History of the Jats:Dr Kanungo/Reign of Raja Ranjit Singh Jat (1775-1805)
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By K. R. Qanungo. Edited by Vir Singh. Delhi, Originals, 2003, ISBN 81-7536-299-5.
Chapter XV. Reign of Raja Ranjit Singh Jat (1775-1805)
Contents
Afrasiyab's campaign in the Doab
[p.175]: Raja Suraj Mal had sown well the seeds of liberty and ambition in the heart of every Jat. If the parent-tree of the Jat State was withering in the land of Braj, its off-shoots grew up vigorously on newer soils and kept up the hope and faith of the people in their great political destiny. During the four years of the comparative neglect of the Doab by the Mughal Government since the battle of Dankaur, several Jat leaders, on their individual initiative, had been carrying on war with the object of carving out small principalities for themselves. Theyhad not only created powerful diversion to draw off a part of the Mughal army, but also found means to "send secret help to the besieged at Deeg" [Ibratnama, p. 289]. Mirza Najaf Khan sent Afrasiyab Khan1 to subdue them and restore order and peace in the Doab. Afrasiyab crossed the Jamuna with an army of fifteen thousand horse and a proportionate number of matchlockmen and guns. After having expelled from that region all the Jat officials who were the ring leaders of disturbance and rebellion, he laid siege to Aligarh. Jawahar Singh had spent a large sum of money in strengthening its fortifications,
1. Khair-ud-din is not definite about the date. He says, "It is said that when the seige of Deeg was prolonged the Amir-ul-umra sent Afrasiyab Khan" [MS. p. 289].
[p.176]: given it the name of RamgarhXXX (it having been known as Sabitgarh before his time), and made it the grand depot of ms military stores and treasure. After Afrasiyab Khan had reduced the garrison to great straits by a siege of several months, Raja Bhup Singh of Mudsan and Hathras 2
XXX. Sabit Khan, Governor of Koil region during the time of Farrukh-Siyar and Muhammad Shah built a fort three miles north of the town Koil and named it Sabitgarh. After the occupation of he Koil by the Jats the fort was renamed Ramgarh. According to News Letter dated 11th June l761, Surajmal was staying in Ramgarh, Mirza Najaf Khan with his lieutenant Afrasiyab Khan captured Ramgarh from the Jats in 1775 and named it Aligarh. In 1804, the Britishers named Koil as a separate district called Aligarh. J. M. Siddiqui, Aligarh District: A Historical Survey, p. 25-27,112.
Sabitgarh was named Ramgarh by Suraj Mal not by Jawahar Singh. Suraj Mal occupied Koil_in Febraury 1753 from its faujdar Rao Bahadur Singh Burgujar. (सूदन,सुजान चरित) 98-103; Tarikh-i-Ahmad Shahi, 47a.) But the Jat garrison had to evacuate it (Tarikh-i-Ahmad Shahi, 105a, 106a) about the end of December 1753 because the Maratha and Mughal armies encircled the Jat heartland before the siege of Kumher fort. After Abdali's expedition against Jats in 1757 Malhar Rao Holkar and Imad, the sworn enemies of Raja Suraj Mal came to terms with him. At this opportune time ]]Suraj Mal]] not only re-established his out posts, along both the sides of Jamuna but also settled the tracks from Agra to Meerut. It can be inferred that during this period Ramgarh was made stronghold of the Jats. Abdali besieged Ramgarh in his second expedition on 25th March 1760 and after 19 days fort commander Durjan (Sal) Singh surrendered Ramgarh.(G.C. Dwivedi, The Jats: Their role in the Mughal Empire, p.180, f.n. 46; P.C. Chandawat, Maharaja Suraj Mal Aur Unka Yug, p.164, f.n.2.) In the post-Panipat period Suraj Mal captured Agra fort and he himself went to Koil in June 1761, encamped there and recovered his former possessions in that region. (S.P.D., II, 144; Rajwade, I, 285, 295) above News letter cited by Siddiqui also confirms that Suraj Mal was staying in Ramgarh in June 1761. Thus from 1761 to 1775 Ramgarh remained in the possession of the Jats. - Ed.
