out of the city, and marshalled them in the field in sight of the enemy. Sikandar Khán and 'Abdu-lla Khán Uzbek and Lál Sultán Badakhshí, who were on the right wing, defeated the forces opposed to them. Then Hímún, with a reserve which he had and some fierce elephants, made an attack upon the Mughals, and Tardí Beg Khán, being unable to repel this assault, was obliged to retreat. But although Hímún had thus, by his tactics and artifice, prevailed over Tardí Beg Khán, he did not think of pursuing him. That portion of the enemy's army which had been defeated, finding themselves, to their surprise, unmolested, returned to the scene of action, and then learned that Tardí Beg Khán had been discomfited and put to flight. Hímún then occupied Dehlí, and Tardí Beg Khán and the other nobles proceeded to the Emperor. Khán-zamán joined them at the town of Sirhind.
The Emperor and his followers were engaged at Jálandhar in counteracting the efforts of Sultán Sikandar. When the intelligence of this disaster reached him, he appointed Khwája Khizr Khán, who belonged to the lineage of the Mughal Sultáns, and had married Gulbadan Begam, the aunt of the Emperor, to oppose Sultán Sikandar, while he himself marched to Dehlí. Upon his reaching the town of Sirhind, the defeated nobles waited upon him. But Khán-khánán, who had the general direction of state affairs, had deemed it desirable to destroy Tardí Beg Khán. So he had summoned251 him to his tent, and had caused him to be put to death.251a He had also placed in confinement Khwája Sultán 'Alí and the Mír Munshí and the Khanjar-beg of Tardí Khán. When the royal tents were pitched, 'Alí Kulí Khán and * * * were sent forward with the advanced forces, and the Emperor followed to confront the enemy.
Hímún had greatly vaunted his achievements at Dehlí, and had taken to himself the title of Rájá Bikramájít.252 He had gathered under his command a mighty force, and had fifteen hundred252a war-elephants. With these he hastened to meet the Imperial army. He had sent on his artillery252b in advance, and a detachment of the Emperor's army, which had gone forward, fell in with the artillery at Pánípat, and took it at the point of the sword. When Hímún was informed of this disaster, he was much depressed, but he promised his officers an increase of their emoluments, and gave to each one an elephant on which to ride and exhibit his devotion. He himself mounted an elephant named Hawá (wind), and went forth with scowling brow to meet his royal adversary.
On the morning of Friday, [2nd] Muharram, 964 H. (5 November, 1556), the intelligence of his march was brought in from the advanced guard, and the generals marshalled their forces to receive the attack. Husain Kulí Beg and * * * * other brave officers fought bravely, and defeated their adversaries. Hímún then advanced with his elephants, and made such a determined charge on the Imperial army that the left wing was shaken.252c But by the exertions of the brave archers and by resolute use of spear and sword, firmness was restored. Hímún then drew off his forces, and made an assault upon the centre, which was under the command of Khán-zamán. He led all his elephants against the Khán's men, who received him with showers of arrows. An arrow pierced the eye of Hímún, and came out at the back of his head. When those who were fighting under him saw his condition, their hands were paralyzed, and they broke. The Imperial forces pursued them, and cut many to pieces.
The elephant on which Hímún was riding, when Hímún fell wounded in the howda and its driver was killed,253 made off towards the jungle. It so happened that Sháh Kulí Khán fell in with this elephant, and made his own driver mount it. The driver then perceived that there was a man lying wounded in the howda, and upon examination this person proved to be Hímún himself. Sháh Kulí Khán, fully alive to the importance of his discovery, drove the elephant, along with several others which had been captured in the field, to the presence of the Emperor. Bairám Khán Khán-khánán then put Hímún to death with his own hand.253a
Sikandar Khán Uzbek, according to orders, pursued the fugitives to Dehlí, and sent many of them to hell. Next day the army marched from Pánípat, and without halting anywhere went straight to Dehlí. All the inhabitants of the city of every degree came forth to give His Majesty a suitable reception, and to conduct him with due honour into the city. He remained there one month. Intelligence was brought in that all the children and dependents of Hímún, with his treasures and effects, were in Mewát; so Mauláná Pír Muhammad Shírwání was sent thither. He captured all the persons, and took possession of all the treasures and valuables, and conducted them to the foot of the throne.254
Second year of the Reign.
The beginning of this year corresponded with Tuesday, the 9th Jumáda-l awwal, 964 H. (10 March, 1557). Intelligence arrived that Khizr Khán Khwája254a had been defeated254b by Si-kandar Afghán; the Emperor therefore set out for Lahore, to oppose the victor. When he reached Jálandhar, Sikandar fell back to the Siwálik hills, and the royal forces pursued him to Dísawa,254c and from thence to Damharí. It now became obvious that Sikandar meant to retreat, and had no intention of fighting. A party of distinguished nobles was sent in pursuit, and by rapid marches came up to the camp of Sikandar. He then shut himself up in the fort of Mánkot.254d The Imperial army followed, and laid siege to the fort. Day by day the batteries were advanced, and the garrison was closely pressed.
At this time Her Highness Mariam Makání, mother of the Emperor, with other royal ladies, arrived in Hindústán from Kábul, to the great satisfaction of the Emperor. Muhammad Kulí Birlás, Shamsu-d dín Muhammad Khán Atka, and the other great nobles who had been sent to assist Mun'im Khán at Kábul against Mirzá Sulaimán, at the same time returned to Hindústán to the service of their master. When the ladies were about the distance of a stage from the Imperial camp, the Emperor left Bairám Khán in command of the army, and went forth to meet them, his heart receiving great comfort from the reunion.
After a prolonged siege,255 Sikandar Afghán, being hard pressed, requested that some confidential noble might be sent in to arrange terms with him.255a The Emperor commissioned Atka Khán to perform this duty. When he entered the fortress, Sikandar addressed him in very deprecatory terms, confessing that he had been very bold and presumptuous, and that he knew he had no chance in resistance. He begged that he might be permitted to retire to Bengal, promising to remain faithful in his allegiance, and offering to leave his son as a hostage. Atka Khán returned, and reported these proposals, through Pír Muhammad Khán, to the Khán-khánán, and upon his communicating them to the Emperor, they were graciously approved. Sikandar accordingly sent his son, 'Abdu-r Rahmán, along with Ghází Khán Súr, and he also sent with them several war-elephants and various articles of tribute. So on the 27th Ramazán, 964, the fort was surrendered to the royal forces.255b On the 2nd Shawwál the army marched on its return towards Lahore. After four months and fourteen days the army marched from Lahore on its return to Dehlí.
One day, while the army was lying before Mánkot, His Majesty had two elephants, named respectively Fatúhá and Bakhshá, brought out to fight for his amusement; and as the animals pressed each other, they approached very close to the tent of Khán-khánán. It so happened that the Khán was ill, and confined to his bed with boils. The suspicion came into his mind that the elephants were perhaps directed thither by the royal servants, and this idea was encouraged by the people who were around him. So he sent a person to the Emperor to inquire what fault his detractors had imputed to him, that he should have been subjected to this mark of the royal displeasure.256 After returning to Lahore Khán-khánán still harped upon this matter; and sending for Shamsu-d dín Muhammad Atka, he told him his suspicion, that this unkind action of His Majesty had been instigated by him. When Atka Khán heard this charge, he was much distressed; so he took all his sons with him to the house of Khán-khánán, and by taking an oath upon the Kurán removed his suspicions.256a
After four months and fourteen days, the army marched256b from Lahore to Dehlí. Upon reaching Jálandhar a halt was made, and Khán-khánán was married to Sultán Begam, daughter of Mirzá Núru-d dín, who was a son of the sister of the late Emperor Humáyún. The Emperor Humáyún, during his lifetime, had promised her to the Khán-khánán, and now, under the orders of the Emperor Akbar, the union was accomplished. Khán-khánán gave a splendid banquet, to which he invited His Majesty, who was graciously pleased to honour it with his presence. The Khán was profuse in his generosity on the occasion. At the beginning of the third year of the Iláhí, the army recommenced its march for Dehlí.
Third year of the Reign.
The beginning of this year coincided with Tuesday, 20th Jumáda-l awwal, 965 H. (10th March, 1558), and on the 25th Jumáda-s sání His Majesty arrived at Dehlí. He then turned his attention to the concerns of his subjects and army, and justice and mercy held a prominent place in his councils. The Khán-khánán, in concert with the ministers and nobles of the State, used to attend twice a week in the díwán-khánah, and transact business under the directions and commands of His Majesty.
[Infatuation of Khán-zamán for one of the royal troopers.]
In this year Musáhib Khán, son of Khwája Kalán Beg, one of the principal nobles of the late Emperor, was put to death by order of the Khán-khánán, because he had shown great ill-feeling and malice towards the Khán.
One day in this year His Majesty went out riding on an elephant called Lakhna, and as he was going along, the animal rushed after another elephant. It so happened that he came to a ditch into which he stumbled, and the Emperor was thrown from his seat on the neck of the animal, but his foot was caught in the rope257 which was tied round the beast's neck. The man who was riding behind him came to the ground, but His Majesty clung to the rope until a number of persons collected and released his foot. The elephant extricated himself by his own strength, and His Majesty again mounted him and returned home. After the expiration of six months the Emperor embarked in a boat and fell down to Ágra, where he arrived on the 17th Muharram, 966 H. (30th Oct., 1558), in the third year of the Iláhí.257a
One of the most important incidents of this year was that relating to Mauláná Pír Muhammad Shirwání. The Pír was the general manager (wakíl-i mutlak) of the Khán-khánán,257b and all the business of the State passed through his hands. He was the person to whom the nobles and officers had to make their applications, and of the many, high and low, who attended at his door, he admitted hardly any one. His temper now became so arrogant and perverted that for some days he would not come out of his house. The Khán-khánán went to call upon him as upon a sick person. The slave asked the Khán-khánán to wait until he had made known his wish to the Pír. This greatly incensed the Khán-khánán. When Pír Muhammad was informed of what had passed, he rushed out, and made many apologies to the Khán-khánán, who told him how the slave had refused him admission. The Pír made the excuse that the slave did not know him. Khán-khánán asked him how he knew what the slave thought. But for all that had passed, when the Khán-khánán went in, his servants were not permitted to attend him, excepting Táhir Muhammad Sultán, Mír-i farághat, who made his way in to look after his master. The Khán-khánán sat for a while; but when he came out, he thought over this conduct of Pír Muhammad. After a few days he sent Khwája Amínu-d daula Mahmúd, subsequently Khwája-i Jahán, Mír 'Abdu-lla Bakhshí, Khwája Muhammad Husain Bakhshí, and several other of his followers, to Pír Muhammad Khán, with this message: “Formerly you were a poor student, and came to Kandahár in a needy, forlorn condition; but I perceived some signs of excellence in you, and remembered some old services. I therefore advanced you to the dignity of Khán and Sultán. But your nature is unable to bear this great advancement, and the bad points in your character get the mastery of you. I therefore think it advisable to deprive you for a time of royal distinctions and dignity, so that you may come to your proper senses. You must return your banner, kettle-drum, and all other marks of honour.” So all signs of dignity were immediately taken away from him, and he became simple Pír Muhammad. Some days afterwards he was taken to the fort of Bayána, under Khán-khánán's orders, and from thence was sent to Mecca; but he proceeded to Gujarát, and there remained until after the fall of Bairám Khán, when he returned to Court.
The office of vakíl to Khán-khánán, which was thus taken from Pír Muhammad, was given to Hájí Muhammad Sístání, who was one of the Khán's servants. At this time the dignity of Sadárat-i mamálik (office of Lord Chief Justice) was conferred upon Shaikh Gadáí, son of Shaikh Jamál Kambú of Dehlí, through the interest of Khán-khánán, who remembered the kindness which he had received from the Shaikh during the time of his exile in Gujarát.259 The honour thus conferred gave the Shaikh precedence over the grandees (akábir) of Hindústán and Khurásán. At the same period also that pattern of great men, Mír 'Abdu-l Latíf Kazwíní, was appointed tutor to His Majesty, and His Majesty used often to read with him ghazals in mystic language.259a
The fort of Gwalior was celebrated for its height and strength, and had always been the home of great rájás. After the time of Salím Khán (Islám Sháh) the fort had been placed in the charge of Suhail, one of his ghuláms, by Sultán Muhammad 'Adalí. When the throne of Akbar had been established at Ágra, Habíb 'Alí Sultán, Maksúd 'Alí Kor, and Kiyá Khán were sent to take the fort. They invested it for some days, and the garrison being in distress surrendered.259b
Fourth year of the Reign.
The beginning of this year corresponded with Friday, the 2nd Jumáda-l ákhir, 966 H. (10th March, 1559 A.D.). In this year Khán-zamán was sent to reduce Jaunpúr, the capital of the Sharkiya kings, which was now in possession of the Afgháns. He accordingly marched thither with a large force, and having won great victories, he annexed that country260 to the Imperial dominions. In this year Habíb 'Alí Khán was sent against the fort of Rantambhor. During the rule of Sher Khán Afghán this fort was under the charge of Hájí Khán, one of his ghuláms, and this Hájí Khán had now sold the fort to Ráí Surjan,260a a relation (az khíshán) of Ráí Udí Singh, who held great power in these parts. He had brought all the parganas under his rule, and had enforced his authority. Habíb 'Alí, with his army, invested the fort, and ravaged all the neighbourhood; the amírs then departed to their jágírs.
Shaikh Muhammad Ghaus arrived at Ágra from Gujarát; but as a memoir of the Shaikh is given among the memoirs of the shaikhs of the age in this work, it is unnecessary to dilate upon the subject here. To be brief, in the year 966, the Shaikh arrived with his disciples and a large party at Ágra, and was honoured with a royal reception. But there was ill-feeling between him and Shaikh Gadáí, and Shaikh Gadáí held great ascendancy over Khán-khánán; the consequence was that Shaikh Muhammad did not receive that attention from the Khán-khánán that he had expected. He was greatly annoyed at this, and went off to Gwalior, which was his place of residence, and there remained until the end of his days, discharging the duties of a Shaikh. His Majesty settled upon him one kror (of tankas?) as a pension.
At this time, while the Court was at Ágra, Bahádur Khán,260b brother of Khán-zamán, marched to effect the conquest of Málwa, which had formerly belonged to the Khiljí monarchs, but which had been brought into subjection by Báz Bahádur, son of Shujá' Khán Afghán.260c He had reached the town of Sírí when the agitation arose about Bairám Khán, and under the orders of the Khán he returned.
Fifth year of the Reign.
The beginning of this year was Saturday, 16th Jumáda-l ákhir, 967 H. (10th March, 1560 A.D.). The general management of Imperial affairs was under the direction of Bairám Khán; but there were envious malignant men, who were striving to ingratiate themselves in His Majesty's favour, who lost no opportunity of speaking an ill word to pervert the mind of the Emperor. Prominent among these men was Adham Khán, who, being the son of Máham Anka,261 held a higher position than all the other courtiers. In accord with his mother, he constantly showed his malice; but Khán-khánán's wisdom and ability were so manifest, that Adham's ill-natured observations did not meet with the royal approval. But at length, on the 8th Jumáda-s sání, 967 H., His Majesty crossed the river Jumna on a hunting expedition, and Khán-khánán remained behind at Ágra in charge of the government. His Majesty reached the town of Sikandar, half way to Dehlí. At this time Shahábu-d dín Ahmad Khán Naishapúrí261a held the government of Dehlí, and Her Highness Mariam Makání, mother of the Emperor, was in that city. Máham Anka, who was related to Shahábu-d dín Ahmad Khán,262 settled in her own mind that the best thing she could do was to incite the Emperor to proceed to Dehlí, where, in collusion with Shahábu-d dín Ahmad, she (Anka) might settle what was the best course to pursue. In furtherance of this plan, she represented to the Emperor that Her Highness Mariam Makání was in a weak ailing state, and had a great desire to see him. This statement distressed the Emperor, and he determined to go on to Dehlí.262a Shahábu-d dín came out in state to meet His Majesty, and was graciously received.
Máham Anka, in agreement with Shahábu-d dín, seized every opportunity of saying something to set the mind of the Emperor against Bairám Khán. Thus, she262b insinuated that so long as Bairám Khán was in power, the Emperor would have no will of his own over the affairs of State,—that the whole power was in the Khán's hands, and His Majesty was under his control. At length she said that when Khán-khánán discovered that she had been the cause of the Emperor's proceeding to Dehlí, he would have a grudge against her, and that she was quite unable to contend against his animosity. She therefore begged His Majesty to give her leave to proceed to Mecca, so that at the holy city she might offer up prayers for His Majesty in absence, instead of serving him in presence. The assiduous attention of Máham Anka had won the regard of the Emperor, and he would not listen to the suggestion of separation from her. He said he would request Khán-khánán to overlook her offence, and he sent a message to the Khán to this effect: “As I have come all this way without consulting you, my attendants have fallen under your suspicion. Now you must make yourself quite at ease about them, so that you may continue to serve me with a tranquil mind.” Shahábu-d dín Ahmad was very vigilant and cautious in his proceedings. He began to strengthen the fortifications, and took every precaution to get a control over State affairs: all the while exerting himself, in concert with Máham Anka, to set the attendants of the Emperor against the minister.
Khán-khánán, on receiving the Emperor's message, sent Khwája Amínu-d dín Mahmúd Hájí Muhammad Sistání and Tarsún Beg,263 who held important offices, to Dehlí, to wait upon His Majesty, with this statement: “The devotion and loyalty of your servant would never allow him to do anything to any servant of the State against His Majesty's wishes; for nought but kindness and favour is due to all those who faithfully discharge their duties.”
The royal ears had been filled with injurious stories and statements against Khán-khánán, so the Khán's message did not receive His Majesty's approval, and the messengers were sent back. When the report of His Majesty's displeasure with Khán-khánán became public, all men turned their backs upon him, and their faces towards the Emperor. Among the first who were admitted to royal favour was Kiyá Khán Gang.263a Shahábu-d dín Ahmad Khán, with the assistance of Máham Anka, inspired every one who came to Court with the hope of receiving dignities and jágírs suitable to their condition.
Khán-khánán had long entertained a desire to go on pilgrimage to the holy places. He informed the amírs and kháns who still held to him of the project he had formed, and then quitted the Imperial service. He sent along with these men Bahádur Khán, whom he had called from Málwa, and leaving Ágra,263b he proceeded towards Nágor on his pilgrimage to the holy places. When he arrived at Bayána, he set at liberty Muhammad Amín Díwána, who was there confined, and sent him to Court. As soon as intelligence of Khán-khánán's departure from Ágra arrived, Shahábu-d dín Ahmad Khán and Máham Anka represented to His Majesty that he had left Ágra with the intention of attacking the Panjáb. His Majesty then sent Mír 'Abdu-l Latíf to the Khán-khánán with this message: “As I was fully assured of your honesty and fidelity, I left all important affairs of State in your charge, and thought only of my own pleasures. I have now determined to take the reins of government into my own hands, and it is desirable that you should now make the pilgrimage to Mecca, upon which you have been so long intent. A suitable jágír out of the parganas of Hindústán shall be assigned for your maintenance, the revenues of which shall be transmitted to you by your agents.”
When Mír 'Abdu-l Latíf communicated this message to Khán-khánán, he listened attentively, and having parted from the Mír, he left Mewát on his way to Nágor. Of all his followers there now remained with him only Walí Beg Zú-l Kadar, his sons Husain Kulí Beg and Isma'íl Kulí Beg, who were relations of his, Sháh Kulí Mahrim, Husain Khán his sister's son, and his son-in-law Mahdí Kásim Khán. Upon reaching Nágor, he sent his banner, kettle-drums, and all other marks of nobility, to the Emperor by the hands of Husain Kulí Beg. The Emperor had left Dehlí, and was proceeding towards the Panjáb.264 He had reached the pargana of Jhajhar when Husain Kulí Beg waited upon him. Among the persons present (with the Beg) was Sháh Abú-l Ma'álí, who, being mounted on horseback, endeavoured to overtake His Majesty. This greatly offended the Emperor, who ordered the culprit into confinement, and placed him in the custody of Shahábu-d dín Ahmad. The surrender of the banner and the other insignia of nobility gratified the Emperor.
Pír Muhammad Khán Shirwání, whom the Khán-khánán had bauished from the country and sent to Mecca, had waited in Gujarát for the proper season (of sailing). On hearing of the disgrace of the Khán-khánán, he returned to Court with all possible speed. He met with a very gracious reception, and was honoured with the title “Násiru-l Mulk,” as well as with a banner and kettle-drums. He was then sent with a force to hasten Khán-khánán's departure for Mecca, and accordingly marched after him. After this His Majesty returned to Dehlí, and a farmán was issued, summoning Mun'im Khán from Kábul.
As Mál Deo Rájá of Joudhpúr held a strong and threatening position in the way to Gujarát, with the intention of attacking Bairám Khán, the Khán delayed his movements, and eventually marched from Nágor towards Bikanír. Ráí Kalyán Mál and his son Ráí Sing,265 who were the zámíndárs of that country, received him with great kindness, and treated him most hospitably. After staying there a few days, and resting from the fatigues of the journey, he learnt that Pír Muhammad Khán had been sent to pursue him, and this greatly annoyed and distressed him. Some evil-minded persons, having found their opportunity, played upon the feelings of the Khán-khánán, and inciting him to rebellious acts, he went towards the Panjáb.
When he arrived at the fort of Tabarhindh (Sirhind), which was the jágír of Sher Muhammad Díwána, one of his old servants,265a to whom he had shown great kindness, in full confidence of his faithfulness, Khán-khánán left there his son Mirzá Khán ['Abdu-r Rahím], who was then in the third year of his age, but who is at the present day exalted to the dignity of Khán-khánán and sipáh-salár (commander-in-chief). He also left his females and property, and proceeded on his course. Sher Muhammad thereupon appropriated all the property, and treated the dependents of the Khán-khánán with great indignity. The Khán-khánán was in the pargana of Dípálpúr when he was informed of these proceedings. He sent his díwán Khwája Muzaffar 'Alí (who afterwards became Muzaffar Khán265b) along with Darwesh Muhammad Uzbek to expostulate and intercede with Sher Muhammad, but the latter seized Muzaffar 'Alí, and sent him prisoner to the Emperor. Sorely troubled by these acts, the Khán went on to Jálandhar.
On the Emperor being informed of Khán-khánán's advance towards the Panjáb, he despatched Shamsu-d dín Muhammad Khán Atka,266 his son Yúsuf Khán,266a Husain Khán a relation of Shahábu-d dín Ahmad Khán, and a body of nobles to the Panjáb. When the royal forces reached the town of Dagdár,266b and proceeded from thence to the pargana of Koná,266c they hemmed in Khán-khánán, so that he was obliged to fight. Compelled to action, he drew up his forces, and confronted the royal army. A sharp action ensued, with considerable loss to both sides,266d and Khán-khánán, being defeated, fled towards the Siwálik hills. Walí Beg Zú-l Kadar and his son Isma'íl Kulí Beg (who now holds a position among the great nobles), Ahmad Beg, Ya'kúb Beg Hamadání, and all his brothers, were taken prisoners, and great booty fell into the hands of the royal troops. This victory was gained in the fifth year of the Iláhí, agreeing with 967 A.H.
After Shamsu-d dín Muhammad Khán Atka had marched for the Panjáb, the Emperor left Khwája 'Abdu-l Majíd Harawí (who had been admitted to the position of a minister (silk i wuzará), and had been honoured with the title of Ásaf Khán,266e in charge of Dehlí, and on the 2nd Zí-l ka'da, 967, himself marched to the Panjáb. He placed Husain Kulí Beg, son of Walí Zú-l Kadar, by way of precaution, in custody of Ásaf Khán, with directions to treat him generously, and do him no harm. When the Emperor reached Jálandhar, Mun'im Khán, who had been summoned from Kábul, arrived,267 and was accompanied by Mukím Khán, sister's son of Tardí Beg Khán, and several other amírs. Mun'im Khán was raised to the dignity of minister (wakálat), and received the title of Khán-khánán, and the nobles in his company received favours and honours suitable to their respective positions.
At this place Akbar received the intelligence of the victory gained by Shamsu-d dín Muhammad Khán. Those who had been taken prisoners in that engagement were brought into the royal presence captive and forlorn, and were committed to safe custody. One of the number, Walí Beg, who had received a severe wound, died in prison. So his head was cut off and sent to Dehlí. The Emperor then marched onwards toward the Siwálik hills,267a in pursuit of the Khán-khánán. He reached the neighbourhood of Talwára, a district in the Siwálik, belonging to Rájá Gobind267b Chand, where the Khán-khánán had sought refuge. A party of adventurous soldiers dashed forward into the hills, and surrounding the place put many of the defenders to the sword. Sultán Husain Jaláír was killed in the action. When they brought his head into the presence of the Khán-khánán, in a burst of feeling he exclaimed, “This life of mine is not worth so much, that a man like this should be killed in my defence.” Depressed and anxious, the Khán instantly sent one of his followers, Jamál Khán, to the Emperor with this message: “I deeply repent my deeds, which have not been entirely under my own control; but if I am favoured with the royal clemency, I will throw the veil of oblivion over my misdeeds, and will present myself in your presence, and hope for your forgiveness.”
When this message was brought to the ears of the Emperor, the recollection of old services rose up in his memory, and he gave orders that Mauláná 'Abdu-lla Sultánpúrí, who had received the title of Makhdúmu-l Mulk, should proceed, with several other attendants of the Court, to Khán-khánán, and having assured him of the Emperor's kindly feeling, should bring him to his presence.268 When the Khán-khánán approached the royal camp, all the amírs and kháns went out, by the Emperor's order, to meet him, and conducted him to the Emperor with every mark of honour. On his coming into the royal presence, the Khán placed his sad countenance upon the ground of supplication, and craved forgiveness for his offences. The Emperor received him with the most princely grace, and presented him with a splendid robe of honour. Two days afterwards, he gave him permission to depart on a pilgrimage to Mecca268a and the holy places. The royal camp then moved on its return to Dehlí, and the Emperor went towards Hisár-Fírozah hunting.
Khán-khánán, with his people, took the road to Gujarát. He reached the city of Pattan, in Gujarát, and there rested for some days. This city was then under the government of Músa Khán Lodí Puládí. Khán-khánán went about examining the city, and one day he went out to the Kolábí (lake), a place within sight of the city, and famous for Sahasnak.268b They call it in the Hindí language Nará. A temple Ránámand, like a thousand temples, stood there, and gave it celebrity. After visiting this place, he went about (the lake) in a boat. When he disembarked and returned home, an Afghán, named Mubárak Khán Lohání, whose father had been killed in an action with the Mughals,269 came to wait upon the Khán-khánán, with the intention of wreaking vengeance upon him. When they were shaking hands, he assassinated him with his dagger.269a The words “Muhammad Bairám” contain the date of this murder. Some scoundrels then plundered the encampment of the deceased. Muhammad Amín Díwána and Bábá Zambúr, with several of the eunuchs, rescued from the fray Mirzá 'Abdu-r Rahím, the son of the Khán-khánán,269b who was then a child of only four years of age, but in these days has been exalted to the dignity of Khán-khánán. They conducted the boy to Ahmadábád, and from thence they carried him to the Court of the Emperor, in the hope of obtaining his protection. The Emperor received the child with the most princely favour, and the good qualities which he exhibited so won upon the Emperor's mind, that his prosperity went on growing until he attained the dignity of Khán-khánán.
When the Khán-khánán (Bairám Khán) went to Gujarát, the Emperor proceeded towards Hisár-Fírozah on a hunting excursion, but the army was sent on to Dehlí, the capital, by the direct route. Having hunted with some leashes of a kind of leopard, which is called chíta in Hindí, on the 4th Rabí'u-l awwal, 968 H. (9th Nov., 1560), he arrived at Dehlí, and there stopped awhile for a little rest and enjoyment. On the 2nd Rabí'u-s sání he started for Ágra by boat, and arrived there on the 12th of the same month.
Sixth year of the Reign.
