Chapter XII: Part 12

On the 17th, Mirza Jamalu-d-din Husain, [461] who had gone as an ambassador to Bijapur, came and waited on me, and presented three rings, the stone of one of which was a cornelian from Yemen, of great beauty and pureness of water, the like of which is seldom seen among the cornelians of Yemen. `Adil Khan sent a person of the name of Sayyid Kabir Khan on his own part with the said Mir, and forwarded as offerings elephants with gold and silver fittings, Arab horses, jewels and jewelled things, and all kinds of cloth made in that country. On the 24th of this month they were brought before me with a letter he had brought. On the same day the assembly for my solar weighing was held. On the 26th, Mustafa Beg, the ambassador, took his leave. In addition to what had been bestowed on him during the time of his attendance, I gave him 20,000 rupees more in cash and a dress of honour, and in answer to the letter he had brought sent a friendly letter written in the perfection of friendship. On the 4th of the month of Mihr the mansab of Mir Jamalu-d-din Husain, which was 2,000 personal and 500 horse, was fixed at 4,000 personal and 2,000 horse. On the 5th, Mahabat Khan, in company with Khan Jahan, who had been appointed to serve in the Deccan, at the hour that had been appointed for him, took his leave; he was honoured with a dress of honour, a jewelled dagger, a phul katara, a special sword, and an elephant. On the 8th, Khan Jahan took his leave, and I presented him with a dress of honour, and a special nadiri (a dress), and an ambling horse with a saddle, a special elephant, and a special sword. On the same date 1,700 horse of those under the command of Mahabat Khan were ordered to have assignments (tankhwah) for two or three horses given them. The whole of the men who were at this time appointed for service in the Deccan were 330 mansabdars, 3,000 ahadis, 700 horse from the Uymaqs, and 3,000 Dalazak Afghans. Altogether there were 30,000 [462] cavalry, and 3,000,000 rupees of treasure, and an efficient artillery, and war elephants. They proceeded on this duty. The mansab of Sarbuland Ray was increased by 500 personal and 260 horse, and came to 2,000 personal and 1,500 horse. Balju, nephew of Qilij Khan, was promoted to the mansab of 1,000 personal and 700 horse, original and increase. I also increased Raja Kishan Das's mansab by 500. At the request of Khan Jahan, the mansab of Shahbaz Khan Lodi, who belonged to the Deccan force, was fixed, original and increase, at 2,000 personal and 1,000 horse; and 200 horse were added to the mansab of Wazir Khan. The mansab of Suhrab Khan, son of Mirza Rustam, was fixed at 1,000 personal and 400 horse, original and increase. On the 14th of the same month 1,000 was added to the mansab of Mir Jamalu-d-din Husain, and by increasing it also by 500 horse he was raised to the exalted rank of 5,000 personal and 2,500 horse. On the 19th, Raja Suraj Singh, with his son Gaj Singh, who had gone home, came and paid their respects, and presented as offerings 100 muhrs and 1,000 rupees. I gave Sayyid Kabir, who had been sent by `Adil Khan, one Nurjahani muhr, which weighed 500 tulcha. On the 23rd, ninety elephants of those which Qasim Khan had acquired from the conquest of the country of Kuch (Behar), and the conquest of the Maghs and the zamindars of Orissa, were brought before me and placed in the special elephant houses. On the 26th, Iradat Khan was raised to the rank of Mir-samani (head butler), Mu`tamad Khan to that of Bakhshi of the Ahadis, Muhammad Riza Jabiri to that of Bakhshi of the Subah of the Panjab and news writer of that place. Sayyid Kabir, who had come on the part of `Adil Khan to beg pardon for the offences of the rulers (dunya-daran) of the Deccan, and to promise the restoration of the fort of Ahmadnagar and the royal territory which had been taken out of the possession of the chiefs of the victorious State through the rebellion of certain rebels, came and waited on me, and obtained leave to go on this date; and, having received a dress of honour, an elephant, and a horse, started off. As Raja Raj Singh Kachhwaha had died in the Deccan, I promoted his son Ram Das to the mansab of 1,000 personal and 400 horse. On the 4th of Aban, drums were given to Saif Khan Barha and his mansab increased by 300 horse, so as to bring it up to 3,000 personal and 2,000 horse. On the same date I released Raja Man, who was in confinement in the fort of Gwalior, on the security of Murtaza Khan, and, confirming his mansab, sent him to the said Khan for duty at the fort of Kangra. At the request of Khan Dauran, an increase of 300 horse was ordered to the mansab of Sadiq Khan, raising it to 1,000 personal and horse. Mirza `Isa Tarkhan came from the province of Sambhal, which was his jagir, and waited on me, and offered 100 muhrs. On the 16th, Raja Suraj Singh obtained leave to go to his duty in the Deccan, and I increased his mansab by 300 horse, so as to make it 5,000 personal and 3,300 horse; he received a dress of honour and a horse, and started. On the 18th I confirmed the mansab of Mirza `Isa, original and increase, at 1,500 personal and 800 horse, and gave him an elephant and a dress of honour, and he took leave to go to the Deccan.