2. Hathras on E. I. Ry., 25 miles east of Mathura; Mudsan lies 8 miles west of Hathras. Another fort Bawal of the Ibratnama cannot be identified in the map. It may be a mistake for Jowar, a large village 10 miles from Hathras and 4 miles north-west of Mudsan. But this village has no trace of fortification. The first two places are situated between lat. 27°"-40' and long. 78°"-10'.
[p.177]: commenced hostilities in his rear. At the instigation of the Raja the peasants throughout the Doab refused to pay taxes and resisted the authority of Mughal Government. Afrasiyab, finding himself unequal to the task, summoned his master to his assistance.
Mirza Najaj Khan's departure from Deeg
Mirza Najaf Khan had strained his energy and resources to the utmost in capturing Deeg, in the belief that such a success would bring the Jat down on his knees. The fall of the capital of the Jats sent a thrill of surprise throughout India. Titles and honours were heaped upon the conqueror by the Court of Delhi. But the joy of the Mirza turned into gloom when he found that in parting with Deeg the jat did not intend to part with his independence. Without suing for terms, Raja Ranjit Singh prepared for a more obstinate defence of his remaining strongholds. The Mirza spent the rainy season in Jat country and seemed to have contemplated a campaign against Jaipur. But the serious nature of the Jat rising in the Doab and the failure of Afrasiyab Khan against the forts of Raja Bup Singh Jat made him change his mind. However, before he departed from Deeg he succeeded in planting a thorn to torment both the Jat and the Kachhwah by encouraging the aggressive views of Rao Raja Pratap Singh of Macheri, who gave them no peace for several years from this time.
Mirza Najaf started from Deeg with his 11 chiefs and a numerous army to subdue the Jat rebellion in the Doab. A war-weariness seems to have come upon that veteran general, who had no more relish for this never-ending struggle with a people whom no odds could overawe, and no disaster could dishearten. He was inclined to peace, and signified his willingness to confirm Raja Bhup Singh in his possessions as a feudatory of the empire if he would submit and come to his presence. But the Jat who never learns through the experiences of others, was not disposed to yield without a trial of strength with the conqueror of Deeg. He stood a siege at Mudsan and resolutely defended it for some time. Many brave soldiers of the Mirza were killed and wounded by the tremendous fire of guns, matchlocks
[p.178]: and huqqahs [hand grenades] in their attempt to storm the fort. Raja Himmat Bahadur who was with the Mughal army received a bulletshot and was severely wounded. At last they succeeded in running several mines under the walls of the fort and forced the Raja to evacuate3 it. Mirza Najaf Khan gave the fort of Mudsan to Afrasiyab and himself undertook the siege of Hathras (eight miles east of Mudsan), whither the Raja had fled. Pressed vigorously by the enemy, Bhup Singh sued for terms and sought an accommodation through Raja Hirnmat Bahadur. The Nawab gave back to him all his territories on the condition of military service and allowed him to retain those forts which he was holding at that time [lbratnama, Ms. p. 291]. He then marched against Ramgarh and having captured it after a siege of twenty-four days, changed its name to Aligarh.4
About this time the Emperor summoned Mirza Najaf Khan to Delhi to punish the rebellious Ruhela chief who had slain Abdul Qasim Khan (brother of Abdul Ahad Khan), defeated an imperial army, and forcibly taken possession of many mahals of the crownland.
Mirza Najaf Khan's campaign against Zabita Khan
Mirza Najaf Khan reached Delhi and was honourably conducted to the royal presence by Princes Jahandar Shah and Jahan Shah (4th Muharram, 1191 H. = 12th February, 1777). Two months afterwards he accompanied the Emperor in the expedition against Ghausgarh, one of the strongholds of Zabita Khan. The imperial army left Delhi on the 19th April (11th Rabi I., 1171 H.) and arrived in the vicinity of Ghausgarh on the 8th June. Zabita Khan with his main army had already marched out of that fortress to harass the imperialists by acting on their supplies and attacking them
3. Mudsan was captured between 9th Ziqada and 7th Zihijja of the year 1190 H. (20th December, 1776-17th January, 1777). (Waqa, MS. p.297).
