After taking control of Chittaur and Ranthambhor forts Akbar set his eyes on the third prestigious fort of north India considered as impregnable. And that was Kalinjar Fort. Once Shershah Suri had launched an attack on this fort. He got burnt in gun powder fire accident and died. In 1569, when Akbar turned his attention to Kalinjar it was under the control of Raja Ramchandra Baghel.
Akbar’s commander Majnoo Khan Kakshal laid a siege to Kalinjar fort. Ram Chandra Baghel pondered over the situation. He had seen the tragedy of Chittaur and the way Rao Surjan Singh had made a peace deal with Akbar. He realised that not yielding to Akbar meant destruction, ruin and ultimately defeat. There seemed no wisdom in holding out against the Moghuls. So, he made a deal and surrendered Kalinjar fort to Majnoo Khan. In reward Akbar granted a huge estate to Raja Ramchandra near Allahabad. He began to lead a peaceful life there.
On August 30, 1569 Akbar got a great joy. He had been blessed with a son out of the princess of Amer, the sister of Bhagwandas. The child was named Saleem who later become the Emperor of India by the name, Jehangir.
Towards Gujarat
Akbar eyeing Gujarat was no wonder. His sire Humayun had once ruled over Gujarat but his administrative hold was not firm and extensive. It soon slipped out of his hands. Now after winning the north and setting up strong administration there Akbar paid attention to regaining control over Gujarat. He was a very ambitious and determined man. In setting out for Gujarat he brooked no delay.
In those days, the capital of the Moghul empire was in Fatehpur Sikri. From there Akbar started on his Gujarat campaign in July, 1572. Then Gujarat was being ruled by Muzafar Shah-III. He was the ruler in name only because all his chieftains were governing their areas independently and beating their own drums. Amongst them was a chieftain called Tamad. Infact, seeing the sad state of Gujarat he had invited the Moghul Emperor to take over the state to rule properly. He detailed to Akbar all the weaknesses of the state and the administration. From that, Akbar assessed that Gujarat would be easy game.
The Gujarat had some fine trading ports like Surat and Khambhat. They looked attractive prizes to Akbar. In overall trade and commerce Gujarat was a prosperous state. If Gujarat fell into his hands Moghul empire would enjoy a long sea coast with several international ports.
While progressing towards Gujarat Akbar camped at Falad in Nagaur when he got the news of the birth of his second son. Akbar named the son ‘Daniyal’. He had made adequate arrangements to cover his back to prevent any surprise attack. He dispatched commander, Mohammad Khan Ataka with 10,000 soldiers towards Marmad. Devra Chauhans of Sirshi decided to battle it out instead of yielding to the commander of Akbar. They got eliminated. Thus, feeling secure Akbar moved on. He reached near Ahmedabad, the capital of Gujarat in November, 1572. The news of the arrival of the Moghul Emperor frightened Muzaffar Shah and he fled. But he got caught hiding on a tree. From Akbar he begged for his life.
Akbar magnanimously pardoned him and gifted an estate to him for his livelihood. After dealing with Muzaffar Shah, Emperor Akbar went to sea coast of Khambhat accompanied by chieftains and commanders. He was seeing the sea and the coast for the first time in his life.
The Portugese traders had been informed of the visit of the Moghul Emperor. The alien traders presented themselves to Akbar with appropriate gifts. It was also the first interaction of Akbar with Europeans.
After meeting alien trading groups, locals and working out administrative system, Akbar appointed Mirza Azeez Koka as the governor of Gujarat.
The emperor still was taking pleasure trips in Gujarat when he got the news that Mirza Ibrahim Hussain wanted to kill Rustam Khan and move on. Surat had become the citadel of Mirzas. With a small force Akbar started a campaign against Mirza from a place near Baroda. At Mahi Ghat he learnt that Mirza was camping at Sarmal on the other side of the river with a large force. The advisors and the chieftains accompanying Akbar advised that Mirza be taken on only when a large Moghul force came to reinforce them. Akbar thought they must not waste time and launch a surprise attack. An advisor said a mightly attack on the enemy could prove a real surprise when Mirza would be in sleepy state. Akbar did not like the cowardly idea.
Akbar ordered immediate attack. The battle was fought in the narrow lanes of Sarval where being a larger force gave little advantage to Mirza and his army. Suddenly Akbar was trapped in by three enemy soldiers.
Raja Bhagwandas saw it. He launched a spear and claimed one of the three enemies. Akbar tackled the remaining two. The battle didn’t last long. Mirza fled. As the darkness had fallen and the Moghuls were not familiar with the local layout and terrain, he could not be pursued. Those with the victory and the role of his brother-in-law, Akbar gave a flag and a kettledrum to Raja Bhagwandas in reward. It was the first battlefield gift given by the Akbar to a Hindu although he was related to him.
