CHAPTER XCV.
THE DISPATCH OF AN ARMY UNDER MALAB K., AND THE DISGRACE OF
THE JALĀLA TĀRĪKĪS.

From the time that Mān Singh had fought in the defiles and had won a hard-earned victory, he could not bring himself to enter the mountains again, and spent his time in Jamrüd near the Khaibar ravine, and indulged in futilities of speech. H.M. censured him, and took measures for the uprooting of the thornbrake of the Tārīkīs. Another army was appointed to go to the hills by the route of Bangash, while Mān Singh should march from Bigrām. On 7 Ardībihisht, 18 April, Beg Nūrīn K., Sheroya K., Selīm K., Muḥammad Ḥusain, S. 'Alī, Muḥammad Alif, Aḥmad Beg, Tāsh Beg, Muḥammad Qulī Beg, Moaffar Koka, Kafshī Bahādur, Shādī Beg, Ḥasan 'Alī 'Arab, S. M'arūf, S. Kabīr, Walī Beg, Mohan Dās, Allah Bakhsh, Khwāja Qubu-d-dīn and other brave men were sent off under the command of Maalib (sic) K. When they reached the Indus near Sambala, Zangī K and other heads of the Niyāzī clan—who had their home near there—joined the victorious army. The latter crossed at the Copāra* ferry (guẕr), and reached the villages of the 'Īsākhel. Fīrūz K., Jamāl, 'Alī and others came and paid their respects. Most were of opinion that they should march up to Bangash by Daur and Naghz, and from there hasten on to the homes of the Tārīkīs. Jamāl Tārīkī, by the guidance of his star, joined the army. He represented that the best route was by the Ābdara, which is a defile between Bānū and Dar* Samand from which the Bangash river emerges. After crossing the river in several places in the course of twelve kos, one arrives at the town of Dar Samand. As his words bore the marks of truthfulness, they took that road. Near Buland* Khail the cultivation of the Tārīkīs was grazed upon by the animals, and news came that Jalāla had come out of Lūcak— which is a rugged spot and his fortress—and was three kos from Dar Samand, and was meditating a night-attack. At night the officers came out of their camp and were on their guard. Next day they arrived at Dar Samand. When the enemy perceived that they could do nothing at night, and as they were also disturbed by the news of the approach of the Jamrūd army, they resolved that at the time of encamping, when the soldiers were not in battle-order, they would make an attack. In accordance with this resolution they, on 14 521 Amardād (beginning of August 1587), at midday, when the air was excessively hot, suddenly appeared with 1,000 cavalry and 15,000 foot. They entered into a fight with Shīroya K., Beg Nūrīn K., and Selīm K., who were in charge of the rearguard. At this time Muḥ. Qulī Beg, asan 'Alī 'Arab and others arrived, and turned back the enemy's van. The wretch (Jalāla) turned his rein and came near the camp by another route. Muḥ. Alif, Aḥmad Beg, Shādī B., Mohan Dās and others came up, and fought bravely. There was a time of life-scattering, and of hunting for lives. Though the thread of combat was severed, and the general had not the good fortune to mount* his horse, and many brave men could not come up, the wondrous Fortune—which is an example of the Divine aid— displayed the countenance of victory. Five hundred and fifty of the enemy fell on the field of battle, and 1000 were killed in their flight. The foolish one after a thousand failures took shelter in the hills. No man of note in the victorious army was wounded, but for nine Turanians was the cup of life filled. Sixteen young men became known by their wounds. If the Jamrūdarmy had come up, Jalāla would have been taken. But they followed him up and plundered his home and set fire to his household goods. The whole of the Afrīdī and Orakzai tribes who sheltered that wicked one, gave hostages and became submissive. The army returned and came to Bangash, though,* on account of the scarcity, it was difficult to remain there. Maalib was seized with a strange insanity and was sent to court.