4. Khair-ud-din says that Aligarh was captured by Afrasiyab Khan before he was confronted with the peasants revolt in the Doab instigated by Bhup Singh. But considering his indifference to the sequence of events we Cannot accept this against the testimony of Imad-us-Saadat, written. at an earlier date.
[p.179]: from the rear. Mirza Najaf Khan laid siege to the fort, but had to suffer great hardships during the rainy season which set in shortly after. He fought a pitched battle with the army of Zabita Khan on the 18th Rajab (22nd August). Though he succeeded in beating off the enemy, the situation, aggravated by the treachery of Abdul Ahad Khan, was one of great peril for him. He summoned Afrasiyab Khan from the Doab, and was joined by that general on the 30th Rajab (3rd September). Another great battle was fought, and a decisive victory won on the 11th Shaban (14th September), mainly through the fortitude and skill of Afrasiyab. On the 22nd Shaban (25th September) the Emperor entered Ghausgarh in triumph, and on the 7th Shawwal (8th November) the families of Zabita Khan and other Afghan chiefs were sent to the fort of Agra under the custody of Daud Beg Khan and Afrasiyab Khan. Having left Najaf Quli as governor of Saharanpur, the Emperor and Mirza Najaf Khan hastily set out for the capital to punish Rao Raja Pratap Singh and Ranjit Singh Jat.
Renewed activity of Ranjit Singh
Ranjit Singh made a good use of the short respite afforded by the embarrassment of Mirza Najaf Khan at Ghausgarh. The Mirza had left his incapable brother-in-law Saadat Ali in charge of Hindaun and Bayana (situated 70 and 50 miles respectively south-west of Agra) with a good deal of wholesome advice to behave himself worthily and watch the movements of the Jats cautiously. This noble, surrounded by a group of carpet-knights, thought of anticipating the Mirza in crushing the Jat, who seemed already to be in his last gasp. He wrested several parganas from Ranjit Singh and laid siege to one of his forts. Ranjit Singh sent a Maratha captain in his service with five or six hundred horsemen to succour the besieged. They made a long night-march, and at early dawn fell upon the Muslim camp, immersed in sleep after midnight gaieties. Saadat Ali and his companions woke up too late; before they could put on their cloths, and get at their arms, the marathas had forced their way into their tents. The Mughals fled and fled for more than 50 miles without turning back till safe within the walls of Agra (Ibratnama MS. pp. 292-294).
[p.180]: Ranjit Singh, encouraged by this success, issued Out of Kumher and re-occupied the greater part of the territories lost by Nawal Singh. Muhammad Beg Khan Hamadani started from Agra to check the activity of the Jat chief who Was driven back into Kumher and forced to stand a siege there. But almost simultaneously the Rao Raja assumed a hostile attitude towards the Mughal Government, and his aggression assumed such serious proportions that Mirza Najaf Khan had to order Muhammad Beg Khan Hamadani to raise the siege of Kumher and march against Macheri. Hamadani inflicted a defeat upon the army of the chief of Macheri in the month of Rajab. 1191H. [August, 1777 : Waqa, p. 302}. But this success hardly improved the situation in that quarter. The army of Hamadani was held at bay by the concerted hostility of Ranjit Singh and the Rao Raja. The able and energetic Naruka chief aided by some powerful Maratha captains in his pay threatened to undo the work of Mirza Najaf Khan snatching away the fruits of his long and arduous campaigns against the Jats. The condition of affairs was so desperate that the Mirza had to leave the task of the subjugation of Zabita Khan half completed, and only four days after his arrival at Delhi from Ghausgarh he had to start for Agra to repel the new danger [24 Shawwal = 25th Nov., 1777; Waqa, p. 305}.
Rao Raja Pratap Singh conquers Mewat from the Jats
Rao Pratap Singh, ascion of the Naruka branch of the Kachhwahs started his career with a patrimony of two villages and a half (Macheri, Rajgarh and half of Rajpura), and closed it as the founder of the Alwar Raj. His opportunity came with the misfortune of the Jats, dating from their disastrous retreat from the field of Maonda. Taking advantage of the pee-occupation of Nawal Singh in the civil war and afterwards in his arduous struggle with the imperialist, Rao Pratap Singh5 seized with ease all the parganas of Mewat.
