Page:A Comprehensive History of India Vol 1.djvu/166

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FTTSTORY OF TXT)TA,

[Rook I,

A.U. 1.073.

Nuw troubles in Uujorat.

Revolt in Bengal.

found lii.s caiiip stormed, and lii.s Itrotlier Miusa/jod Hoossein a prisoner. He resolved to retrieve the day or perish, and made many desperate onsets; hut being repulsed at every point, desi.sted, an«l fled to Mooltan. Here, after being severely wounded and taken prisoner l>y a Beloochee, he was delivered up to tlie governor of Mooltan, who shortly alt<.'r beheaded him. His head was sent to Agra, and by Akber's order jilaced above one of its gates.

In July, 1573, the affairs of Gujerat were again thrown into disorder by the union of one of its former chiefs with ^lahomed Hoossein Mirza. These confederates, after overrunning several districts, felt strong enough to attempt the siege of Ahmedabad. The presence of Akber seemed absolutely necessary, but a foi^midable obstacle was in the way. The rainy season had commenced, and the march of a large army was impracticable. In these circumstances, he made one of those decisive movements for which he had become famou.s. Sending off a body of 2000 chosen horse, he followed rapidly with a retinue of 300 persons, chiefly nobles, mounted on camels and accompanied by led hoi"ses. Having come up with the main body at Puttun, he found that his whole force mustered 3000. Without halting he set forward for Ahmedabad, while a swift messenger hastened before to make the gan-ison aware of his approach. The enemy first learned it by the sound of his drum ; and though astonished above measure, prepared for action. Leaving 5000 horse to watch the gates and pre- vent a sally, Mahomed set out with 7000 horse. Akber at first waited, in the expectation that the garrison would join him ; but on learning that this was not to be expected, he crossed the river and drew up on the plain. The battle was fiercely contested, and was not decided till the king, with his body-guard of 100 men, made an attack in flank on Mahomed, who, losing all presence of mind, turned his back and fled. The rout now became general, ^lahomed, wounded in the face and mounted on a horse which had also been wounded, attempted to leap a hedge, but both fell, and he was made prisoner. Several persons laying claim to the honour of the capture, Akber put the (question to himself — " Who took you ? " Mahomed, holding down liis head, replied, " Nobody. The cirrse of ingratitude overtook me." He spoke truth, and paid the penalty ^ for before Akber had given any orders respecting him. Rajah Ray Sing, in whose charge he had been left, put him to death. The siege of Ahmedabad was immediately raised, and Akber entered it in triumph.

In the com'se of this year Dawood Khan, son of Suliman Kirany, ruler of Bengal, took up arms. Moonyim Khan, sent by Akber against him, defeated him in several actions, and compelled him to sign a treaty. Akber, disHking the terms, refused to ratify it, and insisted that Dawood Khan should either be expelled or obliged to pay tribute. He promised the latter, but it was merely to gain time; and as soon as he thought himself strong enough, he resumed hostilities. Moonyim Khan again defeated him, took his fleet of boats, and, after crossing the Ganges, laid siege to Patna. Akber, thinking his presence