Indian Antiquary Vol 40

Author(s): Richard Carnac Temple, Devadatta Ramkrishna Bhandarkar
Publisher: Swati Publications

Page 77

MARCH, 1911.)
THE EMPEROR AURANGZEB ALAMGIR
Bāhib, who had been badly burned. At this time for some reason insufficiently explained, Aurangzēb announced his intention of retiring from public affairs, and leading the life of a religious recluse. His father was angry and took away all his honours and his income. A year afterwards on the intercession of his sister, Begam şähib, be was re-admitted to favour, restored to his rank, and appointed to the government of Ahmadabad, Gujarät, for which place he started on the 29th Zül Hijjah 1054 H. ( Feb. 27th, 1645).
Taking advantage of disputes among the ralers of Transoxiana, Shahjahūn in 1044 H. (1644), made great efforts to recover the territories of Balsh and Badakhshan which bad belonged to his ancestors. His fourth son, Murad Bakhsh under the tatelage of 'Ali Mardān Khān, the Persian, was sent on this campaign. Balkh was occupied in Jamāda I, 1056 H. (June 1646), and the khutbah read in Shajahan's name in the following month, but the impatient prince would not stay to consolidate his conquest, and returned to court. Disturbances broke out, and to restore order, the Emperor selected Aurangzēb for the command of a new army, with 'Ali Mardān Khan as his secondin-command. Aurangzēb arrived at court in 1056 H. (1646-7), and was granted Balkb and Badakhshāh in fief : be left again in the middle of Muharram 1057 FT. (February 1647) with orders to remain in Peshawar until the Nauros (March 21st, 1647). After three months' stay in Peshawar, the prince advanced to Kābal, which he reached towards the end of April 1647, and with the reinforcements which bad joined him, started for Balkh. In the passes he was opposed by the Dzbak and Alamān tribes, but on the 1st Jamīdā I, 1057 B. (June 4th, 1647), he succeeded in reaching Balkh. He marched out at once to give battle to the two armies sent by Abd-ul-'aziz, the king's son, to recover the city. At first Sa'id Khan, one of the Indian generals was repulsed, but engaging the enemy at the head of his own division, Aurangzēb secured the victory at a late hour of the day. During a subsequent attack on their camp, the enemy was reinforced ; and 'Ali Mardān Khan war on the point of giving way, when Aurangzēb arrived to support him, prevented a disaster, anl secured the capture of the Uzbek camp.
Meanwhile, a fresh army of Uzbaks appeared and threatened Balkh and the Mughal rear. The prince turned to relieve Balkh and had to fight bis way back step by step. On one occasion the Uzbaks penetrated into the Mughal camp and were only repulsed by the activity and valour of Aurangzēb bimself. For seventeen or eighteen days there was no rest from fighting. Then came a rumour that Shähjaban meant to espouse the cause of Nazar Mahammad Khan, the dispossessed ruler, whereupon his rebellious son, 'Abd-ul-Aziz Khān, sent overtures to Aurangzeb for the cession of Balkh to Qilich Khân (Suhban Quli), another son of Nagar Mahammad Khan. The prince referrel the proposal to Shābjabān at Kabul, Aurangzēb re-entered Balkh on the 18th Jamnādā I, 1057 H. (June 21st 1647), whereupon the enemy under 'Abd-ul-Aziz Khan retired, and marching twenty kos crossed the Amûn river. During these proceedings, Nagar Mahammad Kbān's son had arrived at the Mughal court and Shābjabān, finding that Balkh was costing him a great deal more than it could ever yield in revenue, resolved to give it back to Nazar Mahammad Khan. Aurangzēb was recalled.
Aurangzēb left Balkh on the 14th Sba bān 1057 H, (Sept. 14th, 1647), after garrisoning the city and fortress, and transferring the rest of the territory to Nazar Mahammad Khan, he began & difficult retreat. In the middle of Ramazan, Oct. 14th, 1647, . body of his troops was cut off and he had to sustain three other severe attacks. He reached Kabul on the 12th Shawwal 1057 A. (Nov. 10th, 1647), having left his treasure convoy in the pass. The Hazarahs fell on this camp and it was only with the greatest trouble that they were beaten off and the treasure at last brought in. Shabinhän ordered Aurangzēb to bult on his return march at the Bebat river, and on the 1st Rabi I. 1068 H. (March 27th, 1648), directed him to proceed without coming to court to his new govern. ment of Multan.