On the same day the news of the death of the wretch Chin Qilij was received by a letter from Jahangir Quli Khan. After the death of Qilij Khan, who was one of the old servants of this State, I had made this inauspicious man an Amir, and shown him great favour, and given him in jagir such a place as Jaunpur. I also sent his other brothers and relations with him and made them his deputies. He had one brother of the name of Lahori, [463] of a very wicked disposition. It was reported to me that the servants of God (people) were greatly oppressed by his conduct. I sent an ahadi to bring him (Lahori) from Jaunpur. At the coming of the ahadi, suspicion without any cause prevailed over Chin Qilij, and it came into his mind to run away, taking his misguided brother with him. Leaving his mansab, his government, place, and jagir, money, property, children, and people, he took a little money and gold and a few jewels and went with a small body among the zamindars. This news arrived a few days ago and caused great astonishment. In short, to whatever zamindar he went he took money [464] from him(?) and then let him go(?), until news came that he had entered the country of Johat. [465] When this news reached Jahangir Quli Khan, he sent some of his men to take and bring that thoughtless one. They took him as soon as they arrived, and were intending to take him to Jahangir Quli Khan, when he at that very moment went to hell. Some of those who had accompanied him said that for some days previously he had contracted an illness and it had killed him. But this was heard of him as well, that he committed suicide, in order that they might not take him to Jahangir Quli Khan in this state. In any case, they brought his body with his children and servants who were with him to Allahabad. They made away with most of the money that he had, and the zamindars took it from him. Alas, that salt (i.e. loyalty) should not have brought such black-faced wretches to condign punishment!

"Behind the duty that lies on all people is the duty to the
sovereign and benefactor"(?). [466]

On the 22nd, at the request of Khan Dauran, 200 horse were added to the mansab of Nad `Ali Maidani, one of the officers appointed to Bangash, which brought it to 1,500 personal and 1,000 horse; 100 horse were also added to the mansab of Lashkar Khan, which was 2,000 personal and 900 horse. On the 24th I confirmed the mansab of Muqarrab Khan, which was 3,000 personal and 2,000 horse, and increased it to 5,000 personal and 2,500 horse. On the same day I bestowed the title of Khan on Qiyam, son of Shah Muhammad Qandahari, who was an Amir-zada, and was in service as a huntsman. On the 5th of the month of Azar a jewelled dagger was given to Darab Khan, and by the hand of Raja Sarang Deo dresses of honour were bestowed on the Amirs of the Deccan. As some (evil) things had been heard about Safdar Khan, governor of Kashmir, I dismissed him from the government, and favouring Ahmad Beg Khan on account of his previous services, I promoted him to be Subadar of Kashmir, and confirmed his mansab of 2,500 personal and 1,500 horse, honoured him with a jewelled waist-dagger and a dress of honour, and gave him leave. By the hand of Ihtimam Khan I sent winter dresses of honour to Qasim Khan, governor of Bengal, and the Amirs that were attached to that province. On the 15th of the month there was laid before me the offering of Maka'i, son of Iftikhar Khan, consisting of an elephant, got [467] horses, and pieces of cloth. He was honoured with the title of Muruwwat Khan. At the request of I`timadu-d-daula, I had sent for Dayanat Khan, who was in the fort of Gwalior, and he had the good fortune to pay his respects; his property, which had been confiscated, was restored to him.

At this time Khwaja Hashim, of Dahbid, who at this day vigorously maintains in Transoxiana the profession of a dervish, and in whom the people of that country have great belief, sent a letter by the hand of one of his disciples pointing out his old devotion (to the royal family) and connection and friendship of his ancestors with this illustrious family, together with a farji [468] and a bow and a couplet which the late king Babar had made for a saint of the name of Khwajagi, who also belonged to that sect of dervishes. The last hemistich is as follows:--

"We are bound to the Khwajagi and are servants to the Khwajagi."

I also with my own pen wrote some lines in the style of that writing, and sent impromptu quatrains with 1,000 Jahangiri muhrs to the said Khwaja--

"O thou whose kindness to me is ever more and more,
The State has remembrance of thee, O Dervish,
As from good tidings our heart is rejoiced,
We are glad that thy kindness passes all bounds."

As I ordered that whoever had the poetic temperament should recite (compose?) this quatrain, [469] Hakim Masihu-z-zaman said, and said very well--

"Although we have the business of kingship before us,
Every moment more and more we think on the dervishes.
If the heart of our Dervish be gladdened by us
We count that to be the profit of our kingship."

I gave the Hakim 1,000 muhrs for the composition of this quatrain. On the 7th of the month of Day, when I was coming back from Pushkar and returning to Ajmir, on the way forty-two wild pigs were taken.

On the 20th, Mir Miran came and waited on me. A summary of his circumstances and of his family is now written. On the side of his father [470] he is the grandson of Mir Ghiyasu-d-din Muhammad Mir Miran, son of Shah Ni`matu-llah Wali. During the reigns of the Safawi kings the family had attained to great respect, so that Shah Tahmasp gave his own sister Janish [471] Khanim to Shah Ni`matu-llah, and so on account of his being a great Shaikh and of his being an instructor he was made a relative and a son-in-law (of kings). On the side of his mother he was the daughter's son of Shah Isma`il Khuni (Isma`il II, the Bloody). After the death of Shah Ni`matu-llah, his son Ghiyasu-d-din Muhammad Mir Miran received great consideration, and the late Shah (Tahmasp) gave to his eldest son in marriage a daughter from the royal family. He gave the daughter of the above-mentioned Shah Isma`il to another son of his, Khalilu-llah, to whom Mir Miran was born. The aforesaid Mir Khalilu-llah, seven or eight years before this, had come from Persia and waited on me at Lahore. As he belonged to a high and saintly family, I was much interested in his affairs, and gave him a mansab and a jagir, and honoured and cherished him. After the seat of government was at Agra, in a short time he was attacked by bilious [472] diarrhoea from eating too many mangoes, and in ten or twelve days gave up his soul to the Creator. I was grieved at his going, and ordered what he had left in cash and jewels to be sent to his children in Persia. Meanwhile Mir Miran, who was 22 years old, became a qalandar and dervish, and came to me at Ajmir in a way that nobody on the road could recognize him. I soothed all the troubles of his mind and the miseries of his inward and outward condition, and gave him a mansab of 1,000 personal and 400 horse, and presented him with 30,000 darabs in cash. He is now in waiting and attendance on me.

