Page 159 - Lohgarh

Death of Emperor Bahadur Shah w 159

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the 12 of January, Bahadur Shah inspected these severed heads and
ordered that they should be exhibited in the open so that it might create
a terror among the sympathisers of the Sikhs.
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On the 18 of January 1712, the Emperor ordered the erection of
minarets of these heads; the same day he ordered mujra (dance of the
prostitutes) to celebrate the ‘victory’ over the Sikhs. Bahadur Shah, on
the advice of the astrologers, donated a horse, a wild ox, a slave and a
few embroidered and golden articles for charity. He also gave awards
to the officials involved in the above mentioned battle. But, in spite of
this, Bahadur Shah was still frightened and was living under the awe of
the Sikh army. All this made him sick (and finally confined to bed). 6
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On the 22 of January 1712, the Emperor was told that Banda Singh
was on his way from Keeratpur to Bilaspur. The informers of the Mughal
court told that they had seen him in the village of Bassi Afghana, about
25 km from Keeratpur. Bahadur Shah was further told that the ruler of
Bilaspur had given safe haven to the Sikhs. He was also informed that
the Mughal general Firoz Jang Khan had burnt the villages of Keeratpur
and Kalyanpur to ashes, for their residents’ ‘crime’ of helping the Sikh
army. The Emperor was, in addition, told that Firoz Jang Khan had
stationed himself at the top of a strategic hill near the village of Nirmoh
(about 5 km from Keeratpur) and was monitoring expedition against
the Sikhs. 7

Killing of Hatim Khan

During these days, the Hindu rulers of Jodhpur and Jaipur too had left
for their States. On the 25 of December 1711, Banda Singh received
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the information about their return journey. When they were gone,
Bahadur Shah thought of honouring them for their assistance in his
expedition against the Sikhs; so he ordered grant of robes of honour
and issuance of letters mentioning increase in their mansabs, to four
and three and half thousands, respectively, for both the rulers. Prince
Azimushan sent a very senior officer Hatim Khan to go after the rulers
and personally deliver the robes and the letters of authority to them.
Hatim Khan met the Hindu rulers when they had almost reached near