Towards the end of the year, tidings of victory arrived from all quarters of my dominions. The first victory was that won over Ahdád the Afghán, who had long been in rebellion in the mountains of Kábul. * *
Another victory was achieved over the army of the wretched 'Ambar. The following is a brief account of it. Some good officers and a body of Bargís (Mahrattas), a very hardy race of people, who are great movers of opposition and strife, being offended with 'Ambar, desired to become subjects to my throne. Having received assurances from Shahsawár Khán, who was with the royal army at Bálápúr, A'dam Khán, Yákút Khán, and other chiefs, with the Bargís Jádú Ráí and Bábá Jukayath, came to see him, and he gave them each a horse, an elephant, a robe, and cash, according to their respective ranks. Having thus brought them into the interests of the throne, he marched with them from Bálápúr against 'Ambar. On their way they were opposed by an army of the Dakhinís; but they soon defeated it, and drove the men in panic to the camp of 'Ambar. In his vanity and pride, he resolved to hazard a battle with my victorious army. To his own forces he united the armies of 'A'dil Khán and Kutbu-l Mulk, and with a train of artillery he marched to meet the royal army till he came within five or six kos of it.
On Sunday, the 25th of Bahman, they came to an engagement. At about three o'clock in the afternoon the fight commenced with rockets and guns, and at last Dáráb Khán, who commanded the foremost division, with other chiefs and warriors, drew their swords and vigorously attacked the enemy's advanced force. Their bravery and courage soon put their opponents to confusion. Without turning aside, they then fell upon the centre. In the same manner each division attacked the division which was before it, and the fight was terrible to behold. The battle went on for about an hour, and heaps of corpses were formed. 'Ambar, unable to withstand the royal army, fled from the field, and had it not been a very dark night, none of the enemy would have escaped. The great warriors of the royal army pursued the fugitives for about two or three kos, till horse and man were unable to move. The enemy was totally defeated and dispersed, and the warriors returned to their camp. All the enemy's guns, with 300 camels laden with rockets, many elephants, horses, and munitions of war to an incalculable extent, fell into the hands of the victorious army. The killed and wounded were innumerable, and a great number of chiefs were captured alive. Next day the army having moved from Fathpúr, marched towards Khirkí, which had been the shelter of the rebels; but no trace of them was found. It encamped there, and learnt that the enemy were completely disorganized.
The third conquest achieved in those days was that by which the territory of Kokrah and its diamond mines were taken possession of, through the enterprising exertions of Ibráhím Khán. The territory belongs to the province of Bihár and Patna, and through it there runs a stream, from which diamonds are extracted in a very peculiar manner. In the days when the water is low, and is left in little holes and troughs, the people whose business it is to extract the diamonds, and who have great expertness in the art, search out for those portions from which they observe many little insects issue like gnats, which are called in the language of those people chíka. These parts, along the whole course of the stream which is accessible, they fence round with a wall of stones, and then dig it up with spades and axes, to about one yard and a half deep, and search among the stones and mud which are brought up. In such soil both large and small diamonds are found, and sometimes so large that they are worth even a lac of rupees. In short, this territory and the stream from the bed of which diamonds are extracted were in the possession of Durjan Sál, zamíndár. Although the governors of the province of Bihár had several times led their armies to invade his dominions, yet, on account of the impassable roads and thick forests, they were obliged to return, being contented only with two or three diamonds which he presented to them.
When the governorship of the province was transferred from Zafar Khán to Ibráhím Khán, I instructed the latter, on his departure to the province, to invade the dominion of that refractory chief, and dispossess him. Accordingly, Ibráhím, immediately after his arrival in the province, collected a force and marched against the zamíndár; who, as on former occasions, sent him some diamonds and elephants; but the Khán did not accept them, and having proceeded with all speed, invaded his dominions. Before the enemy could collect his force, Ibráhím penetrated into his territory, and before the news of his approach could reach him, attacked the hill and the valley where he resided. Ibráhím ordered his people to search for him, and he was at last found in a valley with one of his brothers and some women, among whom was his mother and other wives of his father. All the diamonds which they had were taken, and twenty-three elephants fell into the hands of the royal army. As a reward for this service, the mansab of Ibráhím Khán was raised to the personal salary of 4000 and the command of 4000 horse, with the title of Fath-Jang. In like manner promotions were ordered to be made in the rank of all those who had shown distinguished bravery in the accomplishment of this undertaking. The territory is still under the possession of the officers of this government; and diamonds which are extracted from the stream are brought to this Court. Recently, a diamond was found, the value of which was estimated at the amount of 50,000 rupees, and it is hoped that if the search be continued, more excellent diamonds will be placed in the repository of the crown jewels.
