Chapter XI: Part 11

In the month [431] of Bahman there came pieces of good news one after the other. The first was that the Rana Amar Singh had elected for obedience and service to the Court. The circumstances of this affair are these. My son of lofty fortune, Sultan Khurram, by dint of placing a great many posts, especially in some places where most people said it was impossible to place them on account of the badness of the air and water and the wild nature of the localities, and by dint of moving the royal forces one after another in pursuit, without regard to the heat or excessive rain, and making prisoners of the families of the inhabitants of that region, brought matters with the Rana to such a pass that it became clear to him that if this should happen to him again he must either fly the country or be made prisoner. Being without remedy, he chose obedience and loyalty, and sent to my fortunate son his maternal uncle, Subh Karan, with Haridas Jhala, who was one of the men in his confidence, and petitioned that if that fortunate son would ask forgiveness for his offences and tranquillise his mind, and obtain for him the auspicious sign-manual, [432] he would himself come and wait on my son, and would send his son and successor Karan to Court, or he, after the manner of other Rajas, would be enrolled amongst the servants of the Court and do service. He also begged that he himself might be excused from coming to Court on account of his old age. Accordingly my son sent them in company with his own Diwan Mulla Shukru-llah, whom after the conclusion of this business I dignified with the title of Afzal Khan, and Sundar Das, his major-domo, who, after this matter was settled, was honoured with the title of Ray Rayan, to the exalted Court, and represented the circumstances. My lofty mind was always desirous, as far as possible, not to destroy the old families. The real point was that as Rana Amar Singh and his fathers, proud in the strength of their hilly country and their abodes, had never seen or obeyed any of the kings of Hindustan, this should be brought about in my reign. At the request of my son I forgave the Rana's offences, and gave a gracious farman that should satisfy him, and impressed on it the mark of my auspicious palm. [433] I also wrote a farman of kindness to my son that if he could arrange to settle the matter I should be much pleased. My son also sent them [434] with Mulla Shukru-llah and Sundar Das to the Rana to console him and make him hopeful of the royal favour. They gave him the gracious farman with the sign-manual of the auspicious hand, and it was settled that on Sunday, the 26th of the month of Bahman, he and his sons should come and pay their respects to my son. The second piece of good news was the death of Bahadur, who was descended from the rulers of Gujarat, and was the leaven of disturbance and mischief (there). Almighty God had annihilated him in His mercy: he died of a natural illness. The third piece of news was the defeat of the Warza (Portuguese Viceroy), who had done his best to take the castle and port of Surat. In the roadstead [435] of the port of Surat a fight took place between the English, who had taken shelter there, and the Viceroy. Most of his ships were burnt by the English fire. Being helpless he had not the power to fight any more, and took to flight. He sent some one to Muqarrab Khan, who was the governor of the ports of Gujarat, and knocked at the door of peace, and said that he had come to make peace and not to make war. It was the English who had stirred up the war. Another piece of news was that some of the Rajputs, who had determined to attack and kill `Ambar (misprinted Ghir), had made an ambush, and finding a good opportunity had gained access to him, when a slight wound had been inflicted on him by one of them. The men who were round `Ambar (again misprinted Ghir) had killed the Rajputs and taken `Ambar to his quarters. A very little [436] more would have made an end of him. In the end of this month, when I was employed in hunting in the environs of Ajmir, Muhammad Beg, [437] an attendant on my fortunate son Sultan Khurram, came and brought a report from that son, and stated that the Rana had come with his sons and paid his respects to the prince; "the details would be made known by the report." I immediately turned the face of supplication to the Divine Court, and prostrated myself in thanksgiving. I presented a horse, an elephant, and a jewelled dagger to the aforesaid Muhammad Beg, and honoured him with the title of Zu-l-faqar Khan.2 From the report it appeared that on Sunday, the 26th Bahman, the Rana paid his respects to my fortunate son with the politeness and ritual that servants pay their respects, and produced as offerings a famous large ruby that was in his house, with some decorated articles and seven elephants, some of them fit for the private stud, and which had not fallen into our hands and were the only ones left him, and nine horses.

