Chapter V: Part 5

At this time I heard from a certain person whose words are adorned with the light of truth that at the time when I was sick and weak at Ajmir, before this evil news arrived in the province of Bengal, one day Islam K. was sitting in private, when he suddenly became unconscious. When he came to himself he said to one of his confidants, of the name of Bhikan, that it had been shown him from the world of mysteries that the holy person of the Emperor had been attacked by sickness, and that the remedy for it was to sacrifice for him something that was exceedingly dear and precious to himself. It at first occurred to him to sacrifice for the head of the revered one his own son Hushang, but as he was young in years and as yet had derived no profit from life, and not attained to the desire of his heart, he had compassion on him, and would sacrifice himself for his lord and master. He hoped that as this was from the bottom of his heart, and the sincerity of his being, it would be accepted at the throne of Allah. The arrow of prayer at once reached the target of acceptance, and he perceived himself afflicted with weakness and disease. Verily, verily, the disease increased till he reached the neighbourhood of the compassion of God (he died). The Great Physician bestowed from the hidden dispensary complete recovery on this suppliant. Although the late king (the lights of Allah be his testimony!), was much attached to the children and grandchildren of the Shaikhu-l-Islam, and bestowed favours on them all according to the capacity and aptitude of each, yet when the turn of rule came to this suppliant, they received great kindnesses in order to perform what was due to that revered one (Salim Chishti), and many of them attained to the high nobility, and were advanced to the posts of head of Subahs, as has been brought to record each in its own place.

As in this village the eunuch Hilal K., [231] who was one of my attendants from the time when I was prince, had built a saray, and made a garden, he made an offering to me. In order to dignify him I took a trifle from him. After marching four stages from this halting-place, the army of prosperity encamped outside Mathura. On Thursday, the 8th, I went to see Bindraban and the idol temples of that place. Although [232] in the time of the late king the Rajput nobles had built temples after their fashion, and ornamented them highly on the outside, inside them bats and owls (ababil) had made their abode to such an extent, that on account of the malodours one could not breathe.

VERSE.

"Outside, like an infidel's grave, full of cracks, [233]
Inside, the anger of God, the honoured and glorious."

On this day Mukhlis K., according to order, came from Bengal, and had the good fortune to kiss the threshold. He gave 100 muhars and 100 rupees as nazar, and by way of offering, a ruby and jewelled aigrette (turra). On Friday, the 9th, Rs. 600,000 of treasure for the maintenance (zakhira) of the fort of Asir were sent to the Commander-in-Chief, Khan-khanan.

In the foregoing pages, something has been written about Gosa'in Jadrup, [234] who lived as a hermit in Ujain. At this time he changed his residence to Mathura, which is one of the greatest places of worship of the Hindus, and employed himself in the worship of the true God on the bank of the Jumna. As I valued his society, I hastened to wait on him, and for a long time enjoyed his company without the presence of any stranger. In truth, his existence is a great gain to me: one can be greatly benefited and delighted.

On Saturday, the 10th, the huntsmen represented that there was in that neighbourhood a tiger that greatly troubled and injured the ryots and wayfarers. I immediately ordered them to bring together a number of elephants and surround the forest and at the end of the day myself rode out with my ladies. As I had vowed that I would not injure any living thing with my own hand, I told Nur-Jahan [235] to shoot at him. An elephant is not at ease when it smells a tiger, and is continually in movement, and to hit with a gun from a litter (`imari) is a very difficult matter, insomuch that Mirza Rustam, who, after me, is unequalled in shooting, has several times missed three or four shots from an elephant. Yet Nur-Jahan B. so hit the tiger with one shot that it was immediately killed.

On Monday, the 12th, my desire to see the Gosa'in Jadrup again increased, and hastening to his hut, without ceremony, I enjoyed his society. Sublime words were spoken between us. God Almighty has granted him an unusual grace, a lofty understanding, an exalted nature, and sharp intellectual powers, with a God-given knowledge and a heart free from the attachments of the world, so that, putting behind his back the world and all that is in it, he sits content in the corner of solitude and without wants. He has chosen of worldly goods half a gaz of old cotton (kirpas) like a woman's veil, and a piece of earthenware from which to drink water, and in winter and summer and the rainy season lives naked and with his head and feet bare. He has made a hole in which he can turn round with a hundred difficulties and tortures, with a passage such that a suckling could hardly be put through it. These two or three couplets of Hakim Sana'i (may God have mercy on him!) appeared appropriate:

VERSE. [236]

"Luqman had a narrow hut,
Like the hollow of a flute or the bosom of a harp.
A noodle put the question to him--
'What is this house--two feet and a span?'
Hotly and with tears the sage replied--
'Ample for him who has to die.'"

