Death of Bírbal.*

In this year (994 A.H.), the victorious armies were sent, under the command of Rájá Bírbal, to put down the insurgent Yúsuf-záís. A person came to the Rájá, and told him that the Afgháns intended to make a night attack upon his force, that the moun­tain pass did not extend beyond three or four kos, and that if he could traverse that distance he would be in safety. Bírbal, without communicating with Zain Khán, resolved to go through the pass, and setting his forces in motion, he arrived at the gorge about sunset. The Afgháns assembled from all sides upon the sum­mits of the pass with arrows and stones, and the royal forces, losing their way amid the darkness in the narrow defile, fell into the deep holes and abysses, and there perished. The royal army thus experienced a severe defeat, and nearly 8000 men were slain. Rájá Bírbal, who fled to save his life, was killed, and no trace of him was found. Zain Khán and Abú-l Fath were also defeated on the 5th Rabí'u-l awwal of the same year, and with great difficulty made their way to Átak. This defeat had great effect upon the mind of the Emperor, and several times he refused to see (these commanders). Rájá Todar Mál was chosen to head a well-appointed force, and repair this disaster. The Rájá advanced into the mountains with great skill, where he erected several forts, and he conducted the campaign with such consummate judgment, that the Afgháns were soon driven back, and kept within narrow bounds.

Curious work of Art.

One of the wonders of art which was exhibited during this year (A.H. 1003) was the work of Saiyid Husain Shírází. He used to stand with a box in his hand, and when any one gave him a rupee he threw it into the box, and it kept on rolling until it fell to the bottom. Upon this, a parrot which was chained to it began to speak, and two fowls began also to cackle at one another. Then a small window opened, at which a panther put out its head, and let a shell fall from its mouth into a dish which was placed on a lion's head, and the shell then came out of the lion's mouth. A short time elapsed, when another window opened, and another lion came forth, took the shell in its mouth and retired, and the windows again closed. Two elephants then appeared with perfect trunks, and there were also two figures of men, who sounded drums. A rope then thrust itself forward, and again retreated, of its own accord. Two other men then advanced, and made obeisance. Shortly after, another window opened, and a puppet came forth with an ode of Háfiz in its hand, and when the ode was taken away from the puppet, it retired, and the window was closed. In short, whenever a piece of money was placed in the hands of Husain Shírází, all these marvels were exhibited. The King first gave a gold mohur with his own hand, and witnessed the sight. He then ordered his attendants to give a rupee each. The odes which were presented were given by the King to Nakíb Khán, by whom they were read out. This exhibition lasted for several nights.

Famine.

During the year 1004 H. there was a scarcity of rain through­out the whole of Hindústán, and a fearful famine raged con­tinuously for three or four years. The King ordered that alms should be distributed in all the cities, and Nawáb Shaikh Faríd Bokhárí, being ordered to superintend and control their distribu­tion, did all in his power to relieve the general distress of the people. Public tables were spread, and the army was increased, in order to afford maintenance to the poor people. A kind of plague also added to the horrors of this period, and depopulated whole houses and cities, to say nothing of hamlets and villages. In consequence of the dearth of grain and the necessities of ravenous hunger, men ate their own kind. The streets and roads were blocked up with dead bodies, and no assistance could be rendered for their removal.

The Emperor wounded.

In this year also the King, while witnessing an antelope-fight, was wounded in the thigh by one of their horns, which penetrated very deep. Great alarm was felt throughout the country, but after retiring for a few days to the inner apartments, and seating himself on the carpet of affliction, he recovered, by the blessing of God, and restored comfort to the hearts of all the world.

Curious apartment.

One of the curiosities exhibited this year was manufactured by the most celebrated physician of the time, Hakím 'Alí. It filled every beholder with wonderment, however wise he might be. He built a room of about the ordinary breadth and length, to which the only entrance was at the top, by a sort of trap-door. Over the roof of the room he constructed a reservoir, which remained full of water, and no one could enter the room except by plunging into the bath. Upon reaching this single entrance, he gained access to the room, which he found furnished with carpets, books, and all the conveniences of a sitting room,—yet no water by any chance ever got into it. It is said that the King one day with some of his private companions got into the room in the way above indicated, and after remaining there some time enjoying their conversation, left it again by the passage through that single trap-door.