My son also behaved to him with perfect kindness. When the Rana clasped his feet and asked forgiveness for his faults, he took his head and placed it on his breast, and consoled him in such a manner as to comfort him. He presented him with a superb dress of honour, a jewelled sword, a horse with a jewelled saddle, and a private elephant with silver housings, and, as there were not more than 100 men with him who were worthy of complete robes of honour (sar u pa), he gave 100 sarupa and 50 horses and 12 jewelled khapwa (daggers). As it is the custom of the Zamindars that the son who is the heir-apparent should not go with his father to pay his respects to a king or prince, the Rana observed this custom, and did not bring with him Karan, the son who had received the tika. As the hour (fixed by astrology) of the departure of that son of lofty fortune from that place was the end of that same day, he gave him leave, so that, having himself gone, he might send Karan to pay his respects. After he had gone, Karan also came and did so. To him also he gave a superb dress of honour, a jewelled sword and dagger, a horse with a gold saddle, and a special elephant, and on the same day, taking Karan in attendance, he proceeded towards the illustrious Court. On the 3rd Isfandarmuz my return to Ajmir from hunting took place. From the 17th Bahman up to that date, during which I was hunting, one tigress with three cubs and thirteen nilgaw had been killed. The fortunate prince encamped on Saturday, the 10th of the same month, at the village of Devrani, which is near the city of Ajmir, and an order was given that all the Amirs should go to meet him, and that each should present an offering according to his standing and condition, and on the next day, Sunday, the 11th he should have the good fortune to wait upon me. The next day the prince, with great magnificence, with all the victorious forces that had been appointed to accompany him on that service, entered the public palace. The hour for him to wait on me was when two watches and two gharis of the day had passed, and he had the good fortune to pay his respects, and performed his prostrations and salutations. He presented 1,000 ashrafis and 1,000 rupees by way of offering, 1,000 muhrs and 1,000 rupees by way of charity. I called that son forward and embraced him, and having kissed his head and face, favoured him with special kindnesses and greetings. When he had finished the dues of service and had presented his offerings and charities, he petitioned that Karan might be exalted with the good fortune of prostrating himself and paying his respects. I ordered them to bring him, and the Bakhshis with the usual ceremonies of respect produced him. After prostration and salutation were completed, at the request of my son Khurram, I ordered them to place him in front on the right hand of the circle. After this I ordered Khurram to go and wait on his mothers, and gave him a special dress of honour, consisting of a jewelled charqab (sleeveless vest), a coat of gold brocade, and a rosary of pearls. After he had made his salutation, there were presented to him a special dress of honour, a special horse with a jewelled saddle, and a special elephant. I also honoured Karan with a superb robe of honour and a jewelled sword, and the Amirs and mansabdars had the honour of prostrating themselves and paying their respects, and presented their offerings. Each of these, according to his service and rank, was honoured with favours. As it was necessary to win the heart of Karan, who was of a wild nature and had never seen assemblies and had lived among the hills, I every day showed him some fresh favour, so that on the second day of his attendance a jewelled dagger, and on the next day a special Iraqi horse with jewelled saddle, were given to him. On the day when he went to the darbar in the female apartments, there were given to him on the part of Nur-Jahan Begam a rich dress of honour, a jewelled sword, a horse and saddle, and an elephant. After this I presented him with a rosary of pearls of great value. On the next day a special elephant with trappings (talayir) were given. As it was in my mind to give him something of every kind, I presented him with three hawks and three falcons, a special sword, a coat of mail, a special cuirass, and two rings, one with a ruby and one with an emerald. At the end of the month I ordered that all sorts of cloth stuffs, with carpets and cushions (named takiya) and all kinds of perfumes, with vessels of gold, two Gujrati carts, and cloths, should be placed in a hundred trays. The Ahadis carried them in their arms and on their shoulders to the public audience hall, where they were bestowed on him.

Sabit Khan [438] at the paradise-resembling assemblies was always addressing unbecoming speeches and making palpable allusions to I`timadu-d-daulah and his son Asaf Khan. Once or twice, showing my dislike of this, I had forbidden him to do so, but this was not enough for him. As I held very dear I`timadu-d-daulah's good-will towards me, and was very closely connected with his family, this matter became very irksome to me. As one night without reason and without motive he began to speak unpleasant words to him, and said them to such an extent that signs of vexation and annoyance became evident in I`timadu-d-daulah's face, I sent him next morning, in the custody of a servant of the Court, to Asaf Khan to say that as on the previous evening he had spoken unpleasant words to his father I handed him over to him, and he might shut him up either there or in the fort of Gwalior, as he pleased; until he made amends to his father I would never forgive his fault. According to the order Asaf Khan sent him to Gwalior fort. In the same month Jahangir Quli Khan was promoted to an increased mansab, and was given that of 2,500 personal and 2,000 horse. Ahmad Beg Khan, who is one of the old retainers of the State, committed some faults on the journey to the Subah of Kabul, and Qilij Khan, who was the commander of the army, had repeatedly complained of his making himself disagreeable. Necessarily I summoned him to Court, and in order to punish him handed him over to Mahabat Khan to confine him in the fort of Rantambhor. Qasim Khan, governor of Bengal, had sent two rubies as an offering, and they were laid before me. As I had made a rule that they should bring before me after two watches of the night had passed the dervishes and necessitous people who had collected in the illustrious palace, this year also after the same manner I bestowed on the dervishes with my own hand and in my own presence 55,000 rupees and 190,000 bighas of land, with fourteen entire villages, and twenty-six ploughs, [439] and 11,000 kharwar [440] (ass-loads) of rice; I presented as well 732 pearls, of the value of 36,000 rupees, to the servants who by way of loyalty had bored their ears.

At the end of the aforesaid month news came that when four and a half gharis of night had passed on Sunday the 11th of the month, in the city of Burhanpur, God Almighty had bestowed on Sultan Parwiz a son by the daughter of Prince Murad. I gave him the name of Sultan Dur-andish [441] (long-thoughted).

THE TENTH NEW YEAR'S FESTIVAL AFTER MY AUSPICIOUS ACCESSION.