The beginning of this year was Sunday, 24th Jumáda-l ákhir, 968 H. (10th March, 1561). In this year the marriage of Muhammad Bákí Khán was celebrated with a lady whose family connexions have been explained in another place. The ceremony was performed with great magnificence, and was followed by rejoicings and feasting for several days.
In the days of Sher Khán the country of Málwa had been held by Shujá'at Khán,270 who was one of his own clan (Khássa khail), and after his death it had come into the hands of his son Báz Bahádur. It now came to His Majesty's knowledge that Báz Bahádur had given himself up to sensuality,270a and cared nothing for the country. Tyrannical and overbearing men had consequently oppressed the poor and helpless, and the peasantry and people had been reduced to distress. The honour of the Imperial throne required that this country should be again brought under its control, and find peace and security. So Adham Khán, Pír Muhammad Khán, Sádik Khán, Kiyá Khán Gang, 'Abdu-lla Khán Uzbek, Shah Muhammad Kandahárí, and some other amírs, were nominated to effect the conquest of that country.270b They accordingly marched thither, and when they came within ten kos of Sárangpúr in that country, Báz Bahádur, who was in that city, awoke from his slumber of neglect, and took up a position, which he fortified, two kos from the city.
Báz Bahádur was the most accomplished man of his day in the science of music and in Hindí song. He spent much of his time in the society of singers and musicians. When the Imperial army was at ten kos from Sárangpúr, Adham Khán sent forward an advanced force to the entrenchments which Báz Bahádur had thrown up around his army. Several attempts were made to entice him out of his lines, and the royal forces drew together in order to surround him. Báz Bahádur then threw off his apathy, and marched out to give battle. But the Afghán nobles in his army were disaffected, and made their escape, and he himself was obliged to take flight.270c Rúp-matí, his favourite wife, who used to recite poetry, several other wives, and all his treasure fell into the hands of the Imperial forces. As the fugitives were making off, a eunuch of Báz Bahádur's wounded Rúp-matí with a sword, to prevent her falling into the hands of strangers; and when Adham Khán summoned her to his presence, she took poison and killed herself.
Adham Khán wrote an account of the victory to the Emperor. He retained all the ladies and musicians and singers, but he sent some elephants, under charge of Sádik Khán, to Court. This retention of the ladies and other spoils displeased the Emperor, and made him deem it necessary to proceed in person to Málwa. On the 21st Sha'bán, 968 H., the Emperor left Ágra, and marched towards Málwa. When he reached the fort of Gágrún, which is celebrated among the fortresses of Málwa for its strength and height, he gave orders for its reduction. But the commandant of the fort hastened to surrender, and presented his tribute. This greatly pleased the Emperor, who made a forced march in the night, and arrived by dawn in the vicinity of Sárangpúr.271 Adham Khán had left Sárangpúr in order to besiege Gágrún, so he met the Emperor at three kos distance from that place,271a and was graciously received. Then they rode on to the city, and Adham Khán's abode was given up to His Majesty. Adham Khán now collected all his spoils, and presented them to the Emperor, who stayed a few days to refresh and enjoy himself, and then returned to Ágra.
At that place Pír Muhammad Khán Shirwání and other nobles who had jágírs in Málwa, waited upon the Emperor. They were honoured with gifts of robes and horses, and were then sent back to their jágírs. When the Emperor was near Narwar, a formidable tiger came out of the jungle. The Emperor slowly approached the beast, and with one blow of his sword brought her to the ground. Some of his attendants killed the young ones with swords and spears.
Muhammad Asghar, mír-munshí, who was celebrated for the beauty of his writing and composition, was now appointed Mír-munshí , and received the title of Ashraf Khán. On the 29th Ramazán, 968, the Court reached Ágra.
When 'Adalí, the Afghan, was slain by the sons of Muhammad Khán Bangálí,272 who was one of the nobles of Salím Khán Afghán, 'Adalí's son, Sher Khán, took his seat upon the throne of Government, in the fort of Chunár, and then led an army to attempt the conquest of Jaunpúr. Thereupon Khán-zamán sent information to the Imperial Court, and the amírs who held jágírs in that part of the country were commanded to support Khán-zamán. Ibráhím Khán Uzbek, Majnún Khán Kákshál, Sháham Khán Jaláír, Kamál Khán Gakhar, and many other chiefs, in obedience to the royal order, joined Kulí Khán (Khán-zamán).272a The Afgháns, having crossed the river, gave battle, but Khán-zamán exerted himself gallantly, and put them to flight.
Various actions of Khán-zamán excited a suspicion of his intention to rebel, so towards the close of the year His Majesty proceeded towards Jaunpúr, on a progress of hunting and pleasure. On approaching Kálpí, the camp was about to be pitched, when 'Abdu-lla Khán Uzbek, who held Kálpí in jágír, came forward, and begged His Majesty to honour his house by taking up his quarters there. The proposal was graciously accepted, and 'Abdu-lla Khán rendered the services due from him, and presented his offerings, for which he was honoured by His Majesty's approbation.
When the Court reached Karra, 'Alí Kulí Khán Khán-zamán and his brother Bahádur Khán came up by forced marches from their jágír of Jaunpúr, and on being received, they presented suitable offerings. Their fidelity and services being recognized, they received presents of horses and robes, and were then dismissed to their jágírs. On the 17th Zí-l hijja, of the sixth year of the Iláhí, corresponding with 968 H., the Court reached Ágra.
Shamsu-d dín Muhammad Atka,273 who bore the title of Khán-i 'azam, and held the government of the Panjáb, now came to Court. He was graciously received, and the direction of the affairs of the State was committed to his charge.273a About the same time, Adham Khán, in obedience to a royal command, came from Málwa to the capital, and was welcomed with due honour.
On the 8th Jumáda-l awwal, 969 H., the Emperor started to pay a visit to the tomb of Kutbu-l auliyá Khwája Mu'ínu-d dín Chishtí.273b When he reached the town of Sámbar, Rájá Bihárí Mal,273c one of the chief rájás of that country, came with great loyalty and respect, along with his son Bhagwán Dás,273d to pay his services to His Majesty. He was received with great honour and attention, and his daughter, an honourable lady, was accepted by His Majesty, and took her place among the ladies of the Court. From thence he proceeded to Ajmír, and he dispensed many gifts and pensions among the inhabitants of that noble city. Mirzá Sharafu-d dín Husain, who held a jágír in the territory of Ajmír, came to pay his homage. He was sent with several other amírs of that province to effect the conquest of the fort of Mírtha,274 about twenty kos from Ajmír, which was held by Jai Mal.274a His Majesty then started for Ágra, and making forced marches, he performed the distance, one hundred and twenty kos, in a day and night.274b
Seventh year of the Reign.
The beginning of this year corresponded with Tuesday, 7th Rajab, 969 H. (10 March, 1562). At the beginning of this year Mirzá Sharafu-d dín Husain besieged the fort of Mírtha, being assisted by Sháh Bidágh Khán,274c and his son 'Abdu-l Matlab Khán, Muhammad Husain Shaikh, and some other nobles. Great exertions were made on both sides, but at length it was agreed that the garrison should march out with their horses and arms (kamchí), but leave behind all their property and effects. When the victorious army went to take possession of the fort, Jai Mal marched out with his men. But Deo-dás, in shame and pride, set fire to the property which was in the fortress, and then sallied forth at the head of a party of Rájpúts, and passed in front of the royal army. Mirzá Sharafu-d dín and other nobles followed Deo-dás, and when they came up with him, he turned round and attacked them. Many of the royal soldiers fell, and nearly 200 Rájpúts were slain. Deo-dás himself was unhorsed, and being overtaken as he lay upon the ground, he was cut to pieces.275 The fort of Mírtha was then occupied by the Imperial forces.
About this time Pír Muhammad Khán,275a who, after the departure of Adham Khán, held the government of Málwa, assembled the forces of that province, and marched to subdue the countries of Ásír and Burhánpúr. He laid siege to Bíjágarh, the principal of all the fortresses of that country, which he took by storm, and put all the garrison to the sword.275b He then marched against Ásír, a well-known place in Khándesh. Crossing the river Nerbadda, he gave many of the towns and villages to the sword and destruction, and came to Burhánpúr. That city also he took by storm, and gave orders for a general massacre. Many of the learned men and saiyids of the place he caused to be decapitated in his presence. The governors of Ásir and Burhánpúr, and Báz Bahádur, who lived in this vicinity since his flight from Málwa, now concerted together, and, assisted by all the zamíndárs of the country, they assembled a force with which they assailed Pír Muhammad Khán.275c Unable to resist, Pír Muhammad fled towards Mandú, and when he came to the Nerbadda, he, and all the nobles with him, plunged into its waters. It so happened that a camel came up and bit the horse upon which he was riding. He was thrown off into the water and drowned, thus receiving the recompense of his deeds.275d The other nobles, on reaching Málwa, found that the country was lost, so they pursued their course to the Court of the Emperor. Báz Bahádur pursued them, and brought the whole of Málwa once more into his power. The amírs who had abandoned Málwa, and had come to Court without orders, were imprisoned for a time, and then set at liberty.
'Abdu-lla Khán Uzbek now received orders to retrieve this disaster in Málwa, and Mu'ínu-d dín Ahmad Khán Farankhúdí, and several other Kháns, were directed to assist him. Towards the end of the year 969 H. (1562 A.D.), 'Abdu-lla and his auxiliaries entered Málwa, and Báz Bahádur, being unable to withstand him, took to flight.276 A force was sent in pursuit, and coming up with the fugitives, killed many of them. Báz Bahádur found protection for some time with Ráná Udi Sing,276a one of the chief rájás of Márwár, and afterwards he repaired to Gujarát, but eventually he threw himself upon the mercy of the Emperor, and sought a refuge from the frowns of fortune.276b 'Abdu-lla Khán remained at Mandú, and the other amírs returned to their jágírs. Mu'ín Khán, after setting the affairs of the country in order, returned to Court.
An intimacy and friendship had existed between the late Emperor Humáyún and Sháh Tahmásp Súfí of Persia. When Humáyún died, and was succeeded by Akbar, the Sháh was desirous of keeping up friendly relations. He accordingly sent his nephew, Saiyid Beg, son of Ma'súm Beg, to whom he gave the title Ummú-úghlí (uncle's son), as his ambassador, with costly presents. When Saiyid Beg approached Ágra, many kháns and great men were sent forth to meet him, and to bring him into the city with suitable honours. The sum of seven lacs of tankas was appropriated to him. He remained at Ágra two months, and having received a horse and a robe, he took his departure, carrying with him presents from Hindústán.
Eighth year of the Reign.
The beginning of this year corresponded with Wednesday, 18th Rajab, 970 H. (13 March, 1563 A.D.). A tragical event occurred in the course of this year.277 Adham Khán Kokaltásh, son of Máham Anka,277a could not endure to see the elevation of his compeers.277b In the presumption of youth, and pride of wealth and station, he yielded to the incentives of Shahábu-d dín Ahmad Khán, Mu'nim Khán Khán-khánán, and several other nobles, and murdered Khán-i 'azam [Shamsu-d dín Muhammad Atka], then prime minister, as he was sitting in his public office. Then trusting to the favour and kindness which had been shown to him by the Emperor, he went and stood at the door of the harem. His Majesty rushed out of the harem, sword in hand, and the assassin was bound hand and foot, and cast over the parapet in punishment of his crime.277c This murder was committed on the morning of Sunday, 12th Ramazán, 970 H. All those who had taken part in the conspiracy fled, and hid themselves through fear of punishment. Mu'nim Khán and Muhammad Kásim Khán Mír-i bahr (commander of the boats) went over the Jumna, and destroyed the bridge by which they crossed. Shabábu-d dín Ahmad Khán Naishapúrí concealed himself. His Majesty showed great solicitude for the sons of the deceased minister, and for Máham Anka; but the latter, in anger and in grief for her son, fell ill and died forty days afterwards.
Next day (after the murder) Ashraf Khán Mír-munshí received orders to seek out and bring back to His Majesty Mu'nim Khán, Shahábu-d dín Ahmad Khán, and Kásim Khán. The thought of having participated in this plot weighed upon the mind of Mu'nim Khán, so although he held the title of Khán-khánán, and held the offices of minister (wakálat) and tutor (atálík), he having found an opportunity left Ágra by night, and went off along with Kásim Khán, commander of the boats, towards Kábul, where his son 'Abdu-l Ghaní Khán was then living. When they came to the pargana of Sarút, in the Doab, the jágír of Mír Mahmúd Munshí, one of the Munshí's officers, Kásim Álí Sístání, who was shikkdár of the district, having heard of their arrival as fugitives from the Court, went out with a party of the inhabitants, and made them prisoners. They were then sent to His Majesty, who winked at their offence, and reinstated them in their offices.
Conquest of the Gakhar country.
The country of the Gakhars lies upon the banks of the river Sind, well known as the Níl-áb. This territory, from the Siwálik hills to the borders of Kashmír, has been from all time the possession of the Gakhars, although other tribes, such as the Khari, Jánúba, Jatriya, Bhúkiyál, and Jat dwell in those parts in subordination to the Gakhars. From the beginning of the reign of the late Emperor Bábar to the present time, this tribe would not suffer any intermission of loyalty to the illustrious dynasty, but remained steadfast in their obedience and devotion. Sárang Sultán was especially noted for his fidelity and loyalty. When Sher Khán acquired the supreme power in Hindústán, he wanted to bring the Gakhars under his authority, and used strenuous exertions to effect his purpose, but made little progress, until he succeeded, after much trouble, in getting Sárang Sultán into his hands as a prisoner. He ordered Sárang Sultán to be flayed, and shut up his son Kamál Khán in the fort of Gwalior. After the death of Sárang, his brother Ádam became the chief of the clan. He also espoused the cause of the Imperial family, and opposed the Afgháns.
When Sher Khán died, and his son Salím Khán obtained the supreme authority, he also, in imitation of his father, plundered and laid waste various portions of the Gakhar territory, and did his utmost to vex and injure them. On one occasion, when some prisoners were brought to Gwalior for punishment, he ordered them to be placed in a house with a quantity of gunpowder, and the house to be set on fire. Common report tells how all these captives were blown into the air, and how their bodies were blown to pieces. Kamál Khán, who was sitting in a corner of the house, was by God's mercy saved. When Salím Khán heard of his preservation he sent for him, and having induced him to take an oath of fidelity, appointed him to act, in concert with the governor of the Panjáb, in the subjugation of the Gakhar territory.
Afterwards, when Hindústán again came under the rule of the Imperial house, Kamál Khán followed the example of his predecessors, and paid his allegiance. He was treated with princely favour, and received a grant of the parganas of Hanswa, Fathpúr, and Karra-Mánikpúr as a jágír. There he remained until Sher Khán, the son of Salím Khán, attacked 'Alí Kulí Khán, and endeavoured to get possession of these districts. Kamál Khán was then ordered to support 'Alí Kulí Khán, and he exhibited such courage and resolution that he was graciously told that whatever request he liked to make should be granted. Kamál Khán, in his love for his native land, begged that he might be restored to his paternal inheritance. A farmán was accordingly issued that of the territories formerly held by Sultán Sárang, and now in the possession of Ádam Khán Gakhar, one half should be given to Kamál Khán, and the other half should remain in the possession of Ádam Khán. Orders were accordingly issued to the amírs of the Panjáb, to Mír Muhammad Khán, known as Khán-i kalán,280 and to Kutbu-d dín Muhammad Khán, that if Ádam Khán made any resistance to the arrangement, they were to take the whole of the territory from him, and give it to Kamál Khán.
When the amírs informed Ádam Khán of the purport of the farmáns, he and his son and his army were dissatisfied, and paid no heed to the command. A royal army marched into the country of the Gakhars to subdue it, and Ádam Khán and his son resisted. Some sharp fighting followed, but the Gakhars were defeated, and Ádam Khán was made prisoner. His son, with the defeated army, fled into Kashmír, but after some time he also was taken prisoner.280a All the Gakhar territory then came under the power of the Imperial officers, and they made it over to Kamál Khán. The amírs also placed Ádam Khán and his son in charge of Kamál Khán, and departed to their own jágírs. Kamál Khan kept Ádam Khán near him until he died.
Affairs of Mu'nim Beg (at Kábul).
When Mu'nim Khán left Kábul to visit the Court of the Emperor, Muhammad Khán Akhta-begí was left there as governor, but on Mu'nim Khán being informed of his ill-treatment of the people of Kábul, he removed him from office, and appointed his own son, Ghaní Khán, in his place. He also sent back his nephew Abú-l Fath Beg, son of his brother Fazáíl Beg, to assist Ghaní Khán in his government. After a time Máh Chochak Begam and the people of Kábul were greatly distressed by the proceedings of Ghaní Khán.280b Among other acts he kept in confinement Tolak Khán Kúlchín, one of the oldest servants of the dynasty, until the people interfered and set him at liberty. Tolak Khán then went to the village of Mámá-khátún, which was his jágír, and there waited his opportunity. It happened that a caravan from Balkh came and halted in the village of Cháríkárán, and Ghaní Khán went forth in haste to meet it. Tolak Khán assembled a body of his servants and adherents, and making a rapid night march fell upon Ghaní Khán,281 and made him prisoner. At length some persons intervened, and obtained the freedom of Ghaní Khán. They took from him a treaty and covenant that he would never again molest Tolak Khán, but before Ghaní Khán got back to Kábul, he broke his covenant, and marched against Tolak Khán with a strong force. Tolak Khán, however, was apprised of the movement, and fled to the Court of the Emperor. Ghaní Khán pursued him in vain for some distance, and then returned to Kábul.
Some little while afterwards Ghaní Beg went out one day for a stroll in the melon gardens, and the opportunity was seized by [Máh Chochak Begam] the mother of Mirzá Muhammad Hakím,281a in concert with Sháh Walí Atka, Mirzá Fazáíl Beg and his son Abú-l Fath Beg, to enter the fort and close the gates against Ghaní Khán. On returning and finding the gates of the fortress closed, Ghaní Khán understood that the people had revolted against him. Unable to do anything, he went off to the Imperial Court. The mother of the prince then took the direction of affairs into her own hands. She appointed Mirzá Fazáíl281b Beg, whom Mirzá Kámrán had blinded, to the office of minister (wakálat), and his son Abú-l Fath Beg was made his deputy. But when in the distribution of the jágírs and villages he (Abú-l Fath) reserved the best for himself, and appropriated the worst to the prince and his attendants. Sháh Walí Atka, 'Alí Muhammad Asp, and others, could not brook his unjust allotment. In communication with the mother of the prince, they determined to remove him. One night Abú-l Fath came to the door of his house in a state of intoxication and went down. Míran Beg having seen this, despatched him with one blow upon the head with his sword. His father, Fazáíl Beg, endeavoured to escape into the Hazára, but some of the adherents of the prince went in pursuit, and overtook and beheaded him. Sháh Walí Beg Atka, with the approval of the mother of the prince, assumed the management of affairs, and gave himself the title of 'Ádil Sháh.
When the report of these occurrences reached the ears of the Emperor, he appointed Mu'nim Khán governor of Kábul and guardian (atálík) of the young prince Mirzá Muhammad. He also appointed Muhammad Kulí Khán Birlás, Husain Khán brother of Shahábu-d dín Ahmad Khán, Tímúr Beg Uzbek, and several other nobles to assist and support him. The mother of the young prince, who was then ten years of age, assembled all the forces she could, and taking the prince with her, she went, with the intention of resisting by force of arms, to Jalálábád, known in old times by the name of Jusáí. There she awaited Mu'nim Khán, who quickly marched against her, and defeated and scattered her forces at the first attack. After this he returned to Court. The Begam returned to Kábul, and suspecting the designs of Sháh 'Alí Atka against her, she caused him to be put to death, and Haidar Kásim Kohbar was named wakíl of the mirzá in his stead.
Affairs of Mirzá Sharafu-d dín Husain.
Mirzá Sharafu-d dín Husain was son of Khwája Mu'ínu-d dín, son of Khwája Jáwíd Mahmud, son of Khwája 'Abdu-lla, who was a distinguished man among the Khwájas, and was the son of Násiru-d dín 'Abdu-lla Ahrár.282 When the Mirzá came to Court, he was promoted to the dignity of Amíru-l umará, and received the jágír of Nágor. There he was distinguished by his energetic labours. His father now returned from Mecca, and received a right royal reception. After a while Mirzá Sharaf, by the will of fate, and without any apparent reason or cause, having had his mind perverted by designing men, fled towards Nágor.283 Hazrat Husain Kulí Beg, son of Walí Beg Zú-l kadar, a relation of the late Khán-khánán Bairám Khán, having on account of his services been admitted to the order of nobility, and dignified with the title of khán, now received a grant of the jágír of Mirzá Sharafu-d dín Husain. Some of the principal nobles, as Muhammad Sádik, Muhammad Kulí Tugh-bání, Muzaffar Mughal and Mírak Bahádur, were directed to support Husain Kulí Beg, and the command was given for them to pursue and capture Mirzá Sharafu-d dín. If he repented of his unrighteous deeds, they were to soothe him and bring him to Court; but if not, they were to use their best exertions to punish his misconduct. When intelligence of the approach of Husain Kulí Beg Khán reached Mirzá Sharafu-d dín, he left Tarkhán Díwána, a trusty adherent, in Ajmír, and went off towards Jálor.283a The Imperial forces invested Ajmír, and after two or three days Tarkhán Díwána capitulated.283b The nobles then hastened in pursuit of Sharafu-d dín towards Jálor.
It so happened that just as Sharafu-d dín reached Jálor, Sháh Abú-l Ma'álí was returning from Mecca to the Imperial Court, and having had a meeting with Sharafu-d dín, they concocted together a rebellious scheme. Abú-l Ma'álí was to march agamst the people of Husain Kulí Khán, who were in Hájípúr,283c and having disposed of him was to push on to Kábul and bring Mirzá Muhammad Hakím to Hindústán. Sharafu-d dín on his side was to do all he could to promote a rebellion. Abú-l Ma'álí marched off, taking with him a party of Sharafu-d dín's men, and when he approached Hájípúr, he learned that Ahmad Beg and Sikandar Beg, relations of Husain Kulí Khán, had come out to stop him. Thereupon he turned in the direction of Nárnaul, and upon reaching the fort of that place, he made Mír Kísú the shikkdár prisoner, and seized all the money which he found in the treasury, and divided it among his followers.284
After receiving intelligence of this, Husain Kulí Khán sent his brother Isma'íl Kulí Khán along with Muhammad Sádik Khán in pursuit of Abú-l Ma'álí. Upon reaching Hájípúr, and learning that Abú-l Ma'álí had drawn off to Nárnaul, they took Ahmad Beg and Sikandar Beg with them, and went in pursuit of him. Twelve kos from Nárnaul, the brother of Abú-l Ma'áli, who was named Khán-záda [Muhammad], and was also called Sháh Lúndán, left his jágír, and was on the way to join his brother, but he was intercepted and made prisoner. Abú-l Ma'álí fled from Nárnaul and went towards the Panjáb. Ahmad Beg and Sikandar Beg were sent off with a detachment in hot haste after him. A body of the men under their command had formerly served under Mirzá Sharafu-d dín Husain, and these men had bound themselves by an oath to desert Ahmad Beg and Sikandar Beg whenever Abú-l Ma'álí should be attacked, and to go over to the latter. One of this party, Dána Kulí by name, slipped away and hastened to inform Abú-l Ma'álí of the conspiracy. Upon hearing it he placed himself in ambush in a jungle by the side of the road, and when the two Begs came up he fell upon them unawares. The conspirators then drew their swords, and advanced against their own commanders, and the other soldiers, seeing how matters stood, took to flight. Ahmad Beg and Sikandar were left quite alone. They fought most manfully, and killed several of their assailants, but were eventually slain.
His Majesty was engaged in a hunting excursion at Mathura when the news of this disaster reached him. He sent Bidágh Khán, Tátár Khán, Rúmí Khán, and others, to follow Abú-l Ma'álí, and he himself proceeded to Dehlí, the seat of Government (dáru-l mulk).285
A remarkable occurrence has now to be mentioned. When Sharafu-d dín Husain fled from Court to Nágor, he had a slave, by name Koka Fúlád, one of the slaves of his father, who at all times secretly did everything in his power to injure the Emperor. This wretched man came into the royal camp, and was constantly on the watch for an opportunity. When the Emperor returned from his hunting excursion, and passing through the bázár of Dehlí, came near to the College285a of Máham Anka, this bloodthirsty fellow shot an arrow at His Majesty; but by the mercy of God, who watched over the Emperor's safety, it did not inflict a severe wound, but merely grazed the skin. The attendants of the Emperor instantly fell upon the traitor, and with strokes of sword and dagger they sent him to hell. The Emperor pulled out the arrow and rode on to the palace. The wound was cured in a few days, and on the 6th Jumáda-s sání he mounted his royal litter,285b and proceeded to Ágra, where he arrived on the 15th of the same month, in the year 971 A.H., agreeing with the eighth year of the reign.
Ninth year of the Reign.
The beginning of this year was Wednesday, 29th Rajab, 971 (13th March, 1564). When Abú-l Ma'álí killed Ahmad Beg, and found that the royal army was coming up in pursuit of him, he was dismayed, and turning aside from the direct roads he fled towards Kábul. When he approached Kábul, he wrote a letter full of expressions of affection and devotion for the late Emperor, and sent it to Máh Chochak Begam (the Emperor's widow). She sent to invite him in, and received him with honour. She also gave him her daughter in marriage. Abú-l Ma'álí now pushed himself forward, and took the direction of the establishment of Prince Muhammad Hakím.
A party of malcontents, who were displeased with the treatment they had received from Máh Chochak Begam, such as Shúgún, son of Karrácha Khán, and Shádmán, and others, leagued with Abú-l Ma'álí, and persuaded him that matters would never go on well as long as the Begam lived. He fell in with their views, and slew the unfortunate woman with a dagger. Then he got into his hands the Prince Mirzá Muhammad Hakím, who was of tender age, and took the direction of the government. He seized upon Haidar Kásim Kohbar, who was the minister (wakíl) of the Mirzá, and put him to death. He also imprisoned his brother Muhammad Kásim. Hereupon Tardí Muhammad Khán, Bákí Muhammad Khán Kákshál, Husain Khán, and several other adherents of the late Begam, conspired against him to avenge her death. 'Abdí Sarmast informed Abú-l Ma'álí of this conspiracy, and he instantly armed a party of his supporters, and went forth to destroy them. The conspirators cut their way into the fort, and Abú-l Ma'álí pressed after them. Many on both sides were killed, but at length Abú-l Ma'álí succeeded in driving them out of the fort, and they fled in all directions.
Muhammad Kásim, who was in confinement, obtained his release, and went to Mirzá Sulaimán, in Badakhshán. He informed him of all that had passed at Kábul, and urged him to march against the city. Mirzá Muhammad Hakím also sent a person to Mirzá Sulaimán, calling upon him for assistance. The Mirzá, on hearing the state of affairs, assembled the forces of Badakhshán, and with the approval of Khurram Begam his wife, marched against Kábul. Abú-l Ma'álí, on his side, assembled the forces of Kábul, and taking with him Mirzá Muhammad Hakím, advanced to the river Ghorband. Both sides drew up their forces, and the battle began. The Kábul men on the right of Abú-l Ma'álí were defeated by the Badakhshán forces, and began to retreat. He hastened up with some reinforcements to support them, leaving Mirzá Muhammad Hakím in charge of his servants. These men seized the opportunity to cross the river and join Mirzá Sulaimán. When this was discovered by the Kábul forces, they were seized with panic, and every man fled to his home.
When Abú-l Ma'álí came back from his charge, he was dismayed to find no trace either of Mirzá Hakím or of his army, so he fled. The Badakhshán men pursued and overtook him at the village of Cháríkárán. He was brought to the presence of Mirzá Sulaimán, who, elated with his success, went on to Kábul, taking Mirzá Muhammad Hakím with him. Three days afterwards he sent Abú-l Ma'álí, with his hands bound behind his neck, to Mirzá Muhammad Hakím, and he ordered him to be strangled in punishment of his crimes. This happened on the night of the 17th Ramazán, 970 H. Mirzá Sulaimán now sent to Badakhshán for his daughter, and married her to Mirzá Muhammad Hakím. After giving jágírs in the Kábul territory to many of his followers, and appointing Ummaid 'Alí, who was in his confidence, to the post of minister, he returned to Badakhshán.