One* of the occurrences was the sending of M. Yūsuf K. to take charge of Kashmīr. Qāsim K. had by strenuous exertions, and a wide capacity, taken that delightful country, and had endured great labours. He brought many recalcitrants to punishment, and he sent many leaders to court. A large number too had joined him. The country was civilized by justice, and foes retreated to the lanes of failure. But at this time of thanksgiving his foot began to slide, and bad companionship led him into improper desires. He set him­self to oppress the Kashmīrīs, and demanded what the soldiers of the country had taken at the time of Y'aqūb's* supremacy. During the winter time, which was not the season of coming and going, men endured with bitterness, but when the climate became milder, the wasps-nest of the evil-minded became active. Many left him, and brought out Y'aqūb from his despised position. There was a hot commotion in Janīr* 23 kos from the city. Though troops went there, they could not carry through the business. Qāsim was obliged to go there in person. When he approached, Y'aqūb hastened 522 towards the city by secret routes. The officers followed him rapidly. He took refuge at a little hill in Bahārah,* three kos from the city, and waited his opportunity. The imperialists arrived there. Though by the rapid march the capital was saved from plunder, yet on account of the strength of the place, and the difficulties of the roads, their object was not accomplished. They had to leave the proper work unfinished and to come to the city. The enemy's strength increased. After some time, Qāsim again came out to fight. Though every day there was fighting between the skirmishers, yet on five occasions there were close engagements, followed by victory. On the sixth occasion, which was when Saiyid 'Abdullah was in com­mand, there was a disaster, and Mīrzāda 'Alī* was killed. The brave men defeated the enemy, and got to the top of the hill. At this time it came on to rain (snow?). The experienced were of opinion that they should encamp, but this view was not accepted, and they retreated. As they were descending, the wicked foe showered stones and arrows from every side. Owing to the hurry, the narrownesss of the defile, and the slipperiness of the road, men lost heart and fell, one on the top of the other, and Mīrzāda 'Alī lost his life. Srī Rang, the cousin of Rai Rai Singh, and 40 men, stood firm and fought bravely. They yielded up their short lives and reaped eternal renown. The steadiness of some brave men was the means of saving many. Nearly 300 were killed. Next day Qāsim went forward to do battle. The Kashmīrīs lost heart and fled, and Y'aqūb went off to Kāmrāj. The officers returned and had a joyful meeting. Y'aqūb and Shams Cak made a treaty with one another, and stirred up commotion. But as there is no concord in that country, they quarreled near Andarkūl.* After a short time they were reconciled by the efforts of some men, and it was agreed that as by their being in one place, the disputes between the servants led to disagreements among the masters, they should remain sepa­rate. With this view Y'aqūb went off to the hill* of Sulaimān, and was active there, and Shams Cak went to Andarkūl. Many thought that the victorious army should also divide itself into two bands. But most men did not approve of this, thinking that loss would ensue if they were in two places. All resolved first to attack Y'aqūb and went off in that direction. Every day there was fighting, and by the might of daily-increasing fortune, victory declared herself. On the 5th* day of the month (Shahriyūr) Qāsim went off with a number of brave men, and a great battle took place. Fatḥ 'Alī, the leader of the enemy, was killed by an arrow, and the foe were dispersed. The imperialists returned with great joy. Y'aqūb joined Shams Cak, and in a short time again came near the city, and stirred up commotion. There is a high spot2* one kos from the city. It is half a kos long and one-fourth broad. There are some ponds round about it, and in front there is a pond which it is difficult to cross. Those two scoundrels took shelter there with a large following, and in season and out of season they emerged, and plundered. Every day a body of the imperialists came out to fight with them. Qāsim K. too got disgusted and petitioned for his recall. H. M. accepted his request and sent M. Yūsuf K. as the commander of the country. Jagaunāth, Ḥusain Beg, S. 'Ūmrī, Saiyid Bahāū-d-dīn, Qarā Beg, Muhammed Bhat, Bābā Khalīl, Mullā ālib Isfahāñī and many other strenuous persons accompanied him. An order was given that when the wicked had been punished, Qāsim K. should return to Court. When the Kashmīrīs heard of the coming of the army, they sent some men to the ravines, in order that by coalescing with the Nāīkän (guardians of the passes) they might make the road secure. When M. Yūsuf K. heard of this he sent off Muhammad Bhat, Bābā Khalīl and Mullā ālib with conciliatory messages. Though the guardians of the routes did not wait upon them, yet they yielded to their soft speeches and turned aside. M. Yūsuf left Jagan­nāth at the foot of the pass and traversed it himself with ease. Before they had reached the camping* ground the evildoers had dispersed. Y'aqūb went off to Kathwāra (Kishtwār) and Shams Cak took refuge in the hills of Kāmrāj. M. Yūsuf gave Qāsim K. leave to go to Court, and secretly bade adieu to Jagannāth. He unloosed the tongue of conciliation and set about winning hearts. A remedy was found for men's terror. He sent Mubarik K., Jalāl K. and Saiyid Daulat with a body of men against Shams Cak. The latter made a night attack from Taragānw* and obtained much plunder. At dawn the imperialists pursued him and inflicted such a defeat on him that he did not rise up again, and made his submission on the safe-conduct of Saiyid Bahāū-d-dīn. M. Yūsuf K. sent him to court with the Mīr (Bahāū-d-dīn).

One of the occurrences was the birth of Sultān Khusrau. The Almighty Creator has adorned the honoured personality of H. M. with thousands of praiseworthy qualities, and his fortune is daily increasing. But the arrival of every thing depends on the movements of the heavens and is associated with a particular time. At this time which was the beginning of the spring time of dominion, the appear­ance of a grandson—which is one of the great gifts of God, and the most excellent fruit of age—the universe had new expansion, and mankind had new strength. After the lapse of ten hours and thirty-six minutes, on the day of Dīn 24 Amardād (about middle August 1587), the auspicious pearl displayed itself in the city of Lahore, in the bedchamber of Prince Sultān Selīm, from the chaste womb of the daughter of Rajah Bhagwant Dās. The news brought joy, and the Age set itself to rejoice. The coiners of celestial mysteries opened their far-seeing eyes and expounded somewhat of the glorious work of 524 the spheres and the stars.