[Khwája 'Abdu-l Majíd, who had received the title of Ásaf Khán, was appointed governor of Karra, and in that province he rendered good service. One of his services was the conquest of Garha, a territory abounding in hills and jungles, which had never been conquered by any ruler of Hind since the rise of the faith of Islám. At this time it was governed by a woman called Rání, and all the dogs of that country were very faithful and devoted to her. Ásaf Khán had frequently sent emissaries into her country on various pretexts, and when he had learnt all the circumstances and peculiarities of the country, and the position and treasures of the Rání, he levied an army to conquer the country. The Rání came forth to battle with nearly 500 elephants and 20,000 horse. The armies met and both did their best. An arrow struck the Rání, who was in front of her horsemen, and when that noble woman saw that she must be taken prisoner, she seized a dagger from her elephant-driver, and plunged it into her stomach, and so died. Ásaf Khán gained the victory, and stopped his advance at the táluk of Chaurágarh, where the treasures of the rulers of Garha were kept. The son of the Rání shut himself up in the fort, but it was taken the same day, and the youth was trampled to death by horses. So much plunder in jewels, gold, silver, and other things was taken, that it was impossible to compute the tenth part of it. Out of all the plunder, Ásaf Khán sent fifteen elephants to Court, and retained all the rest for himself.]
[When the Emperor marched from Gágrún against the Ráná,
he had only 3000 or 4000 horsemen with him, for he hoped that
the smallness of the force might induce the infidel to try the
event of a battle. But the Ráná knew his own strength, and
while the Emperor was at 100 kos distance from his country, he
fled with his family to the distant hills. He felt at ease about
Chitor, because the Emperor's force had but little siege apparatus,
and it did not seem likely that he would attempt to
reduce the place. But the fort was set in order, great quantities
of provisions were stored, and the garrison consisted of 8000
veterans, including the Ráná's own men, with their wives and
families. When the Emperor entered the Ráná's territory, and
was informed of his flight, he wished to pursue him; but he
ascertained that the Ráná had gone to a place far in the hills and
jungles which it was impossible to reach. So the Emperor
determined to attack Chitor, which is an exceedingly strong
fortress. When he came near the fort, the rains were so heavy,
that for a time the fort was invisible; but as the weather cleared,
he got a view of the place. The fortress is situated in the midst
of a level plain, which has no other eminences. The circuit of
this mountain at its base is six kos, and the ground upon which
the walls of the fort stand is nearly three kos. Upon the top of
the hill there is a fountain, but not content with that the constructors
of the fort formed large reservoirs of stone and mortar,
which get filled in the rainy season. So with these supplies the
garrison are never short of water. The eastern side of the fort,
and towards the north, is faced with hard stone, and the garrison
felt quite secure as to that portion. On the other sides if guns
(top), swivels (zarb-zan), catapults (sang-r'ad), and manjaníks
are able to reach the fortress, they cannot do so much harm.
Travellers do not speak of any fortress like this in the whole
habitable world. At this time, all the space of three kos at the
top of the mountain was full, and the houses of the people rose
several storeys over each other. Great numbers of men guarded
the battlements at the top of the walls, and great quantities of
ammunition were stored in the fortress. His Majesty carefully
reconnoitred the place on every side, and saw that it would not
fall without a long siege. When the garrison perceived the small
number of men with the Emperor, and thought of their fortress
being six kos in circumference, they uttered cries of derision.
The batteries were apportioned out among the amírs, and bakh-
Ásaf Khán went under orders to take Rámpúr. He took the place, and having plundered and ravaged the country, he returned victorious. Husain Kuli Khán went to attack Udipúr, the capital of the Ráná and of his ancestors. He ravaged the country with fire and sword, and returned bringing great spoil and numerous prisoners from the fastnesses of the mountains.