The vessels having been ordered to proceed*
thence before
day-light, I was in the boat, and had finished morning
prayers, when Sultān Muhammed Bakhshi arrived, bringing
with him one Shamseddīn Muhammed, a servant of Khwājeh
Kalān, who had come with letters. From the letters, and by
the information collected from the messenger himself, we
learned everything that had passed at Kābul. Mahdi
Khwājeh*
also joined us in the boat. About noon-day
prayers, I landed at an eminence*
in a garden on the other
side of the river, over against Etāwa, bathed in the Jumna,
Arrives at
Etāwa.
and said my noon-day prayers. Having passed over from
the place where I had prayed I came to the Etāwa side,*
and, under the shade of the trees of the same garden, and
sitting on the top of the eminence which overhangs the
river, we set some men to wrestle before us for amusement.
The dinner which Mahdi Khwājeh had ordered was served
up here. About evening prayers we crossed the river, and
reached the camp about bed-time prayers. I halted two
or three days on this ground, both to collect our troops,
and for the purpose of writing letters to be sent to Kābul*
by
Shamseddīn Muhammed.
On Wednesday, the 30th of the first Jumāda, I marched
from Etāwa, and after proceeding eight kos, halted at Mūri
and Adūseh.*
Several letters for Kābul, which I had not had
Writes to
Humāiūn,
Hindāl, and
Kāmrān.
time to write, I finished at this station. I wrote to Humāiūn,
that if the incursions which had broken the tranquillity of
the country were not yet completely checked, he should
himself move to punish the robbers and freebooters, who
had been guilty of the depredations, and take every means
to prevent the peace of the country from being disturbed.
I added, that I had made Kābul a Royal Government,*
that therefore none of my children should presume to levy
any money in it.*
I likewise sent*
instructions to Hindāl
to repair to the Court. To Kāmrān I wrote, recommending
him to cultivate politeness, and the duties suited to his
rank as a prince*;
told him, that I had bestowed on him
the country of Multān, and informed him that Kābul was
to belong to the imperial domain. I likewise informed him
that I had sent for my wife and family. As several circumstances
relating to my affairs may be learnt from the letter
which I wrote on this occasion to Khwājeh Kalān, I subjoin
a copy of it, precisely as it was sent:
‘To Khwājeh Kalān, health.
Bābur’s‘Shamseddīn Muhammed reached me at Etāwa, and communicated his intelligence.* My solicitude to visit my western dominions is boundless, and great beyond expression. The affairs of Hindustān have at length, however, been reduced into a certain degree of order; and I trust in Almighty God that the time is near at hand, when, through the grace of the Most High, everything will be completely settled in this country. As soon as matters are brought into that state, I shall, God willing, set out for your quarter, without losing a moment’s time. How is it possible that the delights of those lands should ever be erased from the heart? Above all, how is it possible for one like me, who have made a vow of abstinence from wine, and of purity of life, to forget the delicious melons and grapes of that pleasant region*? They very recently brought me a single musk-melon. While cutting it up I felt myself affected with a strong feeling of loneliness, and a sense of my exile from my native country; and I could not help shedding tears while I was eating it.
‘You take notice of the unsettled state of Kābul; I have considered the matter very attentively, and with the best of my judgement; and have made up my mind that in a country in which there are seven or eight chiefs, nothing regular or settled is to be looked for. I have therefore sent for my sisters and the females of my family* into Hindustān,* and having resolved on making Kābul, and all the neighbouring countries and districts, part of the imperial domain, I have written fully on the subjects to Humāiūn and Kāmrān. Let some man of judgement deliver to them the letters now sent. I have formerly written on the same subject to the Mirzas, as perhaps you may know. There is therefore now no obstacle nor impediment to the settling of the country*; and if the defences of the castle are not strong, if the inhabitants of the kingdom are distressed, if there be no provisions in the granaries, or if the treasury be empty, the fault must, in future, be laid on the governor of the country.
‘There are several matters necessary to be attended to, a list of which I shall subjoin. Regarding some of them I had previously written you, so that you will be, in some degree, prepared for them.* They are as follows*: The castle must be put in a state of complete repair; the granaries must be stored, and provender laid up; the going and coming of ambassadors must be attended to*; the Grand Mosque must be repaired, and the expense provided for out of the tax levied on gardens and orchards.* Again, the caravanserais, and baths, and the large portico of brick, built by Ustād Hassan Ali in the citadel, and the unfinished palace,* must be properly repaired and completed, after consulting with Ustād Sultan Muhammed. If Ustād Hassan Ali has already drawn a plan, let him complete it according to that plan. If he has not, you must consult together, and fix upon some beautiful design, taking care that the court be on a level with the floor of the Hall of Audience. Again, the buildings as you go to Little Kābul, near Bādash-Khāk,* must be attended to,* and the water-mound of Ghazni must likewise be thoroughly repaired. As for the garden of Hanāwān,* it has but a scanty supply of water; a stream, large enough to turn a mill, must be purchased,* and led through the grounds. Again, to the south-west of Khwājeh (Basteh), I formerly led the river of Tūtūn-dareh* by the foot of a rising ground, where I formed a plantation of trees*; and as the prospect from it was very fine,* I called it Nazergāh (The Prospect). You must there also plant some beautiful trees, form regular orchards, and all around the orchards sow beautiful and sweet-smelling flowers and shrubs, according to some good plan.*
‘Syed Kāsim has been appointed to accompany the artillery-men.*
‘You must remember too, to pay particular attention to Ustād Muhammed Hassan, the armourer.*
‘Immediately on receiving this letter, you will, without loss of time, attend my sisters, and the ladies of my family,* as far as Nilāb; so that, whatever impediments there may be to their* leaving Kābul, they must, at all events, set out from it within a week after this arrives; for as a detachment has left Hindustān, and is waiting for them, any delay will expose it to difficulties,* and the country too will suffer.
‘In a letter which I wrote to Abdallah, I mentioned that I had much difficulty in reconciling myself to the desert of penitence; but that I had resolution enough to persevere,*
(Tūrki verse)— I am distressed since I renounced wine;
I am confounded and unfit for business,—
Regret leads me to penitence,
Penitence leads me to regret.*
‘I remember an anecdote of Banāi. He was one day sitting by Mīr Ali Sher, and had said something witty. Mīr Ali Sher, who had on a vest with rich buttons, said, “The witticism is excellent; I would give you my vest were it not for the buttons.’* Banāi answered, “Why should the buttons hinder it? I fear the button-holes* are the impediment.” The truth of the anecdote must rest with him that told it me. Excuse me for deviating into these fooleries. For God’s sake, do not think amiss of me for them. I wrote last year the tetrastich which I have quoted; and, indeed, last year,* my desire and longing for wine and social parties were beyond measure excessive; it even came to such a length, that I have found myself shedding tears from vexation and disappointment. In the present year, praise be to God, these troubles are over, and I ascribe them chiefly to the occupation afforded to my mind by* a poetical translation,* on which I have employed myself. Let me advise you too, to adopt a life of abstinence. Social parties and wine are pleasant, in company with our* jolly friends and old boon companions. But with whom can you enjoy the social cup? With whom can you indulge in the pleasures of wine? If you have only Sher Ahmed, and Haider Kuli, for the companions of your gay hours and jovial goblet, you can surely find no great difficulty in consenting to the sacrifice. Feb. 11. I conclude with every good wish.* Written on Thursday, the 1st of the latter Jumāda.’*