When 55 seconds had passed on Saturday, 1st Farwardin, in my 10th year, corresponding with the 8th [442] of the month of Safar (March, 1615), 1024 Hijra, the sun from the constellation of Pisces entered the house of honour of Aries. When three gharis had passed on the night of Sunday I seated myself on the throne of State. The New Year's feast and ceremonials were prepared in the usual manner. The illustrious princes, the great Khans, the chief officers and Ministers of State made their salutations of congratulation. On the 1st of the month the mansab of I`timadu-d-daulah was increased from 5,000 personal and 2,000 horse by 1,000 personal and horse. Special horses were given to the Kunwar Karan, Jahangir Quli Khan, and Raja Bir Singh Deo. On the 2nd the offering of Asaf Khan was laid before me; it was an approved offering of jewels and jewelled ornaments and things of gold, of cloth stuffs of all kinds and descriptions and was looked over in detail. That which I approved was worth 85,000 rupees. On this day a jewelled sword with a belt and band(?) (band u bar) was given to Karan, and an elephant to Jahangir Quli Khan. As I had made up my mind to proceed to the Deccan, I gave an order to `Abdu-l-Karim Ma`muri, to go to Mandu and prepare a new building for my private residence and repair the buildings of the old kings. On the 3rd day the offerings of Raja Bir Singh Deo were laid before me and one ruby, some pearls, and one elephant had the honour of being accepted. On the 4th day the mansab of Mustafa Khan was increased by 500 personal and 200 horse to 2,000 personal and 250 horse. On the 5th I gave a standard and drums to I`timadu-d-daulah, and an order was given him to beat his drums. The mansab of Asaf Khan was increased by 1,000 personal and horse to 4,000 personal and 2,000 horse, and having increased the mansab of Raja Bir Singh Deo by 700 horse, I dismissed him to his own country, directing that he should present himself at Court at stated periods. On the same day the offering of Ibrahim Khan was laid before me. Some of all the kinds of things pleased me. Kishan Chand, of the sons of the Rajas of Nagarkot, was honoured with the title of Raja. On Thursday, the 6th, the offerings of I`timadu-d-daulah were laid before me at Chashma-i-Nur; a large meeting had been arranged, and by way of favour the whole of his offerings were inspected. Of the jewels and jewelled things and choice cloth stuffs the value of 100,000 rupees was accepted, and the remainder given back. On the 7th day I increased by 1,000 personal the mansab of Kishan Singh, which had been 2,000 personal and 1,500 horse. On this day a tiger was killed in the neighbourhood of Chashma-i-Nur. On the 8th I gave Karan the mansab of 5,000 personal and horse, and gave him a small rosary of pearls and emeralds with a ruby in the centre which in the language of the Hindus is called smaran (Sanskrit for 'remembrance'). I increased the mansab of Ibrahim Khan by 1,000 personal and 400 horse, so as to make it 2,000 personal and 1,000 horse, original and increase. The mansab of Haji Bi Uzbeg was increased by 300 horse, and that of Raja Shyam Singh by 500 personal so as to make it 2,500 personal and 1,400 horse. On Sunday, the 9th, there was an eclipse of the sun when twelve gharis of the day had passed. It began from the west, and four out of five parts of the sun were eclipsed in the knot of the dragon. From the commencement of the seizure until it became light eight gharis elapsed. Alms of all kinds, and things in the shape of metals, animals, and vegetables, were given to fakirs and the poor and people in need. On this day the offering of Raja Suraj Singh was laid before me; what was taken was of the value of 43,000 rupees. The offering of Bahadur Khan, the governor of Qandahar, was also laid before me on this day; its total value came to 14,000 rupees. Two watches of the night had passed on the night of Monday, the 29th Safar (30th March, 1615), in the ascension of Sagittarius, when a boy was born to Baba Khurram by the daughter of Asaf Khan; I gave him the name of Dara Shukuh. I hope that his coming will be propitious to this State conjoined with eternity, and to his fortunate father. The mansab of Sayyid `Ali Barha was increased by 500 personal and 300 horse, so as to bring it to 1,500 personal and 1,000 horse. On the 10th the offering of I`tibar Khan was laid before me, and what was of the value of 40,000 rupees was accepted. On this day the mansab of Khusrau Bi Uzbeg was raised by 300 horse, and that of Mangli Khan by 500 personal and 200 horse. On the 11th the offering of Murtaza Khan was laid before me. Of it seven rubies, one rosary of pearls, and 270 other pearls were accepted, and their value was 145,000 rupees. On the 12th the offerings of Mirza Raja Bhao Singh and Rawat Shankar were laid before me. On the 13th, out of the offering of Khwaja Abu-l-hasan, one qutbi (Egyptian?) ruby, one diamond, one string of pearls, five rings, four pearls, and some cloths, altogether the value of 32,000 rupees, were accepted. On the 14th the mansab of Khwaja Abu-l-hasan, which was 3,000 personal and 700 horse, was increased by 1,000 personal and 500 horse, and that of Wafadar Khan, of 750 personal and 200 horse, by 2,000 personal and 1,200 horse. On the same day Mustafa Beg, the ambassador of the ruler of Iran, had the good fortune to wait upon me. After completing the matter of Gurjistan (Georgia), my exalted brother sent him with a letter consisting of expressions of friendship and assurances of sincerity, with several horses, camels, and some stuffs from Aleppo, which had come for that fortunate brother from the direction of Rum. Nine large European hunting dogs, for which a request had gone, were also sent by him.

