The Army of the Indian Moghuls: Its Organization and Administration c20.2

c20.2

Emperor’s taking the field in person. The emperor was not supposed to take the personal command unless the army was large and the campaign important (Horn, 46 relying on the *Tuzuk-i-Taimūrī*). Thus, when Bahādur Shāh in 1710 headed the army sent against the Sikh, Bandah, he was blamed for meeting an antagonist unworthy of him. On the way it was usual to pay visits to holy men of repute in order to obtain their blessing; and the shrines of any noted saints situated near the line of march were perambulated and the saint’s help implored. Thus Shāh ‘Ālam Bahādur Shāh when on his way to fight his brother, offered up prayers at the tombs of Qutb-ud-dīn and Nizām-ud-dīn Auliyā at Dihlī. In the same way Farrukhsīyar, marching up from Patnah to Āgrah, prayed at the tombs of Takī-ud-dīn ut Jhūsī, of Badī‘ud-dīn at Korah, and of Shāh Madār at Makhanpūr. Another curious practice is described by Yaḥyā Khān, 129b. He says that when in 1721, Prince Muḥammad Ibrāhīm was raised to the throne and was about to start against Muḥammad Shāh, he was taken, in accordance with an old custom, to Qutb-ud-dīn’s shrine, to have his turban wound round his head there, and a sword attached to his waist. Then a bow with its string loosened ought to have been placed near the tomb. If the string of itself resumed its place, this would be held a sign of victory. On this occasion, such was the uproar and confusion, the order to bring the bow was not carried out.