Chapter IV: Part 4

On the morning of Thursday, the 4th of the month of Rabi`u-l-akhir, Hijri 1028 (March 10, 1619), the world-enlightening sun entered his house of honour in Aries, and the fourteenth year of the reign of this suppliant commenced in all prosperity and happiness. On Thursday, the 1st of the New Year, my prosperous son, Shah-Jahan, who is the star of the forehead of accomplished desires, and the brilliancy of the brow of prosperity, prepared a grand entertainment, and presented me as offerings with a selection of the precious things of the age, and rareties and curiosities of every country. One of these is a ruby, weighing 22 surkhs, of good colour, and water, and shape. The jewellers have valued it at Rs. 40,000. Another is a Qutbi [191] (?) ruby, in weight 3 tanks, and very delicate, valued at Rs. 40,000. Further, six pearls, one of them 1 tank and 8 surkhs in weight. The Vakils of my son had bought it in Gujarat for Rs. 25,000, and the five others for Rs. 33,000. Also one diamond, the price of which was Rs. 18,000. Also a jewelled parda (sash), a sword-hilt made in his own goldsmith's shop; most of the jewels he had himself set and cut. He had brought great dexterity to bear on the design. Its value was fixed as Rs. 50,000. The designs [192] were his own; no one else had up to this day thought of them. Undoubtedly it was a fine piece of workmanship. There was also a pair of drums made of gold for playing the mursal (overture?) with a whole orchestra--viz., kuwarga, naqqara, karana, surna, etc.--whatever was required for the naqqara-khana (music-hall) of great princes, and all made of silver. At the auspicious hour at which I had seated myself on the throne of success these were all sounded. The whole of them came to a value of Rs. 65,000. Another was a seat for riding an elephant, called by moderns a howdah (hauda), made of gold, worth Rs. 30,000. Beside this there were two large elephants and five elephant-trappings of the offerings of Qutbu-l-mulk, ruler of Golconda. The first elephant was named Dad-i-Ilahi (the gift of God). As it entered the private elephant-house on New Year's Day, I gave it the name of Nur-i-Nauruz (the Light of New Year's Day). In truth he is a grand elephant, and lacks nothing of size, beauty, and dignity. As he looked well to my eye, I mounted him and rode him into the courtyard of the palace. His value was fixed at Rs. 80,000, and the value of six [193] others at Rs. 20,000. Its golden trappings, consisting of golden chains, etc., my son had had made for the elephant Nur-i-Nauruz, were worth Rs. 30,000. The second elephant, with silver housings, was also presented, with Rs. 10,000 more in various choice jewels. The kurkaraqs [194] of my son had also prepared and sent delicate cloths from Gujarat. If all details were to be written, it would take too long. Briefly, the whole of his offerings was of the value of Rs. 450,000. It is hoped that he will eat the fruit of long life and prosperity.

On Friday, the 2nd, Shaja`at K. `Arab, and Nuru-d-din Quli, the kotwal, laid their offerings before me. On Saturday, the 3rd, Darab K., son of the Khan-khanan, and on Sunday, the 4th, Khan Jahan, prayed to be allowed to entertain me. Out of the latter's offerings I accepted one pearl, bought for Rs. 20,000, with other rareties, altogether of the value of Rs. 130,000, and presented him with the rest. On Monday, the 5th, Raja Kishan Das and Hakim K., on Tuesday, the 6th, Sardar K., and on Wednesday, the 7th, Mustafa K. and Amanat K., presented their offerings. From each of these I took a trifle in order to dignify them. On Thursday, the 8th, I`timadu-d-daula, Madar-ul-mulk (the pivot of the country), having prepared a royal entertainment, begged to be allowed to receive me. In accepting this request his standing was raised. In fact, in decorating the assembly and the largeness of his offering, he had exceeded himself, and made many decorations, and illuminated all sides of the lake as far as the eye could reach, and decorated the streets both near and far with all kinds of lights and coloured lanterns. Among the offerings of that Madar-us-saltana there was a throne of gold and silver, much ornamented and decorated, the supports of which were in the form of tigers. It had been completed with great assiduity in the space of three years, and was made at the cost of Rs. 450,000. This throne had been made by a skilful European of the name of Hunarmand (skilful), who had no rival in the arts of a goldsmith and a jeweller, and in all sorts of skill (hunarmandi). He had made it very well, and I gave him this name. In addition to the offerings he had brought for me, he offered the value of Rs. 100,000 in jewelled ornaments and cloths to the Begams and other ladies of the Palace. Without exaggeration, from the beginning of the reign of the late king (may the light of Allah be his testimony!) until now, which is the fourteenth year of the rule of this suppliant, not one of the great Amirs has presented such offerings. In fact, what comparison is there between him and others?