Murtaza Khan, on this day, obtained leave to go for the capture of the fort of Kangra, the equal of which for strength they cannot point to in the hill country of the Panjab or even all the habitable world. From the time when the sound of Islam reached the country of Hindustan up to this auspicious time when the throne of rule has been adorned by this suppliant at the throne of Allah, none of the rulers or kings has obtained possession of it. Once in the time of my revered father, the army of the Panjab was sent against this fort, and besieged it for a long time. At length they came to the conclusion that the fort was not to be taken, and the army was sent off to some more necessary business. When he was dismissed, I gave Murtaza Khan a private elephant with trappings. Raja Suraj Mal, son of Raja Baso, as his country was near that fort, was also appointed, and his previous mansab was increased by 500 personal and horse. Raja Suraj Singh also came from his place and jagir and waited on me, and presented an offering of 100 ashrafis. On the 17th the offering of Mirza Rustam was laid before me. Two jewelled daggers, one rosary of pearls, some pieces of cloth, an elephant, and four Iraq horses were accepted, and the rest returned; their value was 15,000 rupees. On the same date the offering of I`tiqad Khan, of the value of 18,000 rupees, was laid before me. On the 18th the offering of Jahangir Quli Khan was inspected. Of jewels and cloth stuffs the value of 15,000 rupees was accepted. The mansab of I`tiqad Khan, which was 700 personal and 200 horse, I increased by 800 personal and 300 horse, so that with original and increase it came to 1,500 personal and 500 horse. Khusrau Bi Uzbeg, who was one of the distinguished soldiers, died of the disease of dysentery. On the 8th day, which was Thursday, after two watches and four and a half gharis had passed, the sharaf (highest point of the sun's ascension) began. On this auspicious day I ascended the throne in happiness and prosperity, and the people saluted and congratulated me. When one watch of the day remained I went to the Chashma-i-Nur. According to agreement the offering of Mahabat Khan was laid before me at that place. He had arranged beautiful jewels and jewellery, with cloth stuff and articles of all kinds that were pleasing to me. Among these, a jewelled khapwa (dagger), which at his request the royal artificers had made, and the like of which in value there did not exist in my private treasury, was worth 100,000 rupees. In addition to this, jewels and other things of the value of 138,000 rupees were taken. Indeed, it was a splendid offering. To Mustafa Beg, the ambassador of the ruler of Iran, I gave 20,000 darab, or 10,000 rupees. On the 21st I sent robes of honour by the hand of `Abdu-l-Ghafur to fifteen of the Amirs of the Deccan. Raja Bikramajit obtained leave to go to his jagir, and a special shawl (parm narm [443]) was given to him. On the same day I gave a jewelled waist-dagger to Mustafa Beg, the ambassador. I increased the mansab of Hushang, the son of Islam Khan, which was 1,000 personal and 500 horse, by 500 personal and 200 horse. On the 23rd, Ibrahim Khan was promoted to the Subah of Behar. Zafar Khan was ordered to present himself at Court. To the mansab of Ibrahim Khan, which was 2,000 personal and 1,000 horse, I added 500 personal and 1,000 horse. Saif Khan on the same day was dismissed to his jagir, as well as Haji Bi Uzbeg, who was honoured with the title of Uzbeg Khan. Bahaduru-l-mulk, who belonged to the army of the Deccan and held the mansab of 2,500 personal and 2,100 horse received an increase of 500 personal and 200 horse. An increase of 200 was made in the mansab of Khwaja Taqi, which was 800 personal and 180 horse. On the 25th an increase of 200 horse was made in the rank of Salamu-llah, the Arab, so that it became 1,500 personal and 1,000 horse. I presented Mahabat Khan with the black piebald horse out of my special horses which the ruler of Iran had sent me. At the end of the day of Thursday I went to the house of Baba Khurram and remained there till a watch of the night had passed. His second offering was laid before me on that day. On the first day he paid his respects he laid before me a celebrated ruby of the Rana, which, on the day of his paying his respects, he had made an offering of to my son, and which the jewellers valued at 60,000 rupees. It was not worthy of the praise they had given it. The weight of this ruby was eight tank, [444] and it was formerly in the possession of Ray Maldeo, who was the chief of the tribe of the Rathors and one of the chief rulers (or Rays) of Hindustan. From him it was transferred to his son Chandar Sen, who, in the days of his wretchedness and hopelessness, sold it to Rana Uday Singh. From him it went to Rana Partap, and afterwards to this Rana Amar Singh. As they had no more valuable gift in their family, he presented it on the day that he paid his respects to my fortunate son Baba Khurram, together with the whole of his stud of elephants, which, according to the Indian idiom, they call gheta char. [445] I ordered them to engrave on the ruby that at the time of paying his respects Rana Amar Singh had presented it as an offering to Sultan Khurram. On that day certain other things from among the offerings of Baba Khurram were accepted. Among them was a little crystal box of Frank work, made with great taste, with some emeralds, three rings, four Iraq horses, and various other things, the value of which was 80,000 rupees. On the day on which I went to his house he had prepared a great offering, in fact there were laid before me things and rarities worth about four or five lakhs of rupees. Of these the equivalent of 100,000 rupees was taken away and the balance given to him.