5. The Rajputana Gazetteer says "Taking advantage of the depressed condition of the Jats, he (Rao P. Singh) between Sambat 1832 and 1839 (1775-1782 A.D.), obtained Bahadurpur, Dehra, Jhindoli, Bansur, Bahror, Barod, Rampur, Harsaura, Hajipur, Hamirpur, Narainpur, Ghadi-Mamur and Thana Ghazi." (1st edition vol, iii, p. 181). The Rao Raja took possession of the fort of Alwar on Mangsar Sudi 3 (Margasirsha), 1832 Sambat (25th November, 1775; see ibid).
[[p.181]: His crowning success was the capture of Alwar by bribing the Jat garrison, whose pay had long been in arrears. Mirza Najaf Khan, after his decisive victory over the army of Nawal Singh and his Jaipur auxiliaries, summoned the Rao Raja to Deeg and asked him to join the Mughal army in a projected campaign against the Maharaja of Jaipur. The Naruka chief not only refused to bear arms against his suzerain but signified his firm resolve to join the army of Jaipur in repelling such an attack if made. Mirza Najaf Khan would have called him to account had not the rebellion of Raja Bhup Singh Jat demanded his presence in the Doab. He made a virtue of necessity by conniving at the aggressive designs of the Rao Raja as a desirable check upon his neighbours. The Rao Raja fulfilled the expectation of the Mirza even to the extent of making him repent of it.
Siege of Kumher and the submission of Ranjit Singh Jat
Mirza Najaf Khan established his head-quarters at Deeg and ordered Muhammad Beg Khan Hamadani to resume the siege of Kumher. His attention was mainly directed to the destructin of the formidable power of the Rao Raja by taking the help of the Maharaja of Jaipur,6 Raja Bhagwant Singh of Kanuda and other Rajput chiefs who had equally suffered from the aggression of the Macheri Raja.
Ambaji Rao, Appaji Pandit, Bapuji Holkar and other Maratha allies of the Rao Raja pressed him hard to make peace with Mirza Najaf Khan so that he might be able to prosecute war against his other enemies with greater success. The Rao Raja started with a large and powerful army to meet the Mughal general at Deeg and pitched his camp near Asia [Rasia?] Pahari. On the 9th Ziqada, 1191 (9th Dec. 1777) he was admitted to an interview with the Mirza, who conferred upon him a very rich khilat and showed him every mark of esteem and favour. The negotiations for terms of
6. He had already sent, in response to an appeal for help from Maharaja Pratap Singh Kachhwah, a detachment of 1500 horse, two battalions of sepoys and four guns under Mir Muhammad All Khan and Zain-ul-Abidin (Ibratnama MS., p. 348), possibly to assist at the siege of Rajgarh, a stronghold of the Macheri chief.
[p.182]: settlement were pratracted far many days, owing to the unyielding attitude of the Rao Raja. If the agents of the Mirza pressed their demands too hard, he would silence them by directing his glance7 to his vast encampment, as the most convincing reason of the correctness of his own contention. A plot was set on foot by same officers of the Mirza to make the Rao Raja a prisoner; one day they surrounded his camp while the unsuspecting Rajputs were engaged in their daily ablutions and the Rao in performing his puja. The cowards failed to entrap the lion-like Naruka, who with a gallant band broke through their toils of treachery and safely reached the fort of Lachman-garh.8 The Muslim army besieged him there for four months without much success. One night the camp of Mirza Najaf Khan was surprised and his army badly defeated in a fight by the troops of the Rao Raja. His enemies rejoiced over this reverse as ominous of the declining fortune of their formidable rival, and bestirred themselves to make a concerted attack upon him.
Muhammad Beg Khan Hamadani having been called away to reinforce the army of Najaf Khan before Lachhman-garh, Ranjit Singh issued out of Kumher and again took to plundering and burning the Mughal territories. By a bold night-attack he killed the Amil of Farah (situated half way between Mathura and Agra), and ravaged the whole tract up to the walls of Agra so thoroughly that lights ceased to burn in that region.9 The Emperor, urged by Abdul Ahad Khan, decided to go towards Rajputana and ordered the imperial camp to be pitched at Tal Katora. The Sikh sardars were also won aver by the intriguing minister to the side of the Emperor. Threatened by this dangerous league, of his
7. "Chun karpardazan-i-sarkar dar bab i maamlah chize mi-goftand nazar bar sar kasrat-i-fauj 0 kanat zahir-i-khud namudah sar garani me-kard." (Ibratnama, p. 340).
