Indian Antiquary Vol 62

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

Page 38

THE INDIAN ANTIQUARY
(FEBRUARY, 1933
Siwána. The strength of the imperiai army being thus augmented, the Rao, at the request of his sardars, escaped via Rampura to the hills. The emperor resented the escape of the Rao, and reproached his commanders.
Next, in 1632 v.s. (983 A.H.) Jalal Khân was deputed 20 to suppress the Rao, and Saiyid Ahmad, Saiyid Hashim, Shimal Khan and other nobles were ordered to accompany him. As the army previously sent suffered continued failure it became disheartened ; and as they had insufficient fodder and had to wander fruitlessly in the hilly tracts, the horses, too, became weak and unserviceable.21 The emperor accordingly instructed these newly appointed commanders to relieve it ; and they went to their respective jagîrs to make preparations.
When Jalal Khân reached Merta, Ramsingh, Sultânsingh, Ali Quli, etc., nobles of the Siwâna army, sent him word that, though they were trying their best to suppress the Rao, yet they had not boen able to defeat him, for being himself a brave warrior, surrounded by retainers equally brave, and finding an impregnable shelter in the mountains, he was invincible. But if Jalal Khan would instantly help them with his ariny they would achieve some success. Jalal Khan accordingly marched on Siwana. Hearing this, the Râo arranged an ambush to surprise and rout Jalal Khan on the way; but somehow the latter got scent of the design and advanced and attacked the Rao. This unexpected attack upset all his (the Rao's) plans. For some time further he continued the conflict, till, anticipating the complete destruction of his handful of brave soldiers in fighting against such odds, he again took refuge in the hills.23
As the imperial army had had a bitter experience in entering the hills in pursuit of such a dangerous enemy as the Rào, this time they retired to the fortress of Ramgadh, and from there they tried their best to find out his whereabouts ; but all their efforts proved fruitless. In the meanwhile they learnt through a person who called himself Devidas?* that the Rao was with bis nephew, prince Kallâ. On this they went with him to Kalla, who positively denied the information. The army had to return in despair, and Shimal Khân was much displeased with Devidas. Inviting the latter to his camp under some pretext he tried to make him prisoner, but at the right moment Devidas effected his escape, to the disappointment and shame of Shjinal Khân. Devidas went to Kalla, and, as he was determined to avenge himself on Shimal Khân, he together with Rao Chandrasen fell upon the imperial army. In their hurry they mistook Jalal Khân for Shimal Khân. However the former was killed. They then proceeded to attack the latter (Shimal Khan), but by that time Jaimal, at the head of a fresh imperial army, happened to arrive, and the Rao and Devidas thought it prudent to retire.
This last attack had much reduced the strength of the imperial army, affording an opportunity to prince Kalla (son of Rama) of once more trying his luck. He collected men and money, garrisoned the fortress of Devkůr, 25 and prepared for battle with the imperial army. To overcome the new difficulty, the imperial army was obliged to give up the siege of Siwana and prepare for an attack upon Devkûr. The emperor, seeing his prestige
20 Akburnámd toxt, published by Bengal Asiatic Society, vol. III, p. 158. 21 Ibid., p. 167. 22 These were younger brothers of R&o Rayasingh of Bikaner. 33 Akbarndma, vol. III, pp. 158-159.
2. The strange story relatod by this man at Râmgadh was that he was the same Devidas who was Hupposed to have been killed in the battle with Bharfu'd.din at Merta; that when he was left on the field in #penseless state, an ascetic picked him up, took him to his hermitage and hooled his wounds; that he remained with the ascetic for some time and had come with his permission to try his fortune by serving under the imperial banners. He was believed by some of the imperial commanders, while others disbelieved him, (Akbarname, vol. III, p. 159.)
25 The site of this fortress remains yet unidentified. (Akbarnámd, vol. III, p. 167.)