On the 28th the mansab of Khwaja Jahan, which was 3,000 personal and 1,800 horse, was increased by 500 personal and 400 horse. In the end of the month I presented Ibrahim Khan with a horse, a robe of honour, a jewelled dagger, a standard and drums, and dismissed him to the province of Behar. The office of `arz-mukarrir (reviser of petitions), that belonged to Khwajagi Haji Muhammad, as he had died, I gave to Mukhlis Khan, who was in my confidence. Three hundred horse were increased in the mansab of Dilawar Khan, who now had 1,000 personal and horse. As the hour of the leave-taking of Kunwar Karan was at hand, I was desirous of showing him my skill in shooting with a gun. Just at this time the qarawulan (shikaris) brought in news of a tigress. Though it is an established custom of mine only to hunt male tigers, yet, in consideration that no other tiger might be obtained before his departure, I went for the tigress. I took with me Karan, and said to him that I would hit it wherever he wished me to do so. After this arrangement I went to the place where they had marked down the tiger. By chance there was a wind and disturbance in the air, and the female elephant on which I was mounted was terrified of the tigress and would not stand still. Notwithstanding these two great obstacles to shooting, I shot straight towards her eye. God Almighty did not allow me to be ashamed before that prince, and, as I had agreed, I shot her in the eye. On the same day Karan petitioned me for a special gun, and I gave him a special Turkish one.

As on the day for his departure I had not given Ibrahim Khan an elephant, I now gave him a special elephant, and I also sent an elephant to Bahaduru-l-mulk and one to Wafadar Khan. On the 8th Urdibihisht the assemblage for my lunar weighing was held, and I weighed myself against silver and other things, distributing them amongst the deserving and needy. Nawazish Khan took leave to go to his jagir, which was in Malwa. On the same day I gave an elephant to Khwaja Abu-l-hasan. On the 9th they brought Khan A`zam, who had come to Agra from the fort of Gwalior, and who had been sent for. Though he had been guilty of many offences, and in all that I had done to him I was right, yet when they brought him into my presence and my eye fell on him, I perceived more shame in myself than in him. Having pardoned all his offences, I gave him the shawl I had round my waist. I gave Kunwar Karan 100,000 darab. On the same day Raja Suraj Singh brought a large elephant of the name of Ran-rawat, which was a celebrated elephant of his, as an offering. In fact, it was such a rare elephant that I put it into my private stud. On the 10th the offering of Khwaja Jahan, which he sent me from Agra by the hand of his son, was laid before me. It was of all kinds of things, of the value of 40,000 rupees. On the 12th the offering of Khan Dauran, which consisted of forty-five [446] horse two strings of camels, Arabian dogs (greyhounds), and hunting animals (hawks?), was brought before me. On the same day seven other elephants from Raja Suraj Singh were also brought to me as an offering, and were placed in my private stud. Tahayyur Khan, after he had been in attendance on me for four months, to-day got leave to go. A message was sent to `Adil Khan. I impressed on him the profit and loss of friendship and enmity, and made an agreement (with Tahayyur Khan) that all these words should be repeated to `Adil Khan, and he should bring him back to the path of loyalty and obedience. At the time of his taking leave I also bestowed on him certain things. On the whole, in this short time, what with the gifts bestowed on him by me privately, by the princes, and those given him by the Amirs according to order, the account mounted up to about 100,000 rupees that he had received. On the 14th the rank and reward of my son Khurram were fixed. His mansab had been one of 12,000 personal and 6,000 horse, and that of his brother (Parwiz) 15,000 personal and 8,000 horse. I ordered his mansab to be made equal with that of Parwiz, besides other rewards. I gave him a private elephant of the name of Panchi Gaj, [447] with accoutrements of the value of 12,000 rupees. On the 16th an elephant was given to Mahabat Khan. On the 17th the mansab of Raja Suraj Singh, which was 4,000 personal and 3,000 horse, was increased by 1,000, and it was raised to 5,000. At the request of `Abdu-llah Khan the mansab of Khwaja `Abdu-l-Latif, which was 500 personal and 200 horse, was raised by 200, and it was ordered to be 1,000 personal and 400 horse. `Abdu-llah, the son of Khan A`zam, who was imprisoned in the fort of Rantambhor, was sent for at the request of his father. He came to the Court, and I took the chains off his legs and sent him to his father's house. On the 24th, Raja Suraj Singh presented me with another elephant, called Fauj-sangar ('ornament of the army'), by way of offering. Although this is also a good elephant, and has been placed in my private stud, it is not to be compared with the first elephant (he sent), which is one of the wonders of the age, and is worth 20,000 rupees. On the 26th, 200 personal were added to the mansab of Badi`u-z-zaman, son of Mirza Shahrukh; it was 700 personal and 500 horse. On the same day Khwaja Zainu-d-din, who is of the Naqshbandi Khwajas, came from Mawara'a-n-nahr and waited on me, bringing as an offering eighteen horses. Qizilbash Khan, who was one of the auxiliaries of the province of Gujarat, had come to Court without the leave of the governor. I ordered that an ahadi should put him into confinement, and that he be sent back to the governor of Gujarat, so that others might not desire to do the same. The mansab of Mubarak Khan Sazawal I raised 500 personal, so that it should be 1,500 personal and 700 horse. On the 29th I gave Khan A`zam 100,000 rupees, and ordered that the parganahs of Dasna [448] and Kasna,1 which are equivalent to 5,000 personal, should be made his jagir. At the end of the same month I gave leave to Jahangir Quli Khan, with his brothers and other relatives, to go to Allahabad, which had been appropriated to them as jagir. At this meeting twenty horse, a qaba (parm narm) of Cashmere cloth, twelve deer, and ten Arabian dogs were given to Karan. The next day, which was the 1st Khurdad, forty horse, the next day forty-one horse, and the third day twenty, amounting in the space of three days to 101 head, were given as a present to Kunwar Karan. In return for the elephant Fauj-sangar, an elephant worth 10,000 rupees out of my private stud was presented to Raja Suraj Singh. On the 5th of the month ten turbans (chira), ten coats (qaba), and ten waist-bands were given to Karan. On the 20th I gave him another elephant.