On this day Ikram K., s. Islam K. was honoured with the mansab, original and increased, of 2,000 personal and 1,000 horse, and Anira'i Singh-dalan with that of 2,000 personal and 1,600 horse, original and increased. On Friday, the 9th, I`tibar K. presented his offering, and on the same day Khan Dauran, having been presented with a horse and an elephant, took leave to go to the government of Patna. [195] His mansab, according to a previous rule, was fixed at 6,000 personal and 5,000 horse. On Saturday, the 10th, Fazil K., on Sunday, the 11th, Mir Miran, on Monday, the 12th, I`tiqad K. on Tuesday, the 13th, Tatar K. and Anira'i Singh-dalan, and on Wednesday, the 14th, Mirza Raja Bhao Singh, presented their offerings. Selecting from them what was delicate and new, I gave the remainder to them. On Thursday, the 15th, Asaf Khan prepared a grand assembly and a royal entertainment in his own house, which is a very fine and pleasant place, and begged to be allowed to receive me. At his request, giving him the dignity of acceptance, I went there with the ladies. That pillar of the kingdom looked on this as a bounty from the secret Giver, and in the increase of his offering and preparation of the entertainment displayed great magnificence. Of jewels of great price and delicate gold brocades and all sorts of gifts, that which was approved was selected, and I presented him with the remainder. Among the offerings was a ruby weighing 12 1/2 tanks, which was bought for Rs. 125,000. The value of the offerings that were accepted was Rs. 167,000. On this day Khwaja Jahan was raised to the mansab of 5,000 personal and 2,500 horse.

Lashkar K., having come, by order, from the Deccan, had the honour of waiting on me. As I had determined, after the rainy season had passed and in the beginning of the good weather, to go to the perpetual spring garden of Kashmir under the favour of Almighty God, it seemed right to me that the guardianship and administration of the fort and city of Agra and the faujdarship of the district, after the manner in which they had been held by Khan Jahan, should be entrusted to Lashkar K., and I honoured him with the good news. Amanat K. was entrusted with the duty of superintendent of branding (of horses) and of parading the troopers. [196] On Friday, the 16th, Khwaja Abu-l-Hasan, Chief Bakhshi, on Saturday, the 17th, Sadiq K. Bakhshi, on Sunday, the 18th, Iradat K., Chief Butler, and on Monday, the 19th, which was the day of the sun's culmination, `Azudu-d-daula K., presented offerings, and I accepted from each of them, by way of exalting their dignity, what I approved. At this New Year the value of the accepted offerings of the servants of the Court came to Rs. 2,000,000. On the day of culmination I conferred on my auspicious son Sultan Parwiz [197] the mansab of 20,000 personal and 10,000 horse, original and increased. I`timadu-d-daula was promoted to that of 7,000 personal and horse. I selected `Azudu-d-daula for the duty of tutor to the pupil of the eye of the Sultanate, Shah Shuja`. I hope that he (the latter) may endure for his natural term of life and may be one of the prosperous ones. Qasim K. was raised to the mansab of 1,500 personal and 500 horse, and Baqir K. to that of 1,000 personal and 400 horse. As Mahabat K. had asked for reinforcements, I appointed 500 Ahadi horse to Bangash, and presented `Izzat K., who had done approved service in that province, with a horse and a jewelled khapwa. At this time `Abdu-s-Sattar [198] presented as an offering a compendium in the handwriting of the late king Humayun (may the lights of Allah be his testimony!), containing some prayers, an introduction to the science of astronomy, and other marvellous things, most of which he had studied and carried into practice. After reverently inspecting his auspicious handwriting, I felt a joy such as I had seldom experienced. I was exceedingly rejoiced, for, by God, no precious thing I have can be compared with this. In return I increased his mansab beyond what he had imagined possible, and gave him a present of Rs. 1,000. Hunarmand, the European who had made the jewelled throne, I presented with 3,000 darb, a horse and an elephant. I gave Rs. 1,000 to Khwaja Khawand Mahmud, who is a pilgrim of the Path of the Khwajas, and is not void of dervishism and spirituality. Lashkar K. was promoted to the mansab of 3,000 personal and 2,000 horse, Ma`mur K. to that of 900 personal and 450 horse, Khwajagi Tahir to that of 800 personal and 300 horse, and Sayyid Ahmad Qadiri to that of 800 and 60 horse. On Raja Sarang Deo was conferred the mansab of 700 personal and 30 horse, on Mir Khalil-u-llah, s. `Azudu-d-daula, that of 600 personal and 250 horse, on the eunuch Firuz K., that of 600 and 150 horse, on Khidmat Khan that of 550 and 130 horse, on Mahram K. that of 500 and 120 horse, on `Izzat K. that of 600 personal and 100 horse, on Ray Newali Das, the accountant of the elephant department, that of 600 personal and 120 horse, on Ray Mani Das, the superintendent of the Palace, that of 600 personal and 100 horse, on Nathmal and Jagmal, sons of Kishan Singh, that of 500 and 225 horse each. If the increase of mansab given to those of less than 500 were to be written in full it would be too long. Rs. 2,000 were given to Khizr K., who belonged [199] to Khandesh.

On Wednesday, the 21st, I went to Amanabad for the purpose of sport. Some days before this, in accordance with orders, Khwaja Jahan, and Qiyam K., the head huntsman, had chosen a wide plain for a qamargha hunt, and drawn an enclosure round it, and driven within it many antelope from the neighbouring plains. As I had vowed that I would hereafter not kill any living thing with my own hand, it occurred to me to take them all alive, and place them within the Chaugan (polo-ground) of Fathpur, so that I might both enjoy the pleasure of sport and that at the same time no harm should happen to them. I accordingly took 700 head and sent them to Fathpur. As the hour for entering the capital was near, I ordered Ray Man, khidmatiyya, [200] to put up a screen on two sides, like a lane, from the hunting-place to the plain of Fathpur, and to drive the antelope there. About 800 antelope were sent in this way, or altogether 1,500. On the night of Wednesday, the 28th, marching from Amanabad, I halted in Bustan Saray, and on the eve of Thursday, the 29th, I halted at the Nur-manzil garden.

