Julal Khan, the second son of Sheer Shah, is raised to the throne by his nobles, and assumes the title of Sulim. — Adil Khan, the King's elder brother, comes to Agra, and abjures his birth­right — he quits the court — goes into revolt — is defeated, and flies to Bengal, after which he is never heard of. — Insur­rection at Lahore suppressed by the King in person. — The governor of Malwa revolts, but is expelled. — Kamran Mirza, the brother of Hoomayoon, flies from Kabul to Sulim Shah's court — he quits the court again, and returns to Kabul. — Sulim Shah dies — the character of his government. — The King's brother-in-law murders the King's only son, and ascends the throne.

AT the time Sheer Shah died, his eldest son, Adil Khan, whom he had appointed his successor, was at Runtunbhore, and his younger son, Julal Khan, in the village of Reewa, near Punna. The officers who favoured Julal Khan more than his brother, then at so great a distance, insisted on the neces­sity of filling the throne as soon as possible, and for that purpose despatched expresses to Julal Khan, who arrived in three days in the camp. Julal Khan, through the influence of Eesa Khan and his party, ascended the throne, in the fortress of

Rubbee-ool-
Awul 15.
A. H. 952.
May 25.
A. D. 1545.

Kalunjur, on the 15th of Rubbee-ool-Awul, in the year 952, taking the title of Islam Shah, which by false pro­nunciation is called Sulim Shah, by which name he is more generally known. Sulim Shah, assuming the regalia, wrote to his elder brother, Adil Khan, in the following words: “You being at so great a distance, and I “so near, have taken on me the command of the “army till you arrive; but my intentions are only “to forward your interest, and to support your “authority.” Julal Khan, after writing this letter, marched from Kalunjur towards Agra, and at Kora was met by Khowas Khan, commander of his father's forces, by whom he was formally crowned, and a second time ascended the throne, holding a magnificent festival upon the occasion. From Kora, Sulim Shah wrote another letter to his brother, begging in the most affectionate terms that he would come and see him.

Adil Khan wrote to the chiefs in the court of Su-lim Shah, particularly to Kootub Khan, Eesa Khan, Khowas Khan, and Julal Khan Julwany, to ascer­tain for what purpose he was invited, and what assistance he might expect from them; at the same time he returned for answer to his brother, “That “if he would send these four chiefs to him, with “proper assurances, he would come.” Sulim Shah accordingly deputed them to wait on Adil Khan, and to assure him in the most solemn manner that he would permit him, if he pleased, to depart after the first interview; and in order to reconcile him to the loss of his throne, of which there was no longer any doubt, he offered him the choice of any of the provinces of the kingdom as an estate. Adil Khan proceeded to Agra, and having arrived there while Sulim Shah was on a hunting party, joined him at the village of Seekry (now called Futteh-poor), and carpets were spread on the field for their interview. Here they evinced the greatest affection towards each other, and after some discourse proceeded to Agra. Sulim Shah, who resolved to seize his brother, gave private orders to admit but a few of his retinue into the court­yard; while Adil Khan, anticipating such a step, directed his people to force their way in, at all hazards.

Sulim Shah, perceiving his object had failed, had recourse to flattery and dissimulation, and even carried his courtesy so far as to lay hold of Adil Khan's hand, in order to force him to sit on the throne; but the latter, naturally timid and indolent, rejected the offer, knowing how little support he could expect from the nobles. Adil Khan, somewhat alarmed also at the disturbance which had been made by his guards at the palace-gate, made a formal resignation of his birthright, and placing Sulim Shah on the throne, saluted him King. This hint was instantly taken by the courtiers, who were waiting with impatience the issue of the meeting. The chiefs, now advancing to the throne in succession, according to their rank, presented their congratulatory offerings, while others per­formed the ceremony of Nisar, * proclaiming aloud, “We offer our lives and fortunes to Sulim Shah.” These ceremonies being over, Kootub Khan and the other chiefs who had passed their words to Adil Khan proposed, that as he had se­lected Byana for his estate, he should receive the sunnuds for that province at once, and be permitted to depart. Sulim Shah consented, and matters being arranged accordingly, Adil Khan left Agra, accompanied by Eesa Khan and Khowas Khan. Two months afterwards, Sulim Shah sent for Ghazy Mhally, one of his eunuchs, and gave him a pair of golden fetters, directing him to bring Adil Khan prisoner to court. The latter, however, having timely information of the design, fled to Mewat, where Khowas Khan then resided, and ac­quainted that chief, with tears in his eyes, of his brother's baseness. Khowas Khan, whose honour