In these days the news-writer of Kashmir had written that a Mulla of the name of Gada'i, a disciplined dervish, who for forty years had lived in one of the monasteries of the city, had prayed the inheritors of that monastery two years [449] before he was to deliver over the pledge of his life that he might select a corner in that monastery as a place for his burial. They said, "Let it be so." In short, he selected a place. When the time for his delivery came he informed his friends and relations and those who were dear to him that an order had reached him that, delivering over the pledge (of life) he had, he should turn towards the last world. Those who were present wondered at his words, and said that the prophets had no such information, and how could they believe such words? He said, "Such an order has been given to me." He then turned to one of his confidants, who was of the sons of the Qazis of the country, and said: "You will expend the price [450] of my Koran, which is worth 700 tankas, in carrying me (to the grave). When you hear the call to Friday's prayer you will enquire for me." This conversation took place on the Thursday, and he divided all the goods in his room among his acquaintance and disciples, and went, and at end of the day bathed at the baths. The Qazi-zada aforesaid came before the call for prayer, and enquired as to the health of the Mulla. When he came to the door of the cell he found the door closed and a servant sitting there. He asked the slave what had happened, and the servant said, "The Mulla has enjoined me that until the door of the cell open of its own accord I must not go in." Shortly after these words were said the door of the cell opened. The Qazi-zada entered the cell with that servant and saw that the Mulla was on his knees with his face turned toward the qibla, and had given up his soul to God. Happy the state of the freed who can fly away from this place of the snares of dependence with such ease!

By the increase of 200 personal and 50 horse in the mansab of Karam Sen Rathor, I raised it to 1,000 personal and 300 horse. On the 11th of this month the offering of Lashkar Khan, which consisted of three strings of Persian camels and twenty cups and plates from Khita (China) and twenty Arabian dogs, was brought before me. On the 12th a jewelled dagger was bestowed on I`tibar Khan, and to Karan I gave a plume (kalgi) worth 2,000 rupees. On the 14th I gave a dress of honour to Sar- [451]buland Ray, and gave him leave to go to the Deccan.