In the course of this year, Khwája Muzaffar 'Alí Tarbatí, one of the old associates of Khán-khánán Bairám Khán, was raised to the office of financial minister (wazárat-i díwán-i 'ala), and received the title of Khán.287
Conquest of the fort of Chunár.
The fort of Chunár was held by a slave of 'Adalí, named Fattú. He now wrote a letter offering to surrender it.287a The Emperor sent Shaikh Muhammad Ghaus and Ásaf Khán to receive the surrender of the fort. When it was delivered over, they placed it in charge of Husain Khán Turkomán. At this Ghází Khán Súr, formerly one of the nobles of 'Adalí, but who had for a time lived in allegiance to the Emperor, now that Ásaf Khán was appointed to the government of Karra, took flight, and went to the country of Panna. There he gathered some men, and arrayed himself in rebellion. When Ásaf Khán was sent to Karra, Ghází Khán led his followers against him, but he was defeated in battle by Ásaf Khán, and killed upon the field. Ásaf Khán thus established his power and authority.
The country of Garha-Katanka was near to Ásaf Khán, and he formed the design of subduing it.288 The chief place of that country is Chaurágarh. It is an extensive country containing seventy thousand (haftád hazar) flourishing villages.288a Its ruler was at this time a woman named Durgávatí, who was very beautiful. When Ásaf Khán heard the condition of this country, he thought the conquest of it would be an easy matter, so he marched against it with fifty thousand288b horse and foot. The Rání collected all her forces, and prepared to oppose the invader with 700 elephants, 20,000 horsemen, and infantry innumerable. A battle followed, in which both sides fought obstinately, but by the will of fate the Rání was struck by an arrow, and fearing lest she should fall alive into the hands of the enemy, she made her elephant-driver kill her with a dagger. After the victory Ásaf Khan marched against Chaurágarh. The son of the Rání, who was in the fort, came forth to meet him; but he was killed, and the fort was captured, and all its treasures fell into the hands of the conquerors. Ásaf Khán, after he had achieved this victory and acquired so much treasure, returned, greatly elated, to Karra, and took possession of his government.
Journey of the Emperor to Narwar.
On the 12th Zí-l ka'da, 971 H., corresponding with the ninth year of the reign, the Emperor left Ágra, and went towards the river Chambal with the object of elephant hunting.289 In consequence of the heavy rains and the inundations, he had to halt fifteen days, and when he did cross over one of his choice elephants named Lakhna was drowned. When he came to the vicinity of the town of Narwar he pitched his camp, for the jungle hard by was an elephant haunt. * * * After they had cleared that neighbourhood of elephants, he marched on towards Málwa, and halted at Rewar.289a Heavy rains compelled him to remain two days in sight of that town. From thence he proceeded to Sárangpúr, and again the heavy rains and floods greatly distressed his escort. When he approached Sárangpúr, Muhammad Kásim Khán Naishapúrí the governor came forth to meet him and presented tribute. Next day the Emperor proceeded onwards towards Mandú.
'Abdu-lla Khán Uzbek was governor of Mandú, and as there were sundry differences between him and the Emperor, he was greatly alarmed at his approach, and consequently fled off towards Gujarát. When the Emperor was informed of his flight, he sent Mukím Khán, one of his chief nobles, to 'Abdu-lla, to advise and reassure him. Although Mukím Khán urged and persuaded, his words had no effect, for 'Abdu-lla thought that the object of the Khán was to detain him with words and stories till the royal forces had arrived and secured the roads. So he left Mukím Khán and fled; and the Khán went back and reported his want of success.
The Emperor's anger was roused, and he gave orders for a force to be sent to arrest 'Abdu-lla's progress. The Emperor himself followed, and on reaching Mandú intelligence arrived that his advanced force was engaged in action with 'Abdu-lla, so he pressed on with all speed. When 'Abdu-lla saw that some of his most faithful followers had fallen, and heard that the Emperor was near at hand, he left his baggage and soldiers and hastened off. The Imperial forces pursued him as far as the country of Álí,290 on the confines of Gujarát, and drove him away from his wives and elephants. He then went to Chángíz Khán in Gujarát. This Chángíz Khán was a slave of Sultán Mahmúd of Gujarát, after whose death he had obtained the government of the country. The royal forces which had captured the horses and elephants and wives of 'Abdu-lla then turned back to Álí, where they were received with honour.
The Imperial army then moved, and on the new moon of Zí-l hijja, 791 H., reached Mandú. The zamíndárs of the neighbourhood came in to pay their allegiance, and met with a gracious reception. Mírán Mubárak Sháh, ruler of Khándesh, sent a letter and suitable presents by the hands of ambassadors to the Emperor. After some days the ambassadors received permission to return, and a farmán was sent to Mírán Mubárak Sháh directing him to send any one of his daughters whom he thought worthy to attend upon the Emperor. 'Itimád Khán was also sent along with the ambassadors. When Mubárak Sháh received this gracious communication, he was greatly delighted, and he sent his daughter with a suitable retinue and paraphernalia to His Majesty, esteeming it a great favour to be allowed to do so. Whilst the Emperor remained at Mandú, Khán Kulí,290a a servant of 'Abdu-lla Khán, who was now in Hindia,290b and Mukarrab Khán, one of the nobles of the Dekhin, in compliance with the royal command, came in with their followers, and had an audience. Mukím Khán, who had exhibited vigour and ability in this expedition, received the title of Shujá' Khán.
In Muharram, 972 (August, 1564), the Imperial camp moved from Mandú, and was pitched in sight of the town of Nálcha.291 Karra Bahádur Khán was appointed governor of Mandú, and an order was made directing a party of the Imperial followers who remained behind in Mandú to stay in that province along with Karra Bahádur, and zealously serve His Majesty. Two days after, the camp moved towards Ágra, and upon reaching Ujjain, it remained there four days, in consequence of heavy rain. In four days' march from thence it reached Sárangpúr, and in a week afterwards it arrived at the pargana of Kherár, within sight of the town. By regular stages it reached Siprí. Here the scouts brought in news of a herd of elephants, in which there was one very large animal.291a The royal servants went in chase of them, and captured the whole of them. Proceeding by way of Narwar and Gwalior, the Emperor reached Ágra on the 3rd Rabí'u-l awwal. In the course of this year the Emperor had twins borne to him, one of whom was named Hasan, the other Husain; but they lived only a month.
After His Majesty returned from Mandú, and while he was enjoying himself at Ágra, he often rode out to Kákrání,291b a village in the vicinity of the capital, which was remarkable for the purity of its air and the excellence of its water. He deemed this a suitable site for a palace, so he ordered one to be built. In a short time fine houses arose, and a great town sprung up, which was called Nagar-chín.
Account of Khwája Mu'azzam.
Khwája Mu'azzam was maternal uncle of the Emperor. He was son of 'Alí Akbar, and a descendant of Shaiku-l Islám Ahmad Jám. This person had been guilty of several disgraceful actions during the reign of the Emperor Humáyún, who had felt constrained to speak about and censure his offences to his son and successor. His unseemly conduct at length compelled the Emperor to banish him, whereupon he went to Gujarát. From thence he proceeded to Mecca, and after staying there some time he returned to the Court of Humáyún. Upon the demise of the crown, Bairám Khán Khán-khánán became the ruling power in the State, and he, knowing the character of the Khwája, procured an order for his exile. After his banishment, the Khwája stayed for a while in Gujarát, but subsequently returned to the Court of the Emperor. Bairám Khán then countenanced him, and he received some degree of attention. Upon the disgrace of Bairám Khán, the Emperor took compassion on the Khwája, and gave him some districts in jágír. But the Khwája's perverse and evil nature got the better of him, and he was guilty of some disgraceful deeds. To mention one—There was a woman named Fátima attached to the harem of the late Emperor, and the Khwája had taken to himself a daughter of hers named Zuhra Ágha. After some time he formed the design of putting her to death. Upon her mother being informed of this fact, she hastened to make it known to the Emperor, and to crave his protection. The Emperor was just about to start on a hunting excursion, and he assured the poor mother that he would take measures to rescue her daughter from the Khwája. Accordingly he sent Táhir Muhammad Khán Mír-i farághat and Rustam Khán to give the Khwája notice that the Emperor was about to visit him. When Táhir Muhammad reached his house, he was so enraged that he killed the poor woman. As soon as the Emperor arrived, and was informed of the Khwája's cruel actions, which cried for punishment, he gave orders to his followers to well thrash him, and then to put him in a boat and souse him several times in the river.292 After this he sent him a prisoner to the fort of Gwalior, where he died in confinement.
Mirzá Sulaimán's Third Visit to Kábul.
It has been before narrated how Mirzá Sulaimán came to the rescue of Mirzá Muhammad Hakím, and how, after overthrowing Sháh Abú-l Ma'áli, he gave jágírs to his own adherents, and then returned home. Mirzá Muhammad Hakím and his people, being greatly annoyed by these Badakhshánís, drove them out of Kábul. Mirzá Sulaimán then came again with a large army to take revenge for this expulsion. Mirzá Muhammad Hakím left Bákí Kákshál in command of his followers at Kábul, and went off himself to Jalálábád and Parsháwar. Upon reaching the river Márán,293 Mirzá Sulaimán learnt how Mirzá Muhammad Hakím had abandoned Kábul, and gone to Jalálábád.
Mirzá Muhammad Hakím went on from Parsháwar to the shores of the Indus, and from thence forwarded to the Emperor a letter containing a statement of his grievances. Mirzá Sulaimán, on learning that Mirzá Muhammad Hakím had made an appeal to the Emperor, and had left Parsháwar, stationed one of his adherents named Kambar with three hundred men at Jalálábád, and went towards Kábul.
When the statement of Mirzá Muhammad Hakím reached the Imperial Court, an order was given directing all the nobles and jágírdárs of the Panjáb (such as Muhammad Kulí Khán Bírlás Khán-i Kalán, Kutbu-d dín Muhammad Khán, Kamál Khán Gakhar, and others) to assemble their forces and march to the assistance of Mirzá Muhammad Hakím. These nobles, in obedience to the command, proceeded to the Indus, and joined Muhammad Hakím. Then they began their march to recover Kábul. On reaching Jalálábád they sent Mirzá Kasán into the place to summon Kambar, Mirzá Sulaimán's representative, to surrender; but that doomed one would not submit, so the Imperial forces attacked the fort. They took it in an hour, and put Kambar and all his three hundred men to the sword. Two men were allowed to go and carry the intelligence to Mirzá Sulaimán, and the head of Kambar, with the news of the capture of the city, was sent to Bákí Kákshál at Kábul.
Mirzá Sulaimán, on hearing of the fall of Jalálábád, and the approach of the royal forces, fled to Badakhshán. Mirzá Muhammad Hakím, escorted by the Imperial nobles, returned to Kábul, and again assumed the Government. The nobles, in obedience to the orders which they had received from the Emperor, then returned to their jágírs, excepting Khán-i Kalán, who had been appointed guardian of Mirzá Muhammad Hakím. Shortly afterwards the Mirzá, without consulting Khán-i Kalán, gave his sister, who had formerly been married to Sháh Abú-l Ma'álí, to be the wife of Khwája Husain Nakshabandí, a descendant of Khwája Baháu-d dín. Presuming upon the importance he had acquired by this marriage, the Khwája began to interfere in the affairs of the Mirzá, and to call Khán-i Kalán to account. The Khán was a hot-tempered man, and would not endure this, so he left Kábul, and went to Lahore without taking leave. Then he made a report of what had occurred to the Emperor.
Tenth Year of the Reign.
The beginning of this year corresponded with Sunday, 9th Sha'bán, 972 H. (11 March, 1565 A.D.). At the beginning of this year His Majesty wished to go elephant hunting. Scouts were accordingly sent out to seek for the animals, and to report when they found them. On the 1st Rajab, 972, the Emperor himself started for Narwar and Garha by way of Dhúlpúr. Upon reaching Narwar, he pitched his camp. The scouts then reported that there were several herds of elephants in the neighbouring jungles. His Majesty speedily went to the jungle, and returned after capturing all the elephants. Another day the scouts brought news to the camp that there were many elephants in a desert about eight kos distant. The royal servants started off, and towards the close of the day they found the animals, every one of which they captured. They drove them towards the fort of Pánwa, where they arrived in the middle of the night. Three hundred and fifty elephants were taken that day. From thence they returned to the royal camp, which was in the vicinity of Garha. There it remained nearly twenty days. The hot season now came on, and the unhealthy winds blew, and many men in the camp became weak and ill, so His Majesty returned to Ágra.
Building of the Fort of Ágra.
In this year the command was given for building a new fort of hewn stone at Ágra, instead of the old citadel, which was of brick, and had become ruinous. The foundation was accordingly laid, and in four years the fortress was completed.295 In these days it has no equal in the world. The walls are ten gaz in thickness, and are built of stone and mortar. The stones are cut on both sides, and are joined with the greatest nicety. The height of the fort is more than forty gaz. There is a moat dug all round, and faced on both sides with stone and mortar. It is twenty gaz wide and ten gaz deep, and water is conducted into it from the river Jumna. The cost of this building was nearly three krors of tankas.295a The date of foundation of its gates is found in the words “bináí dar-i bihisht” (974 H.).
Khán.
In consequence of the severe proceedings against 'Abdu-lla Khán Uzbek, which have been narrated above, an opinion got abroad that the Emperor had a bad opinion of the Uzbeks. When the Emperor went to Narwar elephant hunting, Ashraf Khán Mír-munshí was sent to Sikandar Khán, to conciliate him with gracious promises of the Emperor's favour, and to bring him to Court. As Ashraf Khán approached Oudh, which was the jágír of Sikandar Khán, the latter came out to meet him, and conducted him to his house with all due ceremony. He submitted to the Emperor's command, and acted as if he meant to go to Court. But after some days he said to Ashraf Khán, “Ibráhím Khán is a much greater man than I, and he is in this neighbourhood; the best thing we can do is to go to him, and get him to acquiesce in your demand. We will then go to Court together.” Upon this understanding they went to the town of Saráwar,296 which was the jágír of Ibráhím Khán.
When Sikandar Khán and Ibráhím Khán met, they took counsel together, and resolved to consult with 'Alí Kulí Khán, who was one of their own tribe, and was the Emperor's representative in their part of the country. In pursuance of this resolution, and with the concurrence of Ashraf Khán, they proceeded to Jaunpúr, the jágír of Khán-zamán. After consultation their judgment was adverse to the course proposed, and they determined to rebel. They improperly detained Ashraf Khán, and then broke into open rebellion. Ibráhím Khán and Sikandar Khán went to Lucknow, full of hostile designs. Khán-zamán and his brother went to Karra Mánikpúr, and there began their revolt.
Sháham Khán Jaláír, Sháh Bidágh Khán, Amír Khán, Muhammad Amín Díwána, Sultán Kulí Kháldár, with all the jágírdárs of his neighbourhood, Sháh Táhir Badakhshí, the brother of Sháh Khalílu-lla, and other nobles, being informed of these rebellious proceedings, marched out against the rebels, and fought against them. In the course of the fighting Muhammad Amín fell from his horse, and was made prisoner by the rebels. Sháham Khán and Bidágh Khán exerted themselves most strenuously, but as the forces of the rebels more than doubled their own, they were obliged to retreat and shut themselves up in the fort of Namíkhá,296a from whence they sent an account to the Emperor.
Khán-zamán and his brother Bahádur Khán now showed their dispositions, and began to plunder the country in their neighbourhood. Majnún Khán Kákshál,297 the jágírdár of that quarter, shut himself up in the fort of Mánikpúr. He sent to inform Ásaf Khán Khwája 'Abdu-l Majíd, governor of Garha, of the state of affairs, and summoned him to his side. Leaving a detachment in charge of the country of Garha, Ásaf Khán proceeded with a strong force to Karra, which was his own jágír. There he divided, as a bounty among the soldiers, the treasures of Chaurágarh which had fallen into his hands. He also sent a large sum to Majnún Khán. Ásaf Khán and Majuún Khán took a bold course, and went forth to confront the rebels, and sent a report to the Emperor of the position.
When the statements of the amírs reached the Emperor at his encampment, he resolved to punish these attempts. He ordered Mu'nim Khán Khán-khánán to march in advance with a strong force, and to cross over the river at Kanauj, to keep the enemy in check. He himself remained behind a few days to collect and organize his forces. In the month of Shawwál he crossed over the Jumna, and marched to chastise the rebels. Upon approaching Kanauj, Mu'nim Khán came forth to meet him, bringing with him Kiyá Khán Gang, who had joined the rebels, and begged forgiveness for him. The Emperor pardoned his crime, and restored him to his former position. He remained ten days waiting for an opportunity to cross the river.
When the waters subsided, intelligence was brought that Sikandar Khán, heedless of what was to happen, was still in Lucknow. Thereupon His Majesty left Khwája Jahán, Mu-zaffar Khán, and Mu'ín Khán in charge of the camp, while he himself started off at midnight with a valiant body of men to march against the rebel with all speed. That night and the next day he struggled through all obstacles without taking rest, and on the following morning came in sight of Sikandar at Lucknow. As soon as Sikandar heard of his approach, he hastily abandoned Lucknow and fled. The horses of the Emperor's force were quite worn out with fatigue, so Sikandar made his escape, and went off unmolested to Khán-zamán and Bahádur Khán. They also were now alarmed, and retreated from before Ásaf Khán to Jaunpúr. They marched from thence, and sending forward their adherents, they crossed the river at the ferry of Narhan, and halted on the other side of the river.
The Emperor sent on Yúsuf Muhammad Khán298 in advance from Lucknow, and himself followed close after him. He encamped in the neighbourhood of Jaunpúr, and there Ásaf Khán and Majnún Khán came to pay their respects, and were graciously received. Ásaf Khán brought with him some costly offerings, which were accepted. Next day his army, which had been got together by means of the treasures of Garha, and numbered five thousand horse, was drawn out in the plain and reviewed by His Majesty, who expressed his royal satisfaction. On Friday, the 12th Zí-l hijja, the royal forces entered the citadel of Jaun-púr. Orders were given to Ásaf Khán and other great nobles to cross over the Ganges at the ferry of Narhan, where 'Alí Kulí Khán and his followers had passed, and then to go to confront the rebels, and act according to circumstances. Ásaf Khán, in obedience to orders, crossed the Ganges with the force under his command.
Between 'Alí Kulí Khán-zamán and Sulaimán Kirání Afghán, ruler of Bengal, there was a strong alliance and identity of interest; it was therefore deemed expedient to send an envoy to Sulaimán, in order to forbid his rendering assistance to Khán-zamán. Hájí Muhammad Khán Sístání, a man remarkable for prudence, was accordingly sent. When he reached the fort of Rohtás, some Afghán chiefs, who were in league with 'Alí Kulí Khán, arrested him and sent him to 'Alí Kulí. The Hájí was on very friendly terms with the Khán, who was greatly pleased to see him, and did his utmost to treat him with respect and honour. The Khán thought it advisable to make the Hájí the medium of seeking forgiveness for his offences, and determined to send his mother along with the Hájí to make intercession at Court. The result of this proceeding will be hereafter narrated.
Orissa.
The Rája of Orissa, one of the divisions of the province of Bengal, was a powerful chief, and kept a strong hand over all the surrounding country. The Emperor sent Husain Khán Khazánchí and Mahápátar, who was an accomplished master of Hindí music, on an embassy to the Rája, holding out great promises of favour and distinction to induce him to prevent Sulaimán Khán Afghán from rendering any assistance to 'Alí Kulí Khán. After honourably entertaining Husain Khán and Mahápátar for four months, he sent them back to Court with several fine elephants and other splendid presents. This country of Orissa is an extensive territory, of which the capital is Jagan-náth—Jagannáth being an idol which gives name and renown to the city.
Flight of Ásaf Khán to Garha.
After Ásaf Khán had joined the Emperor and shown his forces, Muzaffar Khán showed hostility towards him, and induced some persons to bring charges against him in respect of the plunder of Garha. He himself also alarmed Ásaf Khán with some significant observations. This filled the heart of Ásaf Khán with suspicion and anxiety. When he was made commander of the forces, and was sent against 'Alí Kulí Khán, he seized the opportunity, and at midnight went off with his brother Wazír Khán, and his party, towards Karra. Next day the chief nobles, without delay, communicated the fact of his flight to the Emperor, and the Emperor appointed Mu'nim Khán to succeed him in the command. He also sent Shujá'at Khán with a detachment in pursuit of Ásaf Khán, to chastise him for his conduct. When Shujá'at Khán reached Mánikpúr, he found that Ásaf Khán had gone to Karra, and intended to proceed from thence to Garha-Katanka.300 Shujá'at Khán embarked his men in boats, intending to cross the river, and Ásaf Khán, being informed of this, turned back to the river-bank, and reached it as the boats arrived. A great struggle ensued, in which Ásaf Khán succeeded in preventing the landing of Shujá'at Khán, who was obliged to return to his own side at nightfall. In the course of the night, Ásaf Khán resumed his flight, and next morning Shujá'at Khán crossed the river in pursuit; but finding the attempt to overtake him hopeless, he fell back and rejoined the Emperor at Jaunpúr.
Mission of Kalíj Khán to the Fort of Rohtás.
This fort is situated in Bihár, and in height and strength excels all the fortresses of Hindústán. The surface of the hill upon which the fort is built is more than fourteen kos in length, and its width is three kos, and the height from the plain to the battlements is about half a kos.300a From the time of Sher Khán Afghán it remained in the hands of the Afgháns, until the time when Sulaimán Kirání became ruler of Bengal. Fath Khán Tibatí then seized upon it, and refused to submit to Sulaimán. In the year 972 H., Sulaimán collected an army, and in the expectation of the help of 'Alí Kulí Khán marched against Rohtás, and laid siege to it.
When the Imperial forces marched in that direction against Khán-zamán, Fath Khán, seizing upon this favourable chance,300b sent his brother Husain Khán to the Emperor with rich presents, and with a message in which he said that the fort belonged to the Emperor, and that he would send him the keys as soon as the Imperial camp was pitched at Jaunpúr. Sulaimán, on being informed of the approach of the Imperial forces, raised the siege. Fath Khán being thus relieved of his adversary, brought into the fort all the provisions he could collect. Repenting of having sent his brother on the mission, he now wrote to him directions to make his escape, and come into the fort, which was well stored. When the Emperor encamped at Jaunpúr, Husain Khán requested that some one might be sent with him to receive the keys of the fort. Kalíj Khán was accordingly sent to receive the keys from Fath Khán, and bring them to the Emperor. But when Kalíj Khán reached Rohtás, Fath Khán affected to comply, and detained him some days. Kalíj Khán at length discovered the duplicity of Fath Khán, and returned to Court unsuccessful.
Proceedings of 'Alí Kulí Khán (Khán-zamán).
When 'Alí Kulí Khán faced the Imperial forces at the ferry of Narhan, he sent his brother Bahádur Khán, in company with Sikandar Khán, to the country of Sarwár,301 in order to stir up a rebellion in that country. When this news reached His Majesty's ears, he issued orders for several of the chief nobles, such as Sháh Bidágh Khán and his son 'Abdu-l Matlab Khán Kiyá Khán and * * * to march against Sikandar and Bahádur Khán, under the command of Mír Mu'izu-l Mulk, who was a descendant of the Saiyids of Meshhed, and was renowned for his valour.301a
It has been already mentioned that Khán-khánán (Mu'nim Khán) was sent to take the place of Ásaf Khán in command of the army, which confronted Khán-zamán at the ferry of Narhan. Between Khán-khánán and Khán-zamán there was an old and warm friendship, and when they were thus opposed to each other, a correspondence was opened, and it was agreed that Khán-zamán should wait upon Khán-khánán to discuss the terms of peace. The negociations lingered on for four or five months, and warlike operations were suspended.
The Emperor then sent Khwája-jahán and Darbár Khán to the army, to ascertain and report if this cessation of hostilities were advisable, and if not to order an immediate advance of the Imperial forces over the river against the rebels. When Khwája-jahán and Darbár Khán reached the army, Khán-zamán resolved to profit by their arrival, and having offered his congratulations he brought forward his proposals of peace. After many communications and much correspondence, it was agreed that Khán-zamán and Ibráhím Khán on one side, and Khwája Jahán and Darbár Khán on the other side, should have an interview in boats in the middle of the river.302 After a long discussion it was determined that Khán-zamán should send his mother, 'Alí Khán, and Ibráhím Khán his uncle, to the Court of the Emperor, to ask pardon for his offences. Upon receiving forgiveness the Khán and his brother and Sikandar Khán were to go to Court. Khán-zamán was also to send with his mother some elephants which he possessed. These matters being agreed upon, Khán-zamán returned to his camp. Khán-khánán and Khwája-jahán wrote a statement of the settlement, and sent it by Darbár Khán to the Emperor. Next day 'Alí Kulí Khán sent his mother, and Ibráhím Khán, and the elephants in charge of Mír Hádí his Sadr, and Nizám Áká, one of his confidants. Khán-khánán and Khwája-jahán took them and the elephants, and proceeded to Court to ask forgiveness for Khán-zamán.
Just at this time accounts arrived of the operations which Mír Mu'izu-l Mulk and the other nobles were carrying on against Bahádur Khán and Sikandar, whom Khán-zamán had sent to create disturbances and make a diversion in the sarkár of Sarwár. When intelligence of the approach of the royal forces reached them, they halted where they were, and sent persons to Mír Mu'izu-l Mulk to assure him that they had no wish to contend against him, and entreated him to be the mediator to obtain their forgiveness from the Emperor. They promised to send the elephant which they had as an offering, and to return to their duty upon pardon being vouchsafed to them. Mu'izu-l Mulk sent to say that their offences could be purified only by the sword. Bahádur Khán again sent a person to Mu'izu-l Mulk to propose that he should wait upon him, and discuss the matter. Mu'izu-l Mulk agreed to this, and went to the border of his camp, whither Bahádur Khán came to meet him, and to make his propositions of peace. But Mu'izu-l Mulk would hear of nothing but war, so Bahádur Khán returned disappointed, and resolved to make ready for battle.
Lashkar Khán Mír Bakhshí and Rájá Todar Mal303 now arrived with reinforcements for the royal army,303a and Bahádur Khán and Sikandar Khán renewed their proposals of peace, and asked for a delay until it was ascertained what answer was given by the Emperor to the mother of Khán-jahán and to Ibráhím Khán, who had been sent to sue for forgiveness. But Mu'izu-l Mulk was so eager for war303b that he would not listen to their words, and so brought upon himself defeat.
Mu'izu-l Mulk drew out his forces for battle, and sent on his advanced guard under Muhammad Amín Díwána, Salím Khán, 'Abdu-l Matlab Khán, Beg Múrín Khán, and other veteran soldiers; he himself took post with the main body. On the other side Sikandar had command of the advance, and Bahádur of the centre. In this order they advanced, and a warm action ensued. The royal forces defeated the advanced division under the command of Sikandar. Muhammad Yár, his son-in law, was killed, and he himself fell back to the Black River, which was in his rear. Many of his soldiers were drowned in the river, and many others died by the sword. The victorious forces then broke up in search of plunder. Mu'izu-l Mulk, with a few men, kept his position, and Bahádur until now did not stir from his post. But now he seized the favourable moment, attacked Mu'izu-l Mulk, and drove him from his position. Muhammad Bákí Khán and other of the amírs, under pretence of securing the baggage, and some others, treacherously withdrew themselves and stamped themselves with disloyalty. Sháh Bidágh Khán, observing the condition of affairs, hastened forward, and in the heat of the fight was unhorsed. His son 'Abdu-l Matlab Khán rushed forward to rescue his father; but just at that juncture a party of the enemy made a charge and took Bidágh Khán prisoner, and it was only by dint of great exertion that 'Abdu-l Matlab made his escape. Mír Mu'izu-l Mulk was compelled to turn his back and flee. Rájá Todar Mal and Lashkar Khán, who were in reserve, struggled valiantly till night, and maintained their position; but as the centre had been driven away, their efforts were fruitless.
