[Text, vol. iii. p. 205.] Kombalmír is a fortress situated upon a high mountain, and difficult of access. It was held by dependents of the ráná, and few had been able to make any impression upon it in former times. * * * Sháhbáz Khán was sent in command of an army against this fortress. Rájá Bhagwant Dás, Kunwar Mán Singh, and other chiefs were directed to accompany him. * * On the 4th Farwardín, Sháhbáz invested the place. Fear and distraction fell upon the enemy, and by accident a large gun that was in the fort burst, and destroyed the magazine. The assailants immediately dashed up the hill. They encountered a large body of Rájpúts posted at a gate near the temple, who made a firm stand, but were cut to pieces, and the fort was secured. The Ráná then fled to the hills of Bánswárra. Sháhbáz Khán placed Ghází Khán Badakhshi in command of the fort, and went in pursuit. The fort of Kokanda fell into his power, and he also captured the fort of Údípúr, where he secured an immense booty.
[Text, vol. iii. p. 207.] While the Emperor was encamped on the Beyah, letters arrived from Khán-jahán, accompanying the tribute from Bengal, and from Rájá Mál Gosain, the zamíndár of Kúch, who had renewed his demonstration of obedience to the Imperial throne. The tribute of Bengal consisted of the choicest productions of Bengal, and of fifty-four elephants. Along with these came a European, named Partáb Bár, one of the chief merchants of the ports of Bengal, who was accompanied by Basúrbá,* his wife; he was graciously received at Court, and his sound sense and upright conduct won the favour and esteem of the Emperor.
[Text, vol. iii. p. 215.] When the capital was illumined by
the return of the Imperial presence, the old regulations came
again into operation, and the house of wisdom shone resplendent
on Friday nights with the light of holy minds. On the 20th
Mír, in that place of meeting, the lamp was kindled to brighten
the solitude of seclusion in the banquet of society, and the
merits of the philosophers of the colleges and monasteries were
put to the test of the touchstone. Súfís, doctors, preachers,
lawyers, Sunnís, Shí'as, Brahmans, Jains, Buddhists, Chár-báks,*
Christians, Jews, Zoroastrians, and learned men of every belief,
were gathered together in the royal assembly, and were filled
with delight. Each one fearlessly brought forward his assertions
and arguments, and the disputations and contentions were long
and heated. Every sect, in its vanity and conceit, attacked and
endeavoured to refute the statements of their antagonists.*
* * *
One night the 'Ibádat-Khána was brightened by the presence
of Padre Radalf,*
who for intelligence and wisdom was unrivalled
among Christian doctors. Several carping and bigoted men
attacked him, and this afforded an opportunity for a display of
the calm judgment and justice of the assembly! These men
brought forward the old received assertions, and did not attempt
to arrive at truth by reasoning. Their statements were torn to
pieces, and they were nearly put to shame; and then they began
to attack the contradictions in the Gospel, but they could not
prove their assertions. With perfect calmness and earnest conviction
of the truth, the Padre replied to their arguments, and
then he went on to say, “If these men have such an opinion of
our Book, and if they believe the Kurán to be the true word of
God, then let a furnace be lighted, and let me with the Gospel
in my hand, and the 'ulamá with their holy book in their hands,
walk into that testing place of truth, and the right will be
manifest.” The black-hearted mean-spirited disputants shrank
from this proposal, and answered only with angry words. This
prejudice and violence greatly annoyed the impartial mind of
the Emperor, and, with great discrimination and enlightenment,
he said: “Man's outward profession and the mere letter of
Muhammadanism, without a heartfelt conviction, can avail nothing.
I have forced many Brahmans, by fear of my power,
to adopt the religion of my ancestors; but now that my mind
has been enlightened with the beams of truth, I have become
convinced that the dark clouds of conceit and the mist of self-
Obedience is not in prostration on the earth:
Practise sincerity, for righteousness is not borne upon the brow.”