Junagarh, to restore him to the throne (December). The opposing forces wasted two months, facing each other in trenches and exchanging artillery fire, at a place eight miles from the chief town, till 13th February, 1663, when Qutb-ud-din Khan, learning that a body of 7,000 Rajputs were coming from the Rajah of Kachh to assist Rai Singh, forced an engagement. After a long and desperate fight Rai Singh and other Rajput nobles, as was their wont when victory appeared hopeless, dismounted and flung themselves on the enemy's ranks. The imperialists lost 177 slain and 434 wounded. In the rebel ranks 1,000 common soldiers and 600 notables fell, including Rai Singh himself, one of his sons and his paternal uncle. The reinforcements coming from Kachh returned home when they found that they had arrived too late.