At this time the officers of Khurāsān made 'Abbās M. an instrument of strife and had the boldness to attack Mashhad. Though Murtaẓa Qulī was defeated in battle, yet he displayed activity in defending the city. The Shah (Khudābanda) led an army in that direction and invested Turbat, which is on the way to Herat and was held by Murshid Qulī K.* On account of the duplicity of the ⁵⁹² disloyal he made a peace after six months and returned to 'Irāq. At this time news came that 'Abbās M. was meditating the giving of battle, but that he was indulging in the slumber of security on account of the withdrawal of the Shah. The latter left his baggage and, owl-like, made a night attack on his (‘Abbās’) camp. Many leaders were killed, and some were made prisoners. Much booty was obtained. The Mīrzā shut himself up with some men in Herat, and was besieged there. Owing to the folly of intriguers within and without (Herat), men proceeded to the height of shamelessness, and forcibly took M. Sulaimān* out of the palace and killed him. The Shāh was obliged to make an insincere peace (a wolf's truce) and to return. He led his army into Aẕarbaijān in order to dispose of the Turkish commotion. Ḥamza M. (his son) became the general. The disloyal Turks* (i.e. the Turks in the Persian service) behaved badly also to the Mīrzā (Ḥamza) and prevented the success of the campaign. They separated from him and came to Qazwīn, and raised up ahmāsp* the young son of the Shāh. Ḥamza left his quarters and showed activity in attacking them. He was victorious and then returned to his former enterprise. Meanwhile Murshid Qulī succeeded by stratagem in taking Mashhad. 'Abbās M. under the guidance of 'Alī Qulī proceeded to give battle, but was defeated and went to Herat. Murshid Qulī became the Atālīq of the Mīrzā ('Abbās). At this time Ḥamza M. was killed by the son of a bar­ber.* The officers made Abū ālib M. the young son of the Shāh their leader (peshwā). The report of the coming of 'Abdullah K. to take Herat became general. Murshid Qulī K. took 'Abbās M. to 'Irāq, and the Qizilbāsh deserted daily and joined him. At last Shāh Sulān* Maḥmūd and Abū ālib also joined. Both were placed in retirement. In the 32nd Divine year, 1587, the khuba was recited in his ('Abbās's) name. He out of suspicion put many to death. Though he could not succeed in taking Āẕarbaijān and gave up Khurāsān for a while, yet when the ruler of Tūrān* died, he got hold of Khurā­sān. On account of the tumult of youth he shed blood without consideration, and disgraced some persons, but he subsided somewhat at the remonstrance of the world's lord. It is to be hoped that a good day will come.

Also, in this year Mihtar Ibrāhīm brought from Qandahar the petition of Moaffar Ḥusaīn M. He conveyed presents and suppli­cations. The excuse-accepting Shāhinshāh showed kindness to the envoy.

On the 18th the elephants* which Rajah Mān Singh had obtained at the time of the Orissa Peace arrived at Court and H.M. took pleasure in beholding them.

An occurrence was the arrival of Miriam Makānī from Agra When news of her approach reached H.M., he sent his sons, one after the other, to greet her.

On 21 Khūrdād (31 May 1591) H.M. embarked in a boat, and went to the tent of that great lady and did her reverence. Next morning they enjoyed themselves in river-palaces (boats) and came to the city.