CHAPTER XXVI.
RETURN OF THE ROYAL CAVALCADE FROM JHAJHAR AND THE SENDING
OF TROOPS TO ARREST BAIRĀM KHĀN'S PROGRESS.

As H.M's mind was not at ease about Bairām Khān's pro­ceedings, and it was not fitting that the Shāhinshāh in person should make the expedition, the world-adorning mind resolved that Adham Khān, Sharafū-d-dīn Ḥusain Mīrzā, Pīr Muḥammad Khān, Majnūn Khān and a large body should be sent to Nāgor. If it should appear that he did not intend to go to the Hijāz, but wanted to put H.M. off his guard by this report, and to proceed to the Panjab, which was a mine of resources, and there become a reservoir of dis­turbance, these brave men were to bind on the girdle of courage and inflict punishment on him, otherwise they were to arrange for his leaving the imperial domains. Nāgor and its territory were given in fief to M. Sharifu-d-dīn Ḥusain. The officers proceeded in a proper fashion to perform this service. Muḥammad Ṣādiq Khān was sent to put down the sedition of Sikandar Khān's son and of Ghāzī Khān Tanūr, whom Bairām Khān had separated from himself, when he marched out, and who, in conjunction with Mattar Sen were mak­ing a disturbance in the province of Sambal. He hastened there and chastised them. The troops having been sent off, the imperial caval­cade set out on its return, and on 28th Ardībihisht, Divine month, cor­responding to Wednesday 11th Sh'abān (3rd May) it arrived at Delhi. The gates of justice and benevolence were opened before mankind.

Bairām Khān was in Sirkār Mewāt when the news of the approach of the army was spread in his camp. At once his flourishing circumstances declined, and men separated from him. Except Walī Beg and his two sons Ḥusain Qulī Beg and Ism'āīl Qulī Beg who were related to him, and Shāh Qulī Khān Maḥram, and Ḥusain Khān and some others, no one remained with him. The soldiers separated from him in crowds and came to Court.

When the fortunate army was coming in that direction, march by march, Bairām Khān became convinced that it was not possible for him to remain longer. His heart turned away from power, and he sent a petition full of supplication and various kinds of excuses. He expressed his regret at separation, and begged leave to visit the holy shrines. He also sent some elephants, tumāntogh, a standard, a kettledrum and other insignia of office along with Ḥusain Qulī Beg, who afterwards received, by the Shāhinshāh's favour, the title of Khān Jahān, in the hope that by submissiveness he might be able to effect something. To the officers, who had been appointed to dispose of him, he wrote: “Why do you give yourselves trouble; my heart has grown cold to the world and the burden thereof. I have sent my insignia to Court.” The officers were deceived and returned. Ḥusain Qulī was admitted to do homage in Delhi, and it appeared perfectly clear to everyone that Bairām Khān had set off on pilgrimage. At the same time Shaikh Gadaī the intriguer returned to Court frustrated and lost. Though he was worthy of punishment he was treated with favour. Far-sighted courtiers kept their ears open for the report that perhaps there was some treachery and that such would raise its head again from some quarter, and that it would be difficult to amend it. Just then a report suddenly sprung up that he had turned away to the Panjāb, and the dust of commotion arose. The evil-minded waiters upon events were pleased for a time. O God, may such runagates never attain their objects!