On Wednesday, the 14th, I again went to visit the Gosa'in and bade him good-bye. Undoubtedly parting from him weighed upon my mind, that desires the truth. On Thursday the 15th, I marched and pitched near Brindaban. At this stage my fortunate son Sultan Parwiz took leave of me for Allahabad, and went to his jagir. I had intended that he should accompany me on this expedition, but as he had already shown symptoms of distress, I could not avoid letting him go. I presented him with a tipchaq horse, a waist dagger with a veined (jauhar-dar) walrus-tooth (hilt), and a sword and special shield. I hope he will come again soon, and have the good fortune of my presence. As the period of Khusrau's imprisonment had been a long one, it seemed to me that to keep him longer in confinement and deprive him of the good fortune of waiting on me, would be wanting in kindness. I accordingly sent [237] for him and bade him salute me. Once again the marks of his offences were washed with the pure water of forgiveness, and the dust of disgrace and humiliation was rubbed off his brow. I hope that the blessing of pleasing me, and the grace of service may be his lot.

On Friday, the 16th, I gave leave to Mukhlis K., whom I had sent for to take up the duties of diwan to Shah Parwiz, and I gave him the rank he had [238] had in Bengal--viz., 2,000 with 700 horse. On Saturday I halted. At this stage Sayyid Nizam s. Mir Miran Sadr Jahan, who was faujdar of Kanauj, waited upon me, and presented two elephants, and some hawks. I accepted one elephant and a pair of hawks. On Sunday, the 18th, we marched. At this time the King of Persia had sent with Pari Beg Mir Shikar (chief huntsman) one falcon (shunqar) of good colour. There was another which had been given to the Khan `Alam. This one was sent along with the Shahi falcon (i.e., the one intended for Jahangir), and it died on the road. The Shahi falcon, too, got mauled by a cat owing to the carelessness of the Mir Shikar. Though it was brought to Court, it did not live more than a week. What can I write [239] of the beauty and colour of this falcon? There were many beautiful black markings on each wing, and back, and sides. As it was something out of the common, I ordered Ustad Mansur, who has the title of Nadiru-l-`asr (wonder of the age) to paint and preserve [240] its likeness. I gave the Mir Shikar Rs. 2,000 and dismissed him.

In my father's reign (the light of God be his testimony!) the weight of the seer was 30 dams. [241] About this time it came into my mind: "Why should I act contrary to his rules?" It would be better to have it still of 30 dams. One day Gosa'in Jadrup said that in the book of the Vedas, which the lords of his faith had written, the weight of the sir was 36 dams. "As from the coincidences of the hidden world your order has fallen in with what is laid down in our book, if it be fixed at 36 dams, it will be well." It was ordered that hereafter throughout the whole territory it should be 36 dams.

On Monday, the 19th, I marched. A horse and dress of honour were given to Raja Bhao Singh, who had been ordered to the support of the army of the Deccan. From this day, till Wednesday, the 28th, I made successive marches. On Thursday, the 29th, Delhi, the abode of blessings, was adorned by the alighting of the army of good fortune. At first I hastened with my children and the ladies on a visit to the enlightened shrine of Humayun (may the lights of God be his testimony!), and having made our offerings there, went off to circumambulate the blessed mausoleum of the king of holy men (Shaikh Nizamu-d-din Chishti), and strengthened my courage, and at the end of the day alighted at the palace, which had been got ready in Salimgarh. On Friday, the 30th, I halted. As they had at this time preserved the hunting-place of the pargana of Palam, according to order, it was represented that a great number of antelope had collected there. Accordingly, on the 1st of the Divine month of Azar I started to hunt [242] with cheetahs. At the end of the day, during the hunt, much hail fell of the size of apples, and made the air very cold. On this day three antelope were caught. On Sunday, the 2nd, I hunted 46 antelope, and on Monday, the 3rd, 24 antelope were caught with cheetahs. My son Shah-Jahan killed two antelope with his gun. On Tuesday, the 4th, five antelope were caught. On Wednesday, the 5th, 27 antelope were caught. On Thursday, the 6th, Sayyid Bahwa Bukhari, who was in charge of the government of Delhi, made an offering of three elephants and eighteen horses, and other things. One elephant and other things were accepted, and I gave the rest to him. Hashim of Khost, faujdar of some parganas in Mewat, had the honour of kissing the threshold. I employed myself within the limits of Palam until Thursday, the 13th, in hunting with cheetahs. In the space of twelve days 426 antelopes were caught, and I returned to Delhi. I had heard, when in attendance on my father, that it is impossible for an antelope that has escaped from the grasp of a cheetah to live, although it has not been injured by its claws. In this hunt I, in order to ascertain the fact, released several antelopes of handsome appearance and strong bodies, before they had received any wounds from teeth or claws, and ordered them to be kept in my presence, and that they should be taken the greatest care of. For a whole day and night they remained at ease in their natural conditions: on the second day a change was observed, and they threw about their legs as if they were drunk, without any reason, and fell down and rose up. However much tiryaq-i-faruqi (preparation of opium) and other suitable medicines were administered to them, they had no effect, and when one watch had passed in this condition, they died.