8. This is situated 23 miles south-east of Alwar, on the border of the Bharatpur territory. Khair-ud-din says that Lachman-garh was wrested by the Rao Raja from Ranjit Singh Jat. But local tradition, perhaps more authentic, says, it was formerly known as Taur, taken from Swarup Singh Naruka,
9. Ibratnama, p, 345.
[p.183]: enemies, Mirza Najaf Khan was canstrained to make peace with the Rao Raja, recognizing his title to Alwar and other territories conquered from the Jats (Jamada II. 1192 H.July, 1778). He sent back Hamdani against Ranjit Singh and himself started for Agra. In order to counteract the designs of his enemie, he released the families of the Afghans and restored Saharanpur to Zabita Khan [Shaban, 1192 H. = September 1778; Waqa, p. 310]. Shortly after this, he appeared before Kumher with his whole army to finish the affairs of the Jats.
The siege of Kumher was prosecuted with great vigour, but the garrison in the hope of arrival of the Emperor put up a stiff resistance. Mirza Najaf Khan grew impatient as the siege seemed to be dragging on to an interminable length. The imperial army broke up their camp at Tal Katora in the month of Shawwal and marched in the direction of Rewari."The Amir-ul-umra out of the consideration of policy , and general good sent a letter full of admonitions... reminding him (Ranjit Singh) that there was yet time to secure pardon through submission and to atone for his past error by loyal service, without dragging several thousand men into destruction. When this letter reached Ranjit Singh his mindd became distracted - he found neither strength in himself to offer resistance nor divine grace to guide his footsteps [to the auspicious presence of the Amir-ul-umra]. In the end this excellent advice failed to find any place in his (obdurate) heart-he remained a haughty and obstinate as before" [Ibratnama, p. 346]. The besieging army redoubled their efforts and soon rendered the fort untenable. Despair sieged the hearts of the garrison, "who found neither strength to go out nor place to stand upon." In their hour of supreme peril, they remembered the old queen Kishori, who had outlived the glory of the house of Bharatpur, and been pining in neglect and retirement after the death of Jawahar Singh. The well wishers of Ranjit Singh advised him to send the old queen to the Mughal camp, because she enjoyed the respect and good-will of the high officers of the Amir-ul-umra, and might possibly by her intercession procure pardon for his past offences. But Ranjit Singh hesitated to act upon their advice lest the Mirza should compel him to surrender unconditional by detaining her Mughal camp. One night
[p.184]: he escaped with a few friends, leaving Kumher to its fate. Next morning the Muslim troops scaled the walls of the fort and overpowered the defenders. Maharani Kishori fell a prisoner into their hands and was taken with all honour to the camp of Nawab. "In obedience to his orders, the officers of his government erected lofty and secluded tents for her residence and expert servants were appointed to wait upon her, so that after a few days her grief might subdue. (Ibid, MS. p. 347).
It was not with the suspicious and timid steps of a prisoner that she went to meet the conqueror when summoned by him, but rather in the hope and confidence of a mother in distress who goes to see her foster child. "On reaching the presence of Nawab, she like an affectionate nurse, walked round the person of Amir-ul-umra, and with sincere heart took away [on her own shoulders] all his evils.10 With tearful eyes, she narrated the pitful tale of her misery. When Nawab Amir-ul-umra learnt the distress of her heart overflowed with kindness and very graciously set her up as his own mother. He gave her the fort of Kumher for her residence and the mahals around it for her support. To please her, he forgave the guilt of Ranjit Singh and left him the fort of Bharatpur with territories worth seven lakhs of Rupees as jagir." His magnanimity succeeded where the barbarous ferocity of Abdali had failed.
