Darbari Akhbar: 'Alamgir's Reign (1666 1707)
English TranslationWe are fortunate to have received a gift of two books for the Pakistan Historical Society through Mr. Ashfaq Ali Sammo of Kutubkhana Rashidia Karachi, written by Syed Shah Ghaziuddin Advocate of Usmanabad, Sholapur, Maharashtra, India. One book, the Rah i Nijat Kis Tarah? (How to get to Road of Salvation) 2012, Sholapur in two parts (in one volume) has 28 and 22 articles respectively on historical and political themes. The other book is entitled 'Ahd 'Alamgiri kai Darbari Akhbar (Court News of 'Alamgir's Reign) for the period of 1666 1707, 2nd edition, 2011, Sholapur. It includes 'Alamgir's court news record about Shiwaji, the Maratha chief, and about the Deccan affairs. It is an Urdu translation of 'Alamgir's court Akhbarat which has been rendered from Persian into Marathi by Dr. Ginesh Khare and Sativ Madhu Pagri. Syed Ghaziuddin published its Urdu translation. Due to the significance of this information for the history of Shiwaji and 'Alamgir's Deccan campaigns we have decided to serialize its English translation in the Journal of the Pakistan Historical Society (Historicus) It starts with Shiwaji's escape and its impact on the persons involved.However, verifying the conversion of Hijri dates and days with the Gregorian dates done either by the translators of the Persian text or its Urdu tranlsator shows discrepancies as worked out by our Research Associate, Mr. Kaleem Chaghtai, e.g. 6th Dhilhajjah 1076, Thursday, 31st May 1666 comes to 6th Dhilhajjah 1076, Wednesday, 9th June 1666. However, we have retained the original dates as given in the text and the alternate ones have been given in brackets.It is interesting to note that 30th Safar 1077 is not found in the modern conversion tables. Perhaps the new moon for Jamadi al Awwal was not sighted in Agra so 30 days were counted for the month of Safar 1077. Cf. Sofexlndia, Zeenat Manzil, Idgah Road, Shamshernagar, P.O: B. Polytechnic Dhanbad, Jharkhand (India) 828 130.http:/www.sofexindia.com. cf. Islami Philosophy online.www.muslimphilosophy.com (Accessed on 3rd March 2015) Ed.Siwa's (Shiwaji's) escape from Akbarabad (Agra)Julus (regnal year) 9, 6th Dhilhajjah (1076) Thursday, 31st May 1666 (Wednesday, 9th june 1666)Faulad Khan (Kotwal of Agra city) sent an 'arldah (petition) that Siwa DakkhanI had submitted an application about himself and his other companion Dakkhanls that: "I have not committed any such big offence that I should not be given any relief (concession)"Listening to that the Badshah kept silent.1Amin Khan was ordered to ask Ghazi Beg, how many elephants Siva has purchased from Imam Ward! Khan. He (Amin Khan) after making enquires provided the information that he had purchased elephants of the value of Rs. 15000/ but the amount has not been received (from Siva).2Julus 9, 25th Safar (1077) Thursday, 16 August 1666 (Friday, 27th August 1666)Kunwar Ram Singh was ordered to persuade Siva to accept a mansab (rank) (Moreover) his relations also should be brought over (and presented) before the August presence. He should be asked to surrender his (remaining) forts to the Badshah. From here (Agra) he will be posted to Kabul. (Kunwar) Ram Singh submitted that Siwa requests that he may be allowed to remain in his homeland. Later he would submit to what (else) is ordered.3Julus 9, 27th Safar (1077) Saturday, 18th August 1666 (Sunday, 29th August 1666)Bakhtawar Khan4 submitted a petition that Kunwar Ram Singh says that Siwa had escaped.Faulad Khan also submitted: T also do not know about it, nobody is aware of the mystery of his escape.'Order was issued: 'Thou (Faulad) go and bring (true) information.'Faulad Khan went to the derah (temporary dwelling or camp) of Siva. There he saw a tied turban and a mirror on a palang (palampore, bedstead) and shoes underneath it. (He also found out) that while going away he had left behind one servant, three horses and two palanquins and nothing else.