[The nineteenth year of the reign of Jahángír began. The intelligence of the march of Sháh Jahán's* army towards Orissa and Bengal was confirmed. An order was sent to Prince Parwez and Mahábat Khán, to make provision for the security of the Dakhin, and then to march towards Illahábás and Bihár; so that if the governor of Bengal was unable to prevent the advance of the rebel Sháh Jahán, the Prince might be there to oppose him with the Imperial army. The Emperor also sent Khán Jahán to the capital, to watch the turn of affairs, and to take such steps as might seem necessary.

Mahábat Khán sent an ambassador from Burhánpúr to 'Ádil Khán, ^{* *} who wrote in reply that he would meet Mahábat Khán at Dewal-gánw, and would send his son to enter the Imperial service. The ambassador also wrote to say that 'Ádil Khán was loyal, and had determined to send his minister, Mullá Muhammad Lárí, to join Mahábat with 5000 horse. In com­pliance with repeated farmáns, the Prince marched for Bengal, notwithstanding the severity of the rains and the difficulties arising from the mud and mire of Málwá. Mahábat Khán, having sent forward the Prince, remained at Burhánpúr, awaiting the arrival of Mullá Muhammad Lárí.

Ahmad Beg Khán, nephew of Ibráhím Khán, and governor of Orissa, had gone forth against the zamíndárs of Garha. When he heard of Sháh Jahán's arrival, he retreated in alarm to Pipalí, the residence of the governor, and there collecting his property, he carried it with him to Katak (Cuttack), which is twelve kos from Pipalí, in the direction of Bengal. But not feeling himself able to make a stand even there, he went off to Bardwán, and carried the news to Sálih, nephew of Ja'far Beg. ^{* *} Sálih received a letter from 'Abdu-lla Khán, which was written for the purpose of winning him over, but Sálih rejected the proposition, and put Bardwán in a state of defence.

Ibráhím Khán, when he received the threatening intelligence, although he had forces scattered at different posts, fled to Akbar-nagar, * and there collected men and munitions for the conflict. He now received a letter from Sháh Jahán [proposing an arrange- ment]; but he wrote in reply that ^{* *} he would fight for his master to the death. When the Prince's army arrived at Bard-wán, the short-sighted Sálih put forth the foot of ignorance and folly,* and made resistance. 'Abdu-lla Khán did not give him much grace, but invested the fort, and soon brought it to ex­tremity. When Sálih perceived that there was no hope of relief, he went out to see the Khán, who led him with a sash round his neck to the Prince. This obstacle being removed, the Prince marched on to Akbar-nagar. It was Ibráhím Khán's first intention to hold Akbar-nagar, but the fort was large, and his force was insufficient for its defence; so he retired to the tomb of his son, which was smaller and more secure. Here he was joined by forces from different stations.

Sháh Jahán's army having arrived at Akbar-nagar, invested the tomb, and death began to be busy both within and with­out. Ahmad Beg Khán came, and found an entrance into the besieged place, which greatly inspirited the garrison. The wives and families of many of the besieged were on the other side of the river; so 'Abdu-lla Khán and Daryá Khán Afghán crossed over, to commence operations on that side. This movement alarmed Ibráhím Khán, who hastened thither, taking with him Ahmad Khán Beg, leaving others in charge of his fortified post. He sent over before him some war-boats, called in Hindí niwárá, to prevent the passage of the enemy. But before the boats arrived, Daryá Khán had crossed over. On hearing this, Ibráhím Khán sent Ahmad Beg over the river against Daryá Khán; but when he landed, a fight began on the banks of the river, and he lost many of his men; so he turned back and re­joined Ibráhím Khán, carrying with him the news of his defeat. Ibráhím sent to the fortress for a reinforcement, and a party of well-mounted horsemen came to his aid. On hearing of this, Daryá Khán retreated some kos, and 'Abdu-lla Khán, under the guidance of the landholders, crossed the river some kos higher up and joined him. The united forces took up a position, with the river on one flank and a thick jungle on the other. Ibráhím Khán crossed over, and gave battle. ^{* *} The advanced force was defeated, ^{* *} disorder arose, and many fled. Ibráhím Khán, with a small party of followers, disdained to escape; and although some of his men seized his bridle, and tried to drag him out of the fight, he exclaimed, “My life does not need such a course; what can I do better than die on the field of battle?” He had scarcely uttered the words, when the enemy gathered round and despatched him.

The news of his fall discouraged the garrison, and the besiegers exploded a mine under the fortress. The storming party rushed in, and the place was carried. ^{* *} Some of the garrison cast themselves into the river, and others, who were fettered by their families being in the hands of the enemy, submitted to the victor. The children and the property of Ibráhím Khán were in Dacca, so the Prince's army proceeded thither by the river. Ahmad Beg, Ibráhím's nephew, arrived before them; but sub­mission was the only course open to him, and he obtained grace through one of the Prince's attendants. The victors took pos­session of the property, nearly forty lacs of rupees in cash, besides various effects, and elephants.

Dáráb Khán had hitherto been kept in confinement, but he was now released; and after being bound by an oath, was made governor of Bengal; but his wife, a daughter, a son, and a son of Sháh Nawáz Khán, were kept (as hostages). Rájá Bhím, son of Ráná Karan, who had never left the Prince in any of his troubles, was sent forward in command of the advanced force towards Patna. The province of Patna was in the jágír of Prince Parwez, and it had been left in charge of Mukhlis Khán, the Prince's díwán, and of Iftikhár Khán and Sher Khán Afghán, his faujdars. But before even Rájá Bhím arrived, they were frightened; and giving up all hope of support, they did not even set the fort of Patna in order, and wait a few days for the approach of the army; they abandoned the place, and made off to Illahábás, setting their own safety above the loss of such a country. So Rájá Bhím entered the fort of Patna, and took possession of the province of Bihár without resistance.

A few days afterwards Prince Sháh Jahán arrived there, and the jágírdárs of the province waited upon him, and made their submission. Saiyid Mubárak made over to him the fort of Rohtás. The zamíndár of Újaina also came in and was received. Before advancing himself, Sháh Jahán sent on 'Abdu-lla Khán with an army towards Allahábád, and Daryá Khán Afghán with another force towards Oudh. A few days after, the Prince him­self marched, leaving Bairam Beg in charge of Bihár. Before 'Abdu-lla Khán passed over the ford of Jausá,* Jahángír Kulí Khán, son of 'Azam Khán Mirzá Koka, who held the government of Jaunpúr, left that place and went to Mirzá Rustam at Allahábád. 'Abdu-lla pursued him hotly, and came up to the town of Jhaunsí on the river Ganges, opposite Allah-ábád. * Sháh Jahán then advanced to Jaunpúr. The war-boats (niwárá) had been brought up from Bengal, and 'Abdu-lla now employed them in effecting a passage of the river under a fire of guns and muskets, and pitched his camp in Allahábád.]