Indian Antiquary Vol 52

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

Page 353

NOVEMBER, 1923 ) HISTORY OF THE NIZAM SHAH KINGS OF AHMADNAGAR
337
Traditions of the old friendship between Raja 'Ali Khân, ruler of Khandesh, still remained, and he maintained an uninterrupted intercourse with those within the fort, so that they were enabled, by his means, to introduce into the fort any supplies that they might require, and occasionally, when a body of gunners came from the other forts in the kingdom to reinforce those in Ahmadnagar, they were able to enter the fortress by the help of Raja Ali khân and greatly strengthened the defence. When this matter became known to the prince he removed Raja Ali Khân from the position which he docupied and placed that section of the trenches under the command of Raja Jagannath, who was one of the great Rajput amirs, and thus all ingress and egress was stopped. In the course of the siege, and while it was at its height, Raja Ali Khân, ruler of Burhånpûr, being instigated thereto by Akbar's amirs, sent to Chând Bibi Sultân a letter saying "I purposely accompanied the Mughul army into this country for the purpose of preserving the honour of the Nizâm Shâhî dynasty. I know well that this fortress will, in a short time, be captured by the Mughuls. See that you shun not the fight but protect your honour and surrender this fort at the last to the prince, and he will give you in exchange for it any fort and any district in this country that you may choose. The honour of the Nizam Shahi house is, owing to the connection between us, the same to me as the honour of my own house, and it is for this reason that I, laying aside all fear of arrow or bullet, have come to the gate of the fort, and I will bring Chând Bibi Sultân to my own camp."
When the defenders received this letter their dismay and confusion were greatly increased and they were struck with terror, for they had relied greatly on Raja 'Ali Khan, and they now almost decided to surrender, but Afzal Khân did his best to pacify them and to calm their fears, and sent Raja Ali Khân a reply saying, "I wonder at your intellect and policy in sending such a letter to Chånd Bibi Sultan and that you should endeavour to destroy this dynasty. It was you who went forth to greet the Mughul army and it was you that brought them into this country, and the Sultans of the Dakan will not forget this. Soon, by the grace of God, the Muchiul army will have to retreat and then Chånd Bibi Sultân will be in communication, as before, with the Sultans of the Dakan. It will then be for you to fear the vengeance of the brave men of the Dakan and to tremble for your house and for your kingdom.” 376 When this reply reached Raja Ali Khân he was overcome with shame for what he had written, and the Mughul amirs also gave up all hope of taking the fortress, but Miyân Manjh û who, on the first approach of the Mughul army, had taken Ahmad Shâh with him and had taken refuge on the frontiers of Ibrahim Adil Shah II, now sent letters and petitions, explaining his own helpless and hopeless state and asking assistance, both to that king-and Muhammad Quli Qutb Shah. The former, with a view to the prosperity and security of his kingdom, made the repulse of the enemies of the country his object, and in order to give confidence to the defenders of Ahmadnagar issued farmáns directing his army to march to their support and considered designs for driving out Akbar's army. He sent Suhail Khân, who had received from him the honourable title of Amîn-ul-Mulk, with a number of his chief amirs and near 30,000 horse to the aid of Ahmadnagar for the protection of the Nizam Shahi kingdom, with orders to attack the enemy and to drive him forth, thus freeing the Dakan from strife and oppression. From
376 The Akbarndma contains no indication of Raja 'Ali Khan's correspondence with the garrison, but there is every reason to believe that it took place.