On Friday, the 30th, the mother [201] of Shah-Jahan attained the mercy of God. The next day I myself went to the house of that precious son, and having condoled with him in every way, took him with me to the palace. On Sunday, the 1st Urdibihisht, at the auspicious hour chosen by the astrologers and astronomers, I mounted a special elephant of the name of Dilir, and in all prosperity and happiness entered the city. A great crowd of people, men and women, had collected together in the streets and bazaars, and at the gates and walls, expecting me. According to custom, I went on, scattering money on the way, to inside the palace. From the date on which the army of prosperity started for this happily terminated journey until now, when I returned in happiness and good fortune, it was five years, seven months, and nine days. At this time I ordered my son Sultan Parwiz that, as a long time had passed during which he had been deprived of waiting on me personally, or had been fortunate enough to pay his respects, if he were desirous of meeting me, he should come to Court. On the arrival of the gracious farman, that son, considering the manifestation of this favour a gift from the hidden world, turned the face of his hope towards the sphere-resembling Court. At this time I gave away, as a means of livelihood, to Faqirs and deserving people 44,786 bighas of land, and two entire villages, with 320 ass-loads (kharwar, a weight) of grain from Kashmir, and seven ploughs [202] of land in Kabul. I hope that the Grace of the Bestower of desires and benevolence may be their daily lot.

One of the occurrences of this time is the revolt of Allahdad, son of Jalal, the Afghan. The details of this are that when Mahabat K. obtained leave to go and take possession of Bangash and overthrow the Afghans, from an idea that that wretch would do some service in return for the favours and kindness I had conferred on him, he prayed that he might take him with him. As the natural tendency of such ungrateful men who do not recognize what is right, tends to enmity and malevolence, by way of precaution it was decided to send his son and brother to the Court that they might be as hostages. After the arrival there of his son and brother, I, by way of comforting them, did them all kinds of kindness, but, as they have said:

"The blanket of fortune of anyone that has been woven black
Cannot be whitened even by the waters of Zamzam and Kausar."

From the day on which he arrived in that country the signs of rascality and want of recognition of the right began to be apparent on the cheeks of his affairs, and Mahabat K., in order to control matters, did not loose from his hand the rope of forbearance until, at this time, he sent a force under the leadership of his son against a band of Afghans, and sent Allahdad with him. When they reached the purposed place, from the enmity and malevolence of the aforesaid, that attack did not succeed, and they returned with their aim uncompleted. The evil-dispositioned Allahdad, from a suspicion lest this time Mahabat K. should abandon his method of conciliation, and ascertain the real state of affairs, and that he should be caught in recompense for his evil deeds, lifted up the veil of reverence, and betrayed involuntarily the faithlessness to his salt, which he had till then concealed. When I heard from Mahabat K.'s letter the true state of affairs, I ordered them to imprison his son and brother in the fort of Gwalior. As it had happened (Jalal Tariki), the father of this wretch had also fled from the service of the late king, and for years passed his time in thieving and highway robbery, until he was caught in the recompense of his own evil deeds. It is hoped that this rascal will also soon obtain the reward of his bad actions.

On Thursday, the 5th, Man Singh, s. Rawat Shankar, who was one of the auxiliaries of Bihar, was promoted to the mansab of 1,000 personal and 600 horse. I sent off `Aqil K. to look after the cavalry, [203] and inquire into the corps of the mansabdars who had been appointed for duty in Bangash, and gave him an elephant. I sent as a gift to Mahabat K. a private dagger made after the Mazandaran fashion, along with Dust Beg. The offering of Monday was given as a present to Mahmud Ab-dar, who from the time when I was a prince and the days of my childhood had served me. Miran (not Bizan, [204] as in the printed book), son-in-law of Payanda K. Moghul, was promoted to the mansab of 700 personal and 450 horse. Muhammad Husain, brother of Khwaja Jahan, who was Bakhshi of Kangra, was promoted to the mansab of 600 personal and 450 horse. On this day Tarbiyat K., who is one of the hereditary houseborn ones of this Court, and had been enrolled among the Amirs by reason [205] of his good disposition, died. He was not devoid of sluggishness (na-muradi, literally want of desires) and self-indulgence (salamat-i-nafs), and was a young man fond of pleasure (`ayyash-tabi`at). He wished to pass his whole life at ease, and was devoted to Hindu music and did not understand it badly. He was a man void of evil. Raja Suraj Singh was raised to the mansab of 2,000 personal and horse. To Karamu-llah, s. `Ali Mardan K. Bahadur, Baqir K., Faujdar of Multan, Malik Muhibb Afghan, and Maktub K. were given elephants. Sayyid Bayazid Bhakkari, to whom was entrusted the charge of the fort of Bhakkar and the faujdarship of that region, was also honoured with an elephant. Amanu-llah, s. Mahabat K. was distinguished with the gift of a jewelled dagger. I gave elephants to Shaikh Ahmad Hansi, Shaikh `Abdu-l-Latif Sambhali, the eunuch Firasat K., and Ray Kunwar Chand Mustaufi (auditor). Muhammad Shafi` Bakhshi of the Panjab, was raised to the mansab of 500 personal and 300 horse. The mansab of 500 personal and 150 horse was conferred on Munis, s. Mihtar [206] K. He (Munis) had charge of the fort of Kalinjar.

