Shortly after ascending the throne, Fíroz Sháh was murdered by his maternal uncle Mubáriz Khán. Salím Sháh had anticipated this, and had therefore asked his wife's consent to kill her brother Mubáriz, saying that if she did not accede to his proposal, she would not long see her son alive. The senseless woman did not believe his words, and would not give her consent; but it turned out as Salím Sháh had predicted.* Fíroz Sháh reigned not more than three days and five hours. After his murder, all his Afghán relations claimed the throne. One assumed the title of Sikandar, another of Sultán Ibráhím, and a third of Sultán Muhammad 'Ádil. The rivals contested the point amongst themselves most pertinaciously for three or four years, when, at length, in the month of Shawwál, in the year 963, the Humá of Humáyún again spread the wings of its prosperity and good luck over the kingdom of Hindústán. The dust of distress which had long obscured the beautiful face of the kingdom was washed away by the water of peace and union, and the heart of the country was invigorated by a new infusion of life. Joy and gladness, gratitude and boundless hope, were diffused among all people, both high and low, rich and poor.
Within six months of his second reign Humáyún, while standing one evening enjoying the fresh air on the top of the red palace in the fort of Dehlí, heard the azán called, and sitting down out of respect to the summons to evening prayer, his foot slipped by accident, and he fell to the ground. He died on the spot, or at least a few days afterwards, and the bird of his victorious soul fled to its nest in Paradise. From God we proceed, to God shall we return!
He was succeeded by his son Sultán Abú-l Fath Jalálu-d dín Muhammad Akbar Bádsháh Ghází, of super-eminent dignity, etc. He ascended the throne in his youth, and though more than forty years have elapsed since his reign began, he is still in the very bloom of his dominion, and in the commencement of his power, for every day brings accounts of new victories and new conquests, so that by the blessing of God his kingdom extends over the whole of Hindústán (which is called “Chahárdáng,” that is, a quarter of the world), east and west, north and south, including all its forts and territories, without any one being associated with him in power, and without any one daring to offer opposition. This country is bounded on three sides by the sea, and all the kings and princes, chiefs, nobles, and Rájás, and all people, of every degree, throughout the whole country, pay allegiance to him, willingly acknowledge him as their sovereign, and place the head of abject submission on the ground in his presence. Territories, treasures, elephants, horses, armies, and all other things, suitable to the state and dignity of Emperors, came into his possession in such abundance, that they are beyond all calculation, and are of a value far exceeding anything which has ever yet been in the possession of other Emperors.
“This monarch, at the very commencement of his reign, effected that which kings who have reigned many years have not been able to accomplish.” “God can place the whole world in the hands of one person!”
The kings and Sultáns, who have been spoken of in this book, are not worthy of those titles in the presence of the exalted Majesty of Akbar, with the exception, perhaps, of one or two individuals; but to call even them kings, in comparison, requires no small degree of courage and resolution.
In short, it is difficult to describe the victories and conquests of the Emperor Akbar, his rules and regulations, his principles of government, his extraordinary orders, his courteous manners, and the many innovations which he introduced. Entire volumes and registers would not contain them. If I be blessed with a long life, and if I receive the aid of God, I shall attempt to the utmost of my power to write, free from error, the history of the Emperor. May it be the will of God that, through the aid of this omnipotent Emperor of Emperors, the Muhammadan law and religion may be established for ever and ever! “O God of the worlds, accept this prayer!”