Next day all the defeated forces assembled in one place,304 and made for Kanauj, after sending a report of the engagement to His Majesty.
It has already been related how Khán-khánán conducted the mother of Khán-zamán and Ibráhím Khán, with Mír Hádí Sadr and Nizám Áká, to the Court of the Emperor. Ibráhím Khán, with uncovered head and with a sword and shroud upon his neck, stepped forward, and Khán-khánán entreated forgiveness. He urged that the services of Khán-zamán and his brother to the Imperial throne were manifest to all men, and the services they had rendered were invaluable. By the influence of their destiny they had now been guilty of an offence; but he trusted that the boundless mercy and kindness of His Majesty would look with an eye of tenderness upon the faults of such useful servants.
When this old servant thus besought forgiveness for past offences with a face full of hope, the Emperor, out of the kindness that he felt for Khán-khánán, said, “For your sake, I forgive their offences, but I am not satisfied that they will remain faithful.” Khán-khánán then inquired what the order was as regarded their jágírs, and His Majesty replied, “As I have pardoned their offences, what question can there be about their jágírs? But so long as I remain in this neighbourhood they must not come over the river. When I return to the capital, they must send their vakíls there, and farmáns for their jágírs shall then be issued, under which they may take possession.” Khán-khánán cast a look of joy to heaven, and sent the good news of the pardon to the mother of Khán-zamán. By command of the Emperor, the sword and shroud were taken off the neck of Ibráhím Khán. Khán-zamán's mother immediately sent messengers to Sikandar and Bahádur Khán, to carry the glad tidings of the pardon, and to inspire them with hope. She also advised them to send directly to Court the elephants which they possessed. Sikandar and Bahádur were greatly delighted at this information, and sent the elephants called Koh pára and Saf-shikan, along with other gifts, to His Majesty.
At the same time the report arrived from Rájá Todar Mal and Lashkar Khán upon the action which had been fought, and upon the misconduct of some of the amírs, as above related. His Majesty had pardoned the offences (of Sikandar and Bahádur Khán), so he said “their faults have been forgiven;” and to carry out his decision he sent orders to his amírs to return to Court. Mír Mu'izu-l Mulk, Rájá Todar Mal, and Lashkar Khán, accordingly returned; but those who had acted disgracefully were forbidden to make their appearance for a time.
The Emperor then went to visit the fort of Chunár, celebrated for its height and strength. He made three days' march from Jaunpúr to Benares, and there rested several days. From thence he went to the fortress, and having surveyed it, he ordered it to be repaired and strengthened. Here he was informed that there were many elephants in the jungles of Chunár, so he set off with a party of his attendants on a hunting expedition. At ten kos distance they found a herd, and having captured ten, they returned to the fort of Chunár, and from thence to the Imperial camp.
March against 'Alí Kulí Khán-zamán.
It has been above related how Khán-zamán was pardoned, and his jágírs restored, upon condition that he did not pass over the river without permission. But when the Emperor had gone to Chunár, he crossed the river, and went to Muhammadábád, one of the dependencies of Jaunpúr, and from thence sent parties of troops to occupy Gházípúr and Jaunpúr. As soon as the Emperor returned to his camp, he was informed of this evil proceeding of 'Alí Kulí Khán's, and he said reproachfully to Khán-khánán, “No sooner had I quitted this neighbourhood than 'Alí Kulí Khán broke the conditions of his pardon.” Khán-khánán looked mortified, and endeavoured to make excuse.
Orders were given for Ashraf Khán Mír-bakhshí to go to Jaunpúr, and make prisoner the mother of 'Alí Kulí Khán, who was in that city, and to confine her in the fort of Jaunpúr. He was also to secure every rebel he could lay hold of. Khwája Jahán and Muzaffar Khán were to remain with the camp, and lead it by regular marches. The Emperor himself, with a considerable force, started off upon a rapid march against 'Alí Kulí Khán. Ja'far Khán, son of Karák Khán Turkomán, who had come from 'Irák, went to the fort of Gházípúr, intending to make a dash at it; but 'Alí Kulí Khán's people, who were in the fort, hearing of his intention, let themselves down from the walls on to the river Ganges, and went to Muhammadábád.
Khán-zamán, who was in that town, on being informed of what had occurred, hastened to make his escape by the water. When he reached the river Sarwar (Sarú), some boats, laden with his property and effects, fell into the hands of the royal forces. A body of troops was sent across the river with orders to take no rest until they had secured Khán-zamán. The forces under the Emperor occupied the banks of the Sarwar (Sarú), and after searching all the jungles, they found that Khán-zamán had gone off to the Siwálik hills.307 News now arrived that Bahádur Khán had gone to Jaunpúr,307a and liberated his mother. He made Ashraf Khán prisoner, and formed the design of making an attack upon the royal camp.307b Upon learning this, the Emperor gave up the chase of Khán-zamán, and turned towards Jaunpúr. The detachment also, which had been sent on in pursuit of him, returned and joined the Emperor. Sikandar and Bahádur Khán, being informed of this movement, made a retreat, and crossed the Ganges at the ferry of Narhan.
In the month of Rajab, when the royal camp was near the pargana of Nizámábád, the annual Majlis-i wazn was held. Twice every year, on the Emperor's birthday, both according to the solar and lunar reckoning, the ministers and nobles weighed the Emperor against gold, silver, and other things, which things were afterwards distributed among the poor and needy.307c
The Emperor marched from Nizámábád to Jaunpúr, where he ordered a pleasant site to be selected, and a splendid palace to be built; and the nobles also were to build houses and palaces suitable to their rank. For it was determined that so long as 'Alí Kulí Khán and his brother should remain in the world, Jaunpúr should be the capital of the State. The royal forces were sent in pursuit of the fugitives, with instructions to take no rest until they had inflicted the punishment due to them. When 'Alí Kulí Khán heard of this, he left the Siwálik hills, whither he had fled, and came to the side of the Ganges. Then he sent a faithful follower named Mirzá Mubárak Rizwí308 to Court with a message. This man went along with the mother of Khán-zamán to Khán-khánán, and delivered his message. Khán-khánán, with the assistance of Mír 'Abdu-l Latíf, Mullá 'Abdu-lla Makhdúmu-l Mulk, who was Shaikhu-l Islám of Hind, and Shaikh 'Abdu-n Nabí the Sadr, again made intercession for Khán-zamán; and the Emperor, in his great kindness, once more pardoned his offences.
Khwája-jahán, Mír Murtaza Sharífí, and Makhdúmu-l Mulk were commanded to go to Khán-zamán, to reprove him, and to convey to him the glad tidings of his forgiveness. When the party reached the camp of Khán-zamán, he came forth to meet them, and conducted them with great honour to his dwelling. He detained them some time, and treated them most respectfully. Then as required, he expressed contrition for his faults, took an oath of fidelity, and bade his visitors farewell. The Emperor's opponents having repented of their unrighteous deeds, and made their submission, he returned to the capital in the beginning of the eleventh year of the reign, corresponding with 973 H.
Eleventh year of the Reign.
The beginning of this year corresponded with Monday, 20th Sha'bán, 973 H. (12th March, 1566). The Court reached the capital Ágra at the beginning of this year, on Friday, the 8th Ramazán. After a few days' rest and pleasure, the Emperor visited Nagar-chín, a fine building which he had founded. [His pleasure in the game of chaugán; game played at night with fireballs. Death of Muhammad Yúsuf Khán Atka, Kokaltásh of the Emperor, from excessive drinking.]
Khán to Khán-zamán.
The Emperor's mind being now relieved from all anxiety in respect of 'Alí Kulí Khán and other rebels, Mahdí Kásim Khán, one of the old nobles of the Imperial house, was sent with 3000 or 4000 men to Garha to settle the affairs of that country, and to capture Ásaf Khán. Before Mahdí Kásim Khán arrived, Ásaf Khán quitted the fort of Chaurágarh, and went off into the jungles. He wrote a letter, full of humility and repentance, to the Emperor, asking permission to go on the pilgrimage. Mahdí Kásim Khán, on arriving in Garha, secured all the country, and went in pursuit of Ásaf Khán, who then wrote letters to Khán-zamán, proposing to go and join him. Khán-zamán wrote in reply, inviting him to come to him. Ásaf Khán, deceived by this, went to Jaunpúr, along with his brother Wazír Khán; but at the very first audience he beheld the arrogance of Khán-zamán, and was sorry that he had come. Mahdí Kásim Khán, being in despair of capturing the fugitive, returned to Garha, and he sent back to Court the men who had been despatched to reinforce him.
Khán-zamán sent Ásaf Khán along with Bahádur Khán to seize upon some territories which were in the hands of the Afgháns; but he kept Wazír Khán near himself, and appointed men to watch him. Wazír Khán sent a person to Ásaf Khán to say, “I intend to fly from this place at such and such a time: do you also in some way or other get away from Bahádur Khán.” Ásaf Khán accordingly, leaving all his baggage and property behind, went off in the night, and took the road to Karra-Mánikpúr. In the course of the night he travelled thirty kos, but Bahádur Khán pursued him, and overtook him between Jaunpúr and Mánikpúr. A fight ensued, in which Ásaf Khán was defeated and taken prisoner. Bahádur Khán threw him into a howda on an elephant, and went on his way, when Wazír Khán, who had got away from Khán-zamán, came up. Bahádur Khán, feeling that he was unable to cope with Wazír Khán, gave orders for putting Ásaf Khán to death at once in the howda. Sword-cuts were aimed at Ásaf Khán, three of his fingers were cut off, and he received a wound also in the nose; but Wazír Khán fought his way through, and rescued his brother. The two brothers then went to Karra, and Bahádur Khán returned without accomplishing his object. Wazír Khán proceeded to Court, and, through the intervention of Muzaf-far Khán, he was admitted to an audience, and received pardon for his own and his brother's offences, while His Majesty was near Lahore, engaged in the pursuit of Mirzá Muhammad Hakím and in hunting, as will be related in their appropriate place. A farmán of favour and conciliation was sent to Ásaf Khán.
Mirzá Sulaimán's fourth attempt upon Kábul.
It has been related in a former page how Mirzá Sulaimán led his army against Kábul, and how the Imperial forces were sent to the assistance of Mirzá Muhammad Hakím. Mirzá Sulaimán, unable to resist, retreated to Badakhshán, and the Imperial nobles, having taken leave of Mirzá Muhammad Hakím, returned to Hindústán. Sulaimán being now informed of the return of the Emperor's forces, assembled his army in Badakhshán, and marched with his wife Khurram Begam to effect the conquest of Kábul. Mirzá Muhammad Hakím left Kábul in charge of Ma'súm Koka, who was in his confidence, and had a reputation for courage. He himself went with Khwája Hasan Nakshabandí and the army into the valley of the Ghorband. Mirzá Sulaimán advanced to Kábul, and invested the fortress. When he found that he was not likely to capture it, he took counsel, and sent his wife Khurram Begam into Ghorband to Mirzá Muhammad Hakím, in order to delude him with a show of kindness and friendship, and to prevail over him by plausible representations. Khurram Begam accordingly left Mirzá Sulaimán before Kábul, and went towards Ghorband. She sent forward some persons to assure Mirzá Muhammad Hakím of her great affection for him, that having no son of her own, she looked upon him as her son, and that the great object of her journey was to bring about concord and unity.
Mirzá Muhammad Hakím, in consequence of this message, determined to have a meeting with Khurram Begam at Kará-bágh, which is about ten kos from Kábul; and he sent messengers to her to inform her of his intention, and to receive from her satisfactory assurances. Khurram Begam showed great joy at the prospect of a meeting, and affirmed with strong oaths that she had no deceitful or treacherous designs, and that her sole object was unanimity. The messengers listened to these words and returned. They had not gone far, when that stupid311 woman sent off messengers in hot haste to Mirzá Sulaimán, informing him of the intended meeting at Karábágh, and advising him to come there secretly with all speed, and await his opportunity. Mirzá Sulaimán left Muhammad Kulí Shaghálí, a man of courage and one of his confidential nobles, with 1000 men, in charge of his daughters, who were with him in his camp at Kábul. With the rest of the army he made a forced march to the neighbourhood of Karábágh, and there took post in ambush.
The messengers sent by Mirzá Muhammad Hakím to Khur-ram Begam returned to him, and reported all her assurances and pledges. They strongly urged him to meet her, and Khwája Hasan Nakshabandí exerted his influence to the same end. But Bákí Kákshál was opposed to the Mirzá's going, and said the woman was intent upon some stratagem and deception. Mirzá Muhammad Hakím, however, having promised to meet Khurram Begam, would not listen to Bákí Kákshál's objections, and proceeded with a few trusty followers towards Karábágh. When they reached the appointed place, some of Mirzá Sulai-mán's soldiers, who had got separated in the night, came in and made known the fact of Mirzá Sulaimán having come, and of his lying in concealment. As soon as he was informed of this, Mirzá Muhammad Hakím returned, and Sulaimán, being informed of his departure, set off in pursuit. In the pass of Sanjad-darra they overtook some of Mirzá Muhammad Hakím's men, and made them prisoners. They also plundered the Mirzá's baggage, etc., which was in the rear, and they stopped in the pass. The Mirzá himself, along with Muhammad Hakím, reached Ghorband. From thence they went to Jalálábád, and afterwards to the banks of the Indus.
As soon as he crossed the river, the Mirzá wrote a letter to the Emperor, and sent it by his envoys. They reached the Court at the time it was at Nagar-chín, and were honoured with an interview. They presented the Mirzá's letter, in which he set forth the unfortunate state of his affairs. Intelligence of the distractions at Kábul had reached the Court before their arrival, and the Emperor had appointed Farídún Khán, maternal uncle of the Mirzá, and a noble of the Imperial Court, to go to his assistance. He now sent Khush-khabr Khán, one of the royal heralds, with money, goods of Hindústán, and a horse and saddle, to the Mirzá; and he wrote a farmán, in which he said that if the Mirzá required assistance, he would send the amírs of the Panjáb to support him.
When Khush-khabr Khán approached the camp, the Mirzá hastened out with due ceremony and respect to receive the farmán. After the arrival of Khush-khabr Khán, Farídún laboured to instigate the Mirzá to hostile attempts, representing that it would be easy for him to effect the conquest of Lahore. Hostilities having been resolved upon, he tried to persuade the Mirzá to seize Khush-khabr Khán. But although the Mirzá had been led away by his foolish persuasions, he was too honourable to consent to the detention of Khush-khabr Khán; so he invited the Khán to his presence secretly, and sent him away. Sultán 'Alí, a clerk who had fled from the Court, and Hasan Khán, brother of Shahábu-d dín Ahmad Khán, who was in Kábul, helped to excite the hostile spirit, and added their voices to Farídún's.
Won over by their persuasions, the Mirzá broke into open revolt, and marched against Lahore. Upon coming into the neighbourhood of the city, he began to plunder. Some of the nobles of the Panjáb, such as Mír Muhammad Khán-i Kalán,313 Kutbu-d dín Muhammad Khán, and Sharíf Muhammad, hearing of these proceedings, assembled in Lahore. They looked to the safety of the fort, and wrote an account of the Mirzá's rebellion and hostile acts to the Emperor. On arriving near Lahore, the Mirzá encamped in the garden of Mahdí Kásim Khán, which is in sight of the city. Several times he marshalled his forces, and advanced to the foot of the fortifications; but the amírs of the Panjáb repulsed him with the fire of their guns and muskets. At length, when intelligence came of the advance of the royal forces, the Mirzá, feeling unable to offer resistance, took to flight.
March of the Army to Lahore.
When the hostile proceedings of Mirzá Muhammad Hakím became known to the Emperor, his countenance showed the anger which he felt, and he gave orders for the preparation of the army. Leaving Mu'nim Khán Khán-khánán in charge of Ágra, the capital, and Muzaffar Khán in direction of the díwání, on the 3rd Jumáda-l awwal, 974 H., he began his march. In ten days he reached Dehlí, and went to visit the shrines of the saints who there repose, and bestowed his royal bounty on the poor and needy. From thence he proceeded by regular marches to Sirhind. He was greatly pleased with the bázárs of this town, and commended Háfiz Rakhna, who was the shikkdár, and placed the sarkárdárí of that place in his charge. After crossing the Jumna, he received intelligence of the flight of Mirzá Muhammad Hakím, but he went on joyfully to Lahore. Upon approaching the city, the great amírs, who had exhibited their loyalty and devotion, came forth to meet him, and received distinguished marks of royal favour. In the month of Rajab he arrived at Lahore, the dáru-s saltanat, and took up his abode in the house of Mahdí Kásim Khán, in the citadel. By command of His Majesty, Kutbu-d dín Muhammad Khán and Kamál Khán Gakhar went in pursuit of Mirzá Muhammad Hakím, and advanced beyond the pargana of Bahra. There they learnt that the Mirzá had crossed the Indus, so they returned.
When Mirzá Muhammad Hakím heard that Mirzá Sulaimán had gone back to Badakhshán, he made haste to Kábul. It has been related in a former page how Mirzá Sulaimán left his daughters in his camp at Kábul, and went off in haste to seize upon Mirzá Muhammad Hakím at Karábágh. Next day Muhammad Ma'súm Koka, whom Mirzá Muhammad Hakím had left in command at Kábul, sent out a force to attack the besiegers' camp, and defeated them. Muhammad Kulí Shaghálí, who was in command, gave up his baggage to plunder, and went off with the daughters of Mirzá Sulaimán to Chahár-díwár Bágh, a place in the vicinity, and there entrenched himself. The Kábul forces surrounded the place, and sought to make him and Mirzá Sulaimán's daughters their prisoners; but Ma'súm Koka, considering it unseemly to make prisoners of the ladies, recalled his men. Mirzá Sulaimán returned unsuccessful from Karábágh, and again laid siege to Kábul, but Ma'súm Koka had grown bold and daring. Every day he sent out parties of men, and sorely troubled the besiegers. The weather grew very cold, so Mirzá Sulaimán became desirous of peace. Ma'súm Koka was aware of his distress, and was anxious to fight, so he would not make peace. Finally, Mirzá Sulaimán sent in Kází Khán Badakhshí, who had been tutor of Ma'súm Koka, and prevailed upon him to send the Mirzá a small present. Peace was thus made. The Mirzá first sent on his wife, and then followed her to Badakhshán.
When the Imperial Court arrived at Lucknow, many of the zamíndárs of the country came in to pay their allegiance, and were graciously received. Those who were unable to come themselves sent their representatives with presents and offerings, and their assurances of loyalty. Among them, Muhammad Bákí Tarkhán, son of Mirzá 'Ísá, ruler of Sindh, sent his ambassadors to Court, to say that his father, who had been one of the dependents of the Imperial throne, was dead, and that he, the successor, considered himself among the vassals of the Emperor. Sultán Mahmúd, the governor (walí) of the fort, supported by the Kazilbáshís of Kandahár, was making attacks upon his territories, and he therefore besought the Emperor to prevent these molestations. In compliance with this application, the Emperor sent a farmán to Sultán Mahmúd, directing him to keep within his own boundaries, and not to attack the territories of Muhammad Bákí.
During the stay at Lahore, a letter arrived from Ágra, from Mu'nim Khán Khán-khánán, with the intelligence that the sons of Muhammad Sultán Mirzá and Ulúgh Mirzá, by name Ibrá-hím Husain Mirzá, Muhammad Husain Mirzá, and Sháh Mirzá, who held jágírs in the sarkár of Sambal, had broken out in rebellion. And when he, Khán-khánán, had marched as far as Dehlí to punish them, they had heard of his approach, and had gone off towards Mandú. This Muhammad Sultán Mirzá was son of Wís Mirzá, son of Mankará Mirzá, son of Mansúr, son of Mankará, son of 'Umar Shaikh, son of Amír Tímúr Gúrgán Sáhib-kirán. His mother was a daughter of Sultán Husain Mirzá. After the death of Sultán Husain Mirzá, he came to the Court of the Emperor Bábar, and was honourably received. The Emperor Humáyún also treated him with consideration during the days of his reign. His sons, Ulúgh Mirzá and Sháh Mirzá, were also in the service of Humáyún. These men had several times been guilty of rebellious actions, and their offences had been forgiven. Ulúgh Beg was killed in an attack upon the Hazára country, and Sháh Mirzá was killed by the arrows of robbers in the pass of Ma'múra, about ten parasangs from Kábul. Ulúgh Beg left two sons, Sultán Muhammad Mirzá and Sikandar Mirzá. His Majesty [Humáyún] treated them kindly, and to Sikandar Mirzá he gave the title of Ulúgh Mirzá, and to Sultán Muhammad Mirzá the title of Sháh Mirzá. When the Emperor Akbar succeeded to the throne, Muhammad Sultán Mirzá had grown old, so he was excused service, and the pargana of 'Azampur, in Sambal, was settled upon him for his maintenance. Several sons were borne to him in his old age—Ibráhím Husain Mirzá, Muhammad Husain Mirzá, and 'Ákil Husain Mirzá. To every one of these the Emperor gave suitable jágírs, and advanced them to the dignity of amírs. They were constantly in attendance upon His Majesty, rendering their services. When the Emperor returned from his Jaunpúr campaign, they repaired to their jágírs, and remained in Sambal. But when His Majesty went to Lahore, to repress the attempt of Mirzá Muhammad Hakím, Ulúgh Mirzá and Sháh Mirzá, in concert with their uncles Ibráhím Husain and Mirzá Muhammad Husain, broke out into rebellion, and attacked several parganas. But the jágírdárs of the neighbourhood gathered together and attacked them, so that they had to fly to Málwa, as will be related in the sequel.
Twelfth year of the Reign.
The beginning of this year corresponded with Monday, 2nd Ramazán, 974 H. (12th Feb. 1567). At the beginning of this year, which was near the Nauroz, His Majesty determined to go out for a Kamurgha316 hunt. An order was issued to all the great amírs for forty miles round Lahore to drive the animals together into a large plain, situated about five kos from Lahore. Accordingly the amírs, under the direction of Mír Muhammad Atka, drove together about fifteen thousand animals, deer, nílgáos , jackals, foxes, etc., into that plain. The extent of this hunting ground was five kos on every side, and the Emperor's tent (kasar), which he used in his campaigns, was brought here and set up. The Emperor then mounted, and went out to hunt. The amírs and the kháns daily drew their lines closer, and narrowed the circle. When several days had passed in this sport, His Majesty graciously gave his attendants permission to shoot, and afterwards made the permission general, so that there was no soldier or any person who did not get several kinds of game. After the sport was over, the Emperor returned towards the city, and on reaching the river of Lahore, he plunged into the water on horseback and swam over. Of the attendants who followed His Majesty, Khush-khabr Khán Yasáwal and Mír Muhammad, son of Sher Muhammad Kúrdár, were drowned. While the hunt was going on, Hamíd Bakrí, one of the most favoured equerries (yasáwal), having drunk too much, had wounded one of the Emperor's attendants with an arrow. This person found an opportunity in the course of the hunting to complain to the Emperor, who ordered Kalíj Khán to strike off the offender's head. Kalíj Khán used a sword, which broke with the blow, without doing the culprit any harm. When the Emperor saw this, he respited him, but had him exposed to public derision.
About this time Muzaffar Khán, who had been left in charge of the díwání at Ágra, proceeded to the camp of the Emperor, along with Wazír Khán, brother of Ásaf Khán, and joined it while he was out on the hunting excursion. The author's father, who had remained behind at Ágra on government business, accompanied Muzaffar Khán on this journey, and I, the author of this work, went along with my father. In fine, the Emperor forgave the offences of Ásaf Khán and Wazír Khán, and admitted the latter to an audience. A command was given that Ásaf Khán, along with Majnún Khán Kákshál, should go to Karra-Mánikpúr, and provide for the safety of the dependent territories.
Intelligence now arrived that 'Alí Kulí Khán, Bahádur Khán, and Sikandar Khán had again broken their engagements, and risen in rebellion.318 Hereupon the Emperor placed their vakíl Mirzá Mírak Rizwí in custody of Khán Bákí Khán, and leaving the direction of the affairs of the Panjáb in the charge of Mír Muhammad Khán and all the Atkas, on the 12th Ramazán, 974 H. (22nd March, 1567), he started on his return to Ágra.
When the Emperor arrived at Thánesar, there was an assemblage of Jogís and Sannyásís on the banks of a lake called Kur-khet. This is a sacred place of the brahmans, and on occasion of eclipses the people of Hindústán flock thither from all parts to bathe. There was a great assemblage there on this occasion, and the people were bestowing their gifts of gold and silver, and jewels and stuffs, upon the brahmans. Many of them threw themselves into the water, and the Jogís and Sannyásís318a were gathering a rich harvest from their charity. In consequence of a feud which existed between these two sects, they came to the Emperor, seeking permission to settle it by fighting. The Sannyásís were between two and three hundred in number, and the Jogís, who wear only rags, were over five hundred. When the adversaries stood ready to begin the fray, by the Emperor's order, some soldiers smeared their persons with ashes, and went to support the Sannyásís, who were the weaker party. A fierce fight ensued, and many were killed. The Emperor greatly enjoyed the sight. At length the Jogís were defeated, and the Sannyásís were the victors.
When the Imperial camp reached Dehlí, Mirzá Mírak Rizwí, who had been left in the charge of Khán Bákí Khán, made his escape, and although the Khán pursued him, he did not succeed in recapturing him, and so, being apprehensive of the Emperor's displeasure, he himself fled. Tátár Khán, the governor of Dehlí, reported that Muhammad Amín Díwána,319 who had fled from Lahore, had gone to the house of Shaháb Khán Turkomán, where he stayed some days, and after obtaining from him pecuniary assistance and a horse, had gone off to join the insurgents. This greatly incensed the Emperor, and he directed Sháh Fakhru-d dín Meshhedí to apprehend Shaháb Khan. When the Emperor was encamped at the village of Palwal,319a Shaháb Khán was brought in for punishment, and was there executed.
Upon arriving at Ágra, the Emperor was informed that Khán-zamán was besieging the fort of Shergarh, four kos distant from Kanauj, in which fort Mirzá Yúsuf Khán was shut up. Nineteen days after his arrival at Ágra, the Emperor left Khán-khánán in charge of the city, and on Monday, the 23rd Shawwal, 974 H., marched towards Jaunpúr. When he reached the pargana of Saket, 'Alí Kulí Khán decamped from before Shergarh, and fled to his brother Bahádur Khán, who was in Mánikpúr. The royal camp was next pitched near the town of Bhojpúr, and the Emperor detached Muhammad Kulí Khán Bírlás, Muzaffar Khán, Rájá Todar Mal, Sháh Bidágh Khán and his son 'Abdu-l Matlab Hasan Khán, 'Ádil Muhammad, Khwája Ghiyásu-d dín 'Alí Bakhshí, and other officers, with nearly 6000 horse, against Sikandar, who was in Oudh. He himself continued his march towards Mánikpúr.
When he reached the pargana of Ráí Bareilly, he learnt that 'Alí Kulí Khán and Bahádur Khán had crossed the Ganges with the object of proceeding towards Kálpí.319b He then directed his camp to proceed under the command of Khwája Jahán to the fort of Karra, and then marched with all possible speed to the ferry of Mánikpúr.320 There he crossed the river upon the back of an elephant, and from 1000 to 1500 men swam the river along with him. Majnún Khán and Ásaf Khán, who were in advance, constantly sent back intelligence of the enemy. It so happened that 'Alí Kulí Khán and Bahádur Khán had occupied themselves all that night in wine-drinking and licentiousness, and were heedless of everything else. The warlike demonstrations against them they attributed to the daring of Majnún Khán, and would not believe that the Emperor was near at hand.