On this day arrived the news of the death of Shah-nawaz K. s. the Commander-in-Chief Khan Khanan. It was the cause of distress of mind to me. At the time when that Ataliq (Khan Khanan) took leave from waiting on me, it had been strictly impressed upon him that, as it had been repeatedly brought to my ear that Shah-nawaz K. had been maddened with wine and drank immoderately, if there was truth in this it was a pity that he should destroy himself at his age. It was necessary that he should not leave him to his own way, but look after his case properly. If he could not leave his charge himself, he should write a clear report, so that, having summoned him into my presence, I might give the best order practicable under the circumstances. When he arrived at Burhanpur, having found Shah-nawaz Khan very weak and low, he tried to make some remedy for him. After some days' confinement to bed (literally, lord of the carpet) he fell on the couch of powerlessness. Whatever remedies and plans the physicians employed were of no avail, and in the best time of his youth and prosperity, in the thirty-third year of his age, to the sorrow and grief of the world, he went to the place of the mercy and pardon of God. On hearing this unpleasant news I was greatly grieved, for in truth he was an intelligent youth and born in the house. He would have performed important services in this State, and left great traces behind him. Although this road is before all and there is no escape for anyone out of the command of destiny, yet it appears sad to depart in this fashion. It is hoped he will be among those who are pardoned. I sent Raja Sarang Deo, who was one of my close attendants and is a tactful person, to the Ataliq, and favoured and consoled him in every way. The mansab of 5,000 held by Shah-nawaz I added on to those of his brothers and sons. To Darab, his younger brother, I gave the mansab of 5,000 personal, original and increased, and presented him with a dress of honour, an elephant, a horse, and a jewelled sword, and gave him leave to go to his father to fill, in place of Shah-nawaz, the post of governor of Berar and Ahmadnagar. Rahman-dad, another brother, I promoted to the mansab of 2,000 and 800 horse. Manuchahr, s. Shah-nawaz, was given the mansab of 2,000 personal and 1,000 horse. Taghzal (Toghril?), s. Shah-nawaz [207] K. was promoted to the mansab of 1,000 personal and 500 horse. On Thursday, the 12th, Qasim K., son-in-law of I`timadu-d-daula, was honoured with the favour of a standard. Asadu-llah, s. Sayyid Haji, who had come with the intention of obtaining service, had the mansab bestowed on him of 500 personal and 100 horse. Sadr Jahan, son-in-law of the deceased Murtaza K., received that of 700 personal and 600 horse, and was appointed to the faujdarship of Sambhal, and, having had an elephant bestowed on him, I gave him leave. Bharat Bandila was also presented with the mansab of 600 personal and 400 horse, and had an elephant given him, and an elephant was bestowed on Sangram, the Raja of Jammu.

In Ahmadabad I had two male markhur goats. As I had not a female in my establishment to pair with them, it occurred to me that if I could pair them with Barbary goats, which they bring from Arabia, especially from the port of the city of Darkhar, [208] young of their form and qualities might be obtained. In short, I paired them with seven Barbary ewes, and after six months had elapsed each of the latter had a young one at Fathpur: there were four females and three males, very pleasing in appearance, of good shape and good colour. In their colour, those (kids) which resembled the male (taka, not baka, as in the printed copy) were dun-coloured with black stripes on their backs. Red, [209] indeed, appears to me a more pleasing colour than any other, and it is the mark of a better breed. Of their liveliness and laughable ways and their manner of gamboling and leaping, what can be written? Some of their ways are such that the mind derived uncontrolled pleasure from looking at them. It is notorious that painters cannot draw properly the motions of a kid. Granting that they may chance to draw the movements of an ordinary kid after a fashion, they certainly would have to acknowledge themselves at a loss how to draw the motions of these kids. When one month, or even twenty days old, they would leap up upon high places and throw themselves on to the ground in a way that if any other but a kid were to do so, not one limb would be left whole. As it pleased me, I ordered them always to be kept near me, and I gave each of them an appropriate name. I am much delighted with them, and pay great attention to bringing together markhur males and well-bred she-goats. I desire to have many young ones from them, and that they may become well known among men. After their young shall have paired, most probably more delicate ones will be obtained. One of their peculiarities is that ordinary kids immediately they are born, and until they begin to suck, make a great bleating, whilst these, on the contrary, make no sound, and stand quite contented and without wailing. Perhaps their flesh would be very pleasant to the taste.