Death of Mirza Najaf Khan
The Mughal empire now entered on its last phase, illumined by a sudden effulgence of glory, after a gloom of four distressful decades. Rajputana one again bowed before the scetpre of Delhi and descendant of Timur for the last time performed the impressive ceremony of applying the Raj-tika on the proud forehead of a Rajput prince.11 The sword of
10. Basan daiya e mihrban girdash gardid 0 ba-sadaq dil bala gardanash shud [Ibratnama MS. p. 347] cf. Babur's going round the sick-bed of Humayun. This popular superstition has not yet died out.
11. At Narnol, on the 2nd Safar, 1193 (19th February, 1779), Maharaja Sawai Pratap Singh Kachhwah paid a nazar of one thousand and one ashrajjs to the Emperor Shah Alam II, and received Raj-tika from His Majesty's auspicious hand (Waqa MS. p.321)
[p.185]: Mirza Shafi taught the turbulent Sikhs to respect the imperial authority. Majd-ud-daula was at last caught in the meshes of his own intrigue, and visited with well merited disgrace.12 and the fortune of Mirza Najaf Khan shone resplendent in solitary grandeur. People looked forward to a happy era of strong, just and tolerant rule, but Heaven ,sent them significant omens of evil days. In the afternoon of the 2nd Jamada II., 1192 H. (29th May, 1778) a meteor was seen trailing its ominous course through the sky for about one-fourth of ghari, accompanied by a deafening sound like the boom of a large cannon such as was never heard by the oldest citizen of Delhi. Another13 came three years after, when a painfully dazzling summer noon became all of a sudden dark like a moonless night, portending, as it were, the eclipse of the glory of the empire and the violent extinction of the light of the Emperor's own eyes. A heavy bereavement had already come upon the royal family by the death of Prince Farkhunda Bakht (Mirza Jahan Shah): a heavier one was yet to befall the whole empire.
Mirza Najaf Khan had been suffering for some time from a disease which baffled the skill of the best physicians. From the Emperor to the meanest of inhabitant of Delhi, Hindus and Musalmans alike became anxious for the life of their beloved hero. When human efforts failed they turned to the heavenly powers and prayed for his recovery. A grand offering (bhet) was made at the shrine of the goddess Kalka
12. Majd-ud-daula was made a prisoner and brought into the camp of Mirza Najaf Khan by Afrasiyab Khan on the 6th Ziqada, 1193 H. November, IS, 1779. [Waqa, p. 313].
13. This occurred on one Monday between the 26th Jamada 1 and 27th Jamada II, 1195 H. (20th May-20th June, 1781). "At noon [do-pahar] a strong wind began to blow. It became so dark that nothing could be seen, Then the sky became red and the storm blew more furiously. After a short time the day recovered its usual brightness" [Waqa, p. 333]. This may be a duststorm so frequent in summer at Delhi. But there was certainly something unusual so as to deserve notice in the Waqa.
[p.186]: Devi (near Oklah) in the night of 7th Rabi II.14 [?], l196. H. on behalf of the Mirza, and the blessings of the deity were invoked for his restoration to health. The Nawab distributed sweets to Brahmans and little boys, and released cows meant for slaughter by paying their price in cash to the butchers with a strong injunction to the effect that none should seize or molest these animals. But all was in vain. His great soul passed away on Saturday, 22nd RabI II., 1196H. (6th April, 1782) and with it the last gleam of the glory of Islam departed from Hindustan.
Here this volume ends. We propose next to follow the fortune of the Jat of Gohad and of Amritsar, and see how the one heroically succumbed under the relentess might of Maharashtra and the other, drinking amrit from the hands of the Guru, triumphed over all the warlike frenzy and resources of the Durrani empire, and saved the whole of Hindustan from a horrible rule of the Pathan Ghazis.
14. The Waqa says "About one pas and a half on the night still remained when Sheoram Das went to Kalka Dev for offering bhet on behalf of Nawab Najaf Khan .... " [MS. p. 337]. There is some confusion about the date. The text writes 27th Rabi ll. But according to a subsequent entry the Nawab died on 22nd Rabi II; so the first date cannot be true. Therefore either 27th is a mistake for 7th or Rabi-us-Sani is a mistake for Rabi-ul-awwal. 7th Rabi II falls on Friday (22nd March, 1782) but 27th Rabi I-falls on Tuesday (12th March). So the former is the more likely date because it agrees with the day of the week.
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