On the 12th, Zafar Khan, who had been removed from the Subah of Behar, came and waited on me, and made an offering of 100 muhrs, as well as three elephants. On the 15th of Day I increased the mansab of Qasim Khan, the Subahdar of Bengal, by 1,000 personal and horse, so as to make it 4,000 personal and horse. As the diwan and bakhshi of Bengal, Husain Beg and Tahir, had not done approved service, Mukhlis Khan, who was one of the confidential servants of the Court, was nominated to these duties. I conferred on him a mansab of 2,000 personal and 700 horse, and also gave him a standard. The duty of `arz-mukarrir (reviser of petitions) I ordered to be given to Dayanat Khan. On the 25th, Friday, the weighing of my son Khurram took place. Up to the present year, when he is 24 years old, and is married and has children, he has never defiled himself with drinking wine. On this day, when the assembly for his weighing was held, I said to him: "Baba, thou hast become the father of children, and kings and kings' sons have drunk wine. To-day, which is the day of thy being weighed, I will give thee wine to drink, and give thee leave to drink it on feast days and at the time of the New Year, and at all great festivals. But thou must observe the path of moderation, for wise men do not consider it right to drink to such an extent as to destroy the understanding, and it is necessary that from drinking only profit should be derived." Bu `Ali (Avicenna), who is one of the most learned of hakims and physicians, has written this quatrain--

"Wine is a raging enemy, a prudent friend;
A little is an antidote, but much a snake's poison.
In much there is no little injury,
In a little there is much profit."

With much trouble wine was given to him. I had not drunk it till I was 15 [473] years old, except when in the time of my infancy two or three times my mother and wet-nurses gave it by way of infantile remedy. They asked for a little spirit from my revered father, and gave it me to the extent of a tola mixed with water and rosewater to take away a cough, designating it as medicine. At the time when the camp of my revered father had been pitched in order to put down the disturbance of Yusufza'e Afghans at the fort of Attock, which is on the bank of the Nilab (Indus) River, one day I had mounted to go out to hunt. When I had moved about a good deal and the signs of weariness had set in, a gunner of the name of Ustad Shah-quli, a wonderful gunner out of those under my revered uncle Mirza Muhammad Hakim, said to me that if I would take a cup of wine it would drive away the feeling of being tired and heavy. It was in the time of my youth, and as I felt disposed towards it I ordered Mahmud, the Ab-dar (person in charge of drinking water, etc.), to go to the house of Hakim `Ali and bring me an intoxicating draught. He sent me [474] the amount of one and a half cups of yellow wine of a sweet taste in a little bottle. I drank it, and found its quality agreeable. After that I took to drinking wine, and increased it from day to day until wine made from grapes ceased to intoxicate me, and I took to drinking arrack (`araq, spirits), and by degrees during nine years my potions rose to twenty cups of doubly distilled spirits, fourteen during the daytime and the remainder at night. The weight of this was six Hindustani sirs or one and a half maunds of Iran. The extent of my eating in those days was a fowl [475] with bread and vegetables (lit. radish). [476] In that state of matters no one had the power to forbid me, and matters went to such a length that in the crapulous state from the excessive trembling of my hand I could not drink from my own cup, but others had to give it me to drink, until I sent for Hakim Humam, brother of Hakim Abu-l-fath, who was of the most intimate with my revered father, and informed him of my state. He, with excessive sincerity and unfeigned burning of heart, said to me without hesitation, "Lord of the world, by the way in which you drink spirits, God forbid it, but in six months matters will come to such a pass that there will be no remedy for it." As his words were said out of pure good-will, and sweet life was dear to me, they made an impression on me, and from that day I began to lessen my allowance and set myself to take filuniya. [477] In proportion as I diminished my liquor, I increased the amount of filuniya.

I also ordered that the arrack should be diluted with wine of the grape so that there should be two parts wine and one part arrack. Every day I diminished the quantity I took, and in the course of seven years I brought it down to six cups. The weight of each cupful was 18 1/4 misqals. It is now fifteen years that I have drunk at this rate, neither more nor less. And my drinking time is the night except on the day of Thursdays, as it is the day of the blessed accession. Also on the eve [478] of Friday, which is the most blessed eve of the week, and is the prelude to a blessed day (I do not drink). I drink at the end of each day with these two [479] exceptions, for it does not appear right that this eve (Thursday night) should be spent in neglect, and that there should be an omission (on Friday) of returning thanks to the True Benefactor. On the day of Thursday and on the day of Sunday I do not eat meat. Not on Thursday, because it is the day of my auspicious accession, and not on Sunday, because it is the birthday of my revered father, and he greatly honoured and held dear the day. After some time I substituted opium for filuniya. Now that my age has arrived at 46 solar years and 4 months, I eat eight surkhs (a red berry used as a weight) of opium when five gharis of day have passed, and six surkhs after one watch of night.

