On the night before this action Farídún, the uncle of Mirzá Hakím, attacked the rear of the Prince's army, killed a good many men, and carried off considerable spoil. This day the Emperor advanced and encamped at Surkháb, fifteen kos from the army of the Prince. When the rear of the Prince's army was attacked and plundered, it so happened that Hájí Muhammad Ahadí, who had gone on in advance as messenger (dák-chaukí) to the Prince, arrived upon the spot, and beheld the rout. He turned back and reported the disaster, which annoyed the Emperor. But notwithstanding this news, next day the Emperor went on a stage, and then received accounts of the victory that had been gained, and for which he offered up his thanksgiving.
On Friday, 10th Rajáb, he entered Kábul, and remained there for twenty days visiting the gardens. Here he was informed that Mirzá Muhammad Hakím intended to abandon his country, and take refuge with the Uzbeks. Deeming this a disgrace and shame, he sent Latíf Khwája to Mirzá Muhammad Hakím, who was at Ghorband, to tell him that his offences were forgiven. The Mirzá, having in the presence of Latíf Khwája made a promise and a vow of fidelity, executed an engagement, and sent it by 'Alí Muhammad Asp along with Latíf Khwája to the Emperor.
His Majesty then turned homewards to Hindústán, after conferring Kábul upon Mirzá Muhammad Hakím. Leaving the army, he went on quickly to Jalálábád, where there was a large encampment. Prince Salím, and the nobles who were with him, hastened forth to meet His Majesty, and to congratulate him on his victory. Khwájagí Muhammad Husain, the brother of Kásim Khán Mír-bahr, who was one of Mirzá Muhammad Hakím's nobles, came to proffer his services to the Emperor, and was admitted among the number of his friends.
From Jalálábád he sent a detachment to attack the hills of the Kator infidels. Travelling by regular stages, he reached the banks of the Sind-ságar (Indus).* Muhammad Kásim Khán, who had been left behind to make a bridge, had constructed one of boats. The journey to Kábul had been performed in one month. In one day he [and his escort] crossed the river and went on to Láhore, where he arrived on the last day of Ramazán. He again entrusted the government of the Panjáb to Sa'íd Khán, Rájá Bhagwán Dás, and Kunwar Mán Singh, and went on his way hunting to Fathpúr. At Pánipat Sháhbáz Khán came to wait upon him. On the 25th Shawwál he arrived at Dehlí. Prince Dániyál and the amírs who had remained at Fathpúr, and Her Highness Maryam Makání came forth to meet him, and on the 5th Zí-l ka'da he arrived there.
While the Emperor was engaged in the Kábul campaign, Bahádur 'Alí, son of Saiyid Badakhshí entered the country of Tirhút, and gave himself the title of Bahádur Sháh;* but he was taken prisoner and killed by the men of Khán-i 'azam. Ma'súm Khán Farankhúdí, being in great distress and anxiety in the Siwálik hills, begged forgiveness for his offences through Khán-i 'azam; and in consequence of the Khán's intercession he was pardoned. Then he waited upon Khán-i 'azam in humble guise, and was afterwards admitted to an interview with the Emperor at Fathpúr.*
When the Emperor was waited upon at Kábul by the confidential servants of Mirzá Muhammad Hakím, he made inquiry into the case of Khwája Sháh Mansúr, and it appeared that Karmu-lla, brother of Sháhbáz, had colluded with others to concoct letters, and that he had forged the last letter on the evidence of which Khwája Mansúr was executed. After this was discovered, the Emperor often regretted the execution of the Khwája. He now remained for some time at Fathpúr, administering justice, dispensing charity, and arranging public business.
On the 19th Muharram, 990 H., Khán-i 'azam, governor of Hájípúr and Patna, came to wait upon the Emperor, and to give an account of the affairs of Bengal. After staying several days, he was sent back to Bengal, and several nobles and soldiers who had been to Kábul were sent with him.
The beginning of this year corresponded with Tuesday, 27th Safar, 991 (11th March, 1583 A.D.).
[A festival of eighteen days' duration at the Nau-roz.]
Sháham Khán Jalesar from Bengal, and Rájá Bhagwán Dás from Lahore, came to wait upon His Majesty. It has been mentioned in a previous page how Khán-i 'azam came with a number of jágírdárs from Bengal to wait upon the Emperor, leaving the súba empty. Evil-minded men took advantage of their absence, and coming out of every corner began to excite disturbances. A servant of Ma'súm Kábulí, by name Khabíta, in concert with Tarkhán Díwána and Surkh Badakhshí, raised commotions in Bihár. Muhammad Sádik Khán, with Muhibb 'Alí Khán, defeated him and killed him.
[Return of Gulbadan Begam and Salíma Sultán Begam from Mecca. Prince Salím sent to Ajmír to meet them, and to visit the shrine of Mu'ínu-d dín.]
Muhammad Sádik Khán came from Bihár, and was well received, but he was soon sent to assist Khán-i 'azam in suppressing the revolt of 'A'sí Kábulí. Sháh Kulí Khán and other amírs who had been on the Kábul campaign were sent with him. About this time Mír Abú Turáb and 'Itimád Khán, who had visited the holy temple together, came to Court, and had an interview with His Majesty. Abú Turáb had brought a stone upon which there was said to be an impression of the Prophet's foot. His Majesty went out four kos to receive this stone with every mark of honour. An order was issued that all the amírs in turn should carry it on their backs a few steps. So each one carried it a little way, and brought it into the city. [Weighing of Prince Salím against gold and silver.] The traitor, Núr Muhammad by name, was brought a prisoner from Tirhút, and suffered punishment in the market.*
Agreeing with 991* H.
[Festival of the new year.]
The news from Bengal was, that Khán-i 'azam had occupied Tánda, that Kháldí Khán, Jabbár Burdí, and Mirzá Beg Kákshál had separated from 'A'sí Kábulí, and had come to Khán-i 'azam, and that 'A'sí had sought refuge with certain zamíndárs. All the parts of Bengal that were in the possession of the rebels now came again under the authority of the Imperial officers.
As 'Itimád Khán had held the government of Gujarát for several years, he was better acquainted with the prosperous management of the country than others could be, and if the government were confirmed to him it might be the means of exciting the emulation of rulers in other countries. For this reason he was appointed governor of Gujarát. Mír Abú Turáb was appointed amín, Khwája Abú-l Kásim, brother of Mullá 'Abdu-l Kádir was appointed díwán, and the humble servant Nizámu-d dín Ahmad, the author of this work, was appointed bakhshí. Muhammad Husain Shaikh and * * * were made jágírdárs of Gujarát.
Amír Fathu-lla, one of the saiyids of Shíráz, a very wise and learned man, had gone from Shíráz to 'A'dil Khán in the Dakhin, and had there held high office. On the 22nd Rabí'u-s sání he came to visit the Emperor at Fathpúr. Khán-khánán and Hakím Abú-l Fath were sent forth to meet him, and to bring him in with due honour. He was appointed to the exalted office of Sadr.
The suppression and dispersion of the rebels in Bengal was reported to the Emperor. It was known that 'A'sí Kábulí was in the country of 'Aisí, and Khán-i 'azam was desirous of returning home. For these reasons the Emperor ordered Sháhbáz Khán to proceed to Bengal, to allot the whole of that sarkár in jágírs to the soldiers, and to do his best to exterminate 'A'sí Kábulí. On the 17th Jumáda-s sání, he started to assume his duties.
In this year, an order was given for the translation into Persian of the Mahá-bhárat, which is the chief book of history of the Brahmans. The translation was completed, and received the name of Razm-náma (Book of War).