EXTRACTS.

[Text, vol. i. p. 69.] The Emperor Jahángír* died on the 28th Safar, A.H. 1037 (28th October, 1627), at the age of fifty-eight years and one month, solar reckoning. Prince Shahriyár, from his want of capacity and intelligence, had got the nickname of Ná-shudaní, “Good-for-nothing,” and was commonly known by that appellation. He now cast aside all honour and shame, and before Sháh Jahán had started (from the Dakhin), he re­pudiated his allegiance, and went off in hot haste to Lahore to advance his own interests. Núr Mahal, who had been the cause of much strife and contention, now clung to the vain idea of retaining the reins of government in her grasp, as she had held them during the reign of the late Emperor. She wrote to Ná-shudaní, advising him to collect as many men as he could, and hasten to her.

Yamínu-d daula Ásaf Khán and Irádat Khán, who always acted together, determined that, as Sháh Jahán was far away from Ágra, it was necessary to take some steps to prevent disturbances in the city, and to get possession of the princes Muhammad Dárá Shukoh, Muhammad Sháh Shujá', and Muhammad Aurangzeb, who were in the female apartments with Núr Mahal. They therefore resolved that for some few days they would raise to the throne Bulákí, the son of Khusrú, who, by Núr Mahal's contrivance, had been placed with Ná-shudaní, but who had been put under the charge of Irádat Khán by Jahángír when Ná-shudaní returned to Lahore from Kashmír.

* * So they placed Bulákí on horseback, and, with a party of men in whom they had full confidence, they commenced their march, taking care to keep one day ahead of Núr Mahal. * * As the young princes were not safe with Núr Mahal, they removed her from the royal palace, and took the young princes under their own charge; but when Bulákí had been raised to the throne, they were placed in charge of Sádik Khán.

Accession of Sháh Jahán.

[Text, vol. i. p. 82.] Sháh Jahán ascended the throne at Ágra on the 18th Jumáda-s sání, 1037 A.H. (6th Feb. 1628), with the title of Abú-l Muzaffar Shahábu-d dín Muhammad Sáhib Kirán-i sání.

Rebellion of Jajhár Singh.

[Text, vol. i. p. 238.] Jajhár Singh was son of Rájá Nar Singh Deo Bundela, who rose into notice by killing Shaikh Abú-l Fazl, the celebrated author of the Akbar-náma, when Jahángír was heir apparent. * In obedience to orders from the Emperor Akbar, the Shaikh was hastening to Court from the Dakhin with a small escort. Jahángír was jealous of the Shaikh's de­votion to his father, and was apprehensive that his arrival would interfere with his own plans. * * So he incited Nar Singh Deo to kill him as he passed through his territory. This evil-minded man, from lust of gold, placed a large force of horse and foot in ambush, and fell upon the Shaikh. The followers of the Shaikh advised him to fly and escape, but he refused, and fell in the year 1011 A.H. (1602 A.D.). After the accession of Jahángír to the throne, Nar Singh Deo rose into favour and distinction through this wicked deed. But his evil nature was unable to bear his prosperity, and towards the end of the reign of Jahángír he became disaffected, and oppressed all the zamíndárs in his neighbourhood. * * He died three or four months before Jahángír, and was succeeded by his son Jajhár Singh. The wealth and property which Nar Singh Deo had amassed without labour and without trouble unsettled the mind of his worthless successor Jajhár, and at the accession of Sháh Jahán, * * he left the capital Ágra, and proceeded to Úndcha, his stronghold, where he set about raising forces, strengthening the forts, pro­viding munitions of war and closing the roads. A force was accordingly sent against him, under the command of Mahábat Khán Khán-khánán. [The Imperial forces converged upon Úndcha, and] Jajhár Singh, having no hope of escape, waited upon Khán-khánán and made his submission. Just at this time intelligence arrived that 'Abdu-lla Khán had taken the fortress of Írich,* which had been in the possession of Jajhár Singh.