When his Majesty entered the paradise-like court of the monarch of Persia, the latter advanced to the edge of the carpet, where the two Kings embraced; after which the Persian monarch placed Humâyûn to his right, and they sat down on the same cushion. He then made several kind enquiries respecting his health, and the circumstances of his journey. He then said, “you must put on the Persian cap;” Humâyûn replied, “that a Taj (crown) is an emblem of greatness; I will with pleasure wear it.” Tah­mãsp then with his own hands placed the cap on the King’s head; on which all the trumpets of the royal band sounded, and all the Nobility, having prostrated themselves, said, “God be praised!” such is their custom.

The King then requested that the Princes might all be seated, but the Persian monarch replied, “that would be contrary to our regulations.”

After this, orders were given for the entertain­ment to be brought in; but the Persian monarch desired that the King’s Suferchy (butler) might lay the table cloth; on which Yakûb (the butler) came forward and spread the cloth, and the two Kings sat down to eat: when they had finished, the trum­pets were again sounded, and the attendants prostrated themselves. But the particular object of the present ceremony was to return thanks, that the Almighty God had brought so great a Prince as Humâyûn to take refuge at the foot of the imperial throne.

After some other ceremonies, Shâh Tahmãsp said, “your Majesty’s abode is to be either with the Prince Bahram or the minister Budder Khân,” he then gave him leave to retire. The Prince Bahram then took the King to his house, where, having enjoyed the hot bath, he had his hair cut off; and the Prince having sent him three honorary dresses, put one of them on; after which they passed the night in feasting and carousing.

The next day the Persian monarch marched to the city of Sultanyeh;* and as he was passing the King’s residence in the morning, his Majesty came to the door and made his salutation; but as it was not returned in a polite manner the King was much hurt, and on his arrival at Sultanyeh went and seated him­self in the dome of Sultân Mohammed Khodabundeh, the founder of the Shiâhs in Persia, and began to reproach himself for having sought protection with Shâh Tahmásp, whose behaviour was not sufficiently courteous.

It further happened, that one day when a large quantity of wood had been sent to the King’s residence for the use of the followers, Shâh Tahmâsp sent a message to his Majesty, saying, “unless he and all his adherents would become Shiâhs, he would make a funeral pile for them with that wood.”* (See Sir J. Malcolm’s panegyric in Advertisement.)

The King returned the message, “that he and his adherents were all firmly attached to their own religion, and would not deviate therefrom; that the Persian monarch might do as he pleased, but that their lives were in the hands of God, without whose permission no injury could reach them, and on His protection they alone trusted.”

Thus his Majesty continued firm in his faith, and only requested that he and his followers might be permitted to proceed on their pilgrimage to Mecca; to this it was replied, “that he, Shah Tahmãsp, would shortly draw his armies against the Sûnnies (the Turks) and annihilate them, but that as Humàyûn had entered Persia of his own accord, he must now adopt the religion of that country, or take the consequences.”

Soon after this event Cazy Jehan, the agent of Tahmâsp, who was a highly respectable person, waited on his Majesty, and said, “you are not alone; there are seven hundred Sûnnies here, who will all share your fate; but circumstances now require that you should temporise with your oppres­sors; and if they importune you, from which God and the Prophet protect you! you must say, that being helpless, you will do as they wish.” The King said, “what is their object? bring it to me in writing.” Some time after, the Cazy came again, and brought three papers from Shâh Tahmâsp; the King having read two of them pushed them away; but when he had read the third he got up, came to the door of the tent, and was about to call out to his people, when the Cazy followed and begged him to be quiet; that there was now no remedy, and that he must temporise; after which the King became more tranquil, and signed one of the papers which the Cazy carried to the Persian monarch.

Some time after this nefarious transaction, Sháh Tahmásp ordered a hunting party, and directed Cazy Jehan to attend his Majesty. In the course of three days a great number of animals were surrounded, and many of them killed; but it so happened that several deer made their escape at that part of the circle where we were; for each of which the Persian demanded a fine of a horse and one Tuman.*

The next day Sháh Tahmãsp gave orders that the Prince Bahram should escort the King to see the Throne of Solimãn (ruins of Persepolis); in con­sequence of which we marched all night, and arrived there early in the morning. The Prince then proposed, that as there were a number of animals enclosed there, the King should amuse himself in shooting.* We, therefore, continued our sport till after mid-day, when the King being very tired, alighted to say his prayers; but when he performed his ablutions, the only persons of his attendants then present were myself and the butler; his Majesty then ordered me to champoo him, which I did till he was recovered from his fatigue; after which he again mounted his horse, and proceeded to join the army.

It was customary with his Majesty always to carry his valuable diamonds and rubies in a purse in his pocket; but when he was performing his ablutions he generally laid them on one side; he had done so this day, and forgot them: it so happened that when the King was gone, and the humble servant Jouher was about to remount his horse, he saw a green-flowered purse lying on the ground, and a pen-case by the side of it: he immediately took them up, and as soon as he had overtaken the King, presented them. When his Majesty saw these articles he was amazed and astonished, and said, “Oh, my boy, you have done me the greatest favour possible; if these had been lost, I should have ever been subject to the meanness (rezalet) of this Persian monarch: do you in future take care of them.”

Now the reason that his Majesty kept these diamonds and rubies about his person was, that he had formerly entrusted his valuables to Rushen Beg, who had been guilty of dishonesty; on which account the King thought it too great a temptation to be given in charge of any other servant.

Whilst we were on our return to the camp, his Majesty took the opportunity of viewing the ruins of Persepolis. Among other curious things we saw a cave, hollowed out of a mountain, in which they used to confine state prisoners. After viewing this wonderful place, the King proceeded to the camp, and arrived there as they were saying the evening prayers.

The next morning the King again joined the hunters, and, having proceeded to a place about four coss from the Tukhti Soliman, began the sport; but the orders of Shah Tahmasp were, that no person but himself and the King should discharge an arrow without express permission. After a short time, a deer came bounding towards his Majesty; when the Persian monarch called out, “now, Humãyûn, let us see how you shoot.” On which his Majesty discharged his arrow, which struck the animal behind the ear, and it fell struggling on the ground; at which all the Persians were astonished, and said, “certainly Humãyûn will be a fortunate prince.” The party soon after returned to the tents, and nine deer were sent as a present to the King.

We remained several days encamped on the hunting grounds; during this time his Majesty ordered his diamonds and rubies to be brought to him; and having selected the largest diamond, placed it in a mother-of-pearl box; he then added several other diamonds and rubies; and having placed them on a tray, gave them in charge of Byram Beg to present them to the Persian monarch, with a message, “that they were brought from Hindûstân purposely for his Majesty.”*

When Shãh Tahmãsp saw these precious stones he was astonished, and sent for his jewellers to value them. The jewellers declared they were above all price; on which the Persian signified his acceptance, and conferred on Byram Beg the title of Khãn, with permission to use the kettle-drum and standard. The diploma and insignia were sent the next day; but from that time, for two months, there was no intercourse of any kind between the monarchs.