On the night of Friday, the 15th, a strange affair occurred. By chance on that night I was at Pushkar. To be brief, Kishan, own brother to Raja Suraj Singh, was in great perturbation through Gobind Das, the Vakil of the said Raja having some time ago killed his nephew, a youth of the name of Gopal Das. The cause of the quarrel it would take too long to tell. Kishan Singh expected that, as Gopal Das was also the nephew of the Raja (Suraj Singh), the latter would kill Gobind Das. But the Raja, on account of the experience and ability of Gobind Das, relinquished the idea of seeking revenge for his nephew's death. When Kishan saw this neglect on the part of the Raja, he resolved himself to take revenge for his nephew, and not allow his blood to pass away unnoticed. For a long time he kept this matter in his mind, until on that night he assembled his brothers, friends, and servants, and told them that he would go that night to take Gobind Das's life, whatever might happen, and that he did not care what injury might happen to the Raja. The Raja was in ignorance of what was happening, and when it was near dawn Kishan came with Karan, his brother's son, and other companions. When he arrived at the gate of the Raja's dwelling he sent some of the experienced men on foot to the house of Gobind Das, which was near the Raja's. He himself (Kishan) was on horseback, and stationed himself near the gate. The men on foot entered Gobind Das's house, and killed some of those who were there on guard. Whilst this fight was going on Gobind Das awoke, and seizing his sword in a state of bewilderment was coming out from one side of the house to join the outside watchmen. When the men on foot had finished killing some of the people, they came out of the tent to endeavour to find out Gobind Das, and, meeting him, they finished his affair (killed him). Before the news of the killing of Gobind Das reached Kishan, he, unable to bear it any more, dismounted and came inside the dwelling. Although his men protested in a disturbed state that it was not right to be on foot, he would in no way listen to them. If he had remained a little longer and the news of his enemy having been killed had reached him, it is possible that he would have escaped safe and sound, mounted as he was. As the pen of destiny had gone forth after another fashion, as soon as he alighted and went in, the Raja, who was in his mahall (female apartment), awoke at the uproar among the people, and stood at the gate of his house with his sword drawn. People from all sides were aroused and came in against the men who were on foot. They saw what the number of men on foot was, and came out in great numbers and faced Kishan Singh's men, who were about ten in number. In short, Kishan Singh and his nephew Karan, when they reached the Raja's house, were attacked by these men and both of them killed. Kishan Singh had seven and Karan nine wounds. Altogether in this fight 66 men on the two sides were killed, on the Raja's side 30 and on Kishan Singh's 36. When the sun rose and illumined the world with its light, this business was revealed, and the Raja saw that his brother, his nephew, and some of his servants, whom he considered dearer than himself, were killed, and the whole of the rest had dispersed to their own places. The news reached me in Pushkar, and I ordered them to burn those who were killed, according to their rites, and inform me of the true circumstances of the affair. In the end it became clear that the affair had happened in the manner in which it has been written here, and that no further enquiry was necessary.

On the 8th Miran Sadr Jahan came from his native place and waited on me with an offering of 100 muhrs. Ray Suraj Singh was dismissed to his duty in the Deccan. I presented him with a couple of pearls for his ears and a special Kashmir shawl (parm narm). A pair of pearls were also sent to Khan Jahan. On the 25th I increased the mansab of I`tibar Khan by 600 horse, so as to bring it to 5,000 personal and 2,000 horse. On the same day Karan obtained leave to go to his jagir. He received a present of a horse, a special elephant, a dress of honour, a string of pearls of the value of 50,000 rupees, and a jewelled dagger which had been completed for 2,000 rupees. From the time of his waiting on me till he obtained leave, what he had had in the shape of cash, jewellery, jewels, and jewelled things was of the value of 200,000 rupees, with 110 horses, five elephants, in addition to what my son Khurram bestowed on him at various times. I gave Mubarak Khan Sazawal a horse and an elephant, and appointed him to accompany him. I sent several verbal messages to the Rana. Raja Suraj Singh also obtained leave to go to his native country, with a promise to return in two months. On the 27th, Payanda Khan Moghul, [452] who was one of the old Amirs of the State, gave up the deposit of his life.

At the end of this month news came that the ruler of Iran had executed his eldest son Safi Mirza. This was a cause of great bewilderment. When I enquired into it they said that at Darash, [453] which is one of the noted cities of Gilan, he ordered a slave of the name of Bihbud to kill Safi Mirza. The slave found an opportunity, early in the morning on the 5th of Muharram, in the year 1024 (25th January, 1615), when the Mirza was returning from the baths towards his house, and finished his affair for him with two wounds from a sword (sikhaki). [454] After a great part of the day had passed, while his body lay between the water and the mud, Shaikh Baha'u-d-din Muhammad, who was the best known man in the country for learning and holiness, and on whom the Shah had full reliance, reported the affair, and, obtaining leave to lift him up, took his corpse and sent it to Ardabil, where was the burial-ground of his ancestors. Although much enquiry was made of travellers from Iran, no one would say a word of this affair that satisfied my mind with regard to it. The killing of a son must have some powerful motive in order to do away with the disgrace of it.