On this day the bad news arrived that the eldest son of Shah Parwiz had died at Agra. As he was somewhat grown-up, [243] and was very attached and affectionate towards his father, the latter was exceedingly grieved and wounded at heart at this event, and great bewilderment and weakness manifested themselves in him. In order to console and please him, I sent him gracious letters, and covered over the deadly wound of his heart with the balm of affection and kindness. I hope that God, the great and glorious, may grant him patience and resignation, for in this kind of calamities there can be no better driver away of grief than endurance and resignation.

On Friday, the 14th, at the request of Aqa [244] Aqayan, I went to her house. On account of her previous service and her hereditary attachment to this illustrious family, when the late king made me a married man, he took her from my sister Shah-zada Khanam, and placed her in charge of my Zanana. It is 33 years from that date that she has been in my service, and I esteem her greatly, for she has served me with sincerity. In no journey or expedition had she of her own will remained absent from attendance on me. When she felt her increasing age, she requested me to order her to remain at Delhi, and to spend the remainder of her life in prayer for me, for she had no longer the power to move about, and found it a great hardship and trouble to come and go (as she used). One of her felicities was that she was of the same age [245] as `Arsh-ashyani (Akbar). In brief, with a view to giving her rest, I ordered her to remain at Delhi, and in that place she had made for herself a garden, a saray, and a tomb, in the constructing which she has employed herself for some time past. In short, to please this ancient servitor, I went to her house, and strictly ordered Sayyid Bahwa, the governor of the city, to serve and guard her in such a manner that no dust from any road of vexation might settle on the hem of her contentment.

On this day Raja Kishan Das was promoted to the mansab of 2,000 personal and 300 horse, original and increased. As Sayyid Bahwa [246] had performed satisfactorily the duties of faujdar of Delhi, and the people of the place were much pleased with his excellent conduct, according to previous custom, the protection and administration of the city of Delhi and the faujdarship of the surrounding country were entrusted to him, and he was promoted to the mansab of 1,000 personal and 600 horse, original and increased, and he was presented with an elephant, and allowed to take leave. On Saturday, the 15th, I honoured Mirza Wali with the mansab of 2,000 and 1,000 horse, and presenting him with a standard and an elephant, appointed him to the Deccan. Shaikh `Abdu-l-Haqq Dihlawi, [247] who was a pious and estimable man, had the good fortune to pay his respects to me. He had composed a book containing the biographies of the Shaikhs of India, and produced it to me. He had endured some hardships, and for a long time had lived in Delhi in seclusion, and the practice of reliance on God, and of asceticism. He is a very worthy man, and his company is not without pleasure (for me). Bestowing various kinds of kindnesses on him, I dismissed him.

On Sunday, the 16th, I marched from Delhi, and on Friday, the 21st, halted in the pargana of Kairana. [248] This pargana is the native place of Muqarrab K. Its climate is equable and its soil good. Muqarrab had made buildings and gardens there. As I had often heard praise of his garden, I wished much to see it. On Saturday, the 22nd, I and my ladies were much pleased in going round it. Truly, it is a very fine and enjoyable garden. Within a masonry (pukhta, pucca) wall, flower-beds have been laid out to the extent of 140 bighas. In the middle of the garden he has constructed a pond, in length 220 yards, and in breadth 200 yards. In the middle of the pond is a mah-tab terrace (for use in moonlight) 22 yards square. There is no kind of tree belonging to a warm or cold climate that is not to be found in it. Of fruit-bearing trees belonging to Persia I saw green pistachio-trees, and cypresses of graceful form, such as I have never seen before. I ordered the cypresses to be counted, and they came to 300. All round the pond suitable buildings have been begun and are in progress.