Before this, an order had been given that Muqarrab K., having been appointed to Bihar, should hasten off there. He came to Court in order to pay his respects before he repaired to his destination, and accordingly, on Thursday, the 2nd Khurdad, an elephant with trappings, two horses, and a jewelled khapwa were conferred on him, and he took leave. Rs. 50,000 were given him as an advance of pay. On the same day Sardar Khan received a dress of honour, an elephant, and a horse, and obtained the Sarkar of Monghyr, which is in the province of Bihar and Bengal, and took leave. Mir Sharif, [210] the Vakil of Qutbu-l-mulk, who was at Court, took leave. My fortunate son, Shah-Jahan, sent with him the brother of Afzal K., his Diwan. As Qutbu-l-mulk had shown attachment and desire to please, and repeatedly importuned me for a portrait, I presented him, at his request, with my likeness, a jewelled khapwa, and a phul katara. 24,000 darb, a jewelled dagger, a horse, and a dress of honour were also given to the aforesaid Mir Sharif. Fazil K., director of buildings, was advanced to the mansab of 1,000 personal and 500 horse, and Hakim Ragho Nath to that of 600 personal and 60 horse. As at this time the anniversary of the late king (Akbar) occurred, Rs. 5,000 were handed over to some of my chief servants to divide among poor and deserving people. Hasan `Ali K., jagirdar of the Sarkar of Monghyr, was honoured with the mansab of 2,500 personal and horse, and sent to the assistance of Ibrahim K. Fath-jang, governor of the province of Bengal, and he was presented with a sword. As Mirza Sharafu-d-din Husain Kashghari sacrificed his life on duty in Bangash, I promoted his son Ibrahim Husain to the mansab of 1,000 personal and 500 horse. At this time Ibrahim K. constructed two boats, [211] which in the language of the country they call Kosha, one of gold and the other of silver, and sent them to me by way of offering. Undoubtedly, of their own kind they are the finest. One of these I gave to my son Shah-Jahan. On Thursday, the 9th, Sadat K. was granted the mansab of 1,000 personal and 60 horse. On this day `Azudu-d-daula and Shaja`at K. `Arab took leave for their jagirs. On this Thursday I presented Asaf K. with a jewelled khapwa and a phul katara. As my fortunate son Sultan Parwiz proposed to come to Court, he asked for a special nadiri dress of honour, a chira, and a fota, so that he might wear them and be distinguished on the day of meeting me and of having the good fortune to pay his respects. According to his request, I sent by the hand of his Vakil, Sharif, a sumptuous dress of honour with a chira and a special sash. On Thursday, the 23rd, Mirza Wali, son of the aunt of this suppliant, came by order from the Deccan, and had the good fortune to kiss the threshold. His father, Khwaja Hasan Khaldar (the freckled?), was one of the Naqshbandi Khwajas. My uncle, Mirza Muhammad Hakim, gave his sister in marriage to the Khwaja. I heard much praise of the Khwaja from people: he had both good family and got on well with every one, and for a long time the management of the affairs of my uncle Mirza Muhammad Hakim had been in his hands, and he was on very good terms with him. Before the Mirza's death he had himself delivered [212] over the deposit of his life. Two sons survived him--viz., Mirza Badi`u-z-zaman and Mirza Wali. M. Badi`u-z-zaman, after the death of the Mirza, ran away, and went to Ma-wara'a-n-nahr (Transoxania), and in that exile became a traveller on the road of non-existence. The Begam and Mirza Wali came to the glorious Court, and H.M. (Akbar) behaved very kindly to the Begam. The Mirza also is a steady and sedate young man, not devoid of reasonableness and understanding. He is very skilled in the science of music. At this time it occurred to me to marry the daughter of the deceased Prince Daniyal to the Mirza, and my reason for sending for the Mirza to Court was this. This girl (Bulaqi Begam) is the offspring of the daughter of Qilij Muhammad K. It is hoped that the grace of striving to please and to serve, which is the means of good fortune and prosperity, may be his (M. Wali's) lot and fortune.

On this day Sarbuland Ray, who had been sent on duty to the Deccan, was promoted to the mansab of 2,500 personal and 1,500 horse.

At this time it was reported to me that a Shayyad (a loud talker, a cheat) of the name of Shaikh [213] Ahmad had spread the net of hypocrisy and deceit in Sirhind, and caught in it many of the apparent worshippers without spirituality, and had sent into every city and country one of his disciples, whom he called his deputy (khalifa), and whom he considered more skilled than others in the adorning of shops (of deceit) and selling of religious knowledge, and in deceiving men. He had also written a number of idle tales to his disciples and his believers, and had made them into a book which he called Maktubat (letters). In that album (Jung) of absurdities many unprofitable things had been written that drag (people) into infidelity and impiety. Amongst these he had written in a letter as follows: "In the course of my travels I had come to the dwelling of the Two Lights (the Sun and Moon), and saw a very lofty and very splendid building. From there I passed to the abode of Discrimination (Faruq), and from there I passed to the abode of Truth (Siddiq), and to each I wrote a suitable explanation (or perhaps, of each I wrote a suitable description). From there I reached the abode of Love, and I beheld a brilliant dwelling. It had divers colours and lights and reflected glories. That is to say (God forgive us!--an exclamation of Jahangir's), I passed from the abode of the Vicegerents (khulafa) and attained to the highest rank." There were other presumptuous expressions which it would be too long to write, and would be contrary to good manners. I accordingly gave an order that they should bring him to the Court that is based on justice. According to order he came to pay his respects. To all that I asked him he could give no reasonable answer, and appeared to me to be extremely proud and self-satisfied, with all his ignorance. I considered the best thing for him would be that he should remain some time in the prison of correction until the heat of his temperament and confusion of his brain were somewhat quenched, and the excitement of the people also should subside. He was accordingly handed over to Anira'i Singh-dalan to be imprisoned in Gwalior fort.

On Saturday, the 25th Khurdad, my fortunate son Sultan Parwiz came from Allahabad, and with prostration at the threshold of the Khalifate illuminated the forehead of sincerity. After he had performed the ceremony of kissing the ground and been honoured with special favour, I bade him sit. He presented 2,000 muhars and 2,000 rupees by way of nazr, and made an offering of a diamond. As his elephants had not yet arrived, he would produce them on another occasion. He had brought with him to the Court, which is the asylum of the world, Raja Kalyan, Zamindar of Ratanpur, against whom this my son had by order sent an army, and had taken from him as an offering 80 elephants and Rs. 100,000. My son brought him with him, and he had the good fortune to kiss the threshold. Wazir K., my son's Diwan who is one of the old servants of the Court, having had the good fortune to pay his respects to me, presented as offerings 28 elephants, male and female. Of these nine were accepted, and the rest bestowed on him.

