While Khán-khánán was occupied at Katak Banáras, the sons
of Jalálu-d dín Súr, in concert with the zamíndárs of Ghorá-
The Emperor had from his early youth taken delight in the society of learned and accomplished men, and had found pleasure in the assemblies of men of imagination and genius. He always treated them with the greatest respect and honour, and frequently graced their heavenly meetings. He listened to their discussions of nice points of science, of the ancient and modern history of religions and people and sects, and of all matters of worldly interest; and he profited by what he heard. His great favour for such men, led him at the time of his return from Ajmír in the month of Zí-l ka'da, 982, and in the twentieth year of his reign, to issue his commands for skilful architects and clever builders to erect in the gardens of the royal palace a refuge for súfís, and a home for holy men, into which none should be allowed to enter but saiyids of high rank, learned men ('ulamá), and shaikhs. In obedience to the Imperial commands, skilful architects planned a building, containing four halls (aiwán), and in a brief period completed it. When this happy abode was finished, the Emperor used to go there on Friday nights and on holy nights, and pass the night until the rising of the sun in the society of distinguished men. It was arranged that the western hall should be occupied by saiyids, the south by the learned ('ulamá) and the wise, the northern by shaikhs and men of ecstasy (arbáb-i hál); all without confusion or intermixture. The nobles and officers of the Court, whose tastes were in unison with those of men of greatness and excellence, were to sit in the eastern hall. His Majesty graced each of the four halls with his presence, and enriched those present with his gifts and bounty. The members of the assembly used to select a number of the most worthy among those present to be presented to His Majesty, and to receive from him handfuls of ashrafís and rupees. Those, who from evil fortune did not participate in the royal bounty in the evening, used to sit down in rows before the 'ibádat-khána on Friday mornings, and receive handfuls of ashrafís and rupees from His Majesty's own hands. This assemblage used frequently to last beyond mid-day on Fridays. Sometimes, when His Majesty was tired, one of the attendants of the Court, in whose kindness and gentleness he had confidence, was deputed to perform this duty. * *
In this year Gulbadan Begam, daughter of the Emperor Bábar, and aunt of Akbar, piously undertook the journey to Mecca. When Gujarát was annexed to the Imperial dominions, he determined that every year one of the officers of his Court should be appointed Mír Hájí, or Leader of the Pilgrims, to conduct a caravan from Hindústán, like the caravans from Egypt and Syria, to the holy places. This design was carried out, and every year a party of enlightened men of Hind, of Máwaráu-n nahr, and Khurásán, received provision for their journey from the royal treasury, and went under the appointed leader from the ports of Gujarát to the holy places.* Never before had any monarch provided for the annual departure of a caravan from India, nor had any one furnished means to the needy, to enable them to perform the pilgrimage. Gulbadan and Salíma Sultán Begam* now obtained the Emperor's permission to go the pilgrimage, and received from him a sum of money for the expenses of the journey. All the pious poor who desired to join in the pilgrimage obtained the means of travelling.
Mirzá Sulaimán had been ruler of Badakhshán since the time of the Emperor Bábar. He had a son, Mirzá Ibráhím, a fine intelligent young man, who was taken prisoner in battle and killed by the adherents of Pír Muhammad Khán Uzbek, in the year that Mirzá Sulaimán invaded Balkh. Mirzá Ibráhím left a son, Sháh Rukh by name, whom Sulaimán carefully brought up, and to whom, in spite of his tender age, he gave several districts of Badakhshán.
When Sháh Rukh arrived at years of discretion, and Mirzá Sulaimán grew old, some designing people incited the youth with stories of his rights. But the Mirzá's wife was a clever woman; she kept a sharp watch over Sháh Rukh, and prevented any outbreak. But when she died, these same people stirred up Sháh Rukh's ambition to be ruler of Badakhshán. He came from Kunduz to Koláb, and being supported by his party, the whole of Badakhshán, from Hisár Shádmán to Kábul, fell into his hands, and he wanted to send his grandfather to join his father.
Mirzá Sulaimán fled in great distress to seek assistance from Muhammad Hakím Mirzá. But he did not meet with the reception he expected, so he begged to be sent on to the Indus. Hakím Mirzá did not comply with this trifling request. He sent him a party of pretended guides, who left him at the first stage and fled to Kábul. But Mirzá Sulạimán, trusting in God, continued his journey,* and although he was sometimes opposed by the Afgháns, and had to fight his way, and was wounded by an arrow, he at length reached the Indus. Thence he wrote to the Emperor, who sent him 50,000 rupees, horses, and necessaries, by the hand of Khwája Áká Khán, * * * and after some days Rájá Bhagwán Dás* came to the Indus with an escort, and conducted him honourably to Lahore.
At this time a farmán was sent to summon 'Azam Khán from Gujarát, and he arrived at Court* with speed and alacrity. Some cavillers and fault-finders made insinuations about his management of affairs,* and the Khán, in defending himself, passed the bounds of prudence and respect, and made use of unseemly words, which brought upon him the displeasure of the Emperor. Thereupon the Khán, forgetful of his duty, retired to his garden at Ágra, shut himself up alone, and refused admission to everybody.
Mirzá Sulaimán, after staying a few days at Lahore, started for Fathpúr. On reaching Mathúra, twenty kos from Fathpúr, the Emperor sent * * several nobles to meet him, and to arrange for his meeting the Emperor on the 15th Rajab, 983. All the nobles and officers were sent out to the distance of five kos from Fathpúr to receive him. And when intelligence of his having left this stage was brought, the Emperor himself went out on horseback to meet him. Five thousand elephants, with housings of velvet and brocade, with gold and silver chains, and with white and black fringes on their necks and trunks, were drawn up in lines on each side of the road to the distance of five kos from Fathpúr. Between each two elephants there was a cart (arába), the chítas in which had collars studded with gold and housings of fine cloth; also two bullock-carts, which had animals that wore gold-embroidered headstalls.
When all the arrangements were made, the Emperor went out with great pomp and splendour. Upon approaching, the Mirzá hastened to dismount, and ran forward to His Majesty; but the Emperor observing the venerable age of the Mirzá, also alighted from his horse, and would not allow the Mirzá to go through the usual observances and ceremonies. He fondly embraced him; then he mounted and made the Mirzá ride on his right hand. All the five kos he inquired about his circumstances, and on reaching the palace he seated him by his side on the throne. The young princes also were present, and were introduced to the Mirzá, and after a great entertainment, he gave the Mirzá a house near to the royal palace. On this occasion an order was issued to Khán-jahán, the ruler of the Panjáb, to take 5000 horse and proceed to Badakhshán in attendance on the Mirzá, to recover the country and restore it to him, and then to return to Lahore.