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9
JANUARY, 1907.] THE KHOKHARS AND THE GAKKHARS.
Bâbar, at this stage, arrived from Bahra on his way to Kâbul, and, instigated by the Janjûhas, old enemies of the Gakkhars, attacked Parhâla, which he took, Hât! seeking safety in flight. Babar's guide to Barbala was Sûrpa, Sarpa or Saropa, Gujar, a servant of the Malik Hast,63 whose father had been slain by Hati. Hâti now submitted to Bâbar,
After the Afghans, headed by Sher Shah, had recovered their power in India and expelled Humâyân after Bâbar's death, the Sultan Sher Shah made over the Ninduna pargana to Ismâ'll Khân Balôch in return for the Sarwâni territory, which had been usurped by the Baloches and which he restored to Shaikh Bayazid Kalkapûr Sarwânt, its rightful owner.es Sher Shah also marched through all the hills of Padman and Garjakes (or Girjhâk Ninduna07), and selected a site for the great fortress of Rohtâs, which was designed both to hold in check the Gakkhars and restrain the Mughal invasions. The Gakkhars, however, prevented Tôdar Khatri, who was in charge of the work, from obtaining labour, and it was only by offering exorbitant pay that the Gakkhars were tempted to flock to the work.68 Sher Shah, moreover, sent a force against Rai Sârang, the Gakkhar, and subdued his country, plundering also the hill of Balnão. Rai Sârang's daughter was captured and given to Khawas Khân, one of Sher Khân's nobles, while the Rai himself, having surrendered or being taken prisoner, was flayed alive.to His son Kamal Khan was sent as a prisoner to Gwalior,71 in the Siwâliks. Rohtâs was then committed to the care of Habib Khân Niazi and other leaders, 30,000 horse being kept in its neighbourhood to hold in check Kashmir and the Gakkhar country.72 Rohtas appear to have been thus partially built in 1540 A. D., but it was not completed till eight or ten years later.
In 955 A. H. (1548 A. D.) the Niâzis, defeated by the troops of Sultan Islam or Salim Shah Sur, fled for refuge to the Gakkhars' territory. Upon this, Islâm Shah advanced on Rohtas, the completion of which he urged forward with much earnestness, and which work was carried out in not less than two years, amidst incessant and desperate fighting with the tribe. Sultan Adam eventually sued for peace and agreed to compel the Niâzis to quit his territories.74 Saltm Shah also released Kamal Khân, son of Rai Sarang, and appointed him to act, in concert with the governor of the Panjab, in the subjugation of the Gakkhar territory.76
In 1552 A. D. Kâmrân, driven from Kabul by Humayan, sought a refuge in the territories of Sultan Adam, who had succeeded his brother Sarang, but that chief sent word to the emperor Humayun that he was willing to acknowledge his authority and deliver Kamran into his hands. Kamran, however, took refuge with the Sultan Salim Shah, on Humayun's advancing to Dinkot on the Indus,76 but, failing to obtain any assistance in the Pañjâb, he returned in disguise to the Gakkhar territory on his way to Kabul, and rashly disclosed his identity to Sultan Adam, who surrendered him to Humâyân, and he was blinded (September 1553 A. D.)." Humâyân now marched against Pirâna, a chief of the Janjûha tribe, who held a strong fort in the Bhira (Bhera) country and secured his surrender, handing his territory over to Sultan Adam.78
After the restoration of Humâyân, Kamal Khân, son of Rai Sarang, was given half the territories held by his uncle (Sultan) Adam Khân.70 Adam Khân resisted this mandate and a royal army had to be sent to enforce it. Adam Khâu was defeated and captured and his son fled into Kashmir, but was subsequently taken also. Kamal Khan then became sole chief of the Gakkhars and he detained Adam Khan in captivity till his death,80
In Akbar's reign the Gakkhars held 7 out of 42 mahalls in the Sindh-Sagar Doâb of the Lahore sarkar 81
43 Who the Malik Hast was does not appear. See note 16, supra.
64 E. H. L, IV. pp. 234-8. 68 Ib. V. p. 115.
65 Ib. p. 389. 66 Ib. p. 390. 67 Ib. V. p. 114. Ib. V. p. 114, and IV. p. 390. A Song of Khwas Khan is under publication in this Journal, and the present writer hopes to publish shortly a very curious legend connecting him with the shrine of Shah Daula in Gujrat. Ib. V. p. 114. The Tartkh-i-Daddi says that Salim Shah captured Sarang Sultan and had him flayed alive.
-Ib. IV. 498.
11 Probably Kahlûr of the hills, i. e., the old capital of the State of Kahlûr or Bilaspur in the Simla hills. 1 B. H. L, IV. pp. 390 and 415. 13 Erskine, II. p. 462; cf. p. 419. 74 Erskine, II. pp. 465-6. E. H. I., V. p. 279. Te Ib. V., pp. 278-9. Erskine, Baber and Humayoon, II. 407. " Elphinstone, p. 470. T8 Erskine, II. p. 419> TE. H. I., V. p. 279. Ib. p. 260. $1 Raverty's Notes, p. 307.
