His Majesty was engaged in a hunting excursion at Mathura when the news of this disaster reached him. He sent Bidágh Khán, Tátár Khán, Rúmí Khán, and others, to follow Abú-l Ma'álí, and he himself proceeded to Dehlí, the seat of Government (dáru-l mulk).*
A remarkable occurrence has now to be mentioned. When Sharafu-d dín Husain fled from Court to Nágor, he had a slave, by name Koka Fúlád, one of the slaves of his father, who at all times secretly did everything in his power to injure the Emperor. This wretched man came into the royal camp, and was constantly on the watch for an opportunity. When the Emperor returned from his hunting excursion, and passing through the bázár of Dehlí, came near to the College* of Máham Anka, this bloodthirsty fellow shot an arrow at His Majesty; but by the mercy of God, who watched over the Emperor's safety, it did not inflict a severe wound, but merely grazed the skin. The attendants of the Emperor instantly fell upon the traitor, and with strokes of sword and dagger they sent him to hell. The Emperor pulled out the arrow and rode on to the palace. The wound was cured in a few days, and on the 6th Jumáda-s sání he mounted his royal litter,* and proceeded to Ágra, where he arrived on the 15th of the same month, in the year 971 A.H., agreeing with the eighth year of the reign.
The beginning of this year was Wednesday, 29th Rajab, 971 (13th March, 1564). When Abú-l Ma'álí killed Ahmad Beg, and found that the royal army was coming up in pursuit of him, he was dismayed, and turning aside from the direct roads he fled towards Kábul. When he approached Kábul, he wrote a letter full of expressions of affection and devotion for the late Emperor, and sent it to Máh Chochak Begam (the Emperor's widow). She sent to invite him in, and received him with honour. She also gave him her daughter in marriage. Abú-l Ma'álí now pushed himself forward, and took the direction of the establishment of Prince Muhammad Hakím.
A party of malcontents, who were displeased with the treatment they had received from Máh Chochak Begam, such as Shúgún, son of Karrácha Khán, and Shádmán, and others, leagued with Abú-l Ma'álí, and persuaded him that matters would never go on well as long as the Begam lived. He fell in with their views, and slew the unfortunate woman with a dagger. Then he got into his hands the Prince Mirzá Muhammad Hakím, who was of tender age, and took the direction of the government. He seized upon Haidar Kásim Kohbar, who was the minister (wakíl) of the Mirzá, and put him to death. He also imprisoned his brother Muhammad Kásim. Hereupon Tardí Muhammad Khán, Bákí Muhammad Khán Kákshál, Husain Khán, and several other adherents of the late Begam, conspired against him to avenge her death. 'Abdí Sarmast informed Abú-l Ma'álí of this conspiracy, and he instantly armed a party of his supporters, and went forth to destroy them. The conspirators cut their way into the fort, and Abú-l Ma'álí pressed after them. Many on both sides were killed, but at length Abú-l Ma'álí succeeded in driving them out of the fort, and they fled in all directions.
Muhammad Kásim, who was in confinement, obtained his release, and went to Mirzá Sulaimán, in Badakhshán. He informed him of all that had passed at Kábul, and urged him to march against the city. Mirzá Muhammad Hakím also sent a person to Mirzá Sulaimán, calling upon him for assistance. The Mirzá, on hearing the state of affairs, assembled the forces of Badakhshán, and with the approval of Khurram Begam his wife, marched against Kábul. Abú-l Ma'álí, on his side, assembled the forces of Kábul, and taking with him Mirzá Muhammad Hakím, advanced to the river Ghorband. Both sides drew up their forces, and the battle began. The Kábul men on the right of Abú-l Ma'álí were defeated by the Badakhshán forces, and began to retreat. He hastened up with some reinforcements to support them, leaving Mirzá Muhammad Hakím in charge of his servants. These men seized the opportunity to cross the river and join Mirzá Sulaimán. When this was discovered by the Kábul forces, they were seized with panic, and every man fled to his home.
When Abú-l Ma'álí came back from his charge, he was dismayed to find no trace either of Mirzá Hakím or of his army, so he fled. The Badakhshán men pursued and overtook him at the village of Cháríkárán. He was brought to the presence of Mirzá Sulaimán, who, elated with his success, went on to Kábul, taking Mirzá Muhammad Hakím with him. Three days afterwards he sent Abú-l Ma'álí, with his hands bound behind his neck, to Mirzá Muhammad Hakím, and he ordered him to be strangled in punishment of his crimes. This happened on the night of the 17th Ramazán, 970 H. Mirzá Sulaimán now sent to Badakhshán for his daughter, and married her to Mirzá Muhammad Hakím. After giving jágírs in the Kábul territory to many of his followers, and appointing Ummaid 'Alí, who was in his confidence, to the post of minister, he returned to Badakhshán.
In the course of this year, Khwája Muzaffar 'Alí Tarbatí, one of the old associates of Khán-khánán Bairám Khán, was raised to the office of financial minister (wazárat-i díwán-i 'ala), and received the title of Khán.*
The fort of Chunár was held by a slave of 'Adalí, named Fattú. He now wrote a letter offering to surrender it.* The Emperor sent Shaikh Muhammad Ghaus and Ásaf Khán to receive the surrender of the fort. When it was delivered over, they placed it in charge of Husain Khán Turkomán. At this Ghází Khán Súr, formerly one of the nobles of 'Adalí, but who had for a time lived in allegiance to the Emperor, now that Ásaf Khán was appointed to the government of Karra, took flight, and went to the country of Panna. There he gathered some men, and arrayed himself in rebellion. When Ásaf Khán was sent to Karra, Ghází Khán led his followers against him, but he was defeated in battle by Ásaf Khán, and killed upon the field. Ásaf Khán thus established his power and authority.
The country of Garha-Katanka was near to Ásaf Khán, and he formed the design of subduing it.* The chief place of that country is Chaurágarh. It is an extensive country containing seventy thousand (haftád hazar) flourishing villages.* Its ruler was at this time a woman named Durgávatí, who was very beautiful. When Ásaf Khán heard the condition of this country, he thought the conquest of it would be an easy matter, so he marched against it with fifty thousand* horse and foot. The Rání collected all her forces, and prepared to oppose the invader with 700 elephants, 20,000 horsemen, and infantry innumerable. A battle followed, in which both sides fought obstinately, but by the will of fate the Rání was struck by an arrow, and fearing lest she should fall alive into the hands of the enemy, she made her elephant-driver kill her with a dagger. After the victory Ásaf Khan marched against Chaurágarh. The son of the Rání, who was in the fort, came forth to meet him; but he was killed, and the fort was captured, and all its treasures fell into the hands of the conquerors. Ásaf Khán, after he had achieved this victory and acquired so much treasure, returned, greatly elated, to Karra, and took possession of his government.
On the 12th Zí-l ka'da, 971 H., corresponding with the ninth year of the reign, the Emperor left Ágra, and went towards the river Chambal with the object of elephant hunting.* In consequence of the heavy rains and the inundations, he had to halt fifteen days, and when he did cross over one of his choice elephants named Lakhna was drowned. When he came to the vicinity of the town of Narwar he pitched his camp, for the jungle hard by was an elephant haunt. * * * After they had cleared that neighbourhood of elephants, he marched on towards Málwa, and halted at Rewar.* Heavy rains compelled him to remain two days in sight of that town. From thence he proceeded to Sárangpúr, and again the heavy rains and floods greatly distressed his escort. When he approached Sárangpúr, Muhammad Kásim Khán Naishapúrí the governor came forth to meet him and presented tribute. Next day the Emperor proceeded onwards towards Mandú.