[Text, vol. ii. p. 409.] While the Emperor was engaged in the siege of Chítor, Sulaimán Kirání of Bengal again had the Emperor's name recited in the khutba, and made a wolf-like peace with Mun'im Khán Khán-khánán. The facts of the case are as follows:—When Mubáriz Khán, better known as 'Adalí, set up pretensions to royalty (in Bengal), Táj Khán Kirání with his brothers fled to Bihár. There he pursued an artful and wily course, both in the days of Muhammad Khán, ruler of Bengal, who had rebelled, and afterwards also in the days of Bahádur Khán, until the time when 'Adalí was slain fighting against Bahádur Khán. When, after some time, the latter died, his brother Jalálu-d dín advanced his claim to the sovereignty of Bengal and Bihár. Táj Khán and his brothers were sometimes opposed to him, sometimes in league with him. He also made an artful and hypocritical friendship with Khán-zamán. When Jalálu-d dín died, Táj Khán obtained possession of Bengal and Bihár. He shortly afterwards died, and his younger brother Sulaimán succeeded, and established his authority over the two provinces. Sulaimán kept up a sort of friendship with Khán-zamán, and looking sharply after his own interests, he strengthened his position. Numbers of roving Af-gháns gathered round him, and he amassed wealth and gathered together many elephants. After Khán-zamán had received the punishment due unto his deeds, the Emperor appointed Mun'im Khán Khán-khánán to the government of Jaunpúr. Asadu-lla Khán, an officer of Khán-zamán, had charge of Zamániya, a place built by Khán-zamán, and on the death of the Khán, Asadu-lla, in his stupidity, sent a person to Sulaimán, offering to surrender the place to him and to become his subject. But Mun'im Khán having got information of this, sent some persons to Asadu-lla, who induced him to forego this determination, and to repair in person to Khán-khánán. The Afghán army, which had come up with the intention of taking possession of Zamániya, went back disappointed. Lodí Afghán, who was the chief minister of Sulaimán, and remarkable for his wisdom and intelligence, was on the banks of the Sone. He knew Mun'im Khán Khán-khánán to be a man desirous of peace, so he entered into friendly relations with him, hoping thus to secure his own territories from the attacks of the Imperial forces. Presents and letters passed between them, strengthening their friendship. Meanwhile the Emperor was engaged in the siege of Chítor, and Sulaimán was occupied in subduing the Rájá of Orissa and Ibráhím.

But Sulaimán was ill at ease about Khán-khánán; so, while the Emperor was besieging Chítor, he sought to establish amity with him, Lodí being his medium. After some correspondence, it was arranged that Khán-khánán should pay Sulaimán a visit, to establish friendship between the Emperor and Sulaimán, and to arrange for the Emperor's name and titles being read in the khutba and impressed upon the coins. Khán-khánán deter­mined to go and effect the objects in view, although many wise and sagacious persons endeavoured to dissuade him. But he paid no heed to them, and proceeded to Patna on his visit, attended by three hundred chosen men and by several of his officers and their attendants, numbering altogether about one thousand men. Lodí came to meet him, and show him proper respect. Then came Báyazíd, eldest son of Sulaimán; and at five kos from Patna, Sulaimán himself came forth to give him a formal state recep­tion. Sulaimán conducted him to his own dwelling, and there gave him a sumptuous entertainment. The Imperial name was read out in the pulpit, coins were struck with it, and suitable tribute (to the Emperor) was presented. But a party of Sulaimán's turbulent adherents formed the design of seizing Khán-khánán, while the Emperor was engaged at Chítor with his great nobles, and while there was no one left at the capital who could interfere with their designs upon the Khán. When Lodí became ac­quainted with this conspiracy, he [endeavoured to divert them from their purpose]. Sulaimán assented to his views, but the fierce Afgháns would not listen to his words. Khán-khánán got in­formation of the plot, and, with the advice of Lodí, he got away from his camp by a clever stratagem, and galloped off, attended by a small well-mounted escort. He was a long way off before the Afgháns were aware of his escape; and as they had failed in their purpose, they affected to maintain a friendly feeling. Báyazíd and Lodí hastened after the Khán, and, after showing him great honour and respect, they returned. Khán-khánán crossed the Ganges, and after two or three stages, he received the despatch of the conquest of Chítor.

Sulaimán now returned re-assured to Bengal, and devoted his attention to his own affairs. He treacherously seized upon the country of Orissa, in which the temple of Jagannáth is situated, and perfidiously killed the Rájá. Ibráhím [Sultán of Dehlí],* who was not quite right in his mind, and was soured by his fall from his lofty position, had taken refuge with the Rájá of Orissa, and still dreamed of sovereignty. Sulaimán, by promises and oaths, got Ibráhím into his clutches, and then sent him to the next world.