History of Aurangzib, Based on Original Sources v4.c69.s4.2

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.)