The name of his father is unknown; he is evidently a royal bastard. His mother Máhum was one of Akbar's nurses (anagah*), and attended on Akbar ‘from the cradle till after his accession.’ She appears to have had unbounded influence in the Harem and over Akbar himself, and Mun'im Khán (No. 11), who after Bairám's fall had been appointed Vakíl, was subject to her counsel. She also played a considerable part in bringing about Bairám's fall; Bad. II, p. 36.

Adham Khán was a Panjhazárí, and distinguished himself in the siege of Mánkoṭ.* Bairám Khán, in the third year, gave him Hatkánt'h,* South-East of A´grah, as jágír, to check the rebels of the Bhadauriyah clan, who even during the preceding reigns had given much trouble. Though he accused Bairám of partiality in bestowing bad jágírs upon such as he did not like, Adham did his best to keep down the Bhadauriyahs. After Bairám's fall, he was sent, in 968, together with Pír Muhammad Khán, to Málwah, defeated Báz Bahádur near Sárangpúr, and took possession of Bahádur's treasures and dancing girls. His sudden fortune made him refractory; he did not send the booty to A´grah, and Akbar thought it necessary to pay him an unexpected visit, when Máhum Anagah found means to bring her son to his senses. Akbar left after four days. On his departure, Adham prevailed on his mother to send back two beautiful dancing girls; but when Akbar heard of it, Adham turned them away. They were captured, and killed by Máhum's orders. Akbar knew the whole, but said nothing about it. On his return to A´grah, however, he recalled Adham, and appointed Pír Muhammad governor of Málwah.

At Court, Adham met again Atgah Khán, whom both he and Mun'im Khán envied and hated. On the 12th Ramazán 969, when Mun'ím Khán, Atgah Khán, and several other grandees, had a nightly meeting in the state hall at A´grah, Adham Khán with some followers, suddenly entered. All rose to greet him, when Adham struck Atgah with his dagger, and told one of his companions (vide p. 321 note), to kill him. He then went with the dagger in his hand towards the sleeping apartments of Akbar, who had been awakened by the noise in the state hall. Looking out from a window, he saw what had happened, rushed forward sword in hand, and met Adham on a high archway (aiwán) near the harem. “Why have you killed my foster father, you son of a bitch?” (bachah i ládah), cried Akbar. “Stop a moment, majesty,” replied Adham, seizing Akbar's arms, “first inquire.” Akbar drew away his hands and struck Adham a blow in the face, which sent him “spinning” to the ground. “What are you standing here gaping,” said Akbar to one of his attendants of the name of Farhat Khán, “bind this man.” This was done, and at Akbar's orders Adham Khán was twice thrown down from the dais (çuffah) of the Aiwán to the ground, with his head foremost. The corpses of Adham and Atgah were then sent to Dihlí.

Máhum Anagah heard of the matter, and thinking that her son had been merely imprisoned, she repaired, though sick, from Dihlí to A´grah. On seeing her, Akbar said, “He has killed my foster father, and I have taken his life.” “Your Majesty has done well,” replied Máhum, turning pale, and left the hall. Forty days after, she died from grief, and was buried with her son in Dihlí in a tomb which Akbar had built for them. For Adham's brother, vide No. 60.

20. Pi´r Muhammad Kha´n of Shírwán.*

Nothing is known of his father. Pír Muhammad was a Mullá, and attached himself to Bairám in Qandahár. Through Bairám's influence he was raised to the dignity of Amír on Akbar's accession. He distinguished himself in the war with Hemú, and received subsequently the title of Náçirulmulk. His pride offended the Chagatái nobles and, at last, Bairám himself, to whom he once refused admittance when he called on him at a time he was sick.

Bairám subsequently ordered him to retire, sent him, at the instigation of Shaikh Gadáí (vide p. 272) to the Fort of Biyánah, and then forced him to go on a pilgrimage. Whilst on his way to Gujrát, Pír Muhammad received letters from Adham Khán (No. 19) asking him to delay. He stayed for a short time at Rantanbhúr; but being pursued by Bairám's men, he continued his journey to Gujrát. This harsh treatment annoyed Akbar, and accelerated Bairám's fall. Whilst in Gujrát, P. M. heard of Bairám's disgrace, and returned at once to Akbar who made him a Khán. In 968, he was appointed with Adham Khán to conquer Málwah, of which he was made sole governor after Adham's recall. In 969, he defeated Báz Bahádur who had invaded the country, drove him away, and took Bíjágaṛh from I'timád Khán, Báz Bahádur's general. He then made a raid into Khandes, which was governed by Mírán Muhammad Sháh, sacked the capital Burhánpúr, slaughtered most unmercifully the inhabitants, and carried off immense booty, when he was attacked by Báz Bahádur and defeated. Arriving at night on his flight at the bank of the Narbaddah, he insisted on crossing it, and perished in the river.

21. Kha´n i A'zam Mi´rza´ 'Azi´z Kokah, son of Atgah Khán (No. 15).

His mother was Jí Jí Anagah (vide p. 321). He grew up with Akbar, who remained attached to him to the end of his life. Though often offended by his boldness, Akbar would but rarely punish him; he used to say, “Between me and 'Azíz is a river of milk which I cannot cross.”

On the removal of the Atgah Khail (p. 321, l. 1.) from the Panjáb, he retained Dípálpúr, where he was visited by Akbar in the 16th year (978) on his pilgrimage to the tomb of Shaikh Faríd i Shakkarganj at Ajhodhan (Pák Patan, or Patan i Panjáb).

In the 17th year, after the conquest of Ahmadábád, Mírzá 'Azíz was appointed governor of Gujrát as far as the Mahindra river, whilst Akbar went to conquer Súrat. Muhammad Husain Mírzá and Sháh Mírzá, joined by Sher Khán Fúládí, thereupon besieged Patan; but they were at last defeated by Mírzá 'Azíz and Quṭbuddín. 'Azíz then returned to Ahmadábád. When Akbar, on the 2nd Çafar 981, returned to Fathpúr Síkrí, Ikhtiyárulmulk, a Gujrátí noble, occupied I´dar, and then moved against 'Azíz in Ahmadábád. Muhammad Husain Mírzá also came from the Dak'hin, and after attacking Kambháyit (Cambay), they besieged Ahmadábád. 'Azíz held himself bravely. The siege was raised by Akbar, who surprised the rebels* near Patan. During the fight Muhammad Husain Mírzá and Ikhtiyár ulmulk were killed. The victory was chiefly gained by Akbar himself, who with 100 chosen men fell upon the enemy from an ambush. 'Azíz had subsequently to fight with the sons of Ikhtiyárulmulk.