I have previously given an account of Meerza Eesa’s death, and of the succession to the throne of Meerza Mahomed Bagee. I have also related, that Mah Begum was taken by Mahomed Babur Badshah from Kandahar to Kabool, where she had a daughter called Naheed Begum, whom she left at Kabool when she escaped to Kandahar.

When Julal-ood-deen Ukbar Badshah Gazee had taken the whole country of Hindoostan, Naheed Begum proposed going to Tatta to her mother; so, obtaining the king’s permission, she went there with her daughter. She met her mother there, and she married her daughter to Meerza Mahomed Bagee. She was killed in the night attack made by Meerza Jan Baba, the brother of her husband.

Meerza Mahomed Bagee sent his daughter to the king with Naheed Begum, but at that time the Urghoons were rebellious, and these met her on the road, and, taking her with them, they went to Tatta, where they fought with Mahomed Bagee, and being defeated by him, they went to Bukkur. Meerza Mahomed Bagee then seized and placed in confinement Mah Begum, giving her nothing to eat or drink; so much so, that on this account she died.

Sultan Mahomed Khan said to Naheed Begum: “If you will get a Firman from the king, I will go and take revenge for you against Meerza Mahomed Bagee.” Therefore, on her return, she related to Ukbar Shah all these circumstances. The king wrote a Firman to Sultan Mahomed, with which Naheed Begum went back towards Bukkur. She did not ask the king for any troops, trusting entirely to what Sultan Mahomed Khan had said; but at her request, the king sent her husband Mohib Ali Khan, and Mojahid Khan with her, having given to them in Jageer Futehpoor and Goohrore in Mooltan.

Sultan Mahomed having suspicions against the Urghoons, turned them out of Bukkur, sending them to Hindoostan. These met Naheed Begum, and her friends, who took them into service. Sultan Mahomed, hearing of this, became much incensed. He was in this angry mood when letters came to him from Naheed Begum, and her companions, to this effect: “We are coming, having confidence in you.” Sultan Mahomed replied to this in harsh, angry terms; at which Naheed Begum, Mohib Ali, and Mojahid Khan fell into much astonishment, saying to each other: “It is wonderful! On what he said we have come, without bringing with us any of the royal troops; and here he is opposed against us.” Calling their attendants, and the Urghoons, they consulted with them as to the course to be pursued: these said it was better now to go to Goohrore, and to send a petition to the king, asking his assistance. Kuluch Khan Oozbuk, who had lately came from the north, and joined them, was present at this council. His opinion was asked, when he replied: “I am a traveller; whatever you decide upon doing, I am willing to agree to it.” They asked him a second time, when he said: “I am a sepoy; give me some men, and I will go in advance, and have one fight with Sultan Mahomed Khan: if I am slain, do you retreat; if I am victorious, that which you desire will be in your hands.” Mojahid Khan, being a brave man, approved of what he said, declaring that it was very proper; that he had spoken like a sepoy; that in his heart he himself had held that opinion, and that he was now ready to advance. In short, 30 men had offered to proceed in advance, the remaining 200 were to follow in a body. They then left Oobawruh, marching towards Matheluh. On hearing of this, the 2,000 men who were then under Moobaruk Khan, a slave of Sultan Mahomed, went forth from the fort, prepared for battle. Mojahid Khan and Kuluch Khan, with their 30 men, meeting these, fell upon them with such vigour, that God gave them the victory before their main body had arrived. Moobaruk Khan with his troops, running away, got into the fort.

“In many places, by God’s assistance, small numbers of men overcome great numbers!”

Moobaruk Khan remained in his fort, making a petition to Sultan Mahomed, relating all that had occurred. So he sent Zain-ool-na-bideen Sultan, with two or three thousand horse, to assist the Matheluh people. When he arrived at Lunjaree, 18 kos from Bukkur, the news of his coming reached Mojahid Khan, who sent Meer Abool Khair, who was related to Sultan Mahomed Khan, and who had first lately joined them from Mooltan, with 150 horse, to fight Zain-ool-na-bideen, who heard of his approach as he was preparing to leave Lunjaree; so, quitting his baggage there, he advanced one or two kos to give him battle. They met, but his men did not fight properly, and turned their faces in the direction of flight. Their leader stood alone, with a few men: amongst these there was one named Haidur Beg, a relative of Sultan Mahomed, who fell there, after having greatly distinguished himself. Zain-ool-na-bideen, finding that all the Juwangurs, the Burangurs, and Moguls, had fled, retreated to Lunjaree. Mojahid Khan’s men, having gained the victory, sent him news of their success; and hearing of this, the men of Matheluh lost all heart, and on the 1st Sufur, 980 (A. D. 1572), Moobaruk Khan asked for quarter, and evacuated the fort, which was entered by Mojahid Khan, who took possession of all that district.

On the 20th of that month, Moosnid Wulee Juatmad Khan, who had been sent by Mahomed Ukbar Shah to bring him the daughter of Sultan Mahomed, arrived at Bukkur, bringing a Khilat befitting a king, a waistcloth, and sword set with precious stones, a horse with capari­sons, and four elephants, as a present from Ukbar Shah for Sultan Mahomed Khan; who in return prepared many valuable things fit for the king as his daughter’s dowry, such as handsome robes of silk, various kinds of jewels, gold articles; and with much pleasure he spread out the cloth for a festival, to which he invited every one, expending much money in different things for eating and drinking. The cloth was spread twice a day for fifteen days; 500 animals were cooked daily in the kitchen during that period. At the party, on the day of the wedding, many Soduts, men of learning, priests, and nobles, were present, to all of whom Sultan Mahomed made presents according to their degree. To Juatmad Khan he gave 30,000 rupees, and many other things as a present. On the 15th Rujub, he sent his daughter to the king by the way of Jaisulmere, accompanied by Zain-ool-na-bideen, Nouroz Khan, and many other confidential men.

At that time Ukbar Shah was hunting in the country of Nagore, having sent Meer Mahomed Khan Utkuh against Siroee, when the news arrived that a Rajpoot, disguised as an ambassador, had wounded Mahomed Khan with a knife. Hearing of this, the king quickly turned the bridle of his intentions there, and from thence he went to Guzerat.

Sultan Mahomed Khan, after sending away his daughter, placing great confidence in Moobaruk Khan, who held in his hands all the affairs of the country, gave him 1,500 well armed horsemen, with whom he sent him to Alore, thinking that, by his being there, the faces of his enemies might be turned away. But it was the will of God to cause the fall of the mansion of Sultan Mahomed Khan’s authority; therefore that force joined his enemies, and became opposed to him.