I gave a jewelled dagger to `Abdu-llah Khan by the hand of Maqsud `Ali. Shaikh Musa, a relation of Qasim Khan, was dignified with the title of Khan, and promoted to the mansab of 800 personal and 400 horse, and was allowed to go to Bengal. The mansab of Zafar Khan was increased to 500 personal and horse, and he was appointed to duty in Bangash. On the same day Muhammad Husain, brother of Khwaja Jahan, was given the faujdarship of the Sarkar of Hissar and dismissed, his mansab being increased by 200 horse to raise it to 500 personal and 400 horse, with the gift of an elephant. On the 5th Bahman an elephant was conferred on Mir Miran. When the merchant `Abdu-l-Karim left Iran for Hindustan, my exalted brother Shah `Abbas sent me by his hand a rosary of cornelian from Yemen and a cup of Venetian workmanship, which was very fine and rare. On the 9th of the same month they were laid before me. On the 18th some offerings of many kinds of jewelled ornaments, etc., which Sultan Parwiz had sent to me, were laid before me. On the 7th Isfandarmuz, Sadiq, nephew of I`timadu-d-daulah, who was permanently employed as Bakhshi, was honoured with the title of Khan. I had also conferred this title on Khwaja `Abdu-l-`Aziz. According to what was right, I called him by the title of `Abdu-l-`Aziz Khan and Sadiq by that of Sadiq Khan. On the 10th, Jagat Singh, son of Kunwar Karan, who had obtained leave to go to his native country, when he took leave was presented with 20,000 rupees, a horse, an elephant, a dress of honour, and a special shawl. Five thousand rupees, a horse, and a dress of honour were also given to Haridas Jhala, who was one of the confidants of the Rana and tutor to Karan's son. By his hand I also sent a mace of gold (shashpari) for the Rana.

On the 20th of the same month, Raja Suraj Singh, son of Raja Baso, who on account of the nearness of his dwelling-place to it had been sent with Murtaza Khan to capture the fort of Kangra, came on my summons and waited on me. The aforesaid Khan had entertained certain suspicions with regard to him, and on this account, considering him an undesirable companion, had repeatedly sent petitions to the Court, and wrote things about him until an order was received to summon him.

On the 26th, Nizamu-d-din Khan came from Multan and waited on me. In the end of this year news of victory and prosperity came in from all sides of my dominions. In the first place, this was with regard to the disturbance of Ahdad, the Afghan, who for a long time past had been in rebellion in the hill country of Kabul, and round whom many of the Afghans of that neighbourhood had assembled, and against whom from the time of my revered father until now, which is the 10th year after my accession, armies have always been employed. He by degrees was defeated, and, falling into a wretched state, a part of his band was dispersed and a part killed. He took refuge for some time in Charkh, which was a place on which he relied, but Khan Dauran surrounded it and closed the road for entry and exit. When there remained no grass for his beasts or means of living for men in the fortress, he at night brought down his animals from the hills and grazed them on the skirts, and accompanied them himself, in order that he might set an example to his men. At last this intelligence reached Khan Dauran. He then appointed a body of his leaders and experienced men to go into ambush on an appointed night in the neighbourhood of Charkh. That band went and hid itself at night in places of refuge, and Khan Dauran rode on the same day in that direction. When those ill-fated ones brought out their cattle and let them loose to graze, and the ill-conditioned Ahdad himself passed by the places of ambush with his own band, suddenly a dust rose in front of him. When they enquired it became known that it was Khan Dauran. In a state of bewilderment he endeavoured to turn back, and the scouts announced to the aforesaid Khan that it was Ahdad. The Khan gave his horse the reins and went at Ahdad; the men who were in ambush also blocked the road and attacked him. The fight lasted till midday in consequence of the broken nature of the ground and the thickness of the jungle; at last defeat fell on the Afghans and they betook themselves to the hill: about 300 fighting men went to hell and 100 were taken prisoners. Ahdad could not regain the stronghold and hold on there. Necessarily he turned his face towards Qandahar. The victorious troops entering Charkh, burnt all the places and houses of those ill-fortuned ones, and destroyed and rooted them up from their foundations.

Another [480] piece of news was the defeat of the ill-starred `Ambar and the destruction of his unfortunate army. Briefly, a band of the influential leaders and a body of Bargis (Mahrattas), who are a hardy lot and who are the centre of resistance in that country, becoming angry with `Ambar, showed an intention to be loyal, and begging for quarter from Shah-nawaz Khan, who was in Balapur with an army of royal troops, agreed to interview the said Khan, and being satisfied, Adam Khan, Yaqut Khan, and other leaders, and the Bargis Jado [481] Ray and Bapu Katiya, came and interviewed him. Shah-nawaz Khan gave each of them a horse, an elephant, money, and dress of honour, according to their quality and condition, made them hot in duty and loyalty, and marching from Balapur started against the rebel `Ambar in their company. On the road they fell in with an army of the Dakhanis, whose leaders were Mahalldar, [482] Danish (Atash?), Dilawar, Bijli, Firuz, and others, and routed it.

