Apart from the well-known Ali Mardan, the 18th-century Mughal historian Samsam ud Daula describes a few migrants from the Kurdish Zig tribe. Among other places, some of them held positions in what is now Afghanistan. Kabul was governed by Nasir Khan and his son, Nasiri Khan. As evidence of the non-ideological character of premodern leaders and conflicts, Nasiri Khan was reappointed as governor of Kabul following Nader Shah's conquest of the area:
He was the sister's son and son-in-law (khwesh) of the famous 'Alī Mardan Khan. When Sa'id Khan, the governor of Kabul, came to Qandahar in accordance with the request of 'Ali Mardan Khan, he found the inhabitants and the subjects in a wavering condition of goodwill. He perceived that it would not be possible to make proper arrangements while the Persian troops were in the neighbourhood of Bust, and so he left 'Ali Mardan Khan in the citadel of Qandahar with a body of troops, and took with him, under the leadership of Husain Bēg, 3,000 cavalry and engaged the Persians. The latter almost overpowered 'Ali Mardān's men and made them waver, but Sa'id Khan came up in time and defeated the enemy. Then Husain Bēg with 'Ali Mardan Khan waited on Shah Jahan and was rewarded with princely favours. As signs of capability were apparent in Husain Beg, he was removed from the companionship of the said Khan and made Master of the Horse a charge which is not granted to any but really trustworthy men. In the 18th year, he received, in addition, the employment of the Tuzuk, a decorated staff and an increase of rank. In the 21st year, he was sent away from the Court and made the governor of Kashmir, with the title of Khan and an increase of 500 personality (dhāt) with 500 horse, and was granted the rank of 1,500 with 1,000 horse and the gift of a flag and an elephant, and went off there. In the 28th year, he was made the faujdar of the Mīyān Dūāb in succession to Ghadanffar Khan and was sent to take charge of the buildings of Mukhlispür, the foundation of which had been fixed for 17th Muharram, 1065 A.H. In the 31st year, he was again appointed to a confidential position and made Mir Tuzuk. In the battle of Sāmūgarh, he had charge of the royal artillery. Dārā Shikōh's artillery was under the charge of Barqandāz Khan and was on the right, and the royal artillery was on the left and both were in front of the armies. Neither yielded to the other in kindling the flames of battle and in the heat of contest. But what remedy was there for a ruined leader! After Dārā Shikōh's flight, and when the business of the state fell to Aurangzīb's servants, Husain Bēg was exalted by kissing the threshold of the Caliphate. In the year of the accession he was appointed as the faujdar of Bangash, but in the end of the second year he was removed. In the 18th year, he was made the faujdar of Jaunpür, and in the 19th year in the end of the year 1086 A.D. (1676 A.D.) he died. His sons, Mirzā 'Atā Ullah and Mirzā Amān, were long in attendance on the Emperor. The former died after attaining the rank of 700, while the other was appointed to Kabul and there distinguished himself and was given the name of Nasir Khān. His biography has been given separately.
NAŞIR KHAN MUHAMMAD AMĀN
He was the son of Husain Bēg Khan. In the reign of 'Alamgir he was appointed to Kabul, and having performed good services there was granted the title of Nasir Khan. In the beginning of Bahadur Shah's reign, when Ibrāhīm Khan, who had been appointed Governor of Kabul, did not make a proper settlement of the country, and so retired to his fief in Sōdhra, Nasir Khan was appointed Governor in his place¹. He died about the end of Farrukh Siyar's reign, probably in the year 1129 A.H. (1717 A.D.). His son Naşīrī Khān succeed-ed his father as the Governor. As his mother was an Afghan, he made a proper settlement of the country and kept the roads in good order. In the 2nd year of Muhammad Shah's reign, when Nizām-ul-Mulk was appointed the Chief Minister, an order was issued con-firming Naşīrī Khan in the appointment and granting him the title of his father. When Nadir Shah on his way to India entered Kabul, he was in Peshawar. When in 1151 A.H. (1738 A.D.) the royal army reached Peshawar, a battle took place between them, and the said Khan was made a prisoner. For a time he was under surveillance. After reaching Lahore, Nadir Shah pardoned him, and as appointed him Governor of Kabul, and confirmed him in the appoint-ment after his return from Delhi. He spent a long time in Kabul, but lost his governorship in the time of Shah Durrani. He came to Shah Nawaz Khan Philaurī, and later went to Delhi. In the year 1161 А.Н. (1748 A.D.) he hurried with I'timad-ud-Daulh to fight against the Shah Durrānīs. Afterwards, he went to the Panjab with Musin-ul-Mulk, and was given charge of certain estates. As they disagreed, he returned to Delhi'.
No comments:
Post a Comment