Indian Antiquary Vol 62

Author(s): Richard Carnac Temple, Charles E A W Oldham, S Krishnaswami Aiyangar, Devadatta Ramkrishna Bhandarka
Publisher: Swati Publications

Page 36

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THE INDIAN ANTIQUARY
[ FEBRUARY, 1933
power of the Mughal emperor Akbar was fast rising. But some considerate noblos intervened and made peace between the two brothers, as they (the nobles) apprehended danger to the Rathor power through family dissensions at such a time.
In 1620 v.s. (1563 A.D.) the Rao led an army against his eldest brother Rám. At first Râm came out and opposed the army of the Rao at Nadol.8 But, seeing no chance of victory, he went to Husain Quli Beg, the imperial officer at Någaur, stated bis prior claim by primogeniture to the throne of Marwar, and asked for help. Husain Quli, seeing a chance of benefitting himself by this internal diseord, readily accepted the proposal and suddenly laid siege to Jodhpur. The Rho fought for some days, but being obliged by the shortage of provisions to make peace, agreed to restore Sojat to Ram and to pay indemnities of war to Husain Quli Beg. In consequence, the possessions of the R&o were limited to the districts of Jodhpur, Jaitaran and Pokaran only. But after the return of the Muhammadan army the terms of the treaty were not fulfilled to the satisfaction of Ram. He therefore approached the emperor in 1621 v.s. (1564 A.D.) for help. As this was a good chance for Akbar to avenge his father's10 wrongs, he accepted the request of Ram and sent an army under Muzaffar Khan. Simultaneously, he ordered Husain Quli Beg to dispossess the Rao of Jodhpur and settle Ram at Sojat. Husain Quli, accordingly, laid siege to Jodhpur, but the RAO bravely defended the fort. When the imperial army failed to take the fort by open attack it attempted to enter it by an inlet11 towards the Rånisågar tank, but in vain.
As the siege continued for many months, provisions failed, and the leading sardars there. fore prevailed upon the Rao to escape. He, reluctantly, went to Bhadrajans with his family, while his sardars, who remained behind, fought in open battle and died glorious deaths. The imperial army then took possession of the fort.
The following is an extract from the Akbarndma 13 :
“After the accession of Chandrasen to the throne the imperial army besieged Jodhpur. Hearing this, Rám, the eldest son of Rio Maldov, camo and joined them. From there he went to the emperor who bestowed honours upon him and sent him to Husain Quli Beg with & fresh army under Muinu' d-dîn Khan and others. The imperial army soon took the fort."
The Rao collecting men and money began to harass the Muhammadans now and then. In 1627 v.s. (1570 A.D.-978 A.H.), when the emperor, after visiting Ajmer, reached Nagaur, many princes of Rajputânå attended his court there.14 The Rio, too, went there to read
Another version is that it was Rio Ram who, with the assistance of Maharana Udaisingh, had at first marched out in order to obtain the throne of Marwar.
It is stated in Tarikh-s-Palanpur (Part I, page 77) that Mirz& Sharfu'd-din rebelled against Akbar and invaded Mertå after the demise of Rao Maldev, and that Rao Chandrasen seved Mertå by concluding A peace with him in 1615 v.s. (1659 A.D.). These facts are doubtful, for Merta had been made over to Jaimal by Sharfu'd-din during the lifetime of Rio Maldev. After this, when Sharfu'd-din rebelled, Akbar took Mort from Jaimal and made it over to Jagmål. Sharfu'd-din rebelled in 1620 V.8. (1663 A.D.--971 A.H.), while Rao Maldev died in 1619 v.8.
10 When Humayun had sought the assistance of Rio Maldev against Sher Shah, his followers had slaughtered a cow in Marwar. Displonged with this, the Rio (Maldev) had dosiated from helping him, and Humayun had to turn back disappointed.
11 This inlet is meant for carrying water to the fort from the tank.
18 This event is stated in the chronicles to have occurred on the 12th day of the dark half of Marga. sirps, 1622 v.s. (19th November 1565 A.D.).
13 Abbarndmd, toxt published by Bengal Asiatic Society, vol. II, p. 197.
14 Udaisingh, the third son of Rho MAldov, and Rao Kaly Anmal and his son Rayasingh of Bikaner, etc., had an interview with the emperor at this place. The emperor deputed Udaisingh to suppress the Gajar rising in Somaoli, keeping at oourt Rayasingh, to whom afterwards the administration of Jodhpur was also entrtuted. RAO Ram was also appointed in Jodhpur to help in guarding the highway to Gujarat.
It is stated in the Tabagde-t-Albart that Akbar roached Nagaur on the 16th Junddd 'LE, 977 A.I. (3rd day of the dark half of Pausha, 1626 v..- Qorresponding with the 26th November 1569 A.D.) and Bojourned there for 50 days (p. 289). But in the Albarndid this event is said to have copurred in 978 A.A. (1570 A.D.). (Vol. II, pp. 367-58.)