[Text, vol. ii. p. 605.] Towards the end of the year 1119 the
Emperor marched from Ágra, with the intention of chastising
the Rájpúts in the vicinity of Údípúr and Jodpúr. From the
reports of the news-writers of the province of Ajmír, and the
parganas around Jodpúr, the following matters became known
to His Majesty. Rája Ajít Singh, who was called the son of
Rája Jaswant, had been brought up by the wiles of Durgá Dás,
and other evil-disposed infidels, as the son of the deceased
Rája.*
He had cast off his allegiance to the late Emperor, and
done many improper things. After the death of Aurangzeb
he again showed his disobedience and rebellion by oppressing
Musulmáns, forbidding the killing of cows, preventing the
summons to prayer, razing the mosques which had been
built after the destruction of the idol-temples in the late
reign, and repairing and building anew idol-temples. He
warmly supported and assisted the army of the Ráná of
Údípúr, and was closely allied with Rája Jai Singh, whose son-
Ajít Singh and his allied Rájas knew that submission and obedience alone could save them and their families and property; so he addressed himself to Khán-khánán and his son Khán-zamán, expressing his sorrow, humility, and obedience; and he sent a message humbly asking that Khán-zamán and the Kázíu-l Kuzát might come into Jodpúr, to rebuild the mosques, destroy the idol-temples, enforce the provisions of the law about the summons to prayer and the killing of cows, to appoint magistrates and to commission officers to collect the jizya. His submission was graciously accepted, and his requests granted.* Officers of justice, kázís, muftís, imáms, and muazzins (criers to prayer) were appointed in Jodpúr and other towns in the country. Ajít Singh and Jai Singh, with the concurrence of Durgá Dás, who was the very soul of the opposition, came to Court in hope of receiving pardon for their offences, and each was honoured with the gift of a robe, elephant, etc.
[Text, vol. ii. p. 608.] A kind and admonitory letter was
addressed by the Emperor to his brother Prince Muhammad
Kám Bakhsh to the following effect: “Our father entrusted you
with the government of the súba of Bíjápúr; we now relinquish
to you the government of the two súbas of Bíjápúr and Haidar-
A few words shall now be written about Prince Muhammad Kám Bakhsh and his proceedings. [Cruel punishments and execution of Ahsan Khán and others.] In answer to the kind letter which Kám Bakhsh received from his brother Bahádur Sháh, he wrote a provoking reply.* Kám Bakhsh arrived at Burhánpúr at the beginning of Jumáda-l awwal, where he was detained some time by the swollen state of the Taptí. * * Marching from thence by way of Malkápúr and Nander, he had got within two or three marches of Haidarábád at the end of Shawwál. His whole army had dwindled away through his violent bloodthirsty madness; five or six hundred horse were all that remained with him, and they were sorely distressed by harsh treatment, hunger, and sight of bloodshed. Bahádur Sháh had with him nearly 8000 horse. * * Kám Bakhsh advanced until he was only two or three kos from Haidarábád. His small force now consisted only of * * a few bold companions who would not leave him and three or four hundred horse. * * The orders given to Bahádur Sháh's commanders were that they were not to bring on a fight, but to surround Kám Bakhsh so that he should not be killed, and the blood of Musulmáns should not be spilt. * * Khán-khánán and Zú-l fikár Khán, with their respective forces, were about a cannon-shot distant from the enemy, expecting the order to attack. As they had been ordered not to begin the battle, they waited until noon, but sent repeated messages to the Emperor for leave to begin. They were told that he was taking his usual nap. Whether it were so, or whether this evasion was connived at, the generals received no reply.
Zú-l fikár Khán had an old-standing aversion to Kám Bakhsh, and repeatedly urged Khán-khánán to attack. Kám Bakhsh, with a heart full of fear and hope, stood firm, expecting the onslaught. At length Zú-l fikár Khán, awaiting no longer the consent of the Emperor or the co-operation of Khán-khánán, advanced to the attack. This movement compelled Khán-khánán to advance also with his fourteen or fifteen thousand horse. * * Two or three of the companions of Kám Bakhsh were killed or wounded, but he stood firm, fighting desperately. He received three or four wounds, but he used his bow so well in the face of three thousand foes, that a terror fell upon them, and they were near upon taking flight. He emptied two quivers and wounded and brought many men down; but loss of blood from his many wounds prevailed; he lost his strength, and the enemy surrounded his elephant and made him prisoner. His youngest son, who was on the same elephant, was also made prisoner after receiving four or five severe wounds. Muhíu-s Sunnat, the eldest son, fought bravely. The drivers and others on his elephant fell wounded one after the other. He then drove the animal himself, but fell in the howda wounded with balls and arrows. * * The elephant ran off into the country, but was caught by a party of Mahrattas, and the Prince became a prisoner. * * All the men of Kám Bakhsh who fought near his elephant were killed, and were found to be sixty-two in number. * *
Kám Bakhsh and his two sons, all desperately wounded, were taken to Khuld-manzil, and placed near the royal tent. European and Greek surgeons were appointed to attend them. Kám Bakhsh rejected all treatment, and refused to take the broth prepared for his food. In the evening the King went to see his brother. He sat down by his side, and took the cloak from his own back, and covered him who lay dejected and despairing, fallen from throne and fortune. He showed him the greatest kindness, asked him about his state, and said, “I never wished to see you in this condition.” Kám Bakhsh replied, “Neither did I wish that one of the race of Tímúr should be made prisoner with the imputation of cowardice and want of spirit.” The King gave him two or three spoonfuls of broth with his own hands, and then departed with his eyes full of tears. Three or four watches afterwards, Kám Bakhsh and one of his sons named Fírozmand died.* Both corpses were sent to Dehlí, to be interred near the tomb of Humáyún.
[Text, vol. ii. p. 625.] Nímá Sindhiá had been one of the most renowned of all the “Ná-sardárs” (i.e. Mahratta sardárs), and one of the greatest leaders of the accursed armies of the Dakhin. His plundering and destructive raids had extended as far as the province of Málwá. Now, under the patronage and advice of Zú-l fikár Khán, he had turned the face of repentance to the Imperial throne, with the hope of forgiveness. He had taken part in the battle against Kám Bakhsh, and having thus won the Imperial favour, he and his sons and relations had received the honour of being presented to His Majesty. He received a mansab of 7000 and 5000 horse, two lacs of rupees, a robe, an elephant, a drum, etc. His sons and grandsons each received mansabs of 5000 and 4000—altogether 40,000 and 25,000 horse. * *