History of Aurangzib, Based on Original Sources v4.c69.s4: § 4. Last efforts of Akbar in India.
History of Aurangzib, Based on Original Sources v4.c69.s4
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§ 4. Last efforts of Akbar in India.
v4.c69.s4.1
But before we turn to the final scene of the tragedy of the Maratha king, it is necessary to complete the story of his ally, Prince Muhammad Akbar. We have seen (Ch. 44 § 20) how his rupture with Shambhuji was patched up in November 1683 by Durgadas and Kavi-kalash and he continued to live in Maratha territory, though as an unwilling guest. 'His father's emissaries at first continued to visit him, tempting him to return with offers of pardon and restoration to favour. (*Storia*, ii. 258-259.) But nothing came of these negotiations. In fact, the canonical sentence of deposition which Akbar had issued against his father and the taunting letters* he had addressed to him in 1681, had dug a gulf of hate between the two, which nothing could cross. On 12th April, 1685, a slave of Akbar came to the Emperor with a present of two horses, but he was refused audience and ordered to speak to Princess Zinat-un-nisa. (*M.A.* 256.)
v4.c69.s4.2
In September and November 1684 the English factors of Surat report a rumour that Akbar at the head of 15,000 horse and Shambhuji with 10,000 were getting ready to sack Surat. (*Surat to Co.* 26th Sep. and 29th Nov. in *F. R. Surat* 91 and *O. C.* 5206.) But nothing came of it.† Sardar Tarin, an Afghan of the imperial service used to recruit soldiers in secret in Aurangzib's camp at Ahmadnagar and send them to Akbar. He was detected and put to death (early 1685.) (*Dil.* 184.) Next year, Abdus Shakur (son of Uzbak Khan), a dismissed imperial officer, fled from Sholapur with 180 Uzbak soldiers and joined Akbar. (Ish. 108 b.) About 20th July 1685, the Emperor ordered Kar Talb Khan, the governor of Ahmadabad, to bar Akbar's northward path to Agra. In October 1685, a body of 4,000 rebels killed the imperial governor and other officers of Broach and took possession of the city in the name of Akbar, whom they proclaimed Emperor there. At the same time a rumour spread that Akbar was advancing to join them with 30,000 men, and that some of his forces were coming to Surat. But the insurrection failed. (Surat to James King, 30th Oct. in F.R. Surat 92. Mirat-i-Ahmadi, 339, describes it as a religious outbreak quite unconnected with Akbar.)
v4.c69.s4.3
∗ Translated by me in my *Studies in Mughal India*, pp 96-108
v4.c69.s4.4
† There were similar rumours in 1687, after Akbar had left India! (*O. C.* 5563 and 5621, dated 10 Feb and 29th Sep)
v4.c69.s4.5
Akbar's real dash into Mughal territory was at last made in June 1686, after the Emperor had left Sholapur to join the siege of Bijapur and Mughal Deccan was denuded of his forces. The attempt, however, failed, because the Emperor with his usual foresight had left Murhamat Khan (a grandson of Jafar Khan) with a division to guard Ahmadnagar. The Khan "calling to his side all the faujdars of the district, fought a severe battle with Akbar near Chakan, and defeated and repulsed him. Akbar went back to Shambhuji's dominions," foiled in his design of marching to Northern India and joining the Rajputs. (Dil. 200.)
v4.c69.s4.6
Ishwardas Nagar who, though an officer of the imperial Government, was in touch with Durgadas and the Rathors, gives the following account of the last activities of Akbar in India:
v4.c69.s4.7
"A despatch from the thanahdar of Shirwal informed the Emperor that Shambhuji was intending to send Akbar to some place in Northern India at the head of a large army. The Emperor ordered Prince Azam with 30,000 horse to go towards Ahmadnagar, close the path of the rebel, and catch him wherever he might be passing... When Azam reached Kandapur, Akbar in fear fled through the wilderness with a thousand hardships to the neighbourhood of Salhir. Azam arrived near fort Ahivantgarh, in pursuit. Akbar escaped to Mahuli with great difficulty and fatigue."
v4.c69.s4.8
"After this the Emperor learnt from the newsletter of Shirwal, that Akbar had gone from Mahuli to Kalian-Bhivandi, halted there for two or three days, then crossed the hilly country to the environs of Panhala, where a severe battle was fought with the imperialists, after which he found his advance impossible and retired to the hills again."
v4.c69.s4.9
"Sayyid Muhammad, the son of Mariam Mughalani, having by the Emperor's order carried a conciliatory letter from Zinat-un-nisa Begam to Akbar, brought back a reply, in which the Prince asked for forgiveness. An imperial farman was at once sent to Akbar assuring him of safety and asking him to come quickly...One month afterwards, spies brought the news that Akbar after roaming in all directions in the valley of despair and finding no way for escape, had gone to Shambhuji, taken aid from him, marched to Mahuli, made war preparations there, and then advanced to Shahpur, wishing to march [towards Surat] by way of Jawhar. The Emperor remarked, ‘Eternal misery has seized him and is making him roam over hills and deserts’.”...
v4.c69.s4.10
“Spies reported that Akbar under the guidance of Raghubir Khande, the brother of Tukaram [= Vikram ?] Trimbak, the zamindar of Jawhar, had reached the Portuguese frontier [? Daman] and wished to turn back thence and reach Hindustan. Azam was directed to hasten in pursuit and block his path to the imperial territory.”......
v4.c69.s4.11
“A secret letter from the army of Prince Azam informed the Emperor that spies had brought to the Prince the news that Durgadas had embarked Akbar in a ship and leaving him had himself gone back to Jodhpur.” (Ish. 108 b, 109 b-110 b, 113 a, 119 a.) With Zia-ud-din Muhammad (a former follower of Shuja) and 45 retainers, Akbar embarked in a ship hired at Rajapur (commanded by Bendal, an Englishman), and sailed for Persia (in Feb. 1687), but was driven by stress of weather to the port of Masqat. (K. K. ii. 285.) He reached the Persian Court at Isfahan on 24th January, 1688.*