Account of the escape of the Prince Kamran from Kabul, and of his Majesty again taking possession of it, with other occurrences of the time. A. H. 954.—A. D. 1547.
After the fortress of Kabul had been besieged in this manner for three months, the Prince Kamran, taking the advantage of a dark night, effected his escape, and took the route of Zuffer. The King then gained possession of Kabul, but sent the Prince Hindal in pursuit of his brother: he shortly came up with the refugee, and was astonished to find him mounted on the back of a man:* he was about to seize Kamran, who cried out, “if you make me your prisoner the King will certainly take my life, and what will you gain by that?” The Prince was much affected at seeing his brother in that deplorable situation, presented him with a horse, and turned back.
The King, having been much incensed against the inhabitants of Kabul for allowing themselves to be surprised by the rebels, permitted his troops to plunder them for a whole night; after which a crier was sent round the town to order them to desist, and that any person found plundering after that hour should be punished.
The Prince Kamran having arrived at Zuffer, attempted to take it, but was repulsed by Soliman; he therefore went and took refuge with the Uzbegs, who having assisted him with troops, he returned and laid siege to Kundez, now garrisoned by the Prince Hindal; but having written a note to Hindal, which fell into the hands of the Uzbegs, they suspected a collusion between the brothers, and effected their retreat; thus Kamran succeeded in getting possession of Talican and Zuffer.
About this time an unfortunate difference took place between his Majesty and Caraja Khan, the circumstances of which were nearly these: one day Caraja having urged the King to confer ten Tumans (the trifling sum of ten pounds) on a certain officer, his Majesty consented; in consequence of which Caraja wrote the Perwaneh (order) on the treasury; but when it was presented, the Diwan, Kuajeh Ghazy, refused payment, and represented to the King, “that as he was answerable for the expenses of the army, he, therefore, could not allow any other person to interfere.” The officer having carried back the Perwaneh to Caraja, the latter remonstrated with the King, who not taking any notice of the affair, a coolness ensued between them, and Caraja endeavoured to seduce several other chiefs to desert with him to the Prince Kamran.* His Majesty having received a hint of these circumstances, and being very desirous of a reconciliation, ordered his son Akber to go to Caraja and the other chiefs to make friends of them, and bring them back with him; but the eunuch, Amber, represented that such a mission for the Prince would be derogatory to the royal dignity, and, perhaps, that they might seize the boy as a hostage. The King, therefore, sent a message by another person to Caraja, requesting him to overlook what had passed, and to feel assured that he had the greatest regard for him. Caraja replied, “if such is the case, let him deliver over the Diwan to me, that I may take satisfaction.” The King sent back another message to him, saying, “you are my vizier and deputy; the Diwan is under your controul, and on some other opportunity you can call him to account.” Caraja would not be reconciled; but, having persuaded two other chiefs and a party of Moghuls to accompany him, marched off in full armour.
When intelligence of this unlucky affair was brought to the King, he ordered out a party of cavalry, and pursued the deserters in person: he came up with them at a place called Ashter Keram, when a skirmish took place; but Caraja soon fled, and joined the Prince Kamran; on which his Majesty returned to Kabul.
He then sent a message to Meha Sultan Myrza (probably a cousin of the late emperor) to ask his advice. The Myrza replied, “Kamran is now puffed up with pride by the junction of Caraja and the other chiefs; but whichever of you first pass the mountain of Hindu Kush will be successful.” The King immediately said, “Pride must have a fall; if it please God, I will first cross the mountain, and be victorious.” He then offered up prayers for his success, and on Tuesday having mounted, he proceeded to the station of Auret Jalak, and despatched a messenger to Ghizneh to summon Hajy Muhammed Keshky to join him; who, contrary to the wishes of the other disaffected chiefs, waited on his Majesty.