On Sunday, the 1st Zí-l hijja, the Emperor made his dispositions for action. He himself took command of the centre. Ásaf Khán and all the Atkas320a were on the right; Majnún Khán and other amírs were on the left. This day His Majesty rode an elephant called Bálsundar, and Mirzá Koka, who bore the title of 'Azam Khán, was seated in the howda with him. The enemy, being now fully aware of the Emperor's advance, prepared themselves for death. They drew out their forces, and sent a body of men to oppose the advanced guard of the Emperor.320b Bábá Khán Kákshál, who commanded the advance, repulsed them and drove them back upon the lines of 'Alí Kulí Khán. In the confusion, the horse of one of the fugitives ran against the horse of 'Alí Kulí Khán, and the Khán's turban fell off. Bahádur Khán saw this, and his spirit being roused, he made a bold charge upon the advanced guard under Bábá Khán, and drove it back upon the ranks of Majnún Khán. Bahádur Khán in the pursuit came between these two forces. He fought manfully, but his horse, being wounded by an arrow, became unmanageable, and he was thrown to the ground and made prisoner.
As the battle grew hot, the Emperor alighted from his elephant and mounted a horse. Then he gave orders for the elephants to be driven against the lines of 'Alí Kulí Khán. There was among them an elephant named Híránand, and when he approached the ranks of the enemy, they let loose against him an elephant called Diyána; but Híránand gave him such a butt, that he fell upon the spot. 'Alí Kulí Khán received a wound from an arrow, and while he was engaged in drawing it out, another arrow struck his horse. The animal became restive, and 'Alí Kulí Khán also was thrown. An elephant named Narsing now came up, and was about to crush him, when 'Alí Kulí Khán cried out to the driver, “I am a great man; if you take me alive to the Emperor, he will reward you.” The driver paid no heed to his words, but drove the animal over him and crushed him under foot. When the field was cleared of the enemy, Nazar Bahádur placed Bahádur Khán behind him on a horse, and conducted him to the presence of the Emperor. By the efforts of the amírs he was put to death. After a little while, the head of 'Alí Kulí Khán-zamán was also brought.321 The Emperor then alighted from his horse, and returned thanks for this victory. This battle was fought at the village of Man-karwál, one of the dependencies of Josí and Payág, now known, as Illahábás, on Monday, the 1st Zí-l hijja, 974 H.
While the Emperor was on his campaign against Khán-zamán, the author's father remained at Ágra, in the performance of his duty to the Emperor, and the author himself was at Ágra with him. Every day turbulent and designing men spread disastrous news. One day I said to one of my companions, “Suppose we set some favourable reports afloat?” and he asked what we should say, and I replied, “Let us say that news has come that they are bringing in the heads of Khán-zamán and Bahádur Khán.” I told this story to several persons. Three days afterwards 'Abdu-lla, son of Murád Beg, brought in the heads of Khán-zamán and Bahádur Khán. The rumour was started in Ágra on the very day they were slain.322
When the Emperor's mind was relieved from all apprehension about his adversaries, he proceeded to Josí and Payág, and there rested two days. Some persons, who had deserted the royal army to join 'Alí Kulí Khán, were here brought in, and were handed over to keepers. He then proceeded to Benares.322a Every follower of 'Alí Kulí Khán who came forward and was submissive to the Emperor's power was pardoned. From Benares he went to Jaunpúr, and remained three days in sight of that city. Some of 'Alí Kulí Khán's men, who had escaped from the battle-field and fled to Jaunpúr, were all forgiven and kindly treated. From thence he went, attended by four or five persons, and, by rapid travelling, in the course of three days he reached the Ganges, at the ferry of Karra and Mánikpúr, where there was a camp. Crossing the river in a boat, he went and rested in the fortress. Then he wrote to Mu'ním Khán Khán-khánán, summoning him from Ágra.
Several jágírdárs of the Eastern province paid their respects, and were dismissed with honour. Some men of 'Alí Kulí's army, who were prisoners and always intent upon creating a disturbance, such as Khán Kulí Uzbek, Yár 'Alí and Mirzá Beg Kákshál, people of Majnún 'Alí Khán, Khushhál Beg one of the guards of the late Emperor Humáyún, Mír Sháh Badakhshí, and other malcontents, met with a terrible fate.322b Mirzá Mírak Rizwí Meshhedí, the vakíl of 'Alí Kulí Khán, who had fled from Court to join the latter, was taken prisoner on the day of battle, and was ordered to be cast under the feet of an elephant. But the elephant merely rubbed him with his trunk, and finally, in virtue of his being a saiyid, his crime was forgiven.
Khán-khánán, who had been summoned from Ágra, now waited upon His Majesty, and was invested with the care and government of the jágírs of 'Alí Kulí Khán and Bahádur Khán in Jaunpúr, Benares, Gházípúr, the fort of Chunár and Zamániya, as far as the ferry of Chaunsa. He also received a present of a splendid robe, and of a horse. In the midst of the rainy season, in Zí-l hijja, 974, the Emperor began his homeward march, and in Muharram, 975, arrived at Ágra.
It has been previously mentioned that Muhammad Kulí Khán Birlás and Muzaffar Khán were sent with a force against Sikan-dar, and went towards Oudh. On hearing of their approach, Sikandar took refuge in a fort.323 The royal forces came up and laid siege to the fort. Sikandar was already hard pressed, when the news arrived of the destruction of 'Alí Kulí Khán and Bahádur Khán. This greatly dispirited the Uzbeks, and they sent men to 'Alí Kulí and Muzaffar Khán, to treat for peace. Having thus engaged the commanders in negociations, Sikandar evacuated the fort by the gate towards the river, and embarked in boats. As he had all the boats, the Imperial generals were unable to cross the river. Sikandar again sent a message to them, declaring that he was quite ready to keep the engagement he had made, but his men were suspicious. He therefore requested that they would come out in a boat to the middle of the river, and he would meet them with two or three persons and settle the terms. This would satisfy his men, and they would proceed together to Court. Muhammad Kulí Khán Birlás, Muzaffar Khán, and Rájá Todar Mal agreed to this proposition, and went out to the middle of the stream. Sikandar Khán, on the other side, came out with two or three persons, and had the interview.324 The amírs promised to sue for the pardon of Sikan-dar, and swore that they would make no attack on the lives or property of him or his men. Upon this agreement, they separated, and each party went to his own side.
Sikandar then made two days' march, and wrote to the amírs, stating that the rise of the waters had prevented his staying on the banks of the river. On hearing of his departure, the amírs went after him. When they reached Gorakhpúr, they discovered that he had crossed the river and gone off. The country before them belonged to the Afgháns, into which they could not enter without the order of the Emperor. They wrote a statement of the position to Court, and received an answer to the effect, that as Sikandar had left the Imperial territory, it was unnecessary to pursue him. His estates and jágírs were given to Muhammad Kulí Khán Birlás. The amírs, on being acquainted with the contents of the letter, left Muhammad Kulí Khán, and returned to Court.
Conquest of the Fort of Chitor.324a
Many zamíndárs and rájás of Hindústán had become subjects of the Imperial throne. But Ráná Udí Singh, Rájá of Márwár, confident in the strength of his fortresses, and the number of his men and elephants, had thrown off his allegiance. Now that the Emperor had returned to the capital, with his mind at rest in respect of 'Alí Kulí Khán and other rebels, he turned his attention towards the capture of Chitor. He accordingly began to make preparations for the campaign. The pargana of Bayána was taken from Hájí Muhammad Khán Sístání, and given in jágír to Ásaf Khán, who was ordered to proceed thither, and collect provisions and materials for the army. The Emperor followed to the town of Bárí, with the avowed intention of hunting, and there killed a thousand animals in sport. Then he ordered his army to be brought up, and proceeded onwards to Mú-maidána. When he reached the fort of Súpar,325 he found that, hearing of his approach, the men who garrisoned that fort for Ráí Surjan of Rantambhor, had abandoned it and fled to Rantambhor. The fort was placed in charge of Nazar Bahádur, one of the Imperial adherents. From thence he went on to Kota, one of the parganas of that country, of which he made Sháh Muhammad Khán Kandahárí the governor. Next he marched to Gágrún,325a on the borders of Málwa.
Mirzá Ulúgh and Mirzá Sháh, sons of Muhammad Sultán Mirzá, had fled from Sambal, and had come into these parts, where they had begun a revolt, which the Emperor deemed it necessary to suppress. He therefore appointed Shahábu-d dín Ahmad Khán, Sháh Bidágh Khán, Muhammad Murád Khán, and Hájí Muhammad Sístání to jágírs in Mandú, and charged them with that duty. When the amírs reached Ujjain, which is one of the chief places in that country, they found that the Mirzás, on hearing of the Emperor's approach, had assembled together and fled to Gujarát, to Changíz Khán, the ruler of that country, who had been one of the adherents of Sultán Mahmúd Gujarátí. So the amírs obtained possession of Mandú without opposition.
When the Emperor marched from Gágrún, Ráná Udí Singh left seven or eight thousand men to hold Chitor, under the command of a Rájpút named Jai Mal, a valiant chief, who had fought against Mirzá. Sharafu-d dín Husain, in the fort of Mírtha, as before related. The Ráná himself, with all his relatives and dependents, took refuge in the hills and jungles.
The fort of Chitor is seated on a hill, which is about one kos in height, and has no connexion with any other hill. The length of the fortress is three kos, and the width half a kos. It contains plenty of running water. Under His Majesty's orders, the ground round the fort was portioned out among the different amírs.
The royal forces were ordered to plunder and lay waste the country, and Ásaf Khán was sent to Rámpúr,326 a prosperous town of the province. He attacked and captured the fort, and ravaged all the neighbourhood. Husain Kulí Khán was sent with a detachment towards Údípúr and Kombalmír,326a which is one of the chief fortresses in that country, and is the residence of the Ráná. He ravaged several towns and villages, but finding no trace of the Ráná, he returned to the Imperial camp.
When the siege of Chitor had been carried on some time, the Emperor ordered the construction of sábáts, and the digging of mines. About 5000 builders and carpenters and stonemasons were collected, and began their work of constructing sábáts on two sides of the fort. A sábát is a kind of wall which is begun at musket-shot distance (from the fort), and under the shelter of its planks strongly fastened together and covered with raw hides, a kind of way (kúcha) is conducted to the fortress. The walls are then battered from it with guns, and a breach being made, the brave assailants rush into the fort. The sábát which was conducted from the royal battery (morchal-i bádsháhí) was so extensive that ten horsemen abreast could ride along it, and it was so high that an elephant-rider with his spear in his hand could pass under it.
While the sábát was in course of construction, the garrison kept up such a fire of guns and muskets, that more than 100 of the workmen and labourers employed in it were killed daily, although they covered themselves with shields of bull-hide. Corpses were used in the walls like bricks. In a short time, the sábát was completed, and carried close to the fort.
The miners also carried their mines to the foot of the walls, and having constructed mines under two bastions which were near together, they filled them with gunpowder. A party of men of well-known bravery, fully armed and accoutred, approached the bastions, ready to rush into the fort as soon as a breach was made by the explosion of the mines. Fire was applied to both mines at the same time, but the match of one was shorter than the other, and that made the explosion first. The bastion was blown into the air, and a large breach was effected. The storming party at once rushed to the breach, and were about to enter, when the second mine exploded, and the bastion was blown up. Friends and foes, who were contending in the breach, were hurled into the air together, and those also on whom the stones fell perished. It is notorious that stones of 200 mans were carried to a distance of three or four kos from the walls, and bodies of men who had been burnt were found. Saiyid Jamalú-d dín and * * * and a great number of the Emperor's attendants, were slain, and nearly 500 picked soldiers were killed by blows from the stones. A large number also of the infidels perished.
After this disaster, the pride and solicitude of the Emperor became still more intent upon the reduction of the fortress. A sábát which had been laid down in the battery of Shujá'at Khán was now completed. On the night of Tuesday, 25th Sha'bán, 975 H., the Imperial forces assembled from all sides, and the wall being breached, a grand struggle began. Jai Mal, commander of the fortress, came into the breach to encourage his men. The Emperor was seated in a gallery, which had been erected for him on the sábát, and he had a musket in his hand. The face of Jai Mal was discernible by the light which was cast upon the spot by the fire of the guns and muskets. The Emperor took aim at him, and so wounded him that he died upon the spot. The garrison was disheartened by the fall of their leader, and each man hurried to his own home. They collected their wives and children, property and effects, in one place, and burnt them. This proceeding, in the language of the infidels of Hind, is called jauhar. The royal forces were now massed, and they assaulted the breaches in several places. Many of the infidels rushed forward to defend them, and fought most valiantly. His Majesty, seated on the sábát, beheld the exertions of his men with an approving eye. 'Ádil Muhammad Kandahárí * * * * and others exhibited great valour and daring, and received great praise. All that night the fighting went on, but in the morning, which was a glorious morning, the place was subdued. The Emperor mounted on an elephant, and, attended by his devoted followers on foot, entered the fortress. An order for a general massacre was issued, and more than 8000 Rájpúts who were in the place received the reward of their deeds.328 After noon the slaughter was stayed, and the Emperor returned to his camp, where he remained three days. Ásaf Khán was appointed to rule this country, and His Majesty started for the capital, on Tuesday, the 25th Sha'bán.
A curious incident in this siege was this: A person was sitting near the battery of the author of this book, under the shelter of a tree, with his right hand placed upon his knee. As an opportunity presented itself, he raised his thumb, covered with the stall usually worn by archers, and just at that moment a gun was fired from the fortress, and the ball passed within the length of a barley-corn from his thumb, and did him no harm.
When the Emperor started to effect the conquest of Chitor, he vowed that if he were successful, he would make a pilgrimage to the tomb of Khwája Mu'ínu-d dín Chishtí, which is at Ajmír. In performance of this vow, he set off for Ajmír, and walked all the way on foot. On Sunday, the 7th Ramazán, he reached Ajmír. He performed all the observances of the pilgrimage, and made the poor and needy glad with his alms and offerings. He remained there ten days, and then departed for the capital.
Thirteenth year of the Reign.
The beginning of this year corresponded with Thursday, 14th Ramazán, 975 H. (14th March, 1568). At the beginning of this year the Emperor left Ajmír, and proceeded by way of Mewát towards Ágra. On his journey, he passed a jungle which was the abode of lions (sher) and tigers (babar). A terrible tiger (sher)329 came out, and His Majesty's followers, who were constantly in attendance upon him, discharged their arrows and stretched him in the dust. His Majesty then gave orders, that if a like thing should occur again, they were not to shoot until he directed them. As they went on, another tiger (sher), larger and fiercer than the first, came out and made towards the Emperor. No one of the attendants dared to fire without orders. The tiger-hunting King alighted from his horse and levelled a musket at the beast. The ball grazed the animal's face, inflicting a slight wound, which caused him to rush from his place towards His Majesty. The Emperor fired a second time, and brought him down. At this juncture, 'Ádil Muhammad Kandahárí, boldly placed an arrow to his bow, and faced the animal, which then turned away from the Emperor and attacked him. It brought him to the ground, and was about to take his head in his mouth. That brave fellow, in this supreme moment, thrust his hand into the animal's mouth, and sought to draw his dagger to stab him in the belly. But the handle of the dagger stuck in the sheath, and the beast gnawed the flesh and skin of the hand which was in his mouth. Notwithstanding this, 'Ádil managed to draw his dagger, and inflicted some deep wounds in the animal's belly. Brave men gathered round on all sides and finished him. 'Ádil Muhammad received a sword-cut besides the wounds the tiger had given him. He lay for some time on the bed of pain before he died of his wounds.
After the tiger hunt the royal camp moved towards Alwar, and directions were given that it should proceed thither, while the Emperor himself went to pay a visit to Shaikh Nizám Nárnauli. He then returned to the camp, and proceeded with the army to the capital.
After a stay of some months at Ágra, the Emperor resolved to attack the fort of Rantambhor, renowned as one of the strongest and highest fortresses of Hindústán. An order was issued for the assembling of those troops which had not been engaged in the siege of Chitor. Ashraf Khán Mír-munshí and Sádik Khán were sent on this service with a large portion of the Imperial army. When these amírs had marched several stages, intelligence reached the Emperor of disturbances created by the sons of Muhammad Sultán Mirzá, who had escaped from the hands of Changíz Khán, in Gujarát,330 and had laid siege to the fort of Ujjain, in Málwa. The Emperor then directed that Kalíj Khán, with the amírs and the army that had been sent to Rantambhor, should undertake the repression of the revolt of the Mirzás.
The two forces united according to the order. On approaching Sironj, Shahábu-d dín, the ruler of that sarkár, came forth to meet them. He joined them and marched on with them. When they encamped at Sárangpúr, Sháh Bidágh Khán joined them with his forces. The army had now grown very large. When the Mirzás were apprised of its approach, they raised the siege of Ujjain, and went off towards Mandú. Muhammad Murád Khán and Mirzá 'Azízu-lla, who had been besieged in Ujjain, being thus released, came out and joined the amírs. All marched together in pursuit of the Mirzás, who fled before them from Mandú to the banks of the Nerbadda. They crossed this river in such confusion that many of their men were drowned. Just at this time Jajhár Khán Habshí murdered Changíz Khán, the ruler of Gujarát, in the tirpauliya maidán of Ahmadábád. When the Mirzás heard of this, they seized the chance which it afforded, and fled to Gujarát. The Imperial amírs turned back from the river Nerbadda, and the jágírdárs of Mandú returned to their jágírs. Kalíj Khán and the other amírs proceeded to Court, and were received with royal favour. On reaching Gujarát, the Mirzás first seized upon the fort of Chámpanír,331 and then marched against Broach, to which they laid seige. After a while, they by stratagem got into their power Rustam Khán Rúmí, who was besieged in the fort, and put him to death.331a The remainder of this transaction will be told in its proper place.
In the course of this year Mír Muhammad Khán-i kalán, Kutbu-d dín Muhammad Khán, and Kamál Khán Ghakar, jágírdárs of the Panjáb, were summoned to Court. They hastened to obey, and in Rabí'u-l awwal, 976 H., they arrived and made their offerings. Husain Kulí Khán and his brother Isma'íl Khán were summoned from Nágor, and appointed to the government of the Panjáb instead of them. The jágír of Muhammad Khán-i kalán, in the sarkár of Sambal, became a tankhwáh. When the Emperor marched to conquer Rantambhor, Husain Kulí Khán was his personal attendant in the campaign. But after the reduction of Rantambhor, and the return of His Majesty to Ágra, Husain Kulí Khán and his brother Isma'íl Kulí Khán took leave and departed to the Panjáb. On the 1st Rajab, the Emperor marched from Ágra against Rantambhor. Proceeding to Dehlí, he stayed there some days and went out to a kamurgha hunt, in the neighbourhood of Pálam, where four or five thousand animals were killed.
Fourteenth year of the Reign.
The beginning of this year agreed with 5th Ramazán, 976 H. (22nd February, 1569). The Emperor marched at the opening of the year towards Rantambhor, and in a short period arrived at the foot of the fort. The place was invested, batteries raised, sábáts constructed, and several breaches were effected by battering with cannon.
Ráí Surjan, the commander of the fort, when he observed the progress of the siege, was brought down from the pinnacle of his pride and insolence, and he sent out his two sons, Dúdh and Bhoj by name, to ask for terms. His Majesty received kindly the two young men, who had come to seek his mercy, and pardoned their transgressions. He sent Husain Kulí Khán, who had received the title of Khán-jahán, into the fort to give assurances to Ráí Surjan. He did so, and brought the Ráí to wait upon the Emperor, when he made a frank submission, and was enrolled among the royal servants.332 On Wednesday, 3rd Shawwál, the conquest of the fortress was accomplished, and on the next day the Emperor went in to examine the place. He placed Mihtar Khán in command of the fortress, and then prepared to return to the capital. Leaving the army under the command of Khwája Amínu-d dín Mahmúd, who was entitled Khwája-jahán, and Muzaffar Khán, the Emperor left them to conduct the army back to the capital, while he made a hasty journey to pay a visit to the tomb of Fáízu-l anwár Khwája Mu'ínu-d dín Chishtí. He remained there a week, and then departed for Ágra, where he arrived on Wednesday, 4th Zí-l ka'da, 976. Darbár Khán, one of his personal attendants, had been compelled by sickness to continue with the army, and he died before His Majesty reached Ágra. Upon his return His Majesty went into the Khán's dining-hall, and made a princely provision for his family.
Foundation of the town of Fathpúr.
The Emperor had several sons born to him, but none of them had lived. Shaikh Salím Chishtí, who resided at the town of Síkrí, twelve kos from Ágra, had gladdened him with the promise of a son. The Emperor went to visit the Shaikh several times, and remained there ten or twenty days on each occasion. He commenced a fine building there on the top of a hill, near the Shaikh's monastery. The Shaikh also commenced a new monastery and a fine mosque, which at the present day has no equal in the world, near the royal mansion. The amírs also built houses and mansions for themselves. When one of the Emperor's wives became pregnant, he conveyed her to the dwelling of the Shaikh, and left her there. Sometimes he stayed there himself, sometimes at Ágra. He gave the name of Fathpúr to Síkrí, and built a bázár and baths there.
Conquest of Kálinjar.
This is a strong fortress, and many former Sultáns had been ambitious of taking it. Sher Khán Afghán (Sher Sháh) besieged it for a year, but was killed in the attempt to take it, as has been narrated in the history of his reign. During the interregnum of the Afgháns, Rájá Ram Chandar333 had purchased the fort at a high price from Bijilli333a Khán, the adopted son (pisar-i khwánda) of Bihár Khán Afghán. The renown of the conquest of the forts of Chitor and Rantambhor spread through the world, and the men of the Imperial army who held jágírs in the neighbourhood of Kálinjar were constantly forming plans for the capture of that fort, and were anxious to begin the war. Rájá Rám Chandar was a prudent and experienced man, and considered himself an adherent of the Imperial throne. He sent by his envoy the keys of the fortress and suitable offerings, with congratulations for the victories achieved, to the Emperor. On the same day the custody of the fortress was given into the charge of Majnún Khán Kákshál, one of the jágírdárs of that quarter, and a friendly farmán was sent to Rájá Rám Chandar. The fortress came into the possession of the Emperor in the month of Safar, 977 H., in the fourteenth year of his reign.
Birth of Prince Sultán Salím Mirzá.
On Wednesday, 18th of Rabí'u-l awwal, 977 H., and the fourteenth year of the reign, when seven hours of the day had passed, the exalted prince Sultán Salím Mirzá was born in the house of Shaikh Salím Chishtí, in the town of Fathpúr. The Emperor himself was in Ágra at the time, and the joyful tidings was conveyed to him by Shaikh Ibráhím, son-in-law of Shaikh Salím, who was right royally rewarded. In thanksgiving for this happy event, gifts were distributed among the people, prisoners were set free, and great feasts were held, which were kept up for seven days with great pleasure and rejoicing. The date of the birth is found in the words Sháh-i ál i Tímúr. Khwája Husain composed an ode, of which the first line contained the date of the Emperor's accession, and the second the date of the prince's birth. The Khwája received a present of two lacs of tankas for this ode, and several other poets received rewards for their productions. The Emperor made Fathpúr334 a royal abode, raised a stone fortification round it, and built some splendid edifices, so that it became a great city. Before the prince was born, the Emperor had resolved in his own mind, that if the Almighty granted his wishes, he would go a pilgrimage on foot to the shrine of Murádu-l anwar Kutbu-l wásilín Khwája Mu'ínu-d dín Chishtí. Having prepared his offerings, on Friday, the 12th Sha'bán, 977, he started on foot from Ágra for Ajmír. Every day he travelled seven or eight kos. He visited the shrine, and performed the usual observances immediately upon his arrival. He passed some days there, and then left Ajmír for Dehlí, where he arrived in Ramazán, 977.
Fifteenth year of the Reign.
The beginning of this year corresponded with Saturday, the 6th Shawwál, 977 H. (14th March, 1570). * * * On Thursday, the 3rd Muharram, 978, the star of good fortune shone, and the Emperor had another son, Prince Murád, borne to him in the house of Shaikh Salím. In gratitude for this blessing, he opened the hand of liberality, and gave away many munificent gifts, and men were enriched by his bounty. The nobles and officers of the Court presented offerings suitable to their respective ranks, and received robes of honour. Mauláná Kásim Arslán on this occasion wrote a couplet, of which the first line contained the date of the birth of Prince Salím, and the second that of Prince Murád.
March of the Emperor to Ajmír.
The Emperor was accustomed, wherever he might be, to pay a visit every year to the tomb of Mu'ínu-l hakk wau-d dín Hasan Sanjarí at Ajmír. In this happy year, on the 8th Rabí'u-l ákhir, 978, he started for that place, in order to show his gratitude for the boon granted to him. He stayed twelve days at Fathpúr, in order to make some necessary arrangements for his journey. He arrived at Ajmír in due course. To show his favour, and to improve the condition of the place, he ordered a strong wall to be built round it, and a palace to be erected in it for his own residence. The amírs and kháns, and attendants of the Court, vied with each other in erecting dwellings there. He distributed the villages and lands and houses of Ajmír among his amírs, to enable them to pay the expenses of the new buildings. On Friday, 4th Jumáda-l ákhir, he left Ajmír, and arrived in sight of Nágor on the 16th. Here there is a large tank, which he ordered his soldiers to dig and fill with water. He himself inspected the tank, and gave it the name of Shukr taláo.
While he was thus staying at Nágor, Chandar Sen, son of Ráí Máldeo335 came to pay his allegiance, and make his offerings. Rájá Kalyán Mal, the Rájá of Bikanír, also came with his son, Ráí Singh, to wait upon His Majesty, and present his tribute. The loyalty and sincerity of both father and son being manifest, the Emperor married Kalyán Mal's daughter. For fifty days he shed the light of his justice and equity upon the poor people of Nágor. From thence he proceeded to Ajodhan, to pay a visit to the tomb of Shaikh Farídu-d dín Mas'ud Ganj-i shakar. Ráí Kalyán Mal, who was so fat that he could not ride on horseback, now received permission to return to Bikanír; but his son was ordered to remain in attendance upon His Majesty, in which he received high promotion, as will be related in the proper place.
There were many wild asses (gor-khar) in this desert country, and His Majesty, who had never hunted this animal, was desirous of doing so. One day as he was journeying on, the scouts brought information that there was a herd of wild asses in the vicinity of the camp. He immediately mounted a fleet courser, and after a ride of four or five kos, came in sight of the herd. He got off his horse, and commanded all his followers to remain quiet. He himself, with four or five Bilúchís, who were acquainted with the country, approached the herd with guns in their hands. At the first shot he struck an ass, and the remainder of the herd, being frightened by the noise, dispersed. His Majesty cautiously approached, and struck another, and so on, until sixteen asses fell by his hand. That day he travelled nearly seventeen kos in hunting, and at the close returned to the camp. By his order the sixteen asses were brought to the camp in carts, and their flesh was distributed in front of the royal tent among the amírs and courtiers. Then he proceeded towards Ajodhan; and on arriving in sight of the place, he went on immediately, and performed all the ceremonies of pilgrimage, and distributed his bounty among the poor. * * *
From thence he proceeded towards Lahore, and when he arrived at Dípálpúr, the jágírdár of that pargana, Mirzá 'Azíz Muhammad Kokaltásh, who bore the title of 'Azam Khán, and was well known as Mirzá Koka, prepared an entertainment, and begged him to stay there a few days and rest. His Majesty graciously consented, and remained there. For some days feasting went on, and upon the last day splendid offerings were presented to him. Arab and Persian horses, with saddles of silver; huge elephants, with chains of gold and silver, and housings of velvet and brocade; and gold and silver, and pearls and jewels, and rubies and garnets of great price: chairs of gold, and silver vases, and vessels of gold and silver; stuffs of Europe, Turkey, and China, and other precious things beyond all conception. Presents of similar kind also were presented for the young princes and the Emperor's wives. All the ministers and attendants and dignitaries received presents, and every soldier of the army also participated in the bounty.
Sixteenth year of the Reign.
The beginning of this year corresponded with Sunday, 17th Shawwál, 978 H. (13th March, 1571 A.D.)
At the beginning of this year His Majesty departed from Dípálpúr for Lahore, and Hasan Kulí Khán, the governor of that city, hastened forth to receive him. Leaving his camp at Malkapúr, the Emperor went on speedily to Lahore. He passed that day and night in the house of Hasan Kulí, and next day the Khán presented his gifts. On the following day the Emperor returned to the camp, and after spending a few days in the vicinity of Lahore, he set off for Hisár-Fírozah, on a visit to the shrine of Khwája Mu'ínu-d dín.