"With broken arms and loosened loins,
No strength in their feet, no sense in their heads." [483]

They reached the camp of that ill-starred one, and he from excessive pride determined to fight with the victorious troops. Having collected those rebels who were with him and `Adil Khan's army and that of Qutbu-l-mulk together, and preparing their artillery, he started to meet the royal troops until a space of not more than 5 or 6 kos remained between. On Sunday, the 25th Bahman, the armies of light and darkness approached each other and the scouts became visible. Three watches of day had passed when cannon and rocket firing began. In the end Darab Khan, who was in command of the vanguard, with other leaders and zealous men such as Raja Bir Singh Deo, Ray Chand, `Ali Khan the Tatar, Jahangir Quli Beg Turkman, and other lions of the forest of bravery, drew their swords and charged the vanguard of the enemy. Performing the dues of manliness and bravery, they scattered this army like the Banatu-n-na`sh ('Daughters of the Bier,' i.e. the Great Bear); and not stopping there they attacked the enemy's centre. Turning on the army opposed to them, such a hand-to-hand struggle took place that the onlookers remained bewildered. For nearly two gharis this combat went on. Heaps of the dead lay there, and the ill-starred `Ambar, unable to offer further opposition, turned his face to flight. If darkness [484] and gloom had not come on at the cry of those black-fortuned ones, not one of them would have found the road to the valley of safety. The crocodiles of the river of conflict followed the fugitives for 2 or 3 kos. When horses and men could move no more and the defeated were scattered, they drew rein and returned to their places. The whole of the enemy's artillery, with 300 laden camels that carried rockets, war elephants, Arab and Persian horses, weapons and armour beyond reckoning, fell into the hands of the servants of the State, and there was no counting the slain and the fallen. A great many of the leaders fell alive into their hands. The next day the victorious troops, marching from the place of victory, proceeded to Karki, which was the nest of those owlish ones, and seeing no trace of them they encamped there, and obtained news that they during that night and day had fallen miserably in different places. For some days the victorious army, delayed at Karki, levelled with the dark earth the buildings and houses of the enemy, and burnt that populous place. In consequence of the occurrence of certain events, to describe which in detail would take too long here, they returned from that place and descended by the Rohan Khanda Pass. In reward for this service I ordered increases to be made in the mansabs of a number who had shown zeal and bravery.

The third piece of news was the conquest of the province of Khokhara [485] and the acquisition of the diamond mines, which were taken by the excellent exertions of Ibrahim Khan. This province is one of the dependencies of the Subah of Behar and Patna. There is a river there from which they procure diamonds. At the season when there is little water, there are pools and water-holes, and it has become known by experience to those who are employed in this work that above every water-hole in which there are diamonds, there are crowds of flying animals of the nature of gnats, and which in the language of India they call jhinga(?). [486] Keeping the bed of the stream in sight as far as it is accessible, they make a collection of stones (sangchin) round the water-holes. After this they empty the water-holes with spades and shovels to the extent of a yard or 1 1/2 yards and dig up the area. They find among the stones and sand large and small diamonds [487] and bring them out. It occasionally happens that they find a piece of diamond worth 100,000 rupees. Briefly, this province and this river were in possession of a Hindu Zamindar of the name of Durjan Sal, and although the governors of the Subah frequently sent armies against him and went there themselves, in consequence of the difficult roads and thickness of the jungles they contented themselves with taking two or three diamonds and left him in his former condition. When the aforesaid Subah was transferred from Zafar Khan, and Ibrahim Khan was appointed in his place, at the time of his taking leave I ordered him to go and take the province out of the possession of that unknown and insignificant individual. As soon as he arrived in the province of Behar he assembled a force and went against that Zamindar. According to former custom he sent some of his men with a promise to give some diamonds and some elephants, but the Khan did not agree to this and entered impetuously into the province. Before the fellow could collect his men he found guides and invaded it. Just when the zamindar received this news, the hills and vales that are his abode were beleaguered. Ibrahim sent men about to find him and they got hold of him in a cave with several women, one of whom was his mother, while others were also his father's wives. They arrested him, and also one of his brothers. They searched and took from them the diamonds they had with them. Twenty-three male and female elephants also fell into Ibrahim's hands. In reward for this service the mansab of Ibrahim Khan original and increase, was made up to 4,000 personal and horse, and he was exalted with the title of Fath-jang. Orders were also given for an increase in the mansabs of those who accompanied him on this service and had shown bravery. That province is now in possession of the imperial servants of the State. They carry on work in the bed of the stream, and bring to Court whatever diamonds are found. A large diamond, the value of which has been estimated at 50,000 rupees, has lately been brought from there. If a little pains are taken, it is probable that good diamonds will be found and be placed in the jewel-room.

THE ELEVENTH NEW YEAR'S FEAST AFTER THE AUSPICIOUS ACCESSION.

