Indian Antiquary Vol 52

Author(s): Richard Carnac Temple, Stephen Meredyth Edwardes, Krishnaswami Aiyangar
Publisher: Swati Publications

Page 351

NOVEMBAR, 1923) HISTORY OF THE NIZAM SHAH KINGS OF AHMADNAGAR
335
an ambush for Sayyid 'Alam, one of the amirs of Gujarât who was marching from that country to join the Mughul army with a large quantity of treasure, stores and munitions of war, and had slain Sayyid Alam and a large number of his troops, and captured all the treasure, baggage and elephants. This news caused great dejection among all in the Mughul army, both small and great, and measures were concerted for retrieving this great disaster. Sadiq Muhammad Khân the Åtâliq was sent with a large force against Sa'adat Khan, in order that the communications of the Mughuls might no more be interrupted. Sadiq Muhammad Khan with Miran Ali Khan, Sayyid Murtaza and a large force of picked men, amounting to 2,000 horse, marched with great expedition to take revenge on Raja Jagannath and Sa'adat Khan and approached Sa'adat Khan's camp as evening was falling. As the troops covered a great distance they were scarcely fit to attack Sa'adat Khân that night, and therefore halted where they were. When Sa'adat Khân became aware of the approach of the Mughul army, his own army was very heavily laden with the plunder of the army of Gujarat, and he therefore, &s a measure of precaution, placed those of his army who were less fit for fighting in charge of his baggage. Sa'Adat Khan withdrew himself from the dangerous proximity of Sadiq Muhammad Khân's army and, with 300 mounted Afghán archers, took up his position on the bank of a river372 which flowed between his camp and Sadiq Muhammad Khan's troops. Şadiq Muhammad Khan also took up his position on the opposite bank of the river, and the two armies opened fire on one another. In spite of the smallness of Sa'adat Khan's force Şadiq Muhammad Khan could not cope with his enemy, and disgraced himself by retiring. In the course of his retreat he passed through the pargana of Sangamner and committed great enormities there. He plundered all the cattle and fodder of the inhabitants of that country, which had been all gathered together in one place, and made prisoners a large number of the people of all classes, and then continued his retreat.
Between Şadiq Muhammad Khan and Shahbaz Khân there existed a long standing foud, and in all their quarrels the Khân khânân uniformly took the side of Shahbaz Khan. Now that sadiq Muhammad Khan was absent from the camp the Khankhanan seized his opportunity and sent a message to the prince (Shah Murad) to the effect that as long as Şadiq Muhammad Khan was with the army the conquest of the Dakan would not advance. It was advisable, he said, that sadiq Muhammad Khân should be relieved of the office of vakil and per. mitted to return to Hindustan in order that the amirs might be free to use all their efforts in the direction of reducing the fortress. The prince considered that the necessities of time demanded this policy and accepted this advice and visited the quarters of the Khânkhânån, which were then in the Farah Bakhsh garden, for the purpose of ascertaining the wishes of the amire. He found the air of the Farah Bakhsh garden so much to his liking that he left the village of Bhingar for the garden house in this garden and there spent some ten or fifteen days in pleasure. During this time also sadiq Muhammad Khân refrained from any interference in the duties of the post of vakil, discerning such a course the best in his own interests, and remained in the village of Bhingar; but all this time a secret correspondence was maintained between the prince and the ami rs.
In the meantime 373 the spies of the Mughul army brought news to that army that Ikhlag Khân, with the rost of the African amirs who had boon in Daulatåbåd, had raised to the throne one Moti whom they entitled Moti Shah, and were marching towards
377 The Godavari.
373 On January
10, 1696.