On Monday, the 24th, Khanjar K., in whose charge is the Fort of Ahmadnagar, was promoted to the mansab of 2,500 personal and 1,600 horse. On Wednesday, the 26th, the Giver of Bounties gave my son Shah-Jahan a son by the daughter of Asaf Khan. He presented an offering of 1,000 muhars, and begged for a name for him. I gave him the name of Umid-bakhsh (bestower of hope). I hope his advent [249] may be auspicious to this State. On Thursday, the 27th, I halted. In these few days I was delighted with hawking the jarz [250] (bustard or florican) and tugh-dari (also a kind of bustard). I ordered the jarz-i-bur (the red bustard?) to be weighed. It came to 2 1/4 Jahangiri sirs, and the variegated (ablaq) one to 2 1/8 sirs. The large tugh-dari was 1/4 sir heavier than the jarz-i-bur. On Thursday, the 5th of the Divine month of Day, I left the boat at Akbarpur, and the victorious army then marched by land. From Agra to this halting-place, which is situated within two koss of the pargana of Buriya, [251] is by river 123 koss or 91 koss by road. I did it in 34 marches and 17 halts. In addition to this I delayed a week in leaving the city, and 12 days in sporting in Palam: altogether (I took) 70 days. On this day Jahangir Quli K. came from Bihar, and had the good fortune to pay his respects. He presented 100 muhars and Rs. 100. From the last Thursday to Wednesday, the 11th, I marched every day. On Thursday, the 12th, I was pleased with going round to see the garden of Sirhind. It is one of the old gardens, and has old trees in it. It has not the freshness it formerly had, but it is still valuable. Khwaja Waisi, who is well acquainted with agriculture and buildings, was appointed the karori of Sirhind for the purpose of keeping the garden in order. I had sent him off from Agra before I marched from the capital, and he had put it somewhat in order. I strictly enjoined him again that he should remove all the old trees that had no freshness in them, and put in fresh plants, to clean up the `irqbandi [252] (it is `iraq-bandi in the text. The word does not occur in the B.M. MS. but is in the I.O. MS.), and repair the old buildings, and erect other buildings in the shape of baths, etc., in fitting places. On this date Dust Beg, who was one of the auxiliaries of `Abdu-llah K., was promoted to the mansab of 700 personal and 50 horse, Muzaffar Husain, s. Wazir K., to that of 600 personal and 300 horse. Shaikh Qasim was sent to duty in the Deccan. On Thursday, the 19th, at the request of my auspicious son Shah-Jahan, I went to his house. On account of the birth of the son that God Almighty had bestowed on him a grand entertainment was given, and he presented offerings. Among these was a short, broad sword [253] (shamshir-i-nimcha), which was of Venetian workmanship. The hilt and fastenings were made of a sapphire [254] cut in Europe: in short, it had been beautifully made. Another offering was an elephant which the Raja of Baglana had presented to my son in Burhanpur. As that elephant was handsome and well-behaved, it was ordered to be included among the private elephants. The value of the offerings that were accepted was Rs. 130,000, and he offered about Rs. 4,000 to his mothers and benefactors. On this day Sayyid Bayazid Bukhari, faujdar of Bhakkar, sent as an offering a rang (ibex), which he had brought from the hills when it was small and brought up in his house. It pleased me greatly. Of mar-khur and hill sheep I have seen many brought up in the house, but I never saw a rang (tame). I ordered them to keep it with the Barbary goats, in order that they might pair and produce young ones. Without doubt, it is not allied to the mar-khur or the quchqar. Sayyid Bayazid was raised to the mansab of 1,000 personal and 700 horse. On Monday, the 23rd, having honoured Muqim K. with a robe of honour, a horse, an elephant, and jewelled khapwa, I appointed him to Bihar. On Sunday, the 29th, a feast was prepared for my auspicious son Shah-Jahan on the bank of the Biya (Beas), and on the same day Raja Bikramajit, who was employed in the siege of Kangra, came to Court, by order, to represent certain requirements, and had the good fortune to kiss the threshold. On Monday, the 30th, my son Shah-Jahan took ten days' leave, and hastened to Lahore in order to see the palace buildings lately erected. Raja Bikramajit was presented with a special dagger, a robe of honour, and a horse, and returned to duty on the siege of Kangra. On Wednesday, the 2nd of the Divine month of Bahman, the garden of Kalanaur was honoured by my halting there. At this place my father had ascended the throne.

When the news of the speedy arrival of Khan `Alam reached the Court, every day I sent one of my servants to meet him. I loaded him with all kinds of favours and kindnesses, and added to his rank and dignity, and I decked the headings of the farmans sent to him with an impromptu hemistich or couplet suitable to the occasion, and so filled him with favours. Once I sent him some Jahangiri (otto of roses), and this opening verse came on my tongue:

VERSE. [255]

"To thee I've sent the scent of myself.
That I may bring thee the more quickly to myself."

