History of Aurangzib, Based on Original Sources v3.c44.s9: §9. Disaster to Shujaet Khan, 1674.
History of Aurangzib, Based on Original Sources v3.c44.s9
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§9. Disaster to Shujaet Khan, 1674.
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Shujaet Khan was a man of humble origin who had risen to high rank and the Emperor's favour by his success in quelling the Satnami rising. He was therefore regarded with jealousy and contempt by high-born officers like Mahabat Khan and Maharajah Jaswant Singh, and the more so as his appointment implied the Emperor's distrust of their ability. Shujaet, on his part, proud of his master's favour and of his own past triumphs, despised the advice of Jaswant, and took his own line of action. This lack of co-operation among the Mughal leaders caused the disaster of 1674.
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Early in that year many of the clans sent deputations to Peshawar and swore friendship to the Mughals. Shujaet Khan,[*] without waiting for the others to submit, and in disregard of Jaswant's counsel, tried to push on to Kabul. After crossing the Gandab, he ascended the saddle (kotal) of the Karapa Pass (21st February). That night there was a heavy fall of rain and snow; and every one in the Indian camp was brought to death's door by the extreme cold and wet. The Afghans from the heights on the two sides began to harass the suffering army. "The night was so very dark that the planets missed their way in the wide plain of the sky, and, therefore, all men were frightened and troubled,—unable either to advance or retreat. The Khan, proud of his bravery, began to fight with bows and muskets. The Afghans showered stones, arrows, and bullets. But what the imperialists discharged missed the mark, while the missiles of the Afghans all took effect." The imperialists, perplexed and shaken, retreated to a safer position for the rest of the night. But many of them were benumbed to death in the Pass and many others paralysed by the cold. At dawn the Afghans charged the miserable army from all sides. Shujaet Khan, forgetful of his duty as general, sought and found a soldier's death in the front rank. His leaderless troops were hemmed round; but a band of 500 Rathors, wisely sent by Jaswant, arrived with guns, broke the enemy's cordon, and brought the remnant of the army back to camp after a long and desperate fight at close quarters. Three hundred of the Rajputs sacrificed themselves in this heroic exploit. Of Shujaet's followers thousands had fallen before.
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∗ Disaster to Shujaet Khan: M.A. 131, Ishwardas (the best account) 67a-69a. The Karapa Pass lies north-east of the Kabul river, while the Khaibar Pass lies south-west. (Map accompanying Markham's paper.)
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§10. Aurangzib goes to Peshawar; Mughal success, peace restored on frontier.
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This second disaster, occurring less than two years after the first, convinced Aurangzib that a supreme effort should be made to restore imperial prestige. He himself went to Hasan Abdal, between Rawal Pindi and Peshawar, (26th June, 1674), and stayed there for a year and a half directing the operations. A vast army accompanied him with a large park of artillery. Strong and well-equipped columns with plenty of material were sent into the enemy's country. Aghar Khan, a Turkish noble, who had often distinguished himself by fighting the Afghans, was hurriedly recalled from the Deccan and deputed to clear the way in the Khaibar region, (July). Prince Akbar under the guardianship of the minister Asad Khan marched to Kabul by way of Kohat,* with a large army and a number of high officers, (end of September). Mahabat Khan was removed from his post as viceroy, on suspicion of having connived at the destruction of Shujaet Khan.†
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† On learning of this false accusation, Mahabat Khan wrote a very bitter letter to the Emperor. (I.O.L. M.S. 2678, pp. 122-126 of the copy made for me.) In it he defends his own character and that of Jaswant, calls Shujaet Khan a paji (low rascal), and taxes the Emperor with cherishing base favourites.
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With Aurangzib's arrival on the scene, imperial diplomacy, no less than imperial arms, began to have effect. Many clans were induced to send deputations to him and were won over by the grant of presents, pensions, *jagirs*, and posts in the Mughal army to their headmen. The Bangashes and some of the tribes of the Peshawar district at once joined the Emperor's side, and sent contingents of their men to fight under his banners. As for the irreconcilables whom neither the concentration of imperial force could overawe, nor the treasures of India could buy, their valleys were penetrated by detachments from Peshawar. Thus, in a short time, the Ghorai, Ghilzai, Shirrani and Yusufzai clans were defeated and ousted from their villages. A Mughal outpost held Bazarak, the Shirrani capital. At this the Daudzai, Tarakzai and Tirahi tribes made their submission.*
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∗ Aurangzib says in one of his letters that the prince should march by way of Sufed Khak (which, as we know from Kalimat 41a, was the Karapa route). But M.A. (136) says that he followed the Kohat road. Aurangzib renamed Sufed Khak as Mughalabad (M.A. 145).
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Muhammad Ashraf, the son of the Khatak chieftain Khush-hal Khan, entered the imperial service; but his father continued in opposition. Similarly, the son of Bhagu, the Yusufzai ringleader, offered to wait on the Emperor on receiving an assurance of safety. Dariya Khan Afridi's followers promised to bring the head of Acmal, the Afridi pretender, if their past misdeeds were forgiven, (end of August). [*Akhbarat*, 17—20.]
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∗ *M.A.* 132-133, 136; *Ishwardas*, 69*a*—70*b* (here followed); K.K. ii. 237.