Miscellaneous Topics on Indian History

[Bharatvarsh]

<!--QuoteBegin-->QUOTE<!--QuoteEBegin-->FIFTEENTH YEAR OF THE REIGN.
Outbreak of the Satnámís—also called Mondíhs.*

[Text, p. 114.] It is cause for wonder that a gang of bloody, miserable rebels, goldsmiths, carpenters, sweepers, tanners, and other ignoble beings, braggarts and fools of all descriptions, should become so puffed up with vain-glory as to cast themselves headlong into the pit of self-destruction. This is how it came to pass. A malignant set of people, inhabitants of Mewát, collected suddenly as white ants spring from the ground, or locusts descend from the skies. It is affirmed that these people considered themselves immortal; seventy lives was the reward promised to every one of them who fell in action. A body of about 5000 had collected in the neighbourhood of Nárnaul, and were in open rebellion. Cities and districts were plundered. Táhir Khán Faujdár, considering himself not strong enough to oppose them, repaired to the presence. The King resolved to exterminate the insurgents. Accordingly, on the 26th of Zí-l ka'da, an order was issued that Ra'd-andáz Khán should proceed with his artillery, Hámid Khán with the guards and 500 of the horsemen belonging to Saiyid Murtazá Khán, his father, and Yahyá Khán Rúmí, Najíb Khán, Rúmí Khán, Kamálu-d dín, son of Diler Khán, Purdil, son of Fíroz Khán Mewátí, and Isfandyár, bakhshí to Prince Muhammad Akbar, with their own troops, to effect the destruction of the unbelievers. The royal forces marched to the encounter; the insurgents showed a bold front, and, although totally unprovided with the implements of war, made good use of what arms they had. They fought with all the valour of former rebels whose deeds are recorded in history, and the people of Hind have called this battle Mahá-bhárat , on account of the great slaughter of elephants on that trying day. The heroes of Islám charged with impetuosity, and crimsoned their sabres with the blood of these desperate men. The struggle was terrible. Conspicuous above all were Ra'd-andáz Khán, Hámid Khán, and Yahyá Khán. Many of the Moslims were slain or wounded. At length the enemy broke and fled, but were pursued with great slaughter. Few indeed escaped with their lives; a complete victory crowned the efforts of the royal commanders—and those regions were cleansed of the presence of the foul unbelievers. The triumphant gházís, permitted to kiss the threshold, were rendered proud by the praises of their King. The title of Shujá'at Khán was conferred on Ra'd-andáz, with the rank of 3000 and 2000 horse.

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<!--QuoteBegin-->QUOTE<!--QuoteEBegin-->Riot of Hindú Devotees.

[Text, vol. ii. p. 252.] One of the remarkable occurrences of this year* was the outburst of the Hindú devotees called Sat-námís , who are also known by the name of Mundíhs. There were four or five thousand of these, who were householders in the parganas of Nárnaul and Mewát. These men dress like devotees, but they nevertheless carry on agriculture and trade, though their trade is on a small scale. In the way of their religion they have dignified themselves with the title of “Good name,” this being the meaning of Sat-nám. They are not allowed to acquire wealth in any but a lawful calling. If any one attempts to wrong or oppress them by force, or by exercise of authority, they will not endure it. Many of them have weapons and arms.

At the time Aurangzeb was returning from Hasan Abdál, a strong altercation arose one day near Nárnaul, between a man of this sect, who was engaged in agricultural work, and a man who was keeping watch over the harvest. The latter broke the Sat-námí's head with his staff. A number of Sat-námís then collected and beat the watchman, so that they left him for dead. When intelligence reached the shikkdár, he assembled his men and sent them to arrest those Sat-námís. Meantime numbers of the Sat-námís assembled. They attacked the shikkdár's men, overpowered them, wounded several, and took away their arms. Their numbers went on increasing, and information was carried to Kár-talab Khán, faujdár of Nárnaul. He sent a large force of horse and foot to the assistance of the shikkdár, and to punish and seize the rioters. The Sát-námís fought this force also, wounded and killed a great many of them, and put the rest to flight. Matters grew worse, and the faujdár set about collecting more men, both horse and foot, and called to his assistance the zamíndárs of the neighbourhood. With his old and new men, and with the levies from the zamíndárs, he marched against the rioters, and gave them battle. He killed a good many of them, but was repulsed and compelled to fly.

To shorten a long story, suffice it to say that after several fights the faujdár was killed, and the town of Nárnaul fell into the hands of the Sat-námís. They proceeded to collect the taxes from the villages, and established posts of their own. When the Em­peror reached Dehlí, he was informed of this outbreak, and he sent force after force to quell it, but they were all defeated and dispersed. It was said that swords, arrows, and musket-balls had no effect upon these men, and that every arrow and ball which they discharged against the royal army brought down two or three men. Thus they were credited with magic and witch­craft, and stories were currently reported about them which were utterly incredible. They were said to have magic wooden horses like live ones, on which their women rode as an advanced guard.

Great rájas and veteran amírs were sent against them with powerful armies. But the revolters were eager for the fight, and advanced to about sixteen or seventeen kos from Dehlí. The royal army went forth boldly to attack them; but the zamíndárs of the neighbourhood, and some cowardly Rájpúts, seized the opportunity to throw off their obedience, and to withhold the government dues. They even broke out into open violence, and the flames daily increased. The King ordered his tents to be brought out. He then wrote some prayers and devices with his own hands, which he ordered to be sewn on the banners and standards, and carried against the rebels. At length, by the exertions of Rája Bishan Singh, Hámid Khán, and others, several thousands of them were killed, and the rest were put to flight, so that the outbreak was quelled. * *

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