On Monday, the 22nd* of the same month, corresponding with the 25th of Shawwāl, A.H. 1030 (2 September, 1621), the feast of my solar weighing took place auspiciously and happily. As in the past year (of my life) I had suffered from severe illness, I had passed it in continuous pain and trouble. In thankfulness that such a year ended well and in safety, and that in the commencement of the present year the signs of health became apparent, Nūr Jahān Begam begged that her Vakils might make the arrangements for the entertainment (of the solar weighment). In truth, they prepared one which increased the astonishment of beholders. From the date on which Nūr Jahān Begam entered into the bond of marriage with this suppliant, although in all weighing entertainments, both solar and lunar, she had made such arrangements as were becoming to the State, and knew what were the requirements of good fortune and prosperity; yet on this occasion she had paid greater attention than ever to adorn the assembly, and arrange the feast. All the servants of approved service and the domestics who knew my temperament, who in that time of weakness had constantly been present and been ready to sacrifice their lives, and had fluttered round my head like moths, were now honoured with suitable kindnesses, such as dresses of honour, jewelled sword-belts, jewelled daggers, horses, elephants, and trays full of money, each according to their positions. And though the physicians had not done good service, yet in consideration of the slight contempt* with which they had been treated for two or three days, they received various favours, and on the occasion of this feast also, they received presents in jewels and cash.
After the conclusion of the weighment, trays of gold and silver were poured out by way of niār (coin-scattering) into the hope-skirts of the ministers of amusement (ahl-i-nishā), and of the poor. Jotik Rāy, astrologer, who had given the glad news of my recovery and restoration to health, I had weighed against muhars and rupees, and by this method a present was made* him of 500 muhars and 7,000 rupees. At the end of the entertainment the offerings she (Nūr Jahān) had prepared for me were produced. Of the jewels, jewelled ornaments, cloths and various rarities I selected what I approved of. Altogether the cost of this great entertainment which Nūr Jahān Begam gave was recorded to be two lacs of rupees, exclusive of what she laid before me as offerings. In previous years, when I was in health, I weighed 3 maunds and 1 or 2 seers more or less, but this year, as a result of my weakness and leanness, I was only 2 maunds and 27 seers.
On Thursday, the 1st of the Divine month of Mihr, I‘tiqād K., the Governor of Kashmir, was promoted to the mansab of 4,000 and 2,500 horse, and Rāja Gaj Singh to that of 4,000 and 3,000 horse. When the news of my illness reached my son, Shāh Parwīz, without waiting for a farman he came to see me, being unable to restrain himself. On the 14th* of the same month (September 25, 1621), at an auspicious hour and propitious time, that fortunate son had the good fortune to kiss the threshold, and went three times round the couch (takht). However much I adjured him and forbade him to do so, he insisted the more in lamentation and importunity. I took him by the hand and drew him towards me, and by way of kindness and affection held him fast in an embrace, and displayed great love to him. I hope that he may enjoy a long life with prosperity.
At this time Rs. 20,00,000 were sent to Khurram for the expenses of the army of the Deccan by Allah-dād K., who was honoured with an elephant and a standard. On the 28th Qiyām K., chief huntsman, died a natural death. He was a confidential servant, and apart from his skill in hunting, looked over every trifling detail relating to it, and consulted my pleasure in it. In short, I was much grieved at this event. I hope that God may grant him forgiveness.
On the 29th the mother of Nūr Jahān Begam died. Of
the amiable qualities of this matron (Kad-bānū) of the family
of chastity what can I write? Without exaggeration, in
purity of disposition and in wisdom and the excellencies that
are the ornament of women no Mother of the Age*
was ever
born equal to her, and I did not value*
her less than my own
mother. With regard to the attachment that I‘timādu-d-
On the 1st of the Divine month of Abān, Sar-buland K., Jān-sipār K., and Bāqī K., were honoured with the gift of drums. ‘Abdu-llah K. had gone to his jagir without the leave of the Subahdar* of the Deccan: I accordingly told the Chief Diwans to deprive him of his jagir, and I‘timād Rāy was ordered to act as a sazāwul, and to send him back to the Deccan.
It has been recorded with regard to the case of Masīḥu-z-