Fifteen gharis of day had passed on Sunday, the last day of Isfandarmuz, corresponding with the 1st Rabi`u-l-awwal (19th March, 1616), when from the mansion of Pisces the sun cast the ray of prosperity on the palace of Aries. At this auspicious hour, having performed the dues of service and supplication at the throne of Almighty God, I ascended the throne of State in the public audience hall, the area of which was laid out with tents and canopies (shamiyanaha), and its sides adorned with European screens, painted gold brocades, and rare cloths. The princes, Amirs, the chief courtiers, the ministers of State, and all the servants of the Court performed their congratulatory salutations. As Hafiz Nad `Ali, guyanda (singer), was one of the ancient servants, I ordered that whatever offerings were made on the Monday by anyone in the shape of cash or goods should be given to him by way of reward. On the 2nd day (of Farwardin) the offerings of some of the employés were laid before me. On the 4th day the offering of Khwaja Jahan, who had sent them from Agra, and which consisted of several diamonds and pearls, of jewelled things, cloth stuffs of all kinds, and an elephant, worth altogether 50,000 rupees, was brought before me. On the 5th day, Kunwar Karan, who had been given leave to go to his home, returned and waited on me. He presented as offering 100 muhrs, 1,000 rupees, an elephant with fittings, and four horses. To the mansab of Asaf Khan, which was 4,000 personal and 2,000 horse, I on the 7th made an addition of 1,000 personal and 2,000 horse, and honoured him with drums and a standard. On this day the offering of Mir Jamalu-d-din Husain was laid before me; what he offered was approved and accepted. Among the things was a jewelled dagger which had been made under his superintendence. [488] On its hilt was a yellow ruby [489] (yaqut-i-zard), exceeding clear and bright, in size equal to half a hen's egg. I had never before seen so large and beautiful a yellow ruby. Along with it were other rubies of approved colour and old emeralds. Brokers (muqiman) valued it (the dagger) at 50,000 rupees. I increased the mansab of the said Mir by 1,000 horse, which brought it to 5,000 personal and 3,500 horse. On the 8th I increased the mansab of Sadiq Haziq by 300 personal and horse, and that of Iradat Khan by 300 personal and 200 horse, so as to raise each to 1,000 personal and 500 horse. On the 9th the offering of Khwaja Abu-l-hasan was laid before me; of jewelled ornaments and cloth stuffs, what was of the value of 40,000 rupees was accepted, and the remainder I made a present to him. The offering of Tatar Khan Bakawul-begi, consisting of one ruby (la`l), one yaqut, a jewelled takhti (signet?), two rings, and some cloths, was accepted. On the 10th three elephants which Raja Maha Singh sent from the Deccan, and 100 and odd pieces of gold brocade, etc., which Murtaza Khan sent from Lahore, were laid before me. On this date Dayanat Khan presented his offering of two pearl rosaries, two rubies, six large pearls, and one gold tray, to the value of 28,000 rupees. At the end of Thursday, the 11th, I went to the house of I`timadu-d-daulah in order to add to his dignity. He then presented me with his offering, and I examined it in detail. Much of it was exceedingly rare. Of jewels there were two pearls worth 30,000 rupees, one qutbi ruby which had been purchased for 22,000 rupees, with other pearls and rubies. Altogether the value was 110,000 rupees. These had the honour of acceptance, and of cloth, etc., the value of 15,000 rupees was taken. When I had finished inspecting the offering I passed nearly one watch of the night in conviviality and enjoyment. I ordered that cups (of wine) should be given to the Amirs and servants. The ladies of the mahall (harem) were also with me, and a pleasant assembly was held. After the festive assembly was over I begged I`timadu-d-daulah to excuse me, and went to the hall of audience. On the same day I ordered Nur-mahall Begam to be called Nur-Jahan Begam. On the 12th the offering of I`tibar Khan was laid before me. They had made a vessel (zarf) in the form of a fish, jewelled with beautiful gems, exceedingly well shaped and calculated to hold my allowance. [490] This, with other jewels and jewelled things and cloth stuffs, the value of which was worth 56,000 rupees, I accepted and gave back the rest. Bahadur Khan, governor of Qandahar, had sent seven Iraq horses and nine tuquz (81?) of cloth stuffs. The offerings of Iradat Khan and Raja Suraj Mal, son of Raja Baso, were laid before me on the 13th. `Abdu-s-Subhan, who held a mansab of 1,200 personal and 600 horse, was promoted to 1,500 personal and 700 horse. On the 15th the Subahdarship of the province of Thatha was transferred from Shamshir Khan Uzbeg to Muzaffar Khan. On the 16th the offering of I`tiqad Khan, son of I`timadu-d-daulah, was laid before me. Of this the equivalent of 32,000 rupees was taken, and I gave back the rest to him. On the 17th the offering of Tarbiyat Khan was inspected. Of jewels and cloth what was valued at 17,000 rupees was approved. On the 18th I went to the house of Asaf Khan, and his offering was presented to me there. From the palace to his house was a distance of about a kos. For half the distance he had laid down under foot velvet woven with gold and gold brocade and plain velvet, such that its value was represented to me as 10,000 rupees. I passed that day until midnight at his house with the ladies. The offerings he had prepared were laid before me in detail. Jewels, jewelled ornaments, and things of gold and beautiful cloth stuffs, things of the value of 114,000 rupees, four horses, and one camel were approved of. On the 19th (Farwardin), which was the day of honour (ruz-i-sharaf) of the sun, a grand assembly was held in the palace. In order to observe the auspicious hour, when 2 1/2 gharis of day were left of the aforesaid day, I seated myself on the throne. My son Baba Khurram at this blessed hour laid before me a ruby of the purest water and brilliancy, which they pronounced to be of the value of 80,000 rupees. I fixed his mansab, which was 15,000 personal and 8,000 horse, at 20,000 personal and 10,000 horse. On the same day my lunar weighing took place. I increased the mansab of I`timadu-d-daulah, which was 6,000 personal and 3,000 horse, to 7,000 personal and 5,000 horse, and bestowed on him a tuman tugh (horse-tail standard), and ordered his drums to be beaten after those of my son Khurram. I increased the mansab of Tarbiyat Khan by 500 personal and horse, so as to bring it to 3,500 personal and 1,500 horse. The mansab of I`tiqad Khan was increased by 1,000 personal and 400 horse. Nizamu-d-din Khan was promoted to 700 personal and 300 horse, and appointed to the Subah of Behar. Salamu-llah, the Arab, was honoured with the title of Shaja`at Khan, and, being dignified with a necklace of pearls, became one of the royal [491] servants. I promoted Mir Jamalu-d-din Inju to the title of `Azudu-d-daulah (Arm of the State). On the 21st Almighty God gave Khusrau a son by the daughter of Muqim, son of Mihtar Fazil Rikab-dar (stirrup-holder). To Allah-dad, the Afghan, who, accepting my service, had separated himself from the evil-minded Ahdad and come to Court, I gave 20,000 darabs (10,000 rupees). On the 25th came the news of the death of Ray Manohar, who had been attached to the army of the Deccan. Giving his son a mansab of 500 personal and 300 horse, I bestowed upon him his father's place and property. On the 26th the offering of Nad `Ali Maidani, consisting of nine horses, several bits (? dahana kish [492]), and four Persian camels (wilayati), was brought before me. On the 28th I presented Bahadur Khan, governor of Qandahar, Mir Miran, son of Khalilu-llah, and Sayyid Bayazid, governor of Bhakar, each with an elephant. On the 1st Urdibihisht, at the request of `Abdu-llah Khan, I presented drums to his brother Sardar Khan. On the 3rd I gave Allah-dad Khan, the Afghan, a jewelled khapwa (dagger). On the same day news came that Qadam, [493] one of the Afridi Afghans who had been loyal and obedient, and to whom the rah-dari (transit dues) of the Khaibar Pass belonged, from some slight suspicion had withdrawn his feet from the circle of obedience and raised his head in sedition. He had sent a force against each of the posts (thana), and wherever he and his men went, through the carelessness of those men (in the posts), had plundered and killed many of the people. Briefly, in consequence of the shameful action of this senseless Afghan, a new disturbance broke out in the hill country of Kabul. When this news arrived I ordered Harun, brother of Qadam, and Jalal, his son, who were at Court, to be apprehended and handed over to Asaf Khan to be imprisoned in the fort of Gwalior. By the manifestation of the Divine mercy and kindness and the signs of God's favour, an affair took place at this time which is not devoid of strangeness. After the victory over the Rana my son presented me in Ajmir with an exceedingly beautiful and clear ruby, valued at 60,000 rupees. It occurred to me that I ought to bind this ruby on my own arm. I much wanted two rare pearls of good water of one form to be a fit match for this kind of ruby. Muqarrab Khan had procured one grand pearl of the value of 20,000 rupees, and given it to me as a New Year's offering. It occurred to me that if I could procure a pair to it they would make a perfect bracelet. Khurram, who from his childhood had had the honour of waiting on my revered father, and remained in attendance on him day and night, represented to me that he had seen a pearl in an old turban (sar-band) of a weight and shape equal to this pearl. They produced an old sar-pich (worn on the turban), containing a royal pearl of the same quality, weight, and shape, not differing in weight even by a trifle, so much so that the jewellers were astonished at the matter. It agreed in value, shape, lustre, and brilliance; one might say they had been shed from the same mould. Placing the two pearls alongside of the ruby, I bound them on my arm, and placing my head on the ground of supplication and humility, I returned thanks to the Lord that cherished His slave, and made my tongue utter His praise--