Náhíd Begam was wife of Muhibb 'Alí Khán son of Mír Khalífa, and her mother was wife of Mirzá 'Ísá Tarkhán, the ruler of Thatta. Mirzá 'Ísá being dead, Náhíd Begam had received leave from His Majesty about a year before this date to go to Sind, to see her mother, and bring the daughter of Mirzá 'Ísá to pay homage to the Emperor. Muhammad Bákí Tarkhán now occupied the seat of his father, and would have nothing to do with Náhíd Begam. She therefore returned in anger to the Emperor, and made a statement of the harshness and tyranny of Muhammad Bákí, and of the disrespect he had shown to the Emperor's servants. She said that if the Emperor would permit and support her husband Muhibb 'Alí Khán, he could easily effect the conquest of Thatta. As Náhíd Begam was returning from Thatta, she had some conversation at Bakar with Sultán Mahmúd Bakarí, who was one of the officers of Mirzá Sháh Husain Arghún, and his koka; and, after the death of Mirzá Sháh, Bakar remained in his possession. This Sultán Mahmúd Saláí Samarkandí told Náhíd Begam that if Muhibb 'Alí Khán would undertake the conquest of Thatta, he would join and assist him, and that he would have no need of any further support. In consequence of this promise, Náhíd Begam was very desirous of going to Sind. Muhibb 'Alí Khán had for a long time given up the military life, so the Emperor granted him a banner and a kettle-drum, and he gave him a jágír of fifty lacs of tankas in the sarkár of Multán, towards the expense of the campaign. He also sent with him his daughter's son Mujáhid, a young man of resolution and courage, and he wrote a farmán to Sa'íd Khán, the ruler of Multán, directing him to support Muhibb 'Alí Khán.
When the Emperor left the Panjáb for Fathpúr his royal residence (dáru-l khiláfat), he sent Muhibb 'Alí on his expedition. Upon arriving at his jágír in Multán, Muhibb 'Alí set about collecting men, and got together nearly 400 horse. Relying upon Sultán Mahmúd Bakarí, he wrote letters to him, and began his march. But Sultán Mahmúd was adverse to the entrance of any Imperial forces into his territory, so, disregarding the promises he had made to Náhíd Begam, he sent to say that he would not allow Muhibb 'Alí to pass through his country; but that if Muhibb 'Alí would march by way of Jesalmír, he would send his army to him, and render him all the assistance he could.
Muhibb 'Alí, and his grandson Mujáhid, took a bold course, and proceeded towards Bakar. Sultán Mahmúd sent his whole army to oppose them, but his men were defeated, and obliged to seek refuge in the fort of Máníla. Mujáhid and Muhibb 'Alí Khán besieged the fort for six months, and at length obtained possession of it by capitulation. At this time Mubárak Khán, a slave of Sultán Mahmúd's, who acted as his vakíl, being aggrieved with his master, went and joined Muhibb 'Alí. The latter having increased his force, laid siege to Bakar. Sultán Mahmúd sent out his army, amounting to nearly 2000 horse and 4000 foot, archers, and gunners. They were defeated in battle and driven back into the fort. For three years Sultán Mahmúd sometimes daily, sometimes every two or three days, sent out armed ships and ghrábs to fight. Three times he sent out his whole army, horse and foot, to fight a regular battle, but each time he was defeated. In consequence of the large number of men which he had crowded into the fort, pestilence and sickness 339 broke out and became very fatal, so that 500 to 1000 persons died daily. At length, in the year 983, Mahmúd himself died, and the fort came into the possession of the Emperor's adherents.
When the Emperor left the Panjáb and proceeded to Fathpúr, Mun'ím Khán Khán-khánán came from Jaunpúr, bringing Sikandar Khán with him. The offences of Sikandar Khán were pardoned, and the jágír of Lucknow was conferred upon him. Khán-khánán quickly returned to secure his Bengal frontier. Sikandar Khan also took his leave, and was sent along with Khán-khánán to his jágír. Each received a jewelled sword-belt and four horses with golden saddles. Soon after his arrival at Lucknow, Sikandar Khán fell sick, and died on the 10th Jumáda-l awwal, 979 H.
Seventeenth year of the Reign.
The beginning of this year corresponded with Tuesday, 25th Shawwál, 979 H. (11th March, 1572 A.D.)
Campaign in Gujarát.339a
In the Court of the Emperor conversation continually turned upon the state of affairs in Gujarát, and information was often brought about the oppression and wilfulness of its petty rulers, and about the ruin of its towns and cities. Now that His Majesty's mind was set quite at rest by the suppression of rebels, and the reduction of their lofty forts, he turned his attention to the conquest of Gujarát. The order was given for the assembling of the army, and on the 20th Safar, 980, in the eighteenth year of the reign, the Emperor started and proceeded, enjoying the chase on his way, to Ajmír. On the 15th Rabí'u-l awwal, he paid a visit to the tomb of Khwája Mu'ínu-d dín Chishtí, and gladdened the hearts of the shaikhs and attendants with his munificent gifts. Next day he made a visit to the tomb of Saiyid Husain Kháng-sawár, a descendant of Zainu-l 'ábidín, which is on the top of a hill at Ajmír. Next day, Mír Muhammad Khán Atka, better known by the title of Khán-i kalán, was sent on in advance with 10,000 horse, and His Majesty followed on the 22nd Rabí'u-s sání.
Two stages from Nágor, messengers brought him the news that in the night of Wednesday, 2nd Jumáda-l awwal, a son was born to him [at Ajmír].340 He spent several days in rejoicing, and made many happy by his munificence. As the child had been born in the house of Shaikh Dániyál, one of the most pious and celebrated shaikhs of the time, he gave the prince the name of Dániyál. After the rejoicings were over, he again marched and arrived at Nágor, on the 9th Jumáda-l awwal. There he remained fourteen days employed in arranging for the supply of his army.
From thence he marched to Mírath, and there he was informed that when Mír Muhammad Khán came near to Sirohí, the Rájá of that place professed subjection and obedience, and sent some Rájpúts as envoys to wait upon the Mír. The envoys arrived and delivered their message. Mír Muhammad Khán gave them an appropriate answer and fine robes, and then, according to the etiquette observed among the people of India, he dismissed them with his own hand.341 One of those desperate envoys at that moment stabbed the Khán in the breast, and the weapon pierced through to his back under the shoulder. Bahádur Khán, a young man and a servant of the Khán, who was standing behind Sher Khán, but now has his place among the nobles, rushed forward, and seizing the Rájpút, dashed him to the ground. Muhammad Sádik Khán, who was seated by the side of the Khán, arose and despatched the accursed wretch with his dagger. When this intelligence reached the Emperor, on the same day he sent Lashkar Khán Mír-bakhshí to inquire after Mír Muhammad Khán, and next day he marched forward himself. Sádik Muhammad Khán and the other amírs called in surgeons, who dressed the Khán's wounds, and by the Emperor's good fortune the severe wound was cured in fifteen days, and the Khán mounted his horse with his quiver girt upon his loins.
The Emperor continued his march, and on the 8th Jumáda-s sání formed a junction with the advanced force. When he reached Sirohí, eighty Rájpúts in a temple and seventy in the Rájá's house, stood ready to perform the vow they had made to die. In a few moments they were all despatched. Dost Muhammad, son of Tátár Khán, perished in the Rájá's house. At this stage His Majesty resolved to send one of his officers to make sure of the territory of Joudhpúr, and keep the road to Gujarát open, so that none of the Ránás might be able to inflict any loss. This duty was imposed upon Ráí Singh Bikanírí,341a who was sent with a strong force of Imperial troops. Farmáns were written to the amírs and jágírdárs of that province, directing them to render Ráí Singh every assistance he might require.
At this stage Yár 'Alí Turkomán, with an escort of Turko-máns, came as an ambassador from Sultán Muhammad Mirzá, and from Sháh Tahmásp, King of Khurásán, bringing with them Arab and Persian horses, and other presents. They were received by His Majesty with all due state and honour. The Emperor then marched from Sirohí to Pattan Nahrwála, and when he arrived near the fort of Dísa, which is twenty kos from Pattan, intelligence was brought that the sons of Sher Khán Fúládí had taken off their troops and families towards Ídar. The Emperor sent Rájá Mán Singh in command of a detachment after them. On the 1st Rajab, 980, the army arrived in sight of Pattan, and rested there for a week. The government of the country was conferred upon Saiyid Ahmad Khán Bárha, a man of courage and resolution, who had numerous friends and allies among the Saiyids of Hindústán. At this halt Rájá Mán Singh returned, bringing in a large booty, which he had taken from the remnant of the Afgháns.
The Emperor then marched towards Ahmadábád. Sher Khán Fúládí had been engaged for six months besieging Ahmadábád, which was held by 'Itimád Khán;342 but when he heard of the Emperor's approach, he took to flight. The Emperor had hardly advanced two stages from Pattan, when Sultán Muzaffar, son of Sultán Mahmúd Gujarátí, whom 'Itimád Khán had kept continually in confinement, came with a great display of respect to meet the Emperor, and on Sunday,342a the 9th Rajab, was admitted to an interview. Next day, 'Itimád Khán, the ruler of Ahmadábád, Mír Abú Turáb, Saiyid Ahmad Bukhárí, Ikhti-yáru-l Mulk, Malik Ashraf, Wajhu-l Mulk, Ulúgh Khán Habshí, Jajhár Khán Habshí, and other amírs and chiefs of Gujarát, too numerous to mention, came in to wait upon the Emperor, and make their offerings. 'Itimád Khán presented the keys of Ahmadábád, and showed every sign of submission.
Thr officers of the Court were suspicious of evil designs on the part of the Habshís (Abyssinians), and brought the matter to the notice of His Majesty, and although he desired to act generously and royally towards them, as a precaution he committed them to the charge of some of his attendants. The Emperor then marched on, and on Friday, 14th Rajab, pitched his camp on the banks of the river of Ahmadábád. The khutba was read in the name of the Emperor, and all the people of the city and environs came to offer congratulations and thanksgivings. On the 20th Rajab, Saiyid Mahmúd Khán Bárha and Shaikh Muhammad Bukhárí brought their wives into the royal camp. On the same day Jalál Khán, who had been sent on an embassy to a Ráná, returned.
Ibráhím Husain Mirzá and Muhammad Husain Mirzá held Broach, Baroda, and Surat343 in defiance of the Emperor, so he resolved to free the country of Gujarát from their rebellious power. On Monday, 2nd Sha'bán, he started from the river of Ahmadábád, and marched towards Kambay. 'Itimád Khán and other of the Gujarát amírs were, at the request of some of the great officials, allowed to remain behind in Ahmadábád for a few days to arrange their affairs. Seizing this opportunity, Ikhtiyáru-l Mulk, one of the chief nobles of Gujarát, fled on the 4th Sha'bán from Ahmadábád to Ahmadnagar. As no reliance could be placed on the nobles of Gujarát, 'Itimád Khán was given into the custody of Sháhbáz Khán Kambú. On the 6th the Emperor reached Kambay. He went to look at the sea, and leaving Kambay on the 12th, he reached Baroda on the 14th. After reflecting upon the best means of guarding and governing the country of Gujarát, he appointed Mirzá 'Azíz Muhammad Kokaltásh the Khán-i 'azím to be the governor of the country, and especially of its capital Ahmadábád.
A detachment sent to invest Surat.
After the departure of the 'Azam-khán, the Emperor determined upon attacking the fortress of Surat, which was the home and stronghold of the Mirzás. To effect this purpose he sent Saiyid Mahmúd Khán Bárha, Sháh Kulí Khán Mahram Khán-i 'álam, Rájá Bhagwán Dás, Kunwar Mán Singh * * * and several others, to overpower Husain Mirzá, who was in Surat. Next day, 17th Sha'bán, when one watch of the night was passed, intelligence was brought in that Ibráhím Mirzá Khán, having heard at Broach of the Emperor's advance, had murdered Rustam Khán Rúmí,344 and then left the town, intending to pass about eight kos distance from the Emperor's camp, and to raise disturbances and rebellion elsewhere.
On hearing this, the Emperor's wrath was kindled. He instantly gave orders that Khwája-jahán, Shujá'at Khán, Kalíj Khán, and Sádik Khán should take charge of the young prince Salím, while he went to chastise Ibráhím Mírza. He took with him Maliku-sh Shark Gujarátí, who was well acquainted with the roads, and he sent Sháhbáz Khán Mír Bakhshí in all haste, to recall to his side Saiyid Muhammad Khán, and the forces which had marched against Surat.344a The remainder of that night, and the greater part of the next day, he kept up the pursuit for a long distance. When night came on, he arrived with forty horsemen on the banks of the river Mahindrí.344b Ibráhím Husain Mirzá was in the town of Sarnál, on the other side of the river. When they heard this, the Emperor's followers endeavoured to conceal themselves.
At this crisis, Saiyid Mahmúd Khán Bárha, Kulí Khán Mahram Khán-i 'álam, Rájá Bhagwán Dás, Kunwar Mán Singh, * * * Bhoj the son of Surjan, and others of the force sent against Surat, by a forced march came up and joined the Emperor. Kunwar Mán Singh, at his own solicitation, was placed in command of the advanced guard. Although the whole of his followers did not number more than 100 men,345 the Emperor, without hesitation, determined to attack. They dashed into the river and crossed over.
Ibráhím Husain Mirzá, who had with him about 1000 horsemen, on perceiving this bold movement, went out of the town of Sarnál by another road, telling his men that he intended to give battle in the open. The road between the river and the fort was very broken, so Kunwar Mán Singh, and the advance under his command, took another road, and the Emperor passed by a road to the gate of the town by the water-side. Some of the enemy, whose blood was up, made a stand in the street, and showed fight. Makbúl Khán, a Kalmuck slave, who on that day went in front of the Emperor, cut one of them down, and wounded several others.
It was now discovered that Ibráhím Husain had quitted the town, and the Emperor gave orders for the pursuit. The troops accordingly left the walls and went out into the plain, and there the two parties confronted each other. Ibráhím Husain made an attack upon Bábá Khán Kákshál, who had been sent forward with a party of bowmen. Although these made a stout resistance, they were driven back a short distance. But every man of the Imperial force fought desperately, and killed a great many of the enemy. Bhúpat, son of Rájá Bihár Mal, a very brave young man, made a charge upon the enemy, and fell. Emboldened by his fall, the enemy renewed his attack. But the royal forces were in a contracted spot, where three horsemen could not pass abreast, as it was all hedged in with thorns. The Emperor had, with great courage, gone to the front, and Rájá Bhagwán Dás had kept with him. Three of the enemy's horsemen now charged them, and one of them attacked the Rájá. As his adversary was entangled among the thorns, Rájá Bhagwán Dás hurled his spear at him and severely wounded him, so that he withdrew. The other two assaulted His Majesty, who received them so valiantly that they were obliged to make off.
At this time, Makbúl Khán Ghulám and Surokh346 Badakhshí joined His Majesty, and he sent them in pursuit of his assailants. The royal forces, seeing the danger in which the Emperor had been placed, were roused to desperation, and made a fierce onslaught upon the enemy. Ibráhím Husain Mirzá was disheartened, and took to flight. Some brave men pursued him, and cut down several men on their way. But the night came on darker than the fate of that band, so the Emperor gave orders to stop the pursuit. Ibráhím Husain Khán, glad to save his life, made off with a few persons by the Ahmadnagar road to Sirohí. The Emperor went into the town of Sarnál, and offered thanks for his victory. Every man who served in this engagement received his reward in increased rank and in jágírs.
Next day the Emperor started on his return to the royal camp, but he sent on in advance Surokh Badakhshí, whose conduct in this affair had gained the royal approbation, to carry news of the victory to the princes. When the news arrived, the princes and the ladies of the harem, and the amírs and the officials, were filled with joy sufficient to last them their lives. On Wednesday, the 18th Sha'bán, when one watch of the night was passed, the Emperor rejoined his camp at Baroda. Next day he conferred a banner and a kettle-drum on Rájá Bhagwán Dás, who had so greatly distinguished himself in this action.
March against Surat.
The fortress of Surat is small, but exceedingly strong and secure, and remarkable among fortresses. It is said, that a slave of Sultán Mahmúd Gujarátí, Safar Áká by name, who received the title of Khudáwand Khán, built this fortress on the seashore 347 in the year 947, in order to resist the attacks of the Europeans, for before the fort was built, the Europeans did all kinds of mischief to the Musulmáns. When Khudáwand Khán was engaged in the erection of the fort, the Europeans several times fitted out ships to attack it, but could not succeed in their object. Khudáwand Khán then called for his architect, a very clever man, to provide for the security of the fort. After a little reflection, the careful builder determined on his plan. On the two sides of the fort which face the land, he formed ditches reaching to the water, which were twenty yards (dará)347a wide, and filled with water; they were built of stone, chunam, and burnt bricks. The thickness of the double walls347b is five yards, and the height twenty yards, and these are likewise built of stone, chunam, and burnt brick. The thickness of the four walls is fifteen yards, and the height twenty yards. It is a remarkable circumstance that each stone is firmly fastened to the next with cramps of iron, having molten lead poured into the interstices. The battlements and embrasures are formed of stone, and are formidable to look at. On the top of the tower there is a chaukandí,347c which, in the opinion of Europeans, is an invention of the Portuguese. When the Europeans were unable to prevent the erection of the fortress by force of arms, they offered large sums of money to prevent the raising of this structure. But Khudáwand Khán, in contempt of the Europeans, rejected their application and raised the structure.
After the death of Changíz Khán, the fortress came into the possession of the Mirzás. When the Emperor marched into Gujarát, the Mirzás placed all their soldiers in the place, and left it under the command of Ham-zabán, who had formerly been one of the orderlies (korchíán) of the Emperor Humáyún, but had fled from the Imperial Court, and joined the rebels. The Mirzás themselves did their best to stir up war and strife outside.
When Ibráhím Husain Mirzá was defeated and put to flight at Sarnál, the Emperor returned to Baroda, and renewed his design of conquering Surat. He sent forward Sháh Kulí Khán and Sádik Khán, with instructions to invest the fort so that no one could get out. Upon this movement becoming known to the garrison, Gulrukh Begam, daughter of Prince Kámrán and wife of Ibráhím Husain Mirzá, took her son Muzaffar Khán Mirzá with her, and fled to the Dekhin before the arrival of the Imperial forces. When the amírs heard of her escape, Sháh Kulí Khán Mahram pursued her for fifty kos, and returned unsuccessful, but some of the Begam's servants fell into his hands. Some days afterwards the Emperor sent Rájá Todar Mal to examine and ascertain precisely the inlets and outlets of the fortress. After a week he returned and made his report.348
His Majesty, relying on the help of the Almighty, left Baroda on the 25th Sha'bán, and encamped at the distance of a kos from Surat on the 18th Ramazán. On the same night he went up and reconnoitred the fort. He distributed the batteries among his amírs, and three days afterwards he moved his camp, and pitched his tent so near the fortress that cannon shot and musket balls could reach it. But the chief carpet-spreader brought to his knowledge through the amírs that there was near at hand a tank called Golí-táláb, and although the bank of the tank was close to the fort, the uneven ground and the trees would prevent balls from reaching it. So the order was given for the removal of the royal tents to this spot.
The siege was pressed on, and in a short time the way for drawing water was closed. After it had gone on for nearly two months, the besiegers advanced their batteries, so that every way of ingress or egress was closed. (The soldiers and the followers of the amírs collected a vast quantity of earth, and raised a high mound, which commanded the fort. And the gunners and musketeers stationed upon the mound kept up a fire that greatly harassed the garrison, and prevented the men from moving about or bringing anything up. Every hole big enough for a mouse was closed. The miners pushed their mines under the bastions, and made such progress that the capture of the place was a mere matter of to-day or to-morrow. When the garrison perceived the state of affairs),349 they were reduced to the greatest alarm and distress.
The wretched disloyal Ham-zabán and all the people in the fort sent out Mauláná Nizámu-d dín Lárí, who was a student and an eloquent man, to sue for quarter. The Mauláná was conducted to the royal tent, and made his plea for mercy through the amírs and officials. The chief amírs reminded His Majesty that the batteries had been advanced very forward, and when they saw that he was inclined to mercy, they remarked that the garrison had resisted and fought with all their might so long as they had any power; and now that they saw that the fall of the place was imminent, they were ready to beg for mercy. His Majesty, in his gentleness and humanity, granted the petition. Mauláná Nizámu-d dín Lárí was allowed to pay his homage to the Emperor, and, being dismissed, he returned to the fortress with the glad news of quarter having been conceded.
A royal order was then issued for Kásim 'Alí Khán and Khwája Daulat Názir to proceed into the fortress with the Mauláná, to give assurances to Ham-zabán and the men of the garrison, and to bring them out with them. An order was also given for a party of trustworthy clerks to be sent in to seize upon all property, live stock and dead stock, and take care that nothing was lost. The names of all the people in the place were written down, and the list was presented to the Emperor. Kásim 'Alí and Khwája Daulat Názir, by order of His Majesty, brought Ham-zabán and all the men before him, and Ham-zabán, for all his fluency, hung down his head with shame, and could not speak. In gratitude for the victory, the Emperor pardoned the common people and inhabitants of the place, but Ham-zabán and some others, who were the instigators of all the strife, were punished and kept in custody.350 This conquest was effected on the 23rd Shawwál, in the year 980.350a
Next day the Emperor went in to inspect the fortress. After much consideration and examination, he gave orders for the necessary repairs and improvements. During his inspection some large mortars (deg) and guns (zarba-zan) attracted his attention. Those mortars bore the title of Sulaimání, from the name of Sulaimán Sultán of Turkey. When he made his attempt to conquer the ports of Gujarát, he sent these mortars and some guns,350b which are in the fort of Junágarh, with a large army by sea. As the Turks were unable to overcome the difficulties and obstacles they encountered, and were obliged to return, they left these mortars and the gun which is now in Junágarh on the sea-shore, and returned to their country. The mortars remained upon the sea-shore until Khudáwand Khán built the fortress of Surat, when he placed them in the fort. The one which was left in the country of Súrath350c was taken to the fort of Junágarh by the ruler of that country. As there was no great necessity for these mortars in the fort of Surat, the Emperor gave orders for their being removed to Ágra. On the same day he placed the custody of the fort and the government of the country in the hands of Kalíj Khán. On the last day of the month Rájá Bihár Jíú, Rájá of the country of Baglána, captured and sent to His Majesty's presence Sharafu-d dín Husain Mirzá, who for ten years past had been engaged in various turbulent and rebellious proceedings. His Majesty's anger had been roused by the disturbances of the country's peace, so he censured the Mirzá and placed him under restraint.
When the Emperor had settled to his satisfaction all the affairs of the province, on Monday, 4th Zí-l ka'da, 980, he marched towards Ahmadábád. When he came to Broach, the mother of Changíz Khán complained to him that Jajhár Khán Habshí had unjustly killed her son, and the order was given for Jajhár Khán's being brought up to answer the charge.351 Upon being questioned, Jajhar Khán acknowledged the deed, and the Emperor, in his indignation, ordered him to be cast under the feet of an elephant.
Various Events that occurred during the Siege of Surat.
While the Emperor was engaged in the siege of Surat, several events occurred. Among them was the journey of Ibráhím Husain Mirzá to Hindústán, for the purpose of raising disturbances. After his defeat at Sarnál, Ibráhím fled to the neighbourhood of Pattan, where he joined Muhammad Husain Mirzá and Sháh Mirzá, and informed them of his escape, and of the siege of Surat. After consultation it was resolved that Ibráhím Husain Mirzá should go into Hindústán and create disturbances, while the other two Mirzás, along with Sher Khán Fuládí, laid siege to Pattan: their expectation being that the Emperor, on receiving intelligence of these proceedings, would abandon the siege of Surat, and fall back upon Ahmadábád, to repress these two outbreaks.352 Having induced Sher Khán Fuládí to join them, they invested Pattan. Saiyid Ahmad Khán Bárha (the governor) put the fort in order, and shut himself up. He sent an account of the investment to the Emperor, who, on hearing it, issued orders that Kutbu-d dín Muhammad Khán and * * * all the jágírdárs of Málwa, Ráísín, and Chanderí, and all the other nobles and adherents of the Imperial throne, such as * * *, should assemble under the command of 'Azam Khán to repress this rebellious attempt.
The nobles accordingly joined 'Azam Khán and marched to Pattan. When they were five kos distant from Pattan, Muhammad Husain Mirzá and Sher Khán Fúládí came forward to meet them.352a The Mirzás fell upon the advance and defeated it. They then attacked the right, which was under Kutbu-d dín Muhammad Khán, and defeated it also. Sháh Muhammad Atka received a wound and fled. These two divisions being broken, fled towards Ahmadábád. Kutbu-d dín's camp was plundered, and Shaikh Muhammad Bukhárí352b was killed. When 'Azam Khán saw the defeat of his right and left, and the fall of Muhammad Bukhárí, he resolved to make a bold attempt to retrieve matters, and to dash into the fight. But Bidágh Khán, who was himself a man of war, held his bridle, and would not let him go. When the enemy's men dispersed in search of plunder, and there remained but few in array, 'Azam Khán, with Bidágh Khán, formed his ranks and fell upon the enemy's centre. By God's help, victory declared in their favour, and the foe was scattered on every side.352c Sher Khán Fuládí, in a forlorn and helpless state, went to Amín Khán, the ruler of Junágarh, and there found refuge. Muhammad Husain Mirzá fled to the Dekhin. This victory was won on the 18th Rama-zán, 980.
'Azam Khán, after setting things in order at Pattan, left Saiyid Ahmad Khán Bárha in command as before, and went to the Emperor, whom he joined under the fort of Surat, on the 20th Shawwál, and reported the devotion and bravery of the amírs and all the troops. On his way back, he sent Kutbu-d dín Muhammad Khán and some other amírs to Ma'múrábád, in order to chastise Ikhtiyáru-l Mulk353 and the defeated troops who were scattered in the jungles and forts. Kutbu-d dín drove Ikhtiyáru-l Mulk and the other Habshís out of the jungles, took possession of the forts, and left his own garrisons in them. When the Emperor departed from Surat for Ahmadábád, Kutbu-d dín Muhammad Khán, and the amírs who had taken part in his campaign, joined him on the road at the town of Mahmúdábád.
Eighteenth Year of the Reign.
The beginning of this year corresponded with Wednesday, 5th Zí-l ka'da, 980 (11th March, 1573). The Emperor arrived at Ahmadábád on the last day of Zí-l ka'da, and there he entrusted the government of Gujarát to Khán-i 'azam (Mirzá Koka).353a On the 10th Zí-l hijja, the 'Íd-zuha, he commenced his journey to the capital. On the 18th Zí-l hijja, at the town of Haibatpúr, one of the dependencies of Pattan, he gave fine robes and horses to 'Azam Khán and the other amírs, and dismissed them to their jágírs. At the same place, Muzaffar Khán (late King of Gujarát) received the Imperial bounty. The sarkárs of Sárangpúr and Ujjain in Malwa were taken from the Rání and granted to him, with fifty lacs of tankas in jágír.353b He was then sent to his jágír. The Emperor continued his journey by Jálor towards Fathpúr. At one stage from Ajmír, he received a communication from Sa'íd Khán, the governor of Multán, to inform him of the death of Ibráhím Husain Mirzá.
When Ibráhím Husain Mirzá hurried off from Gujarát, he proceeded to the town of Mírtha.354 At eleven kos from that place, he plundered a caravan which was on its way from Gujarát to Ágra. Upon reaching Nágor, Farrukh Khán, son of Khán-i kalán, who governed there on behalf of his father, withdrew into the fort,354a and the Mirzá, after plundering the houses of the poor people in the environs of the city, went on to Nárnaul. Ráí Rám and Ráí Singh, whom the Emperor had left at Joudh-púr with about 1000 horse to keep open the communications when he marched into Gujarát, gathered their men and pursued the Mirzá. On reaching Nágor, they joined Farrukh Khán, and continuing the pursuit, they came up with the Mirzá one evening at the village of Katholí,354b twenty kos from Nágor, but he took the alarm, and managed to make his escape.