On the 1st of the month of Tir I gave an elephant of the name of Ranjit with its trappings to Mirza Rustam and another to Sayyid Ali Barha. Mirak Husain, a relation of Khwaja Shamsu-d-din, was appointed bakhshi and news-writer of the Subah of Behar, and took leave to go. I gave Khwaja `Abdu-l-Latif Qush-begi (the falconer) an elephant and a dress of honour, and dismissed him to his jagir. On the 9th of the same month I gave a jewelled sword to Khan Dauran, and a jewelled dagger was sent for Allahdad, the son of Jalala the Afghan, who had become loyal. On the 13th took place the meeting for the festival of the Ab-pashan [455] (rose-water scattering), and the servants of the Court amused themselves with sprinkling rose-water over each other. On the 17th, Amanat Khan was appointed to the port of Cambay. As Muqarrab Khan proposed to come to Court, the (charge of the) aforesaid port was changed. On the same day I sent a jewelled waist-dagger to my son Parwiz. On the 18th the offering of Khankhanan was laid before me. He had prepared all kinds of jewellery and other things, jewels with jewelled things, such as three rubies and 103 pearls, 100 rubies (yaqut), two jewelled daggers and an aigrette adorned with rubies and pearls, a jewelled water-jar, a jewelled sword, a quiver bound with velvet, and a diamond ring, altogether of the value of about 100,000 rupees, in addition to jewels and jewelled things, cloth from the Deccan and Carnatic, and all kinds of gilt and plain things, with fifteen elephants and a horse whose mane reached the ground. The offering of Shah-nawaz Khan (his son) also, consisting of five elephants, 300 pieces of all kinds of cloth, was brought before me. On the 8th I honoured Hushang with the title of Ikram Khan. Ruz-afzun, who was one of the princes of the Subah of Behar and who had been from his youth one of the permanent servants of the Court, having been honoured by admission into Islam, was made Raja of the province of his father, Raja Sangram. [456] Though the latter had been killed in opposing the leaders of the State, I gave him an elephant and leave to go to his native place. An elephant was presented to Jahangir Quli Khan. On the 24th, Jagat Singh, son of Kunwar Karan, who was in his 12th year, came and waited on me, and presented petitions from his grandfather, the Rana Amar Singh, and from his father. The signs of nobility and high birth were evident on his face. I pleased him with a dress of honour and kindness. To the mansab of Mirza `Isa Tarkhan an addition of 200 personal was made, so that it attained to 1,200 personal and 300 horse. In the end of the month, having honoured Shaikh Husain Rohila with the title of Mubariz Khan, I dismissed him to his jagir. Ten thousand darabs (5,000 rupees) were given to the relations of Mirza Sharafu-d-din Husain Kashghari, who at this time had come and had the honour of kissing the threshold. On the 5th Amurdad, to the mansab of Raja Nathmal, which was 1,500 personal and 1,100 horse, an addition of 500 personal and 100 horse was made. On the 7th, Kesho (Das) Maru, who had a jagir in the Sarkar of Orissa, and who had been sent for to Court on account of a complaint [457] against the governor of the Subah of that place, came and paid his respects. He produced as an offering four elephants. As I had a great desire to see my farzand (son) Khan Jahan (Lodi), and for the purpose of enquiring into important matters connected with the Deccan, it was necessary for him to come at once, I sent for him. On Tuesday, the 8th of the same month, he waited on me, and presented as an offering 1,000 muhrs, 1,000 rupees, 4 rubies, 20 pearls, 1 emerald, and a jewelled phul katara, the total value being 50,000 rupees. On the night of Sunday, as it was the anniversary of the great Khwaja (Mu`inu-d-din), I went to his revered mausoleum, and remained there till midnight. The attendants and Sufis exhibited ecstatic states, and I gave the fakirs and attendants money with my own hand; altogether there were expended 6,000 rupees in cash, 100 saub-kurta (a robe down to the ankles), 70 rosaries of pearls, [458] coral and amber, etc. Maha Singh, grandson of Raja Man Singh, was honoured with the title of Raja, and a standard and drums given him. On the 16th an Iraq horse out of my private stable and another horse were presented to Mahabat Khan. On the 19th an elephant was given to Khan A`zam. On the 20th, 200 horse were added to the mansab of Kesho (Das) Maru, which was 2,000 personal and 1,000 horse, and he was dignified with a dress of honour. An increase of 200 personal and horse was made to the mansab of Khwaja `Aqil, which was 1,200 personal and 600 horse. On the 22nd, Mirza Raja Bhao Singh took leave to go to Amber, which was his ancient native place, and had given him a special Kashmir phup (?) robe. [459] On the 25th, Ahmad Beg Khan, who was imprisoned at Rantambhor, paid his respects to me, and his offences were pardoned on account of his former services. On the 28th, Muqarrab Khan came from the Subah of Gujarat and waited on me, and offered an aigrette and a jewelled throne. [460] An increase of 500 personal and horse was made to the mansab of Salaamu-llah, the Arab, and it was brought to 2,000 personal and 1,100 horse. On the 1st of the month of Shahriwar the following increases were made in the rank of a number of men who were going on service to the Deccan:--To Mubariz Khan 300 horse, making 1,000 personal and horse. Nahir Khan was also raised to 1,000 personal and horse. Dilawar Khan was raised by 300 horse to 2,500 personal and horse. Mangli Khan's rank was increased by 200 horse to 1,500 personal and 1,000 horse. Girdhar, the son of Ray Sal, had the rank of 800 personal and horse bestowed on him, and Ilf Khan Qiyam Khan the same mansab, original and increase. Yadgar Husain was raised to 700 personal and 500 horse, and Kamalu-d-din, son of Shir Khan, to the same mansab. One hundred and fifty horse were added to the rank of Sayyid `Abdu-llah Barha, which then came to 700 personal and 300 horse, original and increase. On the 8th of the said month I bestowed one Nur-jahani muhr, which is equal to 6,400 rupees, on Mustafa Beg, the ambassador of the ruler of Iran, and presented five cheetahs to Qasim Khan, governor of Bengal. Mirza Murad, eldest son of Mirza Rustam, on the 12th of the same month was honoured with the title of Iltifat Khan. On the night of the 16th, corresponding with the Shab-i-barat (consecrated to the memory of forefathers), I ordered them to light lamps on the hills round the Ana Sagar tank and on its banks, and went myself to look at them. The reflection of the lamps fell on the water and had a wonderful appearance. I passed the most of that night with the ladies of the mahall on the bank of that tank.