A. H. 952.
A. D. 1545.

was concerned, roused with indignation, seized Ghazy Mhally, and went into open rebellion. Khowas Khan's cha­racter was so high, that by writing private letters to the nobles of the court he gained many par­tisans, and being now at the head of a considerable army, and accompanied by the Prince Adil Khan and Eesa Khan, he marched towards Agra. On the road, he received letters from Kootub Khan and Julal Khan Julwany, who, conceiving their honour equally implicated by the King's conduct, pledged themselves to join the Prince Adil Khan, at the same time recommending, that he should con­trive to reach Agra before daylight, so as to enable his friends to join him at once. At length, when the Prince reached Seekry, which is 12 coss from Agra, he paid his respects to Sheikh Sulim, one of the most holy men of the age; and as it was the night of the Koorban festival, * he was delayed so long at prayers, that he did not reach Agra till next day at chasht (breakfast). Sulim Shah, thrown into the utmost perplexity by this event, sent for Kootub Khan and Julal Khan Julwany, and reproached them for not dissuading him from the step which had involved him in such a dilemma. Kootub Khan replied, “That the affair was by no “means without remedy; and that, if permitted, “he would settle it amicably.” Sulim Shah, un­suspicious of the fidelity of the two chiefs, desired that they would go to the Prince Adil Khan, and conciliate him. They were, however, no sooner gone, than Sulim Shah revealed to his friends his intention of flying to Chunar, where the treasure was lodged, and resolved to raise an army to reduce his brother, whom he was at present in no condition to engage. Eesa Khan Meer Hajib dissuaded him from this measure, reminding him, “That he had with him ten thousand Firmully “Afghans, besides many other faithful soldiers “who had served with him before he ascended “the throne, of whose fidelity he could have no “doubt;” observing, “that it was the height of “imprudence to trust the kingdom which God “had given him to the caprice of fortune, while “he had it in his power to defend it by instantly “taking the field.” “Do not (said Eesa Khan) “cast off the friends whom you have acquired in “your prosperity, with a vain hope to find others “in the hour of adversity. The wisest course for “you, is to appear at the head of your army, “and to take the field. This will at once se-“cure your wavering troops, and intimidate the “enemy.”

Sulim Shah, encouraged by this advice, resolved to stand his ground, and recalled Kootub Khan and the other chiefs, who had not yet set out to accommodate matters with the Prince Adil Khan, to his presence. He told them, that on reconsi­deration he was resolved not to place his faithful chiefs in the hands of his enemies; and forthwith ordering his troops under arms, marched out of the city, and formed them on the plain. The of­ficers, who had promised to favour the Prince Adil Khan, seeing their King in the field, were ashamed to desert him, and felt it their duty to fight; a disappointment which so greatly disconcerted Kho-was Khan, that, although his troops behaved with great bravery, he was overthrown. After the action, the Prince Adil Khan fled, in the first instance, to Patna; but soon after disappearing, was never again heard of; while Khowas Khan and Eesa Khan retreated to Mewat, to which place Sulim Shah sent an army, which was defeated at Firoze-poor. The royal army being soon after reinforced, the insurgent chiefs were obliged to retreat among the mountains of Kumaoon. Sulim Shah detached Kootub Khan in pursuit, who effected nothing beyond plundering the countries lying in the neighbourhood of the hills. Sulim Shah mean­while marched to Chunar, and being informed of the treasonable correspondence Julal Khan Julwany had maintained with the Prince Adil Khan before the late battle, he caused him to be put to death, together with his brother, who was concerned in the same conspiracy. On his arrival at Chunar, the King, having secured the treasure of his father, sent it to Gualiar, and returned to Agra. At this time, Kootub Khan, finding that Sulim Shah was no stranger to the part he had taken in the late dis­turbances, and apprehensive of returning to court, fled to place himself under the protection of Hei-but Khan, governor of Lahore, then known by the title of Azim Hoomayoon. Sulim Shah, however, having despatched orders for his being delivered into his hands, Kootub Khan was sent prisoner to Gualiar, with many other suspected persons, among whom was Shahbaz Khan Lohany, the King's brother-in-law, who was deprived of his sight. The governor of Lahore and Shoojaat Khan, governor of Malwa, were about this time called to court. Azim Hoomayoon evaded the order; but the latter, obeying the summons, had the address to clear himself from all suspicion, and was permitted to resume his government.