On the 2nd Ramazán, 980, the troops halted on the banks of a great tank, when the Mirzá, who was only a little in advance, turned back and attacked the troops which were in pursuit of him. The troops held their ground and defended themselves. Three times the Mirzá, forming his men in two divisions, attacked them on two sides, and showered arrows upon them. Finding he could make no impression, he again fled. One division got separated in the darkness, and the men were scattered in the neighbouring villages, where they were taken prisoners, and many of them were put to death. Nearly 200 fell alive into the hands of Farrukh Khán and the amírs of Joudhpúr.
The Mirzá, with about 300 men who accompanied him, plundered the villages and places in their road, and crossing the Jumna and Ganges, he proceeded to the pargana of 'Azam-púr, in the district of Sambal, which had been his jágír while he was loyal to the Emperor. He stayed there five or six days, and then started for the Panjáb. He plundered Pánipat, Sonpat, Karnál, and other places on his route. Many plunderers and adventurers joined him, and inflicted great wrongs upon the people.
When he reached the Panjáb, Husain Kulí Khán Turkomán, Amíru-l umará of the Panjáb, was engaged with the forces of his province in besieging Kángra, well known as Nagarkot. On hearing of the Mirzá's arrival, Husain Kulí Khán set off with his brother Isma'íl Khán * * * and other amírs, and by forced marches came up with the Mirzá near the town of Tulambha, forty kos from Multán. He was returning from hunting free from apprehension and in disorder, when he was attacked. His men were dispersed, and were unable to reach him. His brother Mas'úd Husain Mirzá, who had come up before him, attacked the troops of Husain Kulí Khán, but was taken prisoner. Ibrá-hím Husain Mirzá, being unable to do anything, made off. Upon arriving near Multán, he wanted to pass the Gára, which is the name of the river formed by the junction of the Biyáh and Satlej. But it was night, and he had no boats, so he rested on the bank. A party of Jhíls, who are fishermen dwelling about Multán, made an attack upon him in the night, and the Mirzá received a wound in his throat from an arrow. Seeing no other means of escape, he quickly changed his clothes, and separating from his people, endeavoured to get away. But some of the people of that country recognized him, took him prisoner, and carried him to Sa'íd Khán at Multán, and in the custody of the Khán he died.355
On the 12th Muharram, 981, in the eighteenth year of the reign, the Emperor paid a visit to the tomb of Khwája Mu'ínu-d dín Chishtí, and observed the usual ceremonies, and dispensed his customary gifts. He remained there a week, and every morning and evening paid a visit to the tomb, showing strict attention to all the observances. From thence he started for the capital, and on reaching Sangánír, he left his camp and went on express with a few attendants to Fathpúr. In two nights and one day he reached the town of Bachúna, twelve kos from Fathpúr. To secure an auspicious time, he remained there three days, and on the 2nd Safar he arrived at Fathpúr.
March of Husain Kulí Khán against Nagarkot.
(There was a brahman named Brahma Dás, a bard (bád-farosh ), who was distinguished above all his compeers for his skill in celebrating the achievements of great men, and he used to make excellent Hindí verses. He was some years in the service of the Emperor, and was admitted among the number of his private attendants, when he received the title of Kab Ráí, chief of poets).356
When the Emperor's favour was alienated from Rájá Jai Chandar, Rájá of Nagarkot, he issued orders for putting him in confinement. The Rájá's son, Badí Chand, although a minor, assumed the place of his father, and deeming him as dead, broke out in revolt. The Emperor having given to Kab Ráí the title of Rájá Bírbal,356a bestowed upon him the country of Nagarkot.
hereupon farmáns were sent to Husain Kulí Khán, and the amírs of the Panjáb commanding them to take Nagarkot from Badí Chand, and place it in the possession of Rájá Bírbal.356b Bírbal in Hindí signifies courageous and great, so his title means “Brave and mighty Rájá.”
When the Rájá arrived at Lahore, Husain Kulí Khán, * * * and other nobles of the Panjáb, set out for Nagarkot. On reaching Damharí, the holder of that place, whose name was Choto, and who was a relative of Jai Chand, relying on the security of his fort which he had strengthened, kept himself in private, and sent two vakíls with his offerings. He also sent a message excusing himself from attending in person, on the ground of his fears and anxiety, but he undertook the duty of keeping the roads clear. Husain Kulí Khán presented the vakíls with robes and sent them back. Leaving a party of men at a village situated near the opening of the road, he went onwards.
On arriving at the fort of Kútila, he pitched his camp. This fort is a very high one. It formerly belonged to Rájá Rám Chandar, of Gwálior;357 but Rájá Dharm Chand and Rájá Jai Chand had obtained possession of it by force.
The officers left in charge of the fort by Rájá Jai Chand discharged muskets and arrows and stones against the troops who had dispersed in search of plunder, and inflicted some damage. Upon hearing of this, Husain Kulí Khán mounted his horse with the other amírs to reconnoitre the place. He ascended a hill which is opposite to the fort, and commands it. With great labour some guns were brought up the hill, and fire was opened upon the fort. Its cracked masonry was shattered by the balls. A large number of men stood under the walls, and great loss was suffered. As evening approached, he returned to the camp, leaving a force in charge of that position. During the night, the Rájpúts who were in the fortress, and were terrified by the cannonade, made their escape. In the morning Husain Kulí Khán, beating his drums, marched into the fort of Kútila, which he delivered over to the Rájá of Gwalior, to whose ancestors it had formerly belonged; but he left a garrison of his own there.
Continuing his march, he came to a thickly wooded country, through which it was difficult even for an ant or a snake to creep; so a party of men was set to cut a road through the jungle. On the 1st Rajab, 990, he encamped by a field of maize near Nagarkot. The fortress (hisár) of Bhún, which is an idol temple of Mahámáí, and in which none but her servants dwelt, was taken by the valour and resolution of the assailants at the first assault. A party of Rájpúts, who had resolved to die, fought most desperately till they were all cut down. A number of Brahmans, who for many years had served the temple, never gave one thought to flight, and were killed. Nearly 200 black cows belonging to the Hindús, during the struggle, had crowded together for shelter in the temple. Some savage Turks, while the arrows and bullets were falling like rain, killed these cows one by one. They then took off their boots and filled them with the blood, and cast it upon the roof and walls of the temple.
The outer fortifications having fallen, the buildings were destroyed and levelled to make a camping ground. After this the fort was invested. Sábáts were formed, and a mound commanding the fort (sar-kob) was raised. Some large guns were also placed upon a neighbouring hill, and were fired several times a day upon the fort and the residence of the Rájá. One day the commander of the artillery fired a large gun upon a place which the Rájá had thought to be safe, and in which he was sitting at meat. The ball struck the walls, and killed nearly eighty people who were within the building. Among them was Bhúj deo, son of Rájá Takhat Mal.
In the beginning of Shawwál, letters came from Lahore with the intelligence that Ibráhím Husain Mirzá had crossed the Satlada (Satlej), and was marching upon Dípálpúr. Husain Kulí Khán held a secret council with the amírs about the course necessary to be pursued. The army was suffering great hardships, and the dogs in the fortress were anxious for peace, so Husain Kulí Khán felt constrained to accede.358 The infidels undertook to pay a large tribute: five mans of gold, Akbarsháhí weight, and various kinds of stuffs for His Majesty. A mosque was founded in front of the palace of Rájá Jai Chandar, and after the completion of the first arch a pulpit was raised, and Háfiz Muhammad Bákir read the khutba in the name of the Emperor on Friday, in the middle of Shawwál, 980. As he repeated the titles of the Emperor, gold was showered upon his head. When peace was concluded, the khutba read, and the coins stamped with the Emperor's name, Husain Kulí Khán marched away.
He then proceeded against Ibráhím Husain Mirzá. At the town of Jamárí he paid a visit to the holy Khwája 'Abdu-sh shahíd, who presented him with his garment, and sent his blessings with him. When he reached Tulambha, he achieved the victory, which has already been described. Upon His Majesty arriving at Fathpúr after his campaign in Gujarát, Husain Kulí Khán took Mas'úd Husain Mirzá with him, and went to wait upon the Emperor. The other prisoners, nearly 300 in number, were presented to the eyes of the Emperor with cow-hides placed on their necks in a strange fashion.359 The eyes of Mas'úd Husain Mirzá were sewed up, but the Emperor in his kindness ordered them to be opened. Several of the prisoners were liberated, but some, who had taken a leading part among the rebels, were kept in custody. On the same day Sa'íd Khán arrived, bringing with him as an offering the head of Ibráhím Husain Mirzá, and he received distinguished marks of favour.
When the Emperor returned from Gujarát, there remained no resistance in that country, all the forts were in the hands of his servants, and such of his troops as had not served on the campaign were sent to strengthen 'Azam Khán. But he had hardly been six months in his capital, when news of fresh outbreaks came in time after time, and 'Azam Khán himself wrote for reinforcements.
Events which occurred in Gujarát.
When the Emperor had settled the affairs of Gujarát, and had returned to his capital, the disaffected and rebellious men, who had crept into corners and hidden themselves in dread of the royal forces, once more raised their heads. Having assembled round Ikhtiyáru-l Mulk,360 they got possession of Ahmad-nagar and the surrounding territory.
Muhammad Husain Mirzá left the Dekhin360a with the intention of attempting the recapture of Surat. Kalíj Khán, who was jágírdár of the fort, made it secure, and prepared for a siege; so Husain Mirzá gave up the project, and made a rapid march upon Kambáy.360b Hasan Khán Karkaráh, the shikkdár, being unable to make any resistance, fled to Ahmadábád.360c
Khán-i 'azam sent Naurang Khán and Saiyid Ahmad Bukhárí against the Mirzá, while he himself marched to Ahmadnagar and Ídar against Ikhtiyáru-l Mulk. When Naurang Khán and Saiyid Bukhárí approached Kambáy, Muhammad Husain Mirzá came out to meet him. Sharp fighting went on for several days, and Saiyid Jalál, son of Saiyid Baháu-d dín Bukhárí, was killed. At length the Mirzá was worsted, and fled to join Ikhtiyáru-l Mulk. 'Azam Khán, who had marched against Ikhtiyáru-l Mulk, took a position near Ahmadnagar. He several times attacked him, and fighting went on for several days between Ahmadnagar and Ídar with no decisive result.
Intelligence now came that the sons of Sher Khán Fuládí, the son of Jajhár Khán, and Mirzá Muhammad Husain had joined Ikhtiyáru-l Mulk, and had formed the plan of making a rapid march by a different road to Ahmadábád. On being informed of this, Khán-i 'azam marched for that city, and when he reached it he sent a messenger to summon Kutbu-d dín Muhammad Khán from Broach, who accordingly marched and joined Khán-i 'azam at Ahmadábád. Ikhtiyáru-l Mulk and Muhammad Husain Mirzá, and the other insurgents, got together a force of 20,000 men—Mughals, Gujarátís, Habshís, Afgháns, and Rájpúts—around Ahmadábád. The Rájá of Ídar also kept up a connexion with them.
Khán-i 'azam and Kutbu-d dín, being unable to depend upon some of their men, shut themselves up in the town, but sallied out every day and fought under the walls. One day Fázil Khán, son of Khán-i kalán, went out and made a bold attack upon the enemy, and killed several men; but he was slain by a thrust from a spear. Khán-i 'azam daily sent off despatches to the Emperor, calling for assistance. The Emperor therefore resolved once more to raise his banner in Gujarát, to clear the country of the rebels, and to uproot their families.
The Emperor summoned his clerks and officials, and gave them directions to provide for the outfit of an army. The former campaign had lasted a year, and the men through the length of the march were without accoutrements. After returning they had not had sufficient time to get money from their jágírs to replace their necessaries. His Majesty therefore issued money from the public treasury to the soldiers, and made liberal grants for procuring the materials of war. He sent Shujá'at Khán361 on in advance with his camp equipage, and he sent with it his horses under the charge of Khwája Áká Khán. He personally enjoined the díwání officers to use the greatest despatch in outfitting the army. To expedite matters he on the same day sent the men of his advanced guard out of the city to join his camp equipage. He frequently said that although he was exerting himself in the organization and despatch of the army, no one would be ready sooner than himself to take his part in its work.
When several amírs with their troops had been set in motion for Gujarát, he bestowed the title of Khán-jahán upon Husain Kulí Khán, who had rendered good service, and he increased his jágírs and allowances. He confirmed to him the government of Lahore and the sarkár of the Panjáb, and then dismissed him to his duty. Each person who sought for an increase of dignity, or for an increase of his allowances, met with a favourable hearing. Rájá Todar Mal was ordered to join Khán-jahán Husain Kulí Khán, and to give him and the amírs of the Panjáb the benefit of his experience and advice in the management of the province. All the amírs of the Panjáb took their leave with Khán-jahán, excepting Mirzá Yúsuf Khán. The Mirzá and Muhammad Zamán, who exhibited great intelligence, were to accompany the Emperor. Sa'íd Khán, the ruler of Multán, was sent to his jágír, taking with him his brother Makhsús Khán, who had been promoted.
In the early morning of Sunday, 24th Rabí'u-l ákhir, 981, the Emperor, with his companions and attendants, mounted swift she-camels,362 and took their departure. On that day he rode to the town of Toda362a without drawing rein. There he ate what he could get, and continued his journey. On the morning of Monday, he took a short rest at Hans-mahál, but quickly resumed his journey. One watch of the night of Tuesday had passed, when he reached the village of Mu'izábád.362b He was now fatigued,363 and several of his attendants had dropped behind, so he stayed a few hours to take rest. After his attendants had come up, he mounted a fast-going cart,363a and travelled all night. On Tuesday he reached the tomb of Khwája Mu'ínu-d dín Chishtí (at Ajmír),363b where he went through the usual observances, and bestowed his gifts upon the poor. He rested for a while in the palace, which he had built for his own use, but towards the end of the day he mounted his horse, and continued his journey. Among his attendants when he started were Mirzá Khán, son of Khán-khánán Bairám, Ásaf Khán Koka, Zain Khán Koka, and * * *. The night was bright moonlight. In the morning they joined Sháh Kulí Khán Mahram, and Muhammad Kulí Khán Túghbání, who had been sent on in advance from Fathpúr. The intelligencers now brought the information of the royal army having marched. His Majesty alighted at the town of Pálí,363c which was near at hand, and then, having chosen Khwája 'Abdu-lla, Ásaf Khán Bakshí, and Ráísál Darbárí, he took them along with him. On the 2nd Jumáda-l awwal, 981, he reached the town of Dísa, twenty kos from Pattan, in Gujarát, where the shikkdar * * came forth to meet him. His Majesty now sent Ásaf Khán to Muhammad Khán, directing him to collect his forces, and join the party at the town of Bálísána, five kos from Pattan. In the middle of the night His Majesty started from Dísa for Bálísána, and turning aside from Pattan, came in sight of Bálísána363d in the morning, and there halted. Here he was joined by Mír Muhammad Khán with his army and all his amírs and attendants, such as * * * and a party of the principal Rájpúts, such as Khangár, the nephew of Rája Bhagwán Dás, who had previously marched from Fathpúr to support Khán-i 'azam, but whom caution had restrained from advancing beyond Pattan.
An order was now issued for all the troops to appear fully armed and accoutred. The amírs accordingly brought out their men, and the Emperor reviewed them. Although he had full trust and hope of heavenly assistance, he neglected no material means of success. He gave the command of the centre, which is the place of the Sultán, to Mirzá Khán, son of (the late) Khán-khánán Bairám Khán, a young man of great parts and promise. He also appointed Saiyid Muhammad Khán Bárha, a man of great bravery, and Shujá'at Khán and Sádik Khán to the centre. The command of the right was given to Mír Muhammad Khán-i kalán, and that of the left to Wazír Khán. The advance, composed of a number of brave fellows, was placed under the command of Muhammad Kulí Khán and Tarkhán Díwána. His Majesty kept under his own immediate direction 100364 horsemen, men who had been picked out from a thousand thousand—a reserve intended to support any division which might be hard pressed. Strict orders were issued that no man was to stray from his place.
Although the horsemen under his colours were only 3000 in number, and the enemy had more than 20,000, he put his trust in God, and in the latter part of the day marched from Bálísána towards Ahmadábád. A messenger was sent to apprise Khán-i 'azam of his approach. He marched all night, and on Tuesday, 3rd Jumáda-l awwal, he reached Karí, a town twenty kos from Ahmadábád. The scouts now brought in the intelligence that a large force of the enemy had come out of the fort to give battle.364a Orders were accordingly given to attack them, and drive them from the road, but not to incur any embarrassment by attacking the fort. This was accomplished in the twinkling of an eye, and those of the enemy who escaped the sword, threw themselves into the fort. Leaving the fort untouched, in obedience to orders, the army marched five kos from Karí, where it rested till dawn.
As soon as it was light, the bakhshís drew up the forces, and marched on without drawing rein to a place about three kos from Ahmadábád. Orders were given for every man to arm himself, and the royal armoury was opened, so that every man who had lost or damaged a weapon might choose one to suit him. Ásaf Khán was sent to Khán-i 'azam, to inform him of the proximity of the Emperor, and directing him to effect a junction. Thus, in nine days, the Emperor marched from Fathpúr to the outskirts of Ahmadábád, a feat which it is difficult for the pen to describe.
It was now discovered that the enemy, drunk with wine,365 were asleep on the bed of heedlessness, quite unaware of the approach of the royal army. The feeling ran through the royal ranks, that it was unmanly to fall upon an enemy unawares, and that they would wait till he was roused.365a When the blast of the trumpets was heard, the enemy, in amaze and alarm, rushed to their horses.365b Muhammad Husain Mirzá advanced with two or three horsemen to the bank of the river to ascertain the truth, and it so happened that Subhán Kulí Turk had also gone down to the river with two or three men from our side. Muhammad Husain Mirzá called out to Subhán Kulí, inquiring whose army it was, and he was answered that it was the Emperor, who had marched from Fathpúr to punish traitors. The Mirzá replied, “My spies have informed me, that fourteen days ago the Emperor was at Fathpúr; and if this is the Imperial army, where are the royal elephants which always accompany it?” Subhán 'Alí said, “How could elephants have travelled with us 400 kos in nine days?” Muhammad Husain Mirzá returned amazed and troubled to his army, and drawing out his forces, he prepared for battle. He directed Ikhtiyár Khán to take 5000 horse, and prevent Khán-i 'azám from sallying out of the city.
When the time for delay drew to an end, the Emperor directed the advance to cross the river, and that Wazír Khán also should cross with the left. This being done, he himself crossed over at the head of his chosen men. Some little confusion occurred in the passage, but the troops all got over together, and advanced a short distance on the other side, when a strong force of the enemy came in view. Muhammad Husain Mirzá, with 1500 Mughals,366 all devoted men of his own, came up and fell upon the advanced force under Muhammad Kulí Khán and Tarkhán Díwána. Simultaneously the Habshís and Afgháns attacked Wazír Khán, and then the fight grew close and warm.
The Emperor perceived some signs of weakness and distress in the advanced force, so he gave the word, and charged the enemy like a fierce tiger. Another body of the royal forces came up and took them in flank. Saif Khán Koka made a rash charge and was killed. Muhammad Husain Mirzá and Sháh Mirzá struggled manfully, but ill-luck attended them, so they turned and fled. The royal troops advanced and cut off some. His Majesty with several of his men drew up and stood fast. Muhammad Husain Mirzá had received a wound, and in his haste to make his escape, he put his horse at a thorn hedge, but the animal fell. One of the royal troops, a Turk named Gadá 'Alí, who pursued him, threw himself from his horse and made him prisoner.
Wazír Khán on the left fought well and bravely, but the Habshí and Gujarátí troops made charge after charge, until they became acquainted with the defeat of Muhammad Husain Mirzá and Sháh Mirzá. Then they also turned their backs. Mír Muhammad Khán on the right drove back the sons of Sher Khán Fuládí, and put many of their men to the sword. Victory now declared itself on every side, and His Majesty returned triumphant to his couch, which was placed at the edge of the battle-field, and there he offered up his thanks for the victory vouchsafed.
Gadá 'Alí Badakhshí and a servant of Khán-i kalán now brought in the wounded Muhammad Husain Mirzá a prisoner, each laying claim to the honour of capturing him. Rájá Bírbal asked him who made him prisoner, and he replied, “Ingratitude to His Majesty;” and he spoke the truth. His Majesty spoke a few kind words to him, and gave him into the custody of Ráí Singh. Among the prisoners taken was a man named Mard Azmáí Sháh, who declared himself the Koka of Mirzá Ibráhím Husain. His Majesty struck him to the earth with a spear, and the attendants cut him to pieces with their swords. It was afterwards found out that he had killed in the battle of Sarnál, Bhúpat, brother of Rájá Bhagwán Dás.367
An hour after the victory was won, another large division of the enemy367a made its appearance, and the vedettes brought the information that it was Ikhtiyáru-l Mulk Gujarátí. He had been charged with the duty of closing the road against 'Azam Khán, but when he heard of the defeat of the Mirzás, he left the city roads and came out into the field. His Majesty ordered a force to advance and assail him with arrows. When he came in sight, some fierce horsemen charged and overthrew the troop which preceded him. Ikhtiyáru-l Mulk in his fright cast a look upon the hill whereon the royal standard was planted, and he (and his men) ran off on both sides of it in such disgraceful panic that the royal troops pulled the arrows out of the quivers of the fugitives, and used them against them. A Turkomán named Suhráb Beg now recognized Ikhtiyáru-l Mulk, and pursued him. Coming to a thorn hedge, the fugitive endeavoured to make his horse leap over, but the animal threw him. Suhráb Beg dismounted and took him prisoner. Ikhtiyáru-l Mulk said, “You look like a Turkomán, and the Turkománs are followers of 'Alí. I belong to the Saiyids of Bokhára, do not kill me.” Suhráb Beg replied, “I recognized you and pursued you. You are Ikhtiyáru-l Mulk.” Thus having said he cut off his head and returned to mount his horse, but some one had taken it, so he wrapped the head in the skirt of his garment and walked back. At the time that Ikhtiyáru-l Mulk advanced towards the hill on which the Emperor was standing, the Rájpúts of Ráí Singh, who had charge of Muhammad Husain Mirzá, cast the Mirzá off an elephant to the ground, and despatched him with a spear.
After the victory, 'Azam Khán and the other officers who had been besieged in the city came out to the Emperor, who bestowed upon the Khán many marks of his approval. To every one of the Kháns he gave promotion or other distinctions, and he had hardly finished with them, when Suhráb Beg Turkomán came up and threw down the head of Ikhtiyáru-l Mulk. When the Emperor saw it, he praised him and liberally rewarded him; and then he ordered that a pyramid should be raised of the heads of the rebels who had fallen in the battle, and these were more than 2000 in number. After this he proceeded into Ahmadábád, and occupied the royal abode, which is in the citadel. The men of the city of all ranks waited upon him with their offerings and congratulations. He rested five days in the citadel, and then he removed to the house of 'Itimád Khán, in the middle of the city.
His first act was to see that all those who had rendered good service in this campaign, especially those who had distinguished themselves in the battle, should receive their due reward in advanced rank and increased allowances. Eloquent scribes were employed to write despatches of the victory, and the heads of Muhammad Husain Mirzá and Ikhtiyáru-l Mulk were sent to be hung up over the gates of Ágra and Fathpúr.
After attending to the wants of the poor people of Ahmadábád, he sent Kutbu-d dín Muhammad Khán and Naurang Khán to Broach and Chámpánír, to uproot the power of Sháh Mirzá. Rájá Bhagwán Dás, Sháh Kulí Mahram, Lashkar Khán Mír-bakhshí, and several others, were sent to Ídar, to ravage the country which Ráná Údí Singh had abandoned. The government of Pattan was again confided to Mír Muhammad Khán (Khán-i Kalán). Wazír Khán was appointed to Dúlaka and Dandúka, and he was to support Khán-i 'azam.
When the Emperor had made all his arrangements, he resolved to return home, and on Sunday, 16th Jumáda-l awwal, he left Ahmadábád for Mahmudábád, and rested in the lofty and fine palace of Sultán Mahmúd of Gujarát. Khwája Ghiyásu-d dín 'Alí Bakhshí, who had rendered good service in this campaign, received the title of Ásaf Khán, and he was appointed díwán and bakhshí of Gujarát, so he remained behind with Khán-i 'azam. The Emperor travelled by night from Dúlaka to Karí, and from Karí also by night to Sítápúr. Here a despatch was received from Rájá Bhagwán Dás, and Sháh Kulí Mahram, reporting the capture of the fort of Barnagar,369 and a letter of thanks was returned. He made no other halt till he reached Sírohí, where he gave Sádik Khán a commission to chastise rebels and robbers. On Wednesday, 3rd Jumáda-l awwal, 981, he reached Ajmír, and immediately went to visit the tomb of Khwája Mu'ínu-d dín Chishtí, and made liberal donations to the poor. Next day he departed, and marching night and day, he reached the village of Púna, three kos from Sángánír, in the jágír of Rám Dás Kachhwáha. Here Rám Dás had prepared an entertainment for His Majesty and all his attendants.
At this station Rájá Todar Mal, who had been directed to fit out a thousand boats (kishti) and ghrabs at Ágra, had an interview with His Majesty. The revenues of Gujarát had not been paid up satisfactorily, so the Rájá was sent to ascertain and settle the assets, and draw up an account of them for the royal exchequer. The Emperor started again at midnight, and rode to Toda, which he reached on the morning of the 6th, and, after resting for a while, he again mounted and reached Basáwar in the middle of the night, where he was met by Khwája-jahán and Shahábu-d dín Ahmad Khán, who had come out of Fathpúr to meet him. At dawn he again started and went to the town of Bajúna, where he remained till the following day. He then ordered his attendants to march into Fathpúr with spears in their hands. He himself followed, riding upon a gray horse, and holding a spear in his hand. Thus he reached Fathpúr on Saturday, 7th Jumáda-l ákhir, having been absent forty-three days.
Events after the Emperor's Return to Fathpúr.
On the 25th of Jumáda-l ákhir, the ceremony of circumcising the young princes was performed, amid great rejoicings and congratulations. The time was now arrived for beginning the education of Prince Salím, so on the 22nd Rajab His Majesty appointed Mauláná Mír Kalán Harawí to be his tutor, and to instruct him in the creed and the Kurán.370
Muzaffar Khán, who had been formerly appointed to the government of Sárangpúr, in the territories of Ahmadábád, was summoned to Court, and on the 4th Rajab he was appointed wazír or prime minister of Hindústán, and received the additional title of Jumlatu-l Mulkí. The general management of the affairs of the country was committed to his hands.
The debts of Shaikh Muhammad Bukhárí, who was killed at the battle of Pattan, and of Saif Khán Koka, who fell in the second campaign of Ahmadábád, were ordered to be paid out of the public treasury. The total amounted to one lac of Akbar-sháhí rupees, equal to 2500 tumáns of 'Irák. Such a fact has not been recorded of any king in books of history.
Rájá Todar Mal, who had been sent to settle the revenues of Gujarát, having made the necessary arrangements, now returned, bringing the accounts of his settlement, and suitable presents for His Majesty. He was highly applauded. After a few days the Emperor gave him one of his own swords, and sent him along with Lashkar Khán Mír-bakhshí to serve under Khán-khánán Mu'ním Khán, and assist in the conquest of Bengal.
Mír Muhsin Rizwí, who had been sent on a mission to the rulers of the Dekhin, returned, bringing with him the presents they had sent to His Majesty.