On Thursday, the 3rd (Bahman), at the garden of Kalanaur, Khan `Alam was honoured by kissing the threshold. By way of nazar he brought 100 muhars and Rs. 1,000, and (stated that he) would present his offerings in due course. Zambil Beg, the ambassador of my brother Shah `Abbas, was following him with the royal letter and the rarities of that country (Persia), which he had sent as presents. Of the favours and kindness conferred by my brother on Khan `Alam, if I were to write of them in detail, I should be accused of exaggeration. In conversation he always gave him the title of Khan `Alam, and never had him out of his presence. If he ever voluntarily stayed in his own quarter, he (`Abbas) would go there without ceremony, and show him more and more favour. One day there was a qamurgha hunt at Farrukhabad, and he ordered Khan `Alam to shoot with a bow. Out of good manners he brought a bow with two arrows (only). The Shah gave him 50 other arrows from his own quiver. It happened that 50 of these arrows struck the game, and two arrows missed. Then he ordered some of his attendants who had the entrée at feasts and assemblies to shoot with arrows. Most shot well. Among them Muhammad Yusuf (qarawul), shot an arrow which went through two boars, and those who were standing by broke out without control into applause. At the time Khan `Alam took his leave, he seized him in the embrace of honour, and showed him great affection. After he had left the city, he went to his halting-place, and made many apologies and bade him farewell. As for the beautiful and costly things that the Khan `Alam brought, it was indeed the assistance of his destiny that gave such rare things into his hand. Among them was the picture of the fight of Sahib Qiran (Timur) with Tuqtamish K., and the likenesses of him and his glorious children and the great Amirs who had the good fortune to be with him in that fight, and near each figure was written whose portrait it was. In this picture there were 240 figures. The painter had written his name as Khalil Mirza Shahrukhi (in the MS. it is Savaj and not Shahrukhi). The work was very complete and grand, and resembled greatly the paint-brush of Ustad Bihzad. If the name of the painter had not been written, the work would have been believed to be his. As it was executed before Bihzad's date it is probable that the latter was one of Khalil Mirza's pupils, and had adopted his style. This precious relic had been obtained from the illustrious library of Shah Isma`il (the 1st), or had come to my brother Shah `Abbas from Shah Tahmasp. A person of the name of Sadiqi, a librarian of his, had stolen it, and sold it to someone. By chance (the painting) fell into the hands of Khan `Alam at Isfahan. The Shah heard that he had found such a rare prize, and asked it of him on the pretence of looking at it. Khan `Alam tried to evade this by artful stratagems, but when he repeatedly insisted on it, he sent it to him. The Shah recognized it immediately he saw it. He kept it by him for a day, but at last, as he knew how great was our liking for such rarities, he--God be praised--made no request [256] whatever for it, but told the facts of the case (about its being stolen) to Khan `Alam, and made the picture over to him.

At the time when I sent Khan `Alam to Persia, I had sent with him a painter of the name of Bishan Das, who was unequalled in his age for taking likenesses, to take the portraits of the Shah and the chief men of his State, and bring them. He had drawn the likenesses of most of them, and especially had taken that of my brother the Shah exceedingly well, so that when I showed it to any of his servants, they said it was exceedingly well drawn.

On the same day Qasim K., with the Bakhshi and Diwan of Lahore, had the good fortune to do homage. Bishan Das, the painter, was honoured with the gift of an elephant. Baba Khwaja, who was one of the auxiliaries of Qandahar, was accorded the mansab of 1,000 personal and 550 horse. On Tuesday, the 3rd, Madaru-l-mahammi (centre of important affairs) I`timadu-d-daula made ready his army. Inasmuch as the charge of the Panjab is entrusted to his agents, and he has also various jagirs in Hindustan, he held a review of 5,000 horsemen. As the area of Kashmir is not such that its produce may suffice for the expenses of the force that is always on service with the servants of the army of prosperity, and as, in consequence of the report (of the approach) of the glorious and victorious standards, the price of grains and vegetables had risen very high, an order was given, for the comfort of the public, that those servants who were in attendance on the royal stirrup should arrange their retinues, and only taking with them those who were indispensable, should send the remainder to their jagirs, and in the same way should take every precaution to reduce as far as possible the number of their beasts and followers. On Thursday, the 10th, my fortunate son, Shah-Jahan returned from Lahore, and had the good fortune to do homage. Having honoured Jahangir Quli K. with a dress of honour, a horse and an elephant, I gave him leave to proceed with his brothers and sons to the Deccan. On this day Talib Amuli received the title of Maliku-sh-shu`ara (king of poets), and was clothed in a dress of honour. His origin was from Amul. For some time he was with I`timadu-d-daula. As the merits of his style surpassed that of his contemporaries, he was enrolled among the poets of the throne. The following couplets are by him:

VERSE. [257]

"Spring longs to rifle thy parterre.
For the flowers in thy hand are fresher than those on his
branch.
I've so closed my lips from speech that you'd say
'His mouth is but a scar on his face.'" [258]

VERSE.