The Nau-roz of the eleventh year of my reign corresponded with the 1st Rabí'u-l awwal, 1025 H. (10th March, 1616 A.D.).
In this year, or rather in the tenth year of my reign, a dreadful plague (wabá) broke out in many parts of Hindústán. It first appeared in the districts of the Panjáb, and gradually came to Lahore. It destroyed the lives of many Muhammadans and Hindús. It spread through Sirhind and the Doáb to Delhí and its dependent districts, and reduced them and the villages to a miserable condition. Now it has wholly subsided. It is said by old men, and it is also clear from the histories of former times, that this disease had never appeared before in this country. I asked the physicians and learned men what was the cause of it, as for two years in succession the country had suffered from famine, and there had been a deficiency of rain. Some said that it was to be attributed to the impurity of the air arising from drought and scarcity; but some ascribed it to other causes. God knows, and we must patiently submit to his will.*
Before this date, some thieves had plundered the public treasury of the kotwálí, and after a few days seven vagabonds were apprehended, with their chief named Namal. Some of the treasure was also recovered. I was incensed at the bold conduct of these scoundrels, and consequently I was determined to punish them severely. Each of them got a fitting punishment, and their chief was ordered to be trodden under the feet of an elephant. He petitioned to me that he would rather fight with that formidable animal than suffer the agony of being trampled under his feet. I consented to this. A dagger was given to him, and notwithstanding that the elephant, which was wild and vicious, prostrated him several times, and notwithstanding he had been witness to the fate of his associates, yet, with undaunted courage, he managed to recover his feet, and inflict several wounds with his dagger upon the trunk, and succeeded in driving the animal back. It was truly an act of wonderful bravery, and I therefore spared his life, directing at the same time he was to be taken care of. After some time, he ungratefully made his escape. It gave me much annoyance. I issued orders to the jágírdárs of the neighbourhood for his apprehension, and when caught he was hanged by the neck.
On the afternoon of Saturday, the 1st of Zí-l ka'da, corresponding with 21st of A'bán, I marched in sound health from Ajmír in a European carriage drawn by four horses, and I ordered several nobles to make up carriages similar to it,* and to attend upon me with them. About sunset I reached my camp in the village Deo Ráná, a distance of nearly two kos.*
It is customary in India, when a king, prince, or noble undertakes an expedition towards the east, to ride on an elephant with long tusks; when towards the west, to ride on a horse of one colour; when towards the north, to go in a litter or pálkí; when towards the south, to go in a carriage drawn by bullocks. I remained at Ajmír five days less than three years. At that place there is the holy shrine of Khwája Mu'ínu-d dín. Ajmír is situated within the limits of the second climate. * * *
A large tray of fruits was brought before me. Among them were the celebrated melons of Kárez, Badakhshán, and Kábul. Grapes from the latter place as well as from Samarkand. The sweet pomegranates of Yazd, and the subacid ones of Farráh. Pears from Samarkand and Badakhshán. Apples from Kashmír, Kábul, Jalálábád, and Samarkand were also there. Pine-apples from the seaports of the Europeans were also in the tray. There were some plants of this latter fruit placed in my private gardens at A'gra, and after some time they produced several thousands of that fruit. The kaulá was also among them, which is smaller than an orange, and full of sweet juice. In the province of Bengal it is produced in abundance. I had no sufficient words to thank Almighty God for the enjoyment of these delicious fruits. My father the late King was exceedingly fond of fruit, especially melons, pomegranates, and grapes; but in his reign, the melons from Kárez, which are of the best quality, the pomegranates from Yazd, which are celebrated all over the world, and pears from Samarkand, were never brought to India, and, therefore, when I see and enjoy those luxuries, I regret that my father is not here to share them. * * *
When I was Prince, I had promised to give an Altamghá grant of the district of Málda in Bengal to Mír Zíáu-d dín, a saiyid of Kazwín, and two of his sons. When I ascended the throne, I gave him the name of Mustafá Khán, and in this journey I had the pleasure of fulfilling my promise.