On the 19th, Bú 'Alí Kotwal left Ghaznín with a strong army on an expedition against the Khilj, who had been very turbulent during the Amír's absence, and he was ordered to bring them to terms, or attack them.
After the departure of the minister, all State business was referred to Bú Suhal Hamadúní, who had an exceeding aversion to the work, and avoided giving his own opinion by referring everything to the minister. He called on me at every private audience and consultation, to testify what the objections of the minister were, for I was present at all of them, He carried his dislike to the administrative business so far, and he was so hesitating in his opinion, that one day, at a private audience, when I was present standing, the Amír said,—“The country of Balkh and Tukháristán should be given to Portigín, that he may go there with the army of Máwaráu-n Nahr and fight against the Turkománs.” Bú Suhal replied:—“It would be proper to address the minister on this subject.” The Amír said: “You throw off everything upon him, and his sentiments are well known on the subject.” He then directed me on the spot to write the orders and letters, and sealed them, saying: “You must give them to a horseman to deliver.” I said, “I obey.” Bú Suhal then said: “It certainly would be right to send the horseman to the minister first, and to hold back the order so that he may send it off.” I agreed, and went away. It was then written to the great Khwája, that the Sultán had given such and such foolish commands, and that the Khwája knew best what orders to issue. Bú Suhal told me that his intention was to relieve himself of responsibility, as he could not participate in such injudicious counsels and sentiments. I wrote in cypher to the minister, and told him all that had happened, and the horseman was despatched. When he reached the Khwája, the Khwája detained him as well as the order, since he considered it injudicious, and he sent me a sealed answer by the hands of the Sikkadar, or seal-bearer.
On Monday, the 1st of Safar, Prince Yazdyár came from Naghar* to Ghaznín, had an interview with the Amír, and returned. During the night Amír Muhammad was brought from the fort of Naghar, accompanied by this prince, and was carried to the fort of Ghaznín, and Sankoí, the chief jailer, was appointed to guard him. The four sons of Muhammad, who also were brought away with him, namely, Ahmad, 'Abdu-r Rahmán, 'Umar, and 'Usmán, were placed in the Green Pavilion in the Fírozí garden.
Next day, the Amír drank wine from early morning, and about breakfast time sent for me and said: “Go quietly to the sons of Muhammad, and engage them by strong oaths to remain faithful to me, and to offer no opposition. Take great care in this business, and after you have accomplished this, affect their hearts warmly in my favour, and order robes of honour to be put on them. Do you then return to me, when I will send the son of Sankoí to bring them to the apartments prepared for them in the Sháristán.”*
I went to the Green Pavilion in the Fírozí Garden, where they were. Each of them had on a coarse old cotton garment, and was in low spirits. When I delivered my message, they fell on the ground and were extravagantly delighted. I wrote out the oaths binding them to allegiance, which they read out aloud, and after subscribing their names, they delivered the document to me. The robes were then brought, consisting of valuable frocks of Saklátún* of various colours, and turbans of fine linen, which they put on within their apartment, and then they came out with red boots on, and sat down. Valuable horses were also brought forward with golden caparisons.
I returned to the Amír, and told him what had transpired. He said: “Write a letter to my brother, and tell him I have done such and such things respecting his sons. I have enlisted them in my service, and mean to keep them near me, that they may come into my views, and that I may marry them to my children who have their heads covered (daughters), in order that our reconciliation may be evident.” He addressed him as “the Amír, my illustrious Brother.” When the letter was written, he put his seal to it, and gave it to Sankoí, saying: “Send it to your son,” which he promised to do.
Next day, the nephews of the Sultán came with their turbans on, and paid their respects, when the Amír sent them to the wardrobe chamber, that they might be clothed with golden frocks, caps with four feathers, and golden waistbands. Valuable horses, one thousand dínárs, and twenty pieces of cloth, were presented to each, and they returned to their apartments. An agent was appointed to attend them, and pensions were assigned to them. They came twice every day, and once at night, to pay their respects. Hurra-i Gauhar was at once betrothed to Amír Ahmad, preparatory to the betrothal of the others; but the nuptials were not then celebrated.
The Sultán determines to go to Hindustán.—His Perverseness.— The Consultation of the Nobles.—The Author's Concern in these transactions.*
Orders were despatched with the utmost secrecy to the confidential servants of the Amír, to pack up everything he had at Ghaznín—gold, and dirhams, and robes, and jewels, and other property, and the work was commenced on. He sent a message to his mother, sisters, daughters, aunts, and freed slaves, to prepare themselves for a journey to Hindustán, and to leave nothing behind at Ghaznín on which they might set their hearts. They had to set all in order for that purpose, whether they would or no. They asked Hurra Khutalí, the mother of the Sultán, to interpose in the matter, but she replied, that any one who wished to fall into the hands of the enemy might remain behind at Ghaznín; so no one dared to say a word. The Amír began to distribute the camels, and passed the greater part of the day in private audience with Mansúr Mustaufí on the subject of providing camels for his great treasures, his officers, and his army. They asked me privately—“What is all this about?” but no one dared say a word.
One day, Bú Suhal Hamadúní and Bú-l Kásim Kasír said,— “The minister should be consulted on this matter, and some one should be deputed to call him back;” but no one would take the initiative in writing to him, so long as he was absent from the Amír. It so happened, that, next day, the Amír ordered a letter to be despatched to the minister, telling him “I have determined to go to Hindustán, and pass the winter in Waihind, and Marminára, and Barshúr (Pesháwar) and Kírí, and to take up my quarters in those parts away from the capital. It is proper that you should remain where you are, till I arrive at Barshúr and a letter reaches you, when you must go to Tukháristán, and remain there during the winter, or even go to Balkh if you can, to overthrow my enemies.” This letter was written and despatched. I wrote at the same time, in cypher, a full explanation how my master was alarmed at the mere anticipation of danger, and would not draw rein till he reached Lahore, for that letters had privately been despatched there to prepare everything for his reception, and that it appeared to me that he would not rest even at Lahore; that none of the ladies of the household were left at Ghaznín, nor any of the treasure, and that the officers and army which were left had neither hand nor foot to use, and were in great alarm; that the hopes of all rested on him, the great Khwája; that he should take every care to oppose this dangerous resolution, and that he should write distinctly, as he could act with very much greater effect than we could to prevent the mischief. To the officers also I wrote in cypher such and such things, and I said—“We are all here of the very same opinion. Please God! that sage old adviser, the minister, will write a reply at length, and rouse our king from his lethargy.”