"Both first and last, Love is aye music and joy--
A pleasant wine both when fresh and when mellow.

VERSE.

"Were I glass instead of body,
I'd reveal thee to thyself without thy unveiling.
Two lips have I; one for drinking,
And one to apologize for drunkenness."

On Monday, the 14th, Husaini s. Sultan Qiwam produced this quatrain:

QUATRAIN.

"A speck of dust sprinkled on thee from thy skirt
Becomes Solomon's collyrium; from the moisture of thy face [259]
Were the earth at thy door examined,
The sweat of kings' brows would exude."

At this time Mu`tamid K. repeated a quatrain which greatly pleased me, and which I entered in my common-place book:

QUATRAIN. [260]

"You give me the poison of parting to taste, (and say) 'What
matters it?'
You shed my blood and expel me (and say), 'What matters it?'
O, heedless of what your dividing sword can do,
Sift my dust and then you'll know."

Talib (i.e., Baba Talib) is by family an Isfahani. In his early youth he went to Kashmir clothed as an ascetic and calendar, and from the beauty of the place and the pleasantness of the climate set his heart on the country and settled there. After the conquest of Kashmir he joined the service of the late king (Akbar), and became enrolled among the servants of the Presence. His age is now nearly 100 years, and he is now with his sons and dependants in Kashmir, engaged in praying for the everlasting State.

As it was reported to me that in Lahore one Miyan Shaikh Muhammad Mir by name, who was a Darvish, a Sindi by origin, very eloquent, virtuous, austere, of auspicious temperament, a lord of ecstasy, had seated himself in the corner of reliance upon God and retirement, and was rich in his poverty and independent of the world, my truth-seeking mind was not at rest without meeting him, and my desire to see him increased. As it was impossible to go to Lahore, I wrote a note to him, and explained to him the desire of my heart, and that saint, notwithstanding his great age and weakness, took the trouble to come. I sate with him for a long time alone, and enjoyed a thorough interview with him. Truly he is a noble personage, and in this Age he is a great gain and a delightful existence. This suppliant for Grace was taken out of himself by companionship with him, [261] and heard from him sublime words of truth and religious knowledge. Although I desired to make him some gift, I found that his spirit was too high for this, and so did not express my wish. I left him the skin of a white antelope to pray upon, and he immediately bade me farewell and went back to Lahore.

On Wednesday, the 23rd, I pitched my camp at Daulatabad. A daughter of a gardener was brought before me who had a moustache and a thick beard as big as the hilt of a sword. Her appearance was like that of a man. There was hair in the middle of her chest as well, but she had no breasts. [262] I discovered by her appearance that she ought not to have children. I told some women to take her aside and examine her, as perhaps she might be a hermaphrodite. They found she was in no way different from other women. I have recorded this in this volume on account of its strangeness.

On Thursday, the 24th, Baqir K., having come from Multan, had the good fortune to pay his respects. In the preceding pages it has been recorded that Allah-dad, s. Jalala Tariki, had deserted from the victorious army and taken the road to ruin. He now repented, and through Baqir K. petitioned I`timadu-d-daula for pardon. At the latter's request I ordered that if he repented of what he had done, and turned his face in hope towards the Court, his crimes would be forgiven. On this day Baqir K. brought him to Court, and at the intercession of I`timadu-d-daula, the traces of disgrace and the dust of sorrow were washed off his forehead with the pure water of pardon. Sangram, Zamindar of Jammu, was honoured with the title of Raja and the mansab of 1,000 personal and 500 horse, and was exalted with the gift of an elephant and a dress of honour. Ghairat K., faujdar of the Du-ab, was promoted to the mansab of 800 personal and 500 horse. Khwaja Qasim received the rank of 700 and 250 horse, and Taham-tan Beg, s. Qasim Koka, received that of 500 personal and 300 horse. I gave Khan `Alam a private elephant with trappings. From this stage, having given Baqir K. the mansab of 1,500 personal and 500 horse, I dismissed him again to his Subadarship.

