On Sunday, the 10th, I encamped at Naushahra. At this
place, by order of my father, they had built a stone fort, and
there is constantly here, by way of a station (thāna), a body
of men from the governor of Kashmir. On Monday the
camp was at Chaukī Hattī. A chela named Murād had
exerted himself to complete the buildings at this place, and
had done it well. In the middle of the royal abode there was
a fine terrace, superior to those of other stages. I increased
his mansab. On Tuesday, the 12th, I halted at Bhīmbar.
Passing this day out of kotals and hills, we entered the broad
plains of Hindustan. The hunters had previously been dispatched
to form qamurghas, so as to prepare jirgas (hunting
rings) in Bhīmbar and Girjhāk*
and Makhiyāla. On Wednesday
and Thursday they drove in the game. On Friday I
rejoiced in a hunt. Hill qūchqār,*
etc., to the number of
56 head were taken. On this day Rāja Sārang Deo, who was
one of the intimate attendants, was promoted to the mansab
of 800 personal and 400 horse. On Saturday, the 16th,
I went towards Girjhāk, and in five marches encamped on
the bank of the Bihat. On Thursday, the 21st, I hunted
in the hunting-ring of Girjhāk. Less game than usual was
taken, and I was not satisfied. On Monday, the 25th, I
hunted with much enjoyment in the hunting-ring of Makhi-
In one march after this stage I encamped at the garden of
Mūmin ‘Ishq-bāz,*
which is on the bank of the Lahore River
(the Ravi), and has some lofty plane-trees and handsome
cypresses. It is certainly a rare garden. On Monday, the
9th of the Divine month of Āzar, corresponding with the
5th Muḥarram of A.H. 1030*
(20 November, 1620), mounting
an elephant of the name of Indra, I went towards the city,
scattering coin as I proceeded. After three watches and two
gharis of day had passed, at the selected auspicious hour,
having entered the royal residence, I alighted happily and
auspiciously at the building recently brought to completion
and finished handsomely by the exertions of Ma‘mūr K.
Without exaggeration, charming residences and soul-exciting
sitting places had been erected in great beauty and delicacy,
adorned and embellished with paintings by rare artists.
Pleasant green gardens with all kinds of flowers and sweet-
From head to foot, wherever I look,
A glance plucks at the heart's skirt (saying),
“This is the place” (to stop at).
Altogether, there had been expended on these buildings the sum of Rs. 700,000 or 23,000 current tumans of Persia.*
On this day the joy-enhancing news of the conquest of the
fort of Kāngṛa rejoiced our mind. In thankfulness for this
great boon and important victory, which was one of the
renewed favours of the Bestower of Gifts, I bowed the head
of humility at the throne of the merciful Creator, and beat
with loud sounds the drum of gladness and pleasure. Kāngṛa
is an ancient fort to the North of Lahore, situated in the
midst of the hill country, famous for its strength and the
difficulty of conquering it. Who was the founder of this
fort God only knows. The belief of the Zamindars of the
province of the Panjab is that, during this period the said
fort has never passed to any other tribe, and no stranger has
stretched out to it the hand of dominion. Wisdom is from
Allah! But certainly from the time when the voice of Islam
and the sound of the established religion of Muḥammad
reached Hindustan, not one of the Sultans of lofty dignity
has obtained the victory over it. Sulān Fīrūz-shāh, with
all his power and might, himself went to conquer it, and
besieged it for a long time. As he knew that the strength of
the fort was such that as long as the means for holding it and
provisions were with the besieged, victory over them was
unattainable, nolens volens he was contented with the coming
of the Raja to pay his respects to him, and withheld his hand.
They say that the Raja prepared an offering and an entertainment,
and at his request took the Sultan inside the fort.
The Sultan, after going round and inspecting it, said to the
Raja that to bring a king like him inside the fort was not
according to the dictates of caution. What could he do if
the body of men who were in attendance were to attack him
and take possession of the fort? The Raja made a sign to
his men, and instantaneously an army of valiant men armed
and accoutred, came out from a concealed place and saluted
the Sultan. The Sultan became suspicious and anxious
about an attack from these men, and suspected some stratagem.
The Raja came forward and kissed the ground of
service, and said: “I have no thought but that of service
and obedience, but as has been spoken by the auspicious
tongue, I observe far-sighted caution, for all times are not the
same.” The Sultan applauded him. The Raja, having
accompanied him for some stages, obtained leave to return.
After this, whoever sat on the throne of Delhi sent an army
to subdue Kāngṛa, but the thing went no further. My
revered father also sent a large army once under the leadership
of Ḥusain Qulī K., who, after approved service, was
honoured with the title of Khān Jahān. Whilst the siege was
in progress, the outbreak of Ibrāhīm Ḥusain Mīrzā took place
That ingrate fled from Gujarat, and raised the flag of rebellion
and calamity towards the Panjab. Khān Jahān was compelled
to raise the siege, and to turn to extinguish the flame
of his sedition. Thus the acquisition of the fort fell into the
knot of delay. The thought was continually lurking in the
royal mind: “The longed-for Fair one does not show her
face from the secret place of Destiny.” When by the Grace
of the Glorious God the throne of the State was adorned by
the existence of this suppliant, this was one of the holy wars
which I considered incumbent on me. In the first instance
I dispatched Murtaẓā K., who was governor of the Panjab,
with a force of brave men skilled in war, to conquer the fort.
This important matter had not been completed when Mur-