As it had been represented to me that Muruwwat K., s. Iftikhar K., who was one born and bred up at this Court, had fought with a band of Maghs on the borders of Bengal and had sacrificed his life, I promoted Allah-yar, his brother, to the mansab of 1,000 personal and 500 horse, and another brother to that of 400 personal and horse, so that those he had left behind should not be distressed. On Monday, the 3rd of the Divine month of Tir, in the neighbourhood of the city four black bucks, a doe, and a fawn were taken. As I passed by the house of my fortunate son, Sultan Parwiz, he presented two tusked elephants with their trappings by way of offering; both were ordered to be placed in the private elephant-stud.

On Thursday, the 13th, Sayyid Hasan, the ambassador of my happy brother, Shah `Abbas, ruler of Persia, having had the good fortune to kiss the threshold, produced a letter, together with a crystal drinking-cup, on the cover of which was a ruby. As it was given from excessive friendship and sincerity it was the cause of the increase of amity and good fellowship. On this day Fida'i K. was promoted to the mansab of 1,000 personal and 500 horse, and Nasru-llah, s. Fathu-llah, in whose charge was the fort of Ambar, that of 1,500 personal and 400 horse. On Thursday, the 20th, Amanu-llah, s. Mahabat K., was promoted to the mansab of 1,500 personal and 800 horse. Having conferred on Wazir K. the Diwanship of Bengal, I gave him a horse, a dress of honour, and a jewelled dagger. Elephants were given to Mir Husamu-d-din and Zabar-dast K. On this day Hafiz Hasan, a servant of Khan `Alam, came to Court with a precious letter from my brother Shah `Abbas, and a report from that pillar of the Sultanate (Khan `Alam). He laid before me a dagger the hilt of which was made of a fish's [214] tooth spotted with black, that my brother had given to Khan `Alam. As it was a great rarity, he (Khan `Alam) had sent it to me. I greatly approved of it; in fact, it is a rare present. I had never seen a spotted one until now, and I was much pleased.

On Thursday, the 27th, M. Wali was promoted to the mansab of 2,000 personal and 1,000 horse. On the 24th, I gave 1,000 darbs as a present to Sayyid Hasan, the ambassador, and an elephant to `Abdu-llah K. Bahadur Firuz-jang. On Thursday, the 2nd of the Divine month of Amurdad, a horse was presented to I`tibar K. `Aqil K. was promoted to the mansab of 1,000 personal and 800 horse.

On the night of Saturday, the 4th of the Ilahi month of Amurdad, corresponding with 15 Sha`ban, was the feast of the Shab-i-barat. By order, they decorated and brought before me on the river, boats with lamps and all kinds of fireworks. In truth, the lamps they had arranged appeared very pretty, and for a long time I enjoyed myself in going round and looking at them. On Tuesday, Miran, [215] s. Nad `Ali Maidani, who was one of the well-brought-up khanazads, was selected for the mansab of 700 personal and 500 horse, and Khwaja Zainu-d-din for that of 700 personal and 300 horse, and Khwaja Muhsin for that of 700 personal and 100 horse. On Thursday, the 9th, I went to hunt at the village of Samunagar. Passing my time pleasantly in going round and hunting on that pleasant plain until Monday, I returned on the eve of Tuesday to the palace. On Thursday, the 16th, Bishutan, grandson of Shaikh Abu-l-Fazl (the author), was promoted to the mansab of 700 personal and 350 horse. On this day I went round to see the garden of Gul-afshan, which is on the bank of the Jumna. On the way rain fell heavily and filled the mead with freshness and greenness. Pineapples had arrived at perfection, and I made a thorough inspection. Of the buildings that overlooked the river none [216] that I saw were without the charm of verdure and flowing water. These verses of Anwari appeared appropriate to the place:

VERSE.

"'Tis a day of mirth and jollity,
A daily market of flowers and odours;
The earth-heaps are suffused with ambergris,
The zephyr sheds rose-water from his skirt,
From contact with the morning breeze the pool
Is roughened and pointed, like the edge of a file."

As this garden is in the charge of Khwaja Jahan, he presented me as offerings with some pieces of brocade of a new fashion they had lately brought for him from `Iraq. Selecting what I approved of, I presented the remainder to him. He had arranged the garden well, and his mansab was ordered to be raised to 5,000 personal and 3,000 horse, original and increased.

A strange circumstance was that I was so much delighted with a jewelled dagger-hilt of piebald teeth which Khan `Alam had got from Shah `Abbas and sent to me (see ante), that I appointed several skilful men to go to Iran and Turan to look for them and to be consistently searching for them, and to bring some from anywhere and any person, anyhow, and at any price. Many of my servants who knew my disposition, and dignified Amirs in the course of their duty, engaged in the search. It happened that in this city a stupid stranger bought in the open bazaar a coloured tooth of great beauty and delicacy for a trifle; he believed that some time or other it had fallen into the fire, and that the black on it was the mark of burning! After some time he showed it to one of the carpenters on the establishment of my prosperous son Shah-Jahan, desiring that he should take off a piece of the tooth in order to make a ring (shast), and pointed out that he should remove the marks of burning and the blacknesses, being ignorant that the blackness enhanced the value and price of the whiteness. Those moles and patches were what the tirewoman of destiny had given as an adornment of its beauty. The carpenter at once went to the Superintendent of his workshop, and gave him the good news that such a rare and precious thing, in search of which people were wandering and going long distances, and hastening to all corners and in all directions in various countries, had fallen for nothing into the hands of an ignorant man, who did not know its value. It could be easily and cheaply obtained from him. The Superintendent went off with him and immediately procured it, and next day produced it before my son. When my son Shah-Jahan came to wait on me, he at first showed great delight, and after his brain had become free from the intoxication of the wine of joy, produced it, and greatly pleased me--

VERSE.