On Monday, the 28th, I pitched in the pargana of Karohi, which is on the bank of the Bihat (Jhelam). As this hilly country is one of the established hunting-places, the huntsmen, according to order, had come on in advance and prepared a jarga (ring in which game is enclosed). On Wednesday, the 1st of the Divine month of Isfandarmuz, they drove in the game from six koss. On Thursday, the 2nd, they brought them into the enclosure, where 101 head of mountain sheep and gazelles were taken. As Mahabat K. had been prevented from the good fortune of coming before me for a long time, I ordered, at his request, that if he was satisfied with the order of affairs, and was not troubled with regard to any occurrence, he should leave his forces at their posts (thanas), and come to Court unattended. On this day he had the good fortune to kiss the threshold, and presented 100 muhars as nazar. Khan `Alam was promoted to the mansab of 5,000 personal and 3,000 horse. About this time a written report came from Nuru-d-din Quli that he had repaired the Punch road, and levelled the defiles as far as possible, but that snow fell for some days and nights, and lay on the kotals to the depth of three cubits. It was still falling, and if I would delay outside the hills for a month, I could cross by that route, otherwise it appeared difficult. As my intention in this undertaking was to see the spring and the sprouting of bloom, my chance of seeing this was lost by this delay, and I necessarily turned my rein, and the royal standards proceeded by the way of Pakli and Damtur. On Friday, the 3rd, I crossed the River Bihat (Jhelam), although the water was waist-deep. As it was running very fast, and men crossed with great trouble, I ordered them to take 200 elephants to the fords, and cross the effects of the people over, and take across as well those who were weak and feeble, so that there might be no loss of life or goods.

On this day news arrived of the death of Khwaja Jahan. He was one of the old servants, and from the time when I was prince. Although at last he left my service, and was for some time in that of my father, yet as he had not gone to any strange place, this did not weigh heavily on my mind. Accordingly, after my accession, I did him such kindness as he had never conceived possible, and gave him the mansab of 5,000 personal and 3,000 horse. I take this opportunity to record in this volume an account of his idiosyncrasy. He became practised in great affairs and acquired a wonderful skill in business. His capabilities were the result of labour, and he was void of natural ability, and of the other qualities which are the adornment of men's nature. On this journey he suffered from heart-failure, but for some days, in spite of illness and breakdown, he kept up with the march. When his weakness increased, he was allowed to go back at Kalanaur, and went to Lahore, and there died a natural death. [263]

On Saturday, the 4th of the aforesaid month, the camp was pitched at the Fort of Rohtas (in the Panjab). I favoured Qasim K. with a horse, a sword, and a special shawl (parm-narm, literally very soft, and Akbar's name for a shawl, see Blochmann, 90). I gave him leave to go to Lahore. There was a small garden by the roadside, and I inspected the blossoms.

At this stage tihu [264] were obtained. The flesh of the tihu is better than that of the partridge (kabak).

On Sunday, the 5th, M. Hasan s. Mirza Rustam, was promoted to the rank of 1,000 with 400 horse, and was appointed to the Deccan. Khwaja `Abdu-l-Latif, the chief fowler, also received the rank of 1,000 with 400 horse. At this place I saw a flower, white inside, and red outside, while some of them were red inside and yellow outside. In Persian they call it La`la-i-bigana, and in Hindi thal kanal. Thal means land, and as the lotus (kanal) is an aquatic plant, they have called this land-lotus. [265]

