Khwája-i Jahán was more than eighty years old. His frame was wasted and feeble, and his hair was white. * * * He was a kind-hearted man, and when his followers heard of the resolution he had taken, they wept for him, and told him that in affairs of royalty no consideration is paid to the relation of father and son, and no excuses of error can be admitted. Sultán Fíroz, although a good man, could not act differently from kings in general. The Khwája replied, “I may turn back and fortify myself in Dehlí, but although I have an army and elephants, Sultán Fíroz will take the place, and Muhammadan ladies will fall into the hands of the ruffians of his army. In my old age I should do that for which I should be called upon to account in the judgment. I have not much longer to live; come what may, God's will be done!” His adherents seeing him thus resolved, some accompanied him to Sultán Fíroz, and some fled.
Khwája-i Jahán accordingly proceeded to Fathábád. The author has been informed that, on his arrival, the Sultán was seated on his throne holding a court, and the Khwája went into his presence with a chain around his neck, his turban off, a tálíka (?) on his head, and a naked sword fastened to his throat, and took his standing low down among the attendants. * * * The Sultán directed his turban to be replaced upon his head, and sent his own chaudol to convey him to the grass plot, where he promised to meet and converse with him. * * *
Sultán Fíroz was desirous that no evil should come to Khwája-i
Jahán, and wished to reinstate him as wazír, * * * but the Kháns,
nobles, and officials, having met and consulted, arrived at the
unanimous opinion that it was improper to look over such a
political offence. * * * They accordingly went to the Sultán and
said that as Dehlí had now come into his hands, and the Khwája-i
Jahán had joined him, all apprehension upon that ground was
removed; they therefore desired the royal permission to set out
on a pilgrimage to Mecca. The Sultán perceived their meaning,
and, speaking in kind and gentle words, said: “It was a high
duty of kings to overlook any irregular acts of their officers.”
* * * They replied, “That the offences of royal servants were
of two classes—one small, the other great. The venial offences
were those against property, the graver, those against authority;
the former might be excused, but the latter ought not to be forgiven.
Clemency in such cases was sure to be followed by repentance.
The Khwája, in his inordinate thirst for distinction,
had raised a child to the royal dignity, and had squandered vast
wealth among the people.” * * * Sultán Fíroz saw that they
were resolved, heart and soul, upon the destruction of the Khwája.
This made him very anxious and thoughtful, so that he grew
pale. In this state he remained for some days—his heart rent
with sorrow. At length he called 'Imádu-l Mulk to a private
interview, and told him to go to the friends and supporters of
the throne and tell them that the Sultán placed the case of
Khwája-i Jahán in their hands. They might do with him what
seemed to them best, for the Sultán had given up the case. * * *
They accordingly agreed that as the Khwája was aged, the estate
of Sámána should be assigned to him in in'ám, and so he was
ordered to go there and devote his days to religion. * * * The
Khwája set out for Sámána, and had made some stages when Sher
Khán overtook him, but did not go to see him. * * * So the
unfortunate noble saw plainly that the Khán had come on no
errand of mercy, but rather to effect his destruction. * * Next day
he asked Sher Khán for some tents, into one of which he went,
performed his ablutions and said his prayers. * * * He then
looked at the executioner and asked if he had a sharp sword,
and the executioner, who was a friend of the Khwája's, showed
his weapon. The old man then told him to make his ablutions,
say his prayers, and use his sword. When the man had completed
his devotions, the Khwája bowed his head to his prayer-
The Sultán being relieved from all apprehension on account of Dehlí, marched in great state from Karoda towards the city. After several stages he arrived at Hánsí, where he went to wait upon the Shaikhu-l Islám Shaikh Kutbu-d dín. * * * The Shaikh said to him, “I have heard it said that you are addicted to wine; but if Sultáns and the heads of religion give themselves up to wine-bibbing, the wants of the poor and needy will get little attention.” * * * The Sultán thereupon said that he would drink no more. After this the Shaikh said that he had been informed that the Sultán was passionately fond of hunting; but hunting was a source of great trouble and distress to the world, and could not be approved. To kill any animal without necessity was wrong, and hunting ought not to be prosecuted farther than was necessary to supply the wants of man—all beyond this was reprehensible. The Sultan, in reverence of the Shaikh, promised to abstain from hunting. * * *
When the Sultán reached Dehlí, the drums of joy were beaten, and the citizens decked themselves out in their jewels and best clothes. Pavilions (kaba) were erected and were decorated according to the custom prevailing in the times of former kings. Six of these pavilions were raised, and for twenty-one days a continual festival was maintained. One lac of tankas was expended in each pavilion in food and sherbet, and no one was excluded. * * *
* * * In those days Khwája Fakhr Shádí was accountant-