CHAPTER LXXXIX.
THE SENDING OF QĀSIM K. TO CONQUER KASHMĪR.

496 As the Kashmīrīāns in their folly did not adhere to the treaty, and as Ya'qūb the evildoer thought that he was safe behind the barrier of difficult mountains, and was proceeding rapidly in an evil course, H.M. addressed himself anew to the conquest of the country. A discussion took place about sending troops there. Many leaders thought the enterprise difficult and were not inclined for it. Though the writer of the noble volume frequently pointed out excellent methods for the conquest, there was no good result. By the orders of H.M., a meeting of astrologers was held, and a close investigation of the horoscope of the year, and of the state of the constellations, was made. The diagrams (namūdar) showed that if some energy were exerted the conquest would be quickly made. When this was brought to the knowledge of H.M., his royal idea took form. At this time Ḥaidar Cak and Shaikh Ya'qūb Kashmīrī represented, “The grandees of that country will not swerve from our views, and if a few of the landholders be sent with the Panjāb troops, it is probable that the country will come into H.M.'s hands without a contest.” Accordingly, Mubārak K. and Jalāl K. Gakhars* and other Zamīndārs were sent off. The two Kashmīrīs waited near Bhimbhar in expec­tation of assistance. In the meantime it flashed upon H.M.'s mind that the suggestion that landholders should be taken, indicated that there was some evil design. Accordingly he assigned this service to Qāsim K., who was among the singular of the age for ability and courage. On 18 Tīr, 28th June 1586, Fatḥ K.,* Masnad 'Ālī, Gujar K., M. 'Alī Akbarshāhī, S. Daulat Khanjarī,* S. Sikaudar Rafīq, Shāh Muḥammad, Mīr 'Abdur Razzāq Mamūrī, Yādgār Ḥusain, Lāl Deo, Sonar* Chand, Khwāja ahīr, Pādshāh Qulī Shafaqat, Walī Beg, Hazārī Beg and many manṣabdārs and aḥadīs and officers' servants were sent off under his command. Every one of them was furnished with counsels suitable to his capacity. They were to practise enlightenment, justice, the non-sufferance of wickedness, the accepting of apologies, and the chastisement of the evil. Sharīf* Sarmadī was appointed Bakhshī, and an order was given that the men who had been previously sent should not deviate from the orders of the General.

One of the occurrences was the sending back of the Tūrān ambassador. Though by the return of the royal standards from the banks of the Indus, the ruler of that country had recovered from his alarm, yet when it was represented to H.M. that he was anxious on account of the long detention of his ambassador, H.M. showed him special favours, and gave him leave on 12 Shahrīyūr (23 August), and also set apart various rarities. He despatched Ḥakīm Hamām, who was able and loyal, with a message in order that he might convey the letter and impress on 'Abdullā K. the choice qualities of the Shāhinshāh. He was also to study the minds of high and 497 low and to report thereon. Mīr Ṣadr Jahān Muftī was also sent to express condolences for the death of Sikandar* K. He had died three years before, but as at that time there was an idea of conquer­ing the country, condolences had not been sent. Now that 'Abdullā K. had recourse to amicable expressions, and had adopted the rules of concord, the Mīr was sent upon this mission.