History of Aurangzib, Based on Original Sources v3.c44.s6.3

v3.c44.s6.3

In the spring of 1672, Muhammad Amin Khan, now viceroy of Afghanistan, after passing the winter in the milder climate of Peshawar, started for Kabul, with his army and suite, and accompanied by their families and household property. At Jamrud he learnt that the Afghans had blocked the way ahead. But the son of Mir Jumla was notorious for his insane pride and self-will, which he did not care to curb even in the Emperor's presence, and which turned his subordinates into trembling flatterers. When they at last mustered courage to inform him of his danger and to advise a parley with the Afghans, they met with an angry rebuff. Intoxicated with wealth and power, ignorant of the enemy's numbers and despising their prowess, he rushed blindly in to his doom. Advancing to Ali Masjid (21st April) he entrenched. At night the Afridis descended from the hillside and cut him off from the stream whence he drew his water supply. Next day men and beasts in the imperial army began to perish of thirst from the heat of the sun. The Khan now opened negotiations, but the Afghans demanded a special blackmail in addition to the restoration of their annual subsidies. He rejected the terms and sent a body of veterans under his son Abdullah and other high officers to dislodge the foe. The Afghans assailed them with a storm of missiles. From the lofty peak of Tartara, 3,400 feet overhead, stones were rolled down on the doomed men crowded in the narrow gorge below. The leaders were soon killed, and disorder seized the Mughal army. "Horses, elephants and men were mixed up in confusion." The Afghans now charged down the hillside, slaying and plundering the entire Mughal camp. "Every one fled to the hill or desert.........Sons were separated from fathers, daughters from mothers, wives from husbands, masters from servants."