Indian Antiquary Vol 16

SR No.: 032508
Original Sutra Author: N/A
Author: John Faithfull Fleet, Richard Carnac Temple
Publisher: Swati Publications
Publication Year: 1984
Total Pages: 408
Language: English
Classification: Book_English
File Size: 18 MB

Page 245

MISCELLANEA.
JULY, 1887.]
since my succession to the throne requires to be recorded now." Muḥammad Kâzim undertook the work in due fulfilment of his Majesty's desires, but, when he had just finished the narrative of the first ten years, extending from Jumâdiu'lawal 1067 A. H. (February 1657 A.D.) to Rajjab 1078 A.H. (December 1667 A.D.), he was forbidden to proceed further.
The history of the remaining forty-three years and some months of 'Alamgir's reign was written afterwards by Muhammad Saqi Musta'idd Khân," the son of Muhammad Kâzim, after the decease of the Emperor, who while alive, used to hear the annals of the first ten years of his administration recited in private. The reason for this might have been that Muhammad Kâzim was a straightforward man and consequently set down everything in a clear light, but 'Alamgir, intent on making some necessary alterations on political points, heard it privately read."
I.-The Conquest of Asâm.
When the Emperor Shah Jahan was taken seriously ill, his sons fought for the mastery of the Empire, and taking advantage of the wrongs that had crept into it, Prêm Narayan, the Râjâ of Kach Bihar, and Jayadhwaj Singh, the Chief of Asâm, looted the Bengal frontier. Therefore, after Prince Shuja'a had made his way to Arâkân, Prince Aurangzeb ('Alamgir) directed Mir Jumla (Mu'azzam Khân, Khân Khânân) to advance to the frontier and punish the intruders severely. Starting on the 18th Rabi'u'l-awal 1072 A.H. (11th Nov. 1661 A.D.) the Khân Khânân soon reached Kach Bihar, reduced the Capital and gave it the designation of 'Alamgirnagar, "the City of 'Alamgir." Then leaving Kach-Bihar and setting out from Ghôrâ Ghât on the 28th idem (21st November) he arrived at Kargânv, the Capital of Asam, on the 6th Shâba'n (28th March 1662) after a prolonged journey of five months, during the course of which he had to encounter several enemies and to suffer much privation.
On his arrival, the Chief of Karganv left his Capital and took shelter in the northern hills of his territory. While there he sought to conclude a treaty, but the terms were not accepted by Mir Jumla, who established thanás (police stations) at every important spot for the good management of the conquered land. Great difficulties, however, had to be faced on the set
In the Mdisir-i-'Alamgirt. This work has also been published in the Bibliotheca Indica. [It is noticed by Elliot, Vol. VII. p. 181ff.-ED.]
3 [Aurangzeb's prohibition must, however, have been based on other grounds as the 'Alamgir Náma is full of
223
ting in of the rains, when men from several thands were driven away by the Asâmis, and the Khan Khanan was obliged to pass the season in the best way he could, trusting to the strength of only three or four places. When at last the wet season was over the Imperial troops punished the people and dispersed them towards every point of the compass.
It was the intention of the Khan Khanan to
bring the whole country under subjection, but his army, getting tired of the difficulties in the way, prevailed upon him to return to Bengal. Consequently he came to terms with the Asâmis on the 5th Jumâdîu'l-âkhir 1073 A. H. (17th January 1663 A.D.), who, besides surrendering two districts which were added to the crown lands, gave 20,000 tôlds of gold, one lakh and 28,000 rupees in hard cash, one hundred and twenty elephants, and the King's daughter to the conqueror. The Khân Khânân now returned towards Bengal vid Lakhûgarh and Kajli, &c., and reached Khizarpur on the 2nd Ramazan 1073 A. H. (8th April 1663 A.D.), where he paid the debt of nature after suffering for a time from consumption.
II.-Geography.
Asam extends over the North and East of Bengal. The Brahmaputra, which rises in the northern ranges of the Himalayas, and flows through a portion of the Chinese territory and Asâm, ultimately falls into the Ganges near the Sundarbans, splitting up the country into two divisions, called (1) the Northern Gol (circle), and (2) the Southern Gól.
The former is bounded towards China by the hills inhabited by the Marim Jami Tribe, and on the Indian frontier by Gauhati; and the latter by the village of Sadiya on the East, and the hills of the Brinagar Range on the West.
The northernmost hills of the Northern Gol (which is entirely hilly) are called Dôla and Lâmâ and the southernmost of the Southern, the Nâmrûp Range, about four marches from Kargânv. This last range is occupied by two tribes; viz.: (1) the Nanaks, who owe only a nominal allegiance to Jayadhwaj Singh, the king of Kargånv; and (2) the Daphlas, who, so far from acknowledging his supremacy in the least, sometimes raid into the neighbouring districts.
Asam is reckoned to have a length of 200 kús, with an average breadth of 50 kús, the
adulation of the emperor and of abuse of his defeated brothers.-ED.]
i.e., Mir Jumla.
in the text but should be (?) Nanka= Någa.-ED.]