"Who succeeds with hand and tongue?
He who performs the dues of thanks."

On the 5th (Urdibihisht) 30 Iraq and Turki horses that Murtaza Khan had sent from Lahore were brought before me, as also 63 horses, 15 camels, male and female, a bundle of crane's (kulang) plumes, 9 `aqiri(?), [494] 9 veined [495] fish-teeth, 9 pieces of china from Tartary, 3 guns, etc., from Khan Dauran, which he had sent from Kabul, were accepted. Muqarrab Khan presented an offering of a small elephant from Abyssinia which they had brought by sea in a ship. In comparison with the elephants of Hindustan it presents some peculiarities. Its ears are larger than the ears of the elephants of this place, and its trunk and tail are longer. In the time of my revered father I`timad Khan of Cujarat sent a young elephant [496] as an offering; by degrees it grew up and was very fiery and bad-tempered. On the 7th a jewelled dagger was given to Muzaffar Khan, governor of Thatha. On the same day news came that a band of Afghans [497] had attacked `Abdu-s-Subhan, brother of Khan `Alam, who was stationed at one of the posts, and had laid siege to his post. `Abdu-s-Subhan, with certain other mansabdars and servants who had been appointed to go with him had behaved valiantly. But at last, in accordance with the saying--

"When gnats get wings they smite the elephant,"