"Thy Time is happy in that thou hast made mine happy."

I invoked so many blessings on him that if one of them out of a hundred obtain acceptance, it will suffice for his spiritual and material well-being.

On this day Bahlim K., one of the chief servants of `Adil K. came and waited on me. As he had chosen my service out of sincerity, I bestowed on him unstinted favours, and presented him with a dress of honour, a horse, a sword, and 10,000 darbs, with the mansab of 1,000 personal and 500 horse. At this time a petition came from Khan Dauran, stating that: "Your Majesty, from the perfection of kindness and knowledge of his worth, had appointed to the government of Thatta (Sind) an old slave, notwithstanding his great age and weak sight. As this weak old man was exceedingly bent and decrepit, and had not in him the ability to exert himself or to ride, he prays that he may be excused military service, and that he may be enrolled in the army of prayer." At his request, I ordered the chief Diwans to confirm him in the pargana of Khushab, [217] with a revenue of 3,000,000 of dams, and which he for a long time had held as a tankhwah jagir, and which had become peopled and cultivated, by way of providing for his expenses, so that he might pass his time in easy circumstances. His eldest son, by name Shah Muhammad, was promoted to the mansab of 1,000 personal and 600 horse, his second son, Ya`qub Beg, obtaining that of 700 personal and 350 horse. The third son, Asad Beg, was promoted to the mansab of 300 personal and 50 horse.

On Saturday, the 1st of the Divine month of Shahriwar, I sent dresses of honour for the rainy season to the Ataliq Commander-in-Chief Khan-khanan Jan-sipar and the other great Amirs, who had been sent on duty to the Deccan, by the hand of Yazdan. [218]

As the purpose of visiting the eternal spring of the rose-garden of Kashmir was settled in my mind, I sent off Nuru-d-din Quli to hasten on before, to repair as far as was possible the ups and downs of the Punch [219] route to it, and to prepare it, so that the passage of laden beasts over difficult hilltops might be accomplished with ease, and that the men should not undergo labour and hardship. A large number of artificers, such as stone-cutters, carpenters, spadesmen, etc., were despatched with him, to whom an elephant was also given. On the eve of Thursday, the 13th, having gone to the garden of Nur-manzil, I passed the time in enjoyment in that rose-garden of delight until Sunday, the 16th. Raja Bikramajit Baghela came from the fort of Mandpur, which is his native place, and had the good fortune to kiss the threshold, and by way of offering presented an elephant and a jewelled plume. Maqsud K. was honoured with the mansab of 1,000 personal and 130 horse. On Thursday, the 20th, my son Shah Parwiz produced two elephants as an offering, and they were ordered to be included in the private stud. On the 24th of the aforesaid month the feast of the solar weighing took place in the palace of Maryamu-z-zamani, and my 51st year according to the solar months began in gladness and victory. It is hoped that the period of my life may be passed in obedience to God (to whom be glory!). To Sayyid Jalal, s. Sayyid Muhammad, the grandson (?) of Shah `Alam Bukhari, an account of whom has been written among the events of my Gujarat expedition, I gave leave to return. I gave him a female elephant for his riding, as well as his expenses. On the eve of Sunday, [220] the 30th, corresponding with the 14th Shawwal, when the disk of the moon was perfect (at full moon) a moonlight feast was prepared in the buildings of the garden which overlook the River Jumna, and a very pleasant entertainment took place. On the 1st of the Divine month, out of the veined (jauhar-dar) spotted tooth (walrus) which my son Shah-Jahan had given me as an offering, I ordered to be cut off sufficient for two dagger-hilts and a thumb-stall: [221] it came out of a beautiful colour and was very choice. I ordered the Ustads (masters) Puran and Kalyan, who had no rivals in the art of engraving, [222] to make dagger-hilts of a shape that was approved at this time, and has become known as the Jahangiri fashion. At the same time the blade and the sheath and fastenings were given to skilful men, each of whom was unique in his age in his art. Truly, it was all carried out according to my wish. One hilt came out coloured in such a way as to create astonishment. It turned out of all the seven colours, and some of the flowers looked as if a skilful painter [223] had depicted them in black lines round it with a wonder-working pencil. In short, it was so delicate that I never wish it to be apart from me for a moment. Of all the gems of great price that are in the treasury I consider it the most precious. On Thursday I girded it auspiciously and with joy round my waist, and the masters who in their completion had exercised great skill and taken great pains were rewarded, Ustad Puran with the gift of an elephant, a dress of honour, and a golden bracelet for the wrist, which the people of India call Kara, [224] and Kalyan with the title of `Aja'ib-dast (wondrous hand), and increased mansab, a dress of honour, and a jewelled bracelet (pahunchi), and in the same way every one according to his circumstances and skill received favours.

