SECOND YEAR OF THE REIGN, 1038 A.H. (20TH DECEMBER,
1628 A.D.).

[Text, vol. i. p. 272.] The anniversary of the accession was on the 1st of Jumáda-s sání. After the death of Jahángír, and before the accession of Sháh Jahán, Khán-Jahán Lodí entered upon a dangerous and disloyal course. * * He formed an alliance with Nizámu-l Mulk, and gave up to him the Bálághát in the Dakhin,* the revenue of which amounted to fifty-five krors of dáms. But Sipahdár Khán, who held Ahmadnagar, bravely and loyally refused to surrender that city. Khán-Jahán summoned to his presence all the Imperial servants who were in those parts. He left a small force at Burhánpúr under the command of Sikandar Dotání, who was related to him, while he himself marched with a large force to Mándú, with the intention of taking possession of Málwa, which province was then under the government of Mír 'Abdu-r Razzák, who had received the title of Muzaffar Khán. Sháh Jahán proceeded from Ahmadábád by way of Ajmír to Ágra, and there ascended the throne. * * The news of this event awakened Khán-Jahán and brought him to a sense of his folly and wickedness. Rájá Gaj Singh, Rájá Jáí Singh, and other distinguished Rájpúts who had accompanied him to Mándú, parted from him when they heard of Sháh Jahán having arrived at Ajmír. Thereupon Khán-Jahán wrote a letter of contrition and obedience, in the hope of obtaining forgiveness.

A royal farmán was sent in answer, informing him that he was confirmed in the governorship of the Dakhin, and directing him to return at once to Burhánpúr. He then retired from Málwa to Burhánpúr, and engaged in the duties of his office. But when it was reported to the Emperor that the country of Bálághát, which Khán-Jahán had given to Nizámu-l Mulk, still remained in his possession, and had not been recovered, the Emperor appointed Mahábat Khán to the governorship of the Dakhin. Khán-Jahán then returned to Court. The Emperor paid little heed to the reports and observations about his improper conduct, and for eight months passed no rebuke upon him. He still continued moody and discontented, and ready to listen to the incitements and suggestions of mischievous men. * * One night Lashkarí, son of Mukhlis Khán, in a malicious, mischief-making spirit, told the son of Khán-Jahán that he and his father were to be made prisoners on the following day or the next. * * The son told his father, whose apprehensions were instantly aroused by this malicious report, and he kept close to his quarters with two thousand Afghán followers. His Majesty asked Yamínu-d daula Ásaf Khán the reason why Khán-Jahán did not attend the darbár, and after inquiry had been made, it was ascertained that he had fears and suspicions, and he begged for a letter under the Emperor's signature, forgiving him all his offences, and relieving him from all his fears. * * The Emperor graciously acceded to his request, and sent him a kind letter under his own hand. He then came to Court and paid his respects. But Fortune was aggrieved with him, and so his per­verse temper prevented him from appreciating the Emperor's kindness.

On the night of Safar 26, the men of Yamínu-d daula brought in the intelligence that Khán-Jahán meditated flight, and he sent to inform the Emperor. * * After the first watch of the night, Khán-Jahán, with his nephew Bahádur and other relations and adherents, began his flight. As soon as the Emperor was informed of it, he sent Khwája Abú-l Hasan and * * in pursuit of the fugitive. Unmindful of the smallness of their own force and the numbers of the Afgháns, they followed them and overtook them in the vicinity of Dholpúr.* The fugitives saw their road of escape was closed; for the waters of the Chambal were before them and the fire of the avenging sword behind. So they posted themselves in the rugged and difficult ground on the bank of the river, and, fearing to perish in the waters, they resolved upon battle. * * [After many were killed and wounded], Khán-Jahán, with his two sons and several followers, resolved to hazard the passage of the Chambal, although the water was running high. He and his followers, wounded and unwounded, in great peril and with great exertion, succeeded in crossing over, thus escaping from the fire of battle and the waters of the stream. Many horses and much baggage fell into the hands of the royal forces. * * A party gathered to follow up the fugitives, but on reaching the bank of the river, it was found that it could not be crossed without boats, and an endea­vour was made to collect some. Khwája Abú-l Hasan came up when one pahar of the day remained, and after consultation it was resolved to stay there for the night, and rest the horses, which had made a long and fatiguing march. Boats were collected, and the whole force passed over before noon next day, and recommenced the chase. But the fugitives pressed forward with all haste, and threw themselves into the jungles of Jajhár Singh Bundela.

When the traitor (Khán-Jahán) entered the territory of Jajhár Singh Bundela, that chieftain was absent in the Dakhin; but his eldest son Bikramájít was at home, and sent the rebel out of the territory by unfrequented roads. If Birkramájít had not thus favoured his escape, he would have been either taken prisoner or killed. He proceeded to Gondwána, and after staying there some time in disappointment and obscurity, he proceeded by way of Birár to the country of Burhán Nizámu-l Mulk.

THIRD YEAR OF THE REIGN, 1039 A.H. (1629 A.D.).

[Text, vol. i. p. 300.] On the 21st Ramazán Khwája Abú-l Hasan and * * * altogether about 8000 horse, were sent to effect the conquest of Násik and Trimbak* and Sangamnír. It was settled that the Khwája was to stay at some suitable position near the fort of Alang* during the rainy season until he was joined by Sher Khán from the province of Gujarát with his provincial levies. After the end of the rains he was to march by way of Baglána, and, taking with him some of the zamíndárs of the country, make his way to Násik. The Khwája marched from Burhánpúr, and in eight days reached the village of Dholiya,* near the fort of Alang, and there halted until the rains should cease. * * Sher Khán, Súbadár of Gujarát, joined with 26,000 men, and the Khwája sent him to attack the fort of Bátora, in the vicinity of Chándor, near Násik and Trimbak. Sher Khán ravaged the country, and returned with great spoil.

Murder of Jádú Ráí.

[Text, vol. i. p. 308.] Jádú Ráí, with his sons, grandsons, and other relations, held altogether from the Imperial Government mansabs amounting to 24,000 (personal), and 15,000 horse. He also had sundry jágírs in the Dakhin as tankhwáh, so that he lived in wealth and comfort. But he was fickle and unfaithful, and went with his sons and relations to join the Nizám. But the Nizám well knew his perfidy, and resolved to put him in confinement. For this purpose the Nizám arranged with some of his servants to seize Jádú Ráí, and he summoned him to his presence. Accord­ingly Jádú attended the Court with his family. The armed men who were in concealment suddenly attacked them, and killed him, his two sons Ujlá and Raghu, and his grandson Baswant. His brother Jagdeo Ráí, with Bahádur-jí his son, his wife and the others who escaped, fled from Daulatábád to Sindghar, near Jálnapúr,* in their native country.

Campaign against Nizám Sháh and Khán-Jahán.

[Text, vol. i. p. 316.] 7th Rabí'u-l awwal. When the rains were over, 'Azam Khán and the great nobles who were with him left Dewalgánw,* where they had rested during the rainy season, and marched against the rebel Afgháns. * *