Miscellaneous Topics on Indian History

[Bharatvarsh]

<!--QuoteBegin-->QUOTE<!--QuoteEBegin-->Rája Ajít Singh, Súbadár of Ahmadábád and Ajmír, had exceeded his authority by prohibiting the slaughter of cows in his jurisdiction; so Sa'ádat Khán, Súbadár of Ágra, was summoned to Court, and sent to punish him; but he begged to be excused. Afterwards Samsámu-d daula, Kamru-d dín Khán Bahádur, and Haidar Kulí Khán, were ordered to discharge this duty. Each one accepted the duty reposed in him, and even sent on his travelling equipage; but they all retracted, and did not think it advisable to proceed; especially Samsámu-d daula, who was afraid that it would be a tedious undertaking, and that the royal funds would not suffice. It might even cause disturbances in other parts, where men were ill disposed. So not one of these amírs was willing to go. At this time intelligence arrived that Nizámu-l Mulk had given Rája Ajít Singh a sharp warning. So the Rája sent a message professing obedience, announcing his withdrawal from Ahmad-ábád, and praying for his retention in the súba of Ajmír. * * Haidar Kulí Khán was appointed to succeed him at Ahmadábád.

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<!--QuoteBegin-->QUOTE<!--QuoteEBegin-->The Játs.

[vol. ii. p. 944.] The tribe of Játs, under the leading of the sons of Chúráman, who was lately deceased, had strengthened and armed some forts in the neighbourhood of Ágra. The turbulence, disaffection and robberies of this vile class of men in the reigns of Aurangzeb and Farrukh Siyar have been related.* Sa'ádat Khán, Súbadár of Ágra, a man renowned for his bravery and determina­tion, although he did his best and showed great resolution, was unable to inflict any real satisfactory chastisement on them, be­cause of the density of the woods and the inaccessibility of the places to which they retired. In consequence of this, Rája Jai Singh Dhíráj was ordered on the service, with many warlike amírs of the Mughals of Írán and Túrán, and Afgháns of well-known courage. Fourteen or fifteen thousand horse were assembled under him, he had a strong force of artillery and siege materials, and he received a present of two lacs of rupees, a robe and a horse. The Rája began by clearing away the jungle, and then by fighting vigorously and pushing forward his artillery, he pressed the insurgents hard. The rebels came out of some of the forts, and taking refuge in the jungle, they made sudden attacks upon the royal forces, and large numbers were killed on both sides. In the course of a month and a half, two forts were closely invested; but by good fortune one of the nephews of the rebel— for they had a quarrel among themselves about their country— left him, and joining the rája, acted as guide. After the two forts were reduced, the rebels abandoned their chief strong­hold in the night, having set fire to the houses, blown up the powder magazine, and carried off with them all the money and valuables that were portable. They left their guns and grain, which, with the fort, were taken possession of by the royal forces. There was a strong report of there being treasure in the fort; but although great search was made, and several places were dug up, not a trace of it was found.

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<!--QuoteBegin-->QUOTE<!--QuoteEBegin-->Játs.
[The following are the passages referred to suprà, p. 521.]

[vol. ii. p. 316.] Aurangzeb (in the year 1095 A.H., 1684 A.D.) sent Khán-Jahán to punish and put down the Játs, and to destroy the fort of Sansí, which those infidels had built, under the protection of which fort they every month attacked and plundered several caravans, and ravaged the neighbourhood of Ágra.

[vol. ii. p. 394.] It was reported from Ágra (in 1102 A.H., 1691 A.D.), that under the royal command Ághar Khán was coming from Kábul to the presence. On approaching Ágra, the Játs fell upon his train, and carried off some bullocks and carts, and made prisoners of some women. Ághar Khán, on being in­formed of this, pursued them and followed them to their fortress. After a display of great resolution, he rescued the women and sent them on their way. He then boldly determined to invest and besiege the fort of the Játs; but he was struck by a musket bullet, and he and his son-in-law were both killed. Khán-Jahán Bahádur Kokaltásh, who had been sent to punish the Játs and reduce their fort, went upon the service confided to him; but although he exerted himself strenuously, he did not succeed in reducing their fort of Sansí, or their other strongholds. His failure and some unseemly acts of his gave offence to the Em­peror (Aurangzeb), who recalled him and appointed Prince Bedár Bakhsh to act against the Játs.

[vol. ii. p. 776.] Chúráman the Ját was a notorious free­booter. His father, his grandfather, and his brothers had ravaged the neighbourhood of Ágra and Fathpúr since the days of Aurangzeb. Armies had frequently been sent against him under Prince Bedár Bakht, Khán-Jahán, and other amírs, with the object of chastising him, and reducing the fort of Sansí, which the Játs had built. In the days of the struggle between A'zam Sháh and Bahádur Sháh, also when Farrukh Siyar approached Ágra, Chúráman was very bold and daring. He plundered the royal train, and carried off much treasure and jewels. Rája Jai Singh was sent against him, and Saiyid Khán Jahán Bahádur, uncle of Kutbu-l Mulk Saiyid 'Abdu-llah, was sent after him in command of a separate supporting force. Through sundry obstacles and want of supplies, Saiyid Khán remained inactive several months near the city; but Rája Jai Singh marched against the enemy, opened trenches, and invested Chúráman's fort. The struggle went on for more than a year. There were frequent fights, and many men fell on both sides. When Saiyid Khán arrived, the siege was pressed more vigorously, and the trenches were carried closer to the fort. Chúráman, being hard pressed, sent his vakíl direct to Kutbu-l Mulk Saiyid 'Abdu-llah, promising to pay tribute, and to wait in person on the Emperor, if his offences were forgiven and a mansab granted to him. Rája Jai Singh knew nothing whatever of this; but the Emperor re­luctantly agreed to Saiyid 'Abdu-llah's proposals. This was done against the Emperor's will, and greatly to the annoyance of Rája Jai Singh. The Rája, greatly vexed, came to Court, and when Chúráman arrived, he was reluctantly allowed to wait upon the Emperor once; but the latter was so displeased with the peace that had been made, that he would not consent to see him again.

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