On the 16th Shawwál the Emperor went to pay a visit to the tomb of Khwája Mu'ínu-d dín at Ajmír, for although he had visited it this year on his return from the second campaign in Gujarát, he had now determined upon an invasion of Bengal; and as this campaign might last longer than a year, he might be prevented from making his usual pilgrimage; so he determined to proceed thither at once, and offer up his prayers for divine help in his war against Bengal. He accordingly set out on the 16th Shawwál, 981, and remained till the 20th in the village of Dáír.371 * * * At this place Diláwar Khán, assisted by the Emperor's orderlies (yasáwals), was directed to protect the cultivated land in the vicinity of the camp; and besides that, trustworthy men were appointed to carefully examine the land after the camp had passed, and were ordered to place the amount of any damage done, against the government claim for revenue. This practice became a rule in all his campaigns, and sometimes even bags of money were given to these inspectors, so that they might at once estimate and satisfy the claims of the raiyats and farmers, and obviate any interference with the revenue collections. Continuing his journey, and hunting as he proceeded, he arrived at a spot seven kos from Ajmír, on the 12th Zí-l ka'da. Next day he went on foot to pay his visit to the tomb, and from thence he repaired to his palace in Ajmír. There he remained twelve days, visiting the tomb every day, and enriching the poor with his bounty.
Nineteenth year of the Reign.
The beginning of this year corresponded with Thursday, 17th Zí-l ka'da, 981 H. (11th March, 1574 A.D.)
After paying his visit to the tomb of the holy Khwája, who is the helper and protector of kings, the Emperor started on his return from Ajmír on the 23rd Zí-l ka'da. Hunting as he went along, he arrived at Fathpúr on the 17th Zí-l hijja.
Campaign against Patna and Hájípúr.
Sulaimán Kirání, one of the amírs of Salím Khán Afghán [Salím Sháh], and ruler of Bengal and Bihár, who had always in his letters acknowledged himself a vassal of the Imperial throne, died while the Emperor was engaged in his Surat campaign, in the year 981 H. His eldest son Báyazíd succeeded, but he was murdered by the amírs,372 and the younger son Dáúd was raised to the throne. The Emperor was informed that Dáúd had stepped out of his proper sphere, had assumed the title of king, and through his morose temper had destroyed the fort of Patna, which Khán-zamán built when he was ruler of Jaunpúr. A farmán was immediately sent to Khán-khánán, directing him to chastise Dáúd, and to conquer the country of Bihár.
At that time Dáúd was at Hájípúr, and his chief noble, Lodí, who was in open hostility to him, was in the fort of Rohtás, and set up a claim to independence. Khán-khánán Mu'ním Khán marched with the Imperial forces against Patna and Hájípúr. Lodí, knowing the destruction of the Afgháns to be certain, notwithstanding his hostility towards Dáúd, made a sort of peace with Khán-khánán. The old friendship and respect which Khán-khánán had for the late Sulaimán Kirání led him to agree that, upon the payment of two lacs of rupees in money and one lac in stuffs as a tribute, the Imperial forces should be withdrawn. Then having sent Jalál Khán Krorí, he entered into a peace with Dáúd.
But Dáúd was a dissolute scamp, and knew nothing of the business of governing. At the instigation of Katlú Khán, who had for a long time held the country of Jagannáth and of Srídhar Hindú Bengálí, and through his own want of judgment, he seized Lodí his amíru-l umará, and put him in confinement under the charge of Srídhar Bengálí. When in prison, Lodí sent for Katlú and Srídhar, and sent Dáúd this message, “If you consider my death to be for the welfare of the country, put your mind quickly at ease about it; but you will be very sorry for it after I am dead. You have never given me any good wishes or advice, but still I am willing to advise you. Act upon my counsel, for it will be for your good. And this is my advice: After I am killed, fight the Mughals without hesitation, that you may gain the victory. If you do not do so, the Mughals will attack you, and you will not be able to help yourself. Do not be too sure about the peace with the Mughals, they are only biding their time.”
The power of Dáúd and of all the Afgháns was on the wane: it was God's will that they should fall, and that the power of the Emperor should be established over the country of Bengal. So Dáúd resolved to put Lodí out of the way, and by so doing to establish his authority to his own satisfaction. Katlú Khán and Srídhar Bengálí had a bitter animosity against Lodí, and they thought that if he were removed, the offices of vakíl and wazír would fall to them, so they made the best of their opportunity. They represented themselves to Dáúd as purely disinterested, but they repeatedly reminded him of those things which made Lodí's death desirable. Dáúd, in the pride and intoxication of youth, listened to the words of these sinister counsellors. The doomed victim was put to death, and Dáúd became the master of his elephants, his treasure, and his troops. But he was puffed up with conceit and folly, and took no precautions for combating his enemies, and relying upon that unsatisfactory peace which Lodí had concluded, he banished all care.
When the death of Lodí was reported to Khán-khánán and his circle, which was full of amírs of renown, he at once set his heart upon the conquest of Bengal and Lakhnautí, and marched against Patna and Hájípúr. In high spirits he arrived in the vicinity of Patna. Dáúd now deeply regretted the murder of Lodí, who, by his wisdom, and judgment, and devotion, had kept the affairs of Bengal in order. He marched towards Patna, and was at first resolved upon battle; but he afterwards recoiled from trying an action, and resolved to take shelter in his fortifications. Khán-khánán was delighted when he was informed of this resolution, and he already foresaw the conquest of Patna and Hájípúr. Dáúd, without drawing a sword or shooting an arrow, retired precipitately into the fort of Patna, and set about repairing the works.
Khán-khánán, with the concurrence of the amírs, proceeded to invest Patna. Upon hearing this, the Emperor determined to personally direct the operations against Patna and Hájípúr. After resting for a few days at Fathpúr, he sent off his camp and elephants by land under the command of Mirzá Yúsuf Khán Rizwí one of his chief amírs. He placed Ágra in charge of Shahábu-d dín Ahmad Khán Naishapúrí, and embarked on board a boat on Sunday the last day of Safar, 982 H. The young princes went with him. The boats carried all his equipments and establishments, armour, drums, treasure, carpets, kitchen utensils, stud, etc., etc. Two large boats were specially prepared for his own accommodation, in which he embarked with his attendants. The boats required by the amírs for themselves and their establishments were in the rear of the royal boats, and so they started. On arriving at the village of Ratambh, one of the dependencies of Ágra, he stopped and sent a letter to Khán-khánán Mu'ním Khán, to give information of his approach. On the 1st Rabí'u-l awwal the expedition proceeded. Every day he left the boat and went hunting on shore.375 Every day he was joined by fresh parties of troops. [Punishment of a brahman guilty of incest with his daughter.]
On the 23rd of the month the Emperor reached Illahabás, which is situated at the confluence of the Ganges and Jumna. This is a great place of pilgrimage for the Hindús, and contains some fine buildings. It is celebrated in all parts of the world as a holy place of the Hindús, who resort thither from all parts. On the 25th he reached Benares, from whence he sent on Sher Beg Tawáchí in a boat to Khán-khánán Mu'ním Khán, to apprise him of the Emperor's arrival at Benares. At that city he remained three days taking rest. On the 28th he reached the village of Korí, a dependency of Saiyidpúr,375a at the confluence of the Gumti375b and Ganges, and there anchored.375c Here he was waited upon by Mirzá Yúsuf Khán, who had brought down the army by land. He now determined that until he received accurate intelligence from Khán-khánán, he and the young prince and his wives would go and stay at Jaunpúr.375d So he left the army at this encampment, and went up the Gumtí in boats to Jaunpúr.
On the 2nd Rabí'u-s sání he reached the village of Yahyá-púr, a dependency of Jaunpúr. Here a despatch arrived from Khán-khánán, urging him to march on with all speed. So on the 3rd he sent on the young prince and ladies to Jaunpúr, and then departed on his campaign against Bengal.376 On the 4th the boats fell down the Gumtí to the Ganges, and Mirzá Yúsuf Khán, the commander of the army, waited on His Majesty. It was now arranged that the army should keep within sight of the royal flotilla. On the 6th it encamped in the plain of Gházípúr, and the Emperor went hunting. * * * On the 7th he halted at Gangadáspúr, and here he was met by the eunuch 'Itimád Khán, a distinguished noble, who had been rendering good service in the siege of Patna, and who now made a full report of all the occurrences to His Majesty, and urged him to hasten forward. His Majesty thereupon directed Saiyid Mírak Ispahání, one of his principal attendants, who was learned in charms, to seek an augury in his books by sortilege. The augury was favourable, and a few days proved its truth.
On Tuesday, the 8th Rabí'u-s sání, he encamped at the ferry of Chaunsá, and here a despatch arrived from Khán-khánán, reporting that 'Ísa Khán Níází, an Afghán renowned for his courage, had made a sortie with elephants and a large force from Patna, and had attacked the besiegers. 'Ísá Khán was slain by Lashkar Khán, one of the Emperor's men, and a great number of Afgháns fell. This news was sent on to the princes.
On the following day Diláwar Khán was ordered to transport the army over at the ferry of Chaunsá, and on the 10th the army encamped at the village of Domní, belonging to Bhojpúr. Kásim 'Alí Khán, was now sent to inform Khán-khánán of the near approach of the Emperor, and to inquire what he advised to be done. The Khán advised the Emperor to advance as hitherto, himself by boat and his army by land; and he requested that some horses might be sent to replace those that had been rendered useless by the rains.376a Horses and arms were accordingly sent. Khán-khánán and the other amírs advanced two kos from Patna to meet His Majesty, who, on the 16th Rabí'u-s sání, reached his destination, and took up his abode in the tents of Khán-khánán. Great rejoicings followed, and rich offerings were made.
On the 17th Akbar called a council of war in the tents of Khán-khánán, when he observed that the siege had now lasted a long time, that he was resolved upon reducing the place, and upon crushing the defenders, so that they should be unable to make any further resistance either in the city or in the country. He thought that the best course to pursue was to first reduce the fort of Hájípúr,377 which rendered very material assistance to the garrison of Patna, and that their operations must be directed to that object. The Kháns greatly applauded this scheme. At that same council Khán-'álam was sent off with three thousand men in boats, with the materials required for a siege. Rájá Gajpati, the zamíndár of that country, who had many armed adherents, was directed to support Khán-'álam.
Next day, the 18th, Khán-'álam crossed the river, embarked immediately, and went to lay siege to Hájípúr, while the troops marched by land.377a In order to see the field, His Majesty mounted a battery of Sháham Khán Jaláír, which was upon a hill on the bank of the Ganges, and from which Hájípúr was visible. As, however, he could get no certain information of what was passing, in the evening he sent a party of men in three boats toward Hájípúr to gain intelligence. When the enemy saw these boats approaching, they sent eighteen boats full of fighting men against them. But the three Imperial boats prevented them from advancing, and by hard fighting cut their way through, and joined Khán-'álam. Victory now declared in favour of the Emperor.377b Fath Khán Bárha, commander of Hájípúr, and many Afgháns, were slain, and the place fell into the hands of Khán-'álam. The head of Fath Khán Bárha and the heads of other Afgháns were thrown into boats, and sent to the Emperor. After offering his thanksgiving for this victory, he sent the heads of Fath Khán and of the others to Dáúd, that he might see with his own eyes what had befallen his officers, and might be led to reflect upon his own position. When Dáúd's eyes fell upon these heads, he was plunged into dismay, and set his mind upon flight.
On the same day, the 16th, the Emperor went out upon an elephant to reconnoitre the fort and the environs of the city, and he ascended the Panj-pahárí, which is opposite the fort. This Panj-pahárí, or “Five domes,” is a place built in old times by the infidels with burnt bricks in five stages. The Afgháns, who were on the walls and bastions of the fortress, saw the Emperor and his suite as he was making his survey, and in their despair and recklessness they fired some guns at the Panj-pahárí, but they did no injury at all to any one.
When Dáúd saw the Imperial forces swarming in the plain, and when he was informed of the fall of Hájípúr, although he had 20,000 horse, abundance of artillery, and many elephants, he determined to fly, and at midnight of Sunday, the 21st Rabí'u-s sání, he embarked in a boat and made his escape. Srídhar the Bengálí, who was Dáúd's great supporter, and to whom he had given the title of Rájá Bikramájít, placed his valuables and treasure in a boat and followed him.
Gújar Khán Kirání, who was Dáúd's minister,378 brought the elephants out, and fled by the rear of the city. On that dreadful night, a foretaste of the day of judgment, the inhabitants were in a state of bewilderment and despair. Some endeavoured to escape by the river, but through the crowding and struggling many of them were drowned. Others endeavoured to fly by land, but were crushed under the feet of elephants and horses in the narrow lanes and streets. Some in their despair cast themselves down from the walls, and others perished in the moat. When Gújar Khán came to the Punpun379 river, he passed his elephants over the bridge; but the fugitives in his rear so pressed and crowded upon the bridge that it broke down, and numbers were precipitated into the water. Those who came up afterwards threw away their arms and clothes, and cast themselves naked into the river.
Late at night, when the flight of Dáúd was reported, the Emperor gave thanks to heaven, and as soon as it was light Khán-khánán having assured himself of the fact, the royal forces entered the city with great display. Fifty-six elephants, which the enemy had been unable to carry off, were found in the city and paraded before His Majesty. The date of the fall of Patna, which was indeed the conquest of Bengal, is found in this line, “Mulk-i Sulaimán zi Dáúd raft” (983).
The Emperor remained in the city till four hours of the day had passed, and having made a proclamation of amnesty to the inhabitants, he left Khán-khánán in command of the army, while he himself dashed off with a detachment in pursuit of Gújar Khán and the elephants. When he reached the Punpun, he swam over on horseback, and the amírs and soldiers followed his example. Then he gave orders for every officer and man to press on with all his might in the pursuit of the enemy, and he himself spurred forward. The amírs, driving Gújar Khán before them, secured Dáúd's elephants, and brought them to His Majesty. On reaching the pargana of Daryápúr,379a twenty-six kos379b from Patna on the banks of the Ganges, they drew rein, and it was found that nearly 400 elephants379c had been taken. His Majesty halted at Daryápúr, but ordered Shahbáz Khán Mír-bakhshí and Majnún Khán Kákshál to continue the pursuit. They went on to the river Balbhúnd, seven kos from Daryápúr. There they learned that Gújar, worn out and half dead, had passed over the river, and that some of his men had been lost in the water. Shahbáz Khán and Majnún Khán then returned.
On Monday, the 21st, Khán-khánán, according to orders, came by water to wait upon His Majesty, bringing with him the royal boats and attendant establishments. The Emperor stayed at Daryápúr six days. He appointed Khán-khánán to the government of Bengal, and left him an additional force of 20,000 horse. He increased his military allowances twenty-five or thirty per cent., he gave him all the boats which he had brought down from Ágra, and invested him with full power and authority. Then he raised the standard of return, and dismissed Khán-khánán and the other amírs. Next day he marched to the town of Ghiyáspúr on the bank of the Ganges. There he rested four days, employed in the pleasing occupation of viewing the elephants captured from Dáúd and his Afgháns. From thence he determined to go on to Jaunpúr rapidly. Leaving the command of the army as usual with Mirzá Yúsuf Khán, he started at midnight of the 2nd Jumáda-l awwal, 982, mounted upon an elephant. In the morning he halted at an encampment of the royal forces between Daryápúr and Ghiyáspúr, where he witnessed some elephant fights.
At this stage Muzaffar Khán,380 who was formerly a clerk, but now an amír of reputation, was sent along with Farhat Khán, one of the late Emperor's slaves, and now enrolled in His Majesty's service, to besiege the fortress of Rohtás, a very lofty and strong place. And he gave orders that after its capture it should be placed under the command of Farhat Khán, and that Muzaffar Khán should return to Court. On Friday, 3rd Jumáda-l awwal, he proceeded to Patna, and spent a short time in examining the buildings of Dáúd.381 From thence he started to make the best of his way, and on Saturday, the 4th, he reached the village of Fathpúr Sahína, which is twenty-one kos distant, and on Monday, 6th Jumáda-I awwal, at mid-day, he arrived at Jaunpúr. Mirzá Yúsuf Khán arrived with the army on the 7th. The Emperor remained at Jaunpúr thirty-three days, devoting his time to making arrangements for the army and the government of the country. He placed Jaunpúr, Benares, the fort of Chunár, and sundry other maháls and par-ganas directly under the royal exchequer, and he gave the management of them to Mirzá Mírak Rizwí and Shaikh Ibráhím Síkrí. On the 9th Jumáda-s sání, 982, he departed from Jaun-púr, and went to Khánpúr, where he stayed four days. Here he was waited upon by Kází Nizám Badakhshí, who [being graciously received and appointed to office] afterwards achieved a high position among the nobles.
A despatch now arrived from Khán-khánán, reporting the capture of the fort of Garhí.381a When Dáúd fled from Patna, he went to Garhí. Leaving some trusty men there, he proceeded to the town of Tánda. He made such efforts to strengthen the fort of Garhí that in his vain idea it was impregnable. Khán-khánán marched against Tánda, and arrived near Garhí.381b As soon as the eyes of the terrified Afgháns fell upon his army, they fled and abandoned the fort, so that he obtained possession of Garhí without striking a blow. This intelligence greatly pleased the Emperor, and he sent letters of commendation to Khán-khánán and the other amírs. Continuing his journey, and hunting as he went, he arrived, on the 8th Jumáda-s sání, at the town of Iskandarpúr, where he received intelligence of the fall of Tánda.
After taking possession of the fort of Garhí, the Imperial forces marched on towards Tánda, which is the capital of the kingdom (of Bengal). Khán-khánán's explorers at first reported that Dáúd intended to make a stand there, and had made his dispositions. Khán-khánán thereupon summoned his amírs, and took every precaution for the security of his army. Next day he marshalled his forces, and advanced in great force against Tánda. When Dáúd's spies carried him the intelligence of Khán-khánán's advance, he and his associates thought of the black night of Patna, and fled in dismay, abandoning the town. Thus on the 4th Jumáda-s sání, the capital of Tánda was won for the Emperor without fighting, and a proclamation of protection was issued to the people.
Again the Emperor was delighted with this good news. He determined to go on to Dehlí, and he arrived there on the 1st Rajab. He made a pilgrimage to the tombs of the saints and holy men; he also visited the tomb of his father, and he dispensed his bounty among the needy, and offered up prayers suitable to his position. To give his escort rest he remained at Dehlí some days, and employed himself in hunting. In the beginning of Sha'bán he started for Ajmír, and hunted as he went. At the town of Nárnaul he was waited upon by Khán-jahán, who came from Lahore to see him. The Emperor was much pleased to see the Khán, and gave him some princely marks of his approval. A few days afterwards 'Azám Khán also came from Ahmadábád expressly to offer his congratulations. In the beginning of Ramazán, the Emperor reached Ajmír, and hastened immediately to pay his visit to the tomb. Out of the spoils of Bengal he presented to the nakára-khána of the Khwája a pair of drums which had belonged to Dáúd. He also dispensed the usual gifts.
It now came to his knowledge that Chandar Sen, son of Mál Deo, was oppressing the raiyats in the neighbourhood of the forts of Joudhpúr and Siwánah, and was creating disturbances.382 His Majesty sent Tayib Khán, son of Táhir Khán Mír-i farághat the governor of Dehlí, and Súbhán Kulí Túrk, with a suitable force, to chastise him. When they approached, the rebel withdrew with his followers383 into dense jungles and places hard of access. But some of the fugitives were caught and put to the sword, and the royal troops returned with considerable spoil. In the middle of Ramazán the Emperor started on his return to the capital, and on the same day Khán-i 'azam departed for Gujarát. The Emperor arrived at Fathpúr on the last day of Ramazán.
It had become manifest that much of the cultivable land of Hindústán was lying uncultivated; and to encourage cultivation, some rule for dividing the profits of the first year between the Government and the cultivator seemed to be required. After careful consideration, it was arranged that the various parganas should be examined, and that those which contained so much land as being cultivated would yield a kror of tankas, should be divided off and given into the charge of an honest and intelligent officer, who was to receive the name of krorí. The clerks and accountants of the Exchequer were to make arrangements with these officers, and send them to their respective districts, where, by vigilance and attention, in the course of three years the uncultivated land might be brought into cultivation, and the revenues recovered for Government. To carry out these views, a number of the most honest and trustworthy servants of the State were selected, such as * * and appointed to the office of krorí. The amírs also were called upon severally to appoint krorís, who were sent into the country upon their responsibility.
At this time Sháh Kulí Khán Mahram, Jalál Khán Korchí, and some other amírs, were sent to effect the reduction of the fort of Síwánah, belonging to the son of Ráí Mál Deo. The fort was besieged for a long time, and Jalál Khán Korchí, one of the officers of the Court, was killed there. After that Shahbáz Khán Kambú was sent there, and he took the place in a very short time.
A statement was now received from the ministers (wukalá) of Sultán Mahmúd of Bakar, reporting that Sultán Mahmúd was dead, and that they had no confidence in Muhibb 'Alí Khán and Mujáhid Khán. If, therefore, his Majesty would send one of his officers, they would render up the fort into his charge. His Majesty accordingly sent Mír Kísú Bakáwal-begí, who had received the title of Kísú Khán.
In this year a great pestilence (wabá) and famine occurred in Gujarát, and lasted for nearly six months. From the severity of these calamities, the inhabitants, rich and poor, fled the country, and were scattered abroad. For all this, grain rose to the price of 120 tankas per man,384 and horses and cows had to feed upon the bark of trees.
Khwája Amínu-d dín Mahmúd Khwája-jahán, who was wazír-i mustakill of the territories of Hindústán, died at Lucknow.
Twentieth year of the Reign.
The beginning of this year corresponded with Monday, 29th Zí-l ka'da, 982 H. (13th March, 1575).
Defeat of Dáúd Khán by Khán-khánán.
After the conquest of Tánda and the flight of Dáúd to Orissa, Khán-khánán devoted his attention to the settlement of the affairs of the country. Then he sent Rájá Todar Mal with some other amírs towards Orissa, in pursuit of Dáúd. He appointed Majnún Khán Kákshál to the government of Ghora-ghát. When the Khán proceeded to Ghora-ghát,384a Sulaimán Mangalí, the jágírdár of the place, and one of the bravest of the Afgháns, collected a force to resist his taking possession. Some sharp fighting followed, and Sulaimán was killed, and the wives and children of him and of other Afgháns were made prisoners. Immense booty fell into the hands of the Káksháls. Majnún Khán married Sulaimán's daughter to his own son Jabbárí. He then went on to Ghorá-ghát, and after dividing the whole of the country among the Káksháls, he made a report to Khán-khánán.
Rájá Todar Mal, who had been sent in pursuit of Dáúd, when he reached Madáran,385 was informed by his scouts that Dáúd was engaged collecting men in Dín-kasárí, and that his forces were daily increasing. Todar Mal stopped at Madáran, and wrote a full report from thence to Khán-khánán. On receiving it, the Khán sent Muhammad Kulí Khán Bírlás * * with reinforcements for the Rájá. Upon their arrival, all the chiefs concurred in the expediency of marching to Gowálpára, ten kos from Dín-kasárí, with all speed. When Dáúd heard this, he did not fly, but stood his ground at Dharpúr.385a
The spies now brought in information that Junaid, son of Dáúd's uncle, a man of high repute among the Afgháns for bravery and resolution, who had formerly come into the service of the Emperor, but fled from Ágra to Gujarát, and afterwards came from Gujarát to Bengal, was now at Dín-kasárí, seeking to form a junction with Dáúd. Rájá Todar Mal, with the approval of the other amírs, sent Abú-l Kásim Namakí and Nazar Bahádur to attack Junaid. These men, making light of the matter, neglected the precautions necessary in warfare, and were defeated by Junaid, thus bringing disgrace upon themselves.
Rájá Todar Mal, on receiving the news, with the approval of his amírs, marched against Junaid; but before he could arrive, Junaid had fled into the jungles. Todar Mal therefore stopped at Midnapúr. Muhammad Kulí Khán Bírlás died here after a few days' illness. He was an able man, and his loss was a great cause of weakness in the Imperial forces.
In concurrence with the remaining amírs, Rájá Todar Mal returned from Midnapúr to Madáran. Here Kiyá Khán Gang, being offended with the other amírs386 without reason, went off into the jungle. Todar Mal reported the fact to Khán-khánán, and remained for some days in Madáran. Hereupon Khán-khánán sent Sháham Khán Jaláír and * * * to support Rájá Todar Mal. When they joined the Rájá at Bardwán, the Rájá left them, and went out into the jungle after Kiyá Khán, and having pacified him, brought him back with him. From Madá-ran they marched to Jitúra. There they were informed that Dáúd, with his forces, had gone into the fort of Katak Banáras,386a and was engaged in preparations for war.
Rájá Todar Mal halted, and sent swift messengers to inform Khán-khánán of the position of affairs. Khán-khánán then left Tánda to march against Dáúd, and he formed a junction with Rájá Todar Mal. Dáúd had organized his army and now advanced to meet him. The Afgháns entrenched their camp.
On the 20th Zí-l ka'da, 982,386b the armies met.386c After the array was formed, the Afgháns advanced rapidly and boldly to the attack. Khán-khánán ordered fire to open upon them from the swivels (zarb-zan) and light guns (zambúrak), which were mounted on arábas in front of his line. The fire of the guns drove back the elephants which were placed in front of the Afghán attack, and the musketry mowed down the Afgháns who were in the advance. Gújar Khán, with his division in excellent order, now came up boldly, and drove back Khán-khánán's advanced force upon the Altamsh.387 Khán-i 'álam, who commanded the advance, held his ground, and was killed. The Altamsh division was next defeated and driven back upon the centre, which in its turn was in great difficulty. Khán-khánán did all in his power, but could not restrain his men. At this time, Gújar Khán attacked and wounded Khán-khánán, and as the latter had no sword, he returned Gújar Khán's cuts with slashes of his whip. In this conjuncture Khán-khánán's horse took fright; and although his rider was anxious to stop him and rally the fugitives, he could not restrain him. The Afgháns pursued Khán-khánán for half a kos, when Kiyá Khán Gang attacked the Afgháns, and showered arrows upon them. The Afgháns were exhausted by their long ride, and could not move. Then Khán-khánán got his horse under control, and rallying his men, led them back to the field. They discharged showers of arrows, and by the guidance of fate, an arrow struck Gújar Khán, and brought him down. When the Afgháns saw their leader fall, they turned their backs and fled; but many of them were cut down in their flight. Rájá Todar Mal, Lashkar Khán, and others who were upon the right, now charged the left of the enemy. Sháham Khán and others, who were on the left, also attacked their opponents of the right, defeated them, and drove them back upon Dáúd. His elephants, being worried by the arrows, turned round upon the body of his army, and the stone of dismay was cast among them. The banner of Khán-khánán now became visible, and the death of Gújar Khán came to the knowledge of Dáúd. This shook his resolution, and he turned and fled. Immense booty fell into the hands of the victors, and Khán-khánán encamped victorious on the battle-field. He remained there a few days, to have his wounds tended, and sent a report of the victory to the Emperor. All the prisoners taken were put to the sword. Lashkar Khán Mír-bakhshí, who had rendered such good service, died of his wounds before the army moved.
Conclusion of peace with Dáúd. His interview with Khán-khánán.
After his defeat, Dáúd fled to Katak Banáras (Cuttack), in the centre of Orissa, and Khán-khánán, who remained stationary on account of his wounds, held a council, in which he and his amírs determined to pursue Dáúd.388 Rájá Todar Mal and * * * were directed to proceed after him, and it was agreed that Khán-khánán himself would follow as soon as his wounds permitted. The Rájá and his amírs accordingly started, and did not halt until they reached Kalkal-ghátí.388a After resting there a while, the scouts brought in the intelligence that Dáúd and the Afgháns, with their wives and children, were shut up in the fort of Katak Banáras. Reduced to extremities, and having no other refuge, the men were resolved upon fighting, and fugitives from the field of battle daily gathered round them. Rájá Todar Mal sent a report of the state of affairs to Khán-khánán,388b and the Khán set out for Katak Banáras, never resting till he came within two kos of that place. Then he held a council with his amírs, and having pitched his camp on the banks of the Mahá-nadí, which is half a kos from Katak, he began to collect materials for a siege.
Dáúd had suffered several defeats in succession, and Gújar Khán, his mainstay and support, was slain. Death stared him in the face; so, in his despair and misery, he sent a messenger to Khán-khánán with a message to this effect: “The striving to crush a party of Musulmáns is no noble work. I am ready to submit and become a subject; but I beg that a corner of this
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