As it had been represented to me that Amanu-llah, s. Mahabat K., having fought with the rebel Ahdad, had defeated his army, and had made many of the Afghans--who are black-faced and black-hearted--the harvest of his blood-drinking sword, I sent him a special sword in order to dignify him.

On Saturday the 5th, news came of the death of Raja Suraj Singh, who had died a natural death in the Deccan. He was the descendant of Maldeo, who was one of the principal Zamindars of Hindustan, and had a zamindari which equalled that of the Rana, and he had even overcome him in one battle. There is a full account of him (Maldeo) in the Akbar-nama. Raja Suraj Singh, through the advantage of his being brought up by the late king (Akbar), and this suppliant at the throne of God, reached high rank and great dignities. His territory surpassed that of his father or grandfather. [225] He had a son called Gaj Singh, [226] whom he entrusted with all his administrative affairs. As I knew him to be capable and worthy of favour, I promoted him to the mansab of 3,000 personal and 2,000 horse, with a standard and the title of Raja, and his younger brother to that of 500 personal and 250 horse, and gave him a jagir in his native country.

On Thursday, the 10th of Mihr, at the request of Asaf K., I went to his house built on the bank of the Jumna. He has erected a very fine bath-house (hammam), with which I was much delighted. After bathing, a feast of cups was held, and my private servants were made happy with cups of delight. Having chosen out of his offerings what I approved, I gave the remainder to him. What I took of his offering might be of the value of Rs. 30,000. Baqir K., faujdar of Multan, was honoured with a standard.

Previously to this, according to order, they had planted trees on both sides from Agra as far as the River of Attock (the Indus), and had made an avenue, and in the same way from Agra to Bengal. I now ordered that from Agra to Lahore they should put up a pillar [227] (mil) at every koss, to be the sign of a koss, and at every three koss make a well, so that wayfarers might travel in ease and contentment, and not endure hardships from thirst or the heat of the sun.

On Thursday, the 24th of Mihr, the festival of the Dasahra was held. After the custom of India, they decorated the horses and produced them before me. After I had seen the horses they brought some of the elephants. As Mu`tamid K. on last New Year's Day had not made any offering, at this festival he presented a golden tablet (takht), a ruby ring, a piece of coral (bussad), and other items. The tablet was beautifully made. The total value of the offering was Rs. 16,000. As he had brought the things from pure sincerity and loyalty, they were accepted. On this day Zabar-dast K. was promoted to the mansab of 1,000 personal and 400 horse. As the day of the Dasahra had been fixed as the time of starting, I embarked on a boat with all happy omens and pleasure in the evening, and went on to my goal. I halted for eight days at the first stage that the men might come on, after making all preparations at leisure. Mahabat K. had sent apples from Bangash by runners (dak-choki). They arrived very fresh, and were of excellent flavour. I was greatly pleased in eating them. They cannot be compared with the sib-i-khub ("the good [228] apples"?) of Kabul which I ate there, or with the Samarkand apples that they bring every year. For sweetness and delicacy of flavour they cannot be compared with either of the latter (i.e., the Bangash apples were far better). I had until now never seen such delicate and delicious apples. They say that in Upper Bangash, near Lashkar-dara, [229] there is a village called Siv Ram, in which there are three trees of this apple, and although they have made many trials, they have never found so good ones in any other place. I gave Sayyid Hasan, ambassador of my brother Shah `Abbas, a dish of these apples in order that he might tell me if there were any better apples in `Iraq. He said: "In the whole of Persia the apples of Isfahan are preferred, and they are of the same quality as these."

On Thursday, the 1st of the Divine month of Aban, I went on pilgrimage to the mausoleum of the late king (Akbar) (may the lights of Allah be his testimony!), and rubbed the head of supplication on the threshold, the abode of angels, and presented 100 muhars as nazar. All the Begams and other ladies, having sought the blessing of circulating round that shrine, which is the circling-place of angels, presented offerings. On the eve of Friday a lofty assembly was held of the holy men (Masha'ikh), the turbaned people (arbab-i-`ama'im--i.e., ecclesiastics, etc.), Huffaz (those who recite the Qoran), and singing people, assembled in numbers, and practised ecstasies and religious dancing (wajd and sama`), to each of whom, according to the circumstances of his merit and skill, I gave a dress of honour, a farji, and a shawl. The buildings of this blessed mausoleum have been made very lofty. At this time the money expended satisfied me, and was far more than it had previously been. (The MS. [230] here is clear, and the printed words wrong.)

On the 3rd, after four gharis of day had passed, I marched on from that stage, and having traversed 5 1/2 koss by the river at four gharis of the day, arrived at the next stage. After midday I left the boat and caught seven partridges (durraj). At the end of the day I gave Rs. 20,000 to Sayyid Hasan, the ambassador (of Persia), as a present, and a dress of honour of gold brocade with a jewelled jigha (turban-ornament), and an elephant, and gave him leave to return, and sent for my brother with him a jewelled jug made in the shape of a cock, which could hold my usual stint of wine. It is hoped that it may reach its destination in safety. I gave leave to Lashkar K., who had been appointed to the defence and government of Agra, with a gift of a dress of honour, a horse, an elephant, drums, and a jewelled dagger. Ikram K. was promoted to the mansab of 2,000 personal and 1,500 horse, and to the duty of faujdar of the Sarkar of Mewat. He is s. Islam K., who was the grandson of the venerable asylum of pardon Shaikh Salim, whose excellency of person and approved disposition and connection in blessing with this illustrious family have been described in these pages with the pen of sincerity.