those dogs overcame them, and elevated `Abdu-s-Subhan with several of the men of the post to the dignity of martyrdom. [498] As a condolence for this affair a gracious farman and a special dress of honour were sent to Khan `Alam, who had been appointed ambassador to Iran (and was still in that country). On the 14th the offering of Mukarram Khan, son of Mu`azzam Khan, came from Bengal. It consisted of jewels and articles procurable in that province, and was brought before me. I increased the mansab of some of the jagirdars of Gujarat. Of these, Sardar Khan, whose mansab was that of 1,000 personal and 500 horse, was raised to 1,500 personal and 300 [499] horse, and had a standard given to him as well. Sayyid Qasim, son of Sayyid Dilawar Barha, was raised to an original and increased mansab of 800 personal and 450 horse, and Yar Beg, nephew of Ahmad Qasim Koka, to one of 600 personal with 250 horse. On the 17th there came the news of the death of Razzaq of Merv, the Uzbeg who belonged to the army of the Deccan. He was well skilled in war, and one of the distinguished Amirs of Mawara'a-n-nahr. On the 21st, Allah-dad, the Afghan, was honoured with the title of Khan, and his mansab, which was 1,000 personal and 600 horse, was raised to 2,000 personal and 1,000 horse. Three hundred thousand rupees out of the treasury of Lahore were ordered as a reward and for expenses to Khan Dauran, who had greatly exerted himself in the Afghan disturbance. On the 28th, Kunwar Karan obtained leave to go home for his marriage. I conferred on him a dress of honour, a special Iraq horse with a saddle, an elephant, and a jewelled waist-dagger. On the 3rd of this month (Khurdad) the news of the death of Murtaza Khan came. He was one of the ancients of this State. My revered father had brought him up and raised him to a position of consequence and trust. In my reign also he obtained the grace of noteworthy service, namely the overthrow of Khusrau. His mansab had been raised to 6,000 personal and 5,000 horse. As he was at this time Subahdar of the Panjab, he had undertaken the capture of Kangra, to which in strength no other fort in the hill country of that province or even in the whole inhabited world can be compared. He had obtained leave to go on this duty. I was much grieved in mind at this news; in truth, grief at the death of such a loyal follower is only reasonable. As he had died after spending his days in loyalty, I prayed to God for pardon for him. On the 4th Khurdad the mansab of Sayyid Nizam was fixed, original and increase, at 900 personal and 650 horse. I gave Nuru-d-din Quli the post of entertainer to the ambassadors from all parts. On the 7th news came of the death of Saif Khan Barha; he was a brave and ambitious young man. He had exerted himself in an exemplary way in the battle with Khusrau. He bade farewell to this perishable world in the Deccan through cholera (haiza). I conferred favours on his sons. `Ali Muhammad, who was the eldest and most upright of his children, was given the mansab of 300 [500] personal and 400 horse, and his (`Ali Muhammad's) brother, by name Bahadur, that of 400 personal and 200 horse. Sayyid `Ali, who was his nephew, received an increase in rank of 500 personal and horse. On the same day Khub-Allah, son of Shah-baz Khan Kambu, received the title of Ran-baz Khan. On the 8th [501] the mansab of Hashim Khan, original and increase, was fixed at 2,500 personal and 1,800 horse. On this date I bestowed 20,000 darabs (10,000 rupees) on Allah-dad Khan, the Afghan. Bikramajit, Raja of the province of Bandhu, whose ancestors were considerable zamindars in Hindustan, through the patronage of my fortunate son Baba Khurram, obtained the blessing of paying his respects to me, and his offences were pardoned. On the 9th, [502] Kalyan of Jesalmir, to summon whom Raja Kishan Das had gone, came and waited on me. He presented 100 muhrs and 1,000 rupees. His elder brother Rawal Bhim was a person of distinction. When he died he left a son 2 months old, and he too did not live long. In the time when I was prince I had taken his daughter in marriage, and called her by the title of Malika-Jahan [503] (queen of the world). As the ancestors of this tribe had come of ancient loyal people, this alliance took place. Having summoned the aforesaid Kalyan, who was the brother of Rawal Bhim, I exalted [504] him with the tika of Raja and the title of Rawal. News came that after the death of Murtaza Khan loyalty was shown by Raja Man, and that, after giving encouragement to the men of the fort of Kangra an arrangement had been made that he should bring to Court the son of the Raja of that country, who was 29 years old. In consequence of his great zeal in this service, I fixed his mansab, which was 1,000 personal and 800 horse, at 1,500 personal and 1,000 horse. Khwaja Jahan was promoted from his original and increased mansab to that of 4,000 personal and 2,500 horse. On this date [505] an event occurred such that, although I was greatly desirous of writing it down, my hand and heart have failed me. Whenever I took my pen my state became bewildered, and I helplessly ordered I`timadu-d-daulah to write it.

"An ancient sincere slave, I`timadu-d-daulah, by order writes in this auspicious volume [506] that on the 11th [507] Khurdad the traces of fever were seen in the pure daughter [508] of Shah Khurram of lofty fortune, for whom His Majesty showed much affection as the early fruit of the garden of auspiciousness. After three days pustules (abila) appeared, and on the 26th of the same month, corresponding with Wednesday, the 29th Jumada-l-awwal (15th June, 1616), in the year 1025, the bird of her soul flew from her elemental cage and passed into the gardens of Paradise. From this date an order was given that Char-shamba (Wednesday) should be called Kam-shamba (or Gum-shamba). What shall I write as to what happened to the pure personality of the shadow of God in consequence of this heartburning event and grief-increasing calamity? Inasmuch as it happened after this manner to that soul of the world, what must be the condition of those other [509] servants whose life was bound up with that pure personality? For two days the servants were not received in audience, and an order was given that a wall should be built in front of the house which had been the abode of that bird of paradise, so that it might not be seen. In addition to this he did not adorn the gate of the hall of audience (did not come there). On the third day he went in an agitated state to the house of the illustrious prince, and the servants had the good fortune to pay their salutations and found fresh life. On the road, however much the Hazrat (the Emperor) desired to control himself, the tears flowed from the auspicious eyes, and for a long time it was so that at the mere hearing of a word from which came a whiff of pain, the state of the Hazrat became bewildered. He remained for some days in the house of the prince of the inhabitants of the world, and on Monday [510] of Tir, Divine month, he went to the house of Asaf Khan, and turned back thence to the Chashma-i-Nur, and for two or three days employed himself there. But as long as he was in Ajmir he could not control himself. Whenever the word 'friendship' reached his ear, the tears would drop from his eyes unrestrained, and the hearts of his faithful followers were torn in pieces. When the departure of the cortège of fortune to the Subah of the Deccan took place, he gained a little composure."