History of Aurangzib, Based on Original Sources v3.c44.s11: §12. Fighting in 1675; disaster to Mukarram Khan.
History of Aurangzib, Based on Original Sources v3.c44.s11
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§12. Fighting in 1675; disaster to Mukarram Khan.
v3.c44.s11.1
In the spring of 1675, when Fidai Khan set out on his return from Kabul to Peshawar, the Afghans attacked him in the Jagdalak Pass. His Van was defeated, its Arab commander was slain, and many of the elephants, artillery, baggage and women of this division were carried off by the enemy. But the viceroy's courage and steadiness saved the Centre. Aghar Khan, then at the *thana* of Gandamak, on hearing of his critical situation, came to the rescue by rapid marches, took charge of the viceroy's vanguard, and forced the Jagdalak Pass in the teeth of Afghan opposition, routing the enemy from the hilltops.
v3.c44.s11.2
∗ Akhbarat, 17—2, (Aurangzib's instructions to Akbar).
v3.c44.s11.3
Early in June, however, "a great defeat befell the imperial army." Mukarram Khan with a large force was operating against the Afghans near the saddle (*kotal*) of Khapush in the Bajaur country. After defeating several bodies of the enemy and plundering their villages, he was one day decoyed by the appearance of a small band of them to advance and give chase. Suddenly two large Afghan forces which had been lying in ambush, "concealed in the waist of the hill," fell upon him. The Mughals were hopelessly outnumbered, and lost heavily, including the youthful hero Shamshir Khan, a brother of Mukarram, and Mir Azizullah, his sister's husband. "Lack of water and of paths on any side whatever caused the death of many soldiers, both horse and foot." Mukarram Khan with a handful of survivors escaped to Bajaur and took refuge with its *thanadar*. (*M.A.* 144—145).
v3.c44.s11.4
Retributory measures were taken immediately, and all the Mughal positions in Afghanistan were strengthened. The imperial Paymaster, Sarbuland Khan, was sent with 9,000 men and a vast quantity of material against the enemy (14 June). The ever-victorious Aghar Khan was appointed to Jalalabad, and other capable officers to Jagdalak, Laghman, Gharib-khanah, Danki, and Bangashat, in command of outposts. Fidai Khan, the governor of the province, was given the title of Azam Khan Kokah, in reward of his activity in punishing the Afghans.
v3.c44.s11.5
At the end of August came the news of two reverses, though on a small scale : Hazbar Khan, the *thanadar* of Jagdalak was slain with his son and other Mughal soldiers; Abdullah, the *thanadar* of Barangab and Surkhab, was driven out of his post, after losing many of his troops. (*M.A.* 146.) But, on the whole, the imperialists held their own by means of outposts and forts at strategic points in the Pathan country. By the end of the year 1675 the situation had sufficiently improved* to enable the Emperor to leave Hasan Abdal and return to Delhi (where he arrived on 27th March next).