On Thursday, the 9th, a report came from Dilawar K., Governor of Kashmir, containing the good news of the conquest of Kishtwar. Details will be recorded by the pen of the newswriter after he (Dilawar) comes to the foot of the throne. I sent him a gracious farman with a special dress of honour and a jewelled dagger, and granted him the revenue of the conquered province for a year, as a reward for this acceptable service. On Tuesday, the 14th, I halted at Hasan Abdal. As the occurrences on this road and particulars of the stages have been related in detail in the account of the expedition to Kabul, I shall not repeat them. From this place as far as Kashmir, they will be written stage by stage, please Almighty God. From the date on which, disembarking from a boat, I reached Akbarpur in safety and prosperity, up to Hasan Abdal, a distance of 178 koss, I took 69 days in 48 marches and 21 halts. [266] As at this place there is a spring full of water, and a cascade, and a very beautiful reservoir, I halted here two days, and on Thursday, the 16th (Isfandarmuz), the feast of my lunar weighing took place. The 53rd year, according to lunar calculation, of this suppliant at the throne commenced auspiciously. As beyond this stage, hills, passes, and many ups and downs were before us, the passage of the camp appeared a difficult matter, and it was settled that H. M. Maryamu-z-zamani and the other Begams should delay for some days, and come on at leisure. Madaru-l-mulk I`timadu-d-daula al-Khaqani, Sadiq K. Bakhshi, and Iradat K. Mir-Saman, with the directors of the buildings and other offices, should attend to their transit. At the same time Rustam Mirza Safawi, Khan-A`zam, and a number of other servants, obtained leave to go by the Punch road, while the royal retinue went on with some privileged courtiers (manzuran-i-bisat-i-qarb) and the necessary servants. On Friday, the 17th, we marched 3 1/2 koss, and halted at the village of Sultanpur. [267] On this day came the news of the death of Rana Amar Singh, who had died a natural death at Udaipur (become a traveller on the road of non-existence). Jagat Singh, his grandson, and Bhim, [268] his son, who were in attendance on me, were presented with dresses of honour, and an order was given that Raja Kishan Das should proceed with a gracious farman conferring the title of Rana, a dress of honour, a horse, and a private elephant for Kunar Karan, to perform the dues of condolence and congratulation. I heard [269] from people of this country that when it is not the rainy season, and there is no sign of a cloud or lightning, a noise like the voice of the clouds comes from this hill, which they called Garj (thunder). This noise is heard every year or at least every two years. I had repeatedly heard of this also when I was in attendance on the late king. I have written this as it is not devoid of strangeness, [270] but wisdom is from Allah. On Saturday, the 18th, marching 4 1/2 koss, I halted at the village of Sanji. From this stage I entered the pargana of Hazara Qarlugh. [271] On Sunday, the 19th, marching 3 3/4 koss, I halted at the village of Naushahra. [272] From this place we entered Dhantur. As far as the eye could reach there were green meadows [273] interspersed with the thal-kanwal (hibiscus) and other flowers in bloom. It was a very beautiful sight. On Monday, the 20th, marching 3 1/2 koss, the camp was pitched at the village of Salhar. [274] Mahabat K. presented as offerings jewels and inlaid vessels to the value of Rs. 60,000. In this country I saw a flower of the redness of fire, of the shape of gul-i-khatmi, [275] but smaller, and several flowers blooming together in one place, looked from a distance as if they were one flower. Its stem is of the size of the apricot-tree. On the hill-slopes here there are many wild violets, [276] with a very sweet scent, but paler than the violet. On Tuesday, the 21st, marching 3 koss, I halted at the village of Malgalli. [277] On this day I dismissed Mahabat K. to his duty in Bangash, and conferred on him a special elephant and dress of honour with a pustin (sheepskin coat). This day there was a drizzling rain till the end of the march. On the eve of Wednesday, the 22nd, also there was rain. In the morning snow fell, and as most of the roads had become very slippery, the weak animals fell in every place, and could not rise again, and 25 of my own elephants were lent to assist [278] them. I halted for two days on account of the snow. On Thursday, the 23rd, Sultan Husain, Zamindar of Pakli, had the good fortune to pay his respects: this is the entrance to the Pakli country. It is a strange thing that when H. M. Akbar came here it snowed at this stage, and it has now snowed as well. For many years no snow has fallen, and there has even been little rain. On Friday, the 24th, I marched 4 koss and pitched at the village of Sawadnagar. [279] On this road, too there was much mud. [280] Apricot and peach trees were blooming on all sides, and fir-trees like cypresses rejoiced the eye. On Saturday, the 25th, having marched nearly 3 1/2 koss, the camp was pitched near Pakli. On Sunday, the 26th, I rode out to hunt partridges (kabak), and at the end of the day, at the request of Sultan Husain, went to his house, and increased his dignity among his equals and neighbours. H. M. Akbar had also gone to his house. He offered several kinds of horses, daggers, hawks, and falcons. I presented him with the horses and daggers. I ordered the hawks and falcons to be got ready [281] (kamar bar basta), and shown everything that might fly up. The Sarkar of Pakli is 35 koss in length and 25 in breadth. On the east, on two sides, is the hill country of Kashmir; on the west, Atak Benares (Atak); on the north, Kator; and on the south, the Gakkar country. At the time when Timur, after conquering Hindustan, turned his rein backwards towards the capital of Turan, they say that he placed in these regions this body of people, who were in attendance on the victorious stirrup. They say themselves that they are Qarlughs, but do not know for certain who was their leader at that time. In fact, they are pure Lahauris, and speak the same language. The people of Dhantur think the same thing. In the time of my father, one of the name of Shahrukh was Zamindar of Dhantur; now it is Bahadur, his son. Although they are all related to one another, there are always disputes, as is usual with Zamindars, about boundaries. They have always been loyal. Sultan Mahmud, the father of Sultan Husain and Shahrukh, both came to wait on me when I was prince. Although Sultan Husain is seventy years old, to all outward appearance there is no diminution in his powers, and he can still ride and be as active as possible. In this country they make buza (a beverage) from bread and rice, which they call sar. [282] It is much stronger than buza, and the older it is the better. This sar is their chief sustenance. They put this sar into a jar, and fastening it up, keep it for two or three years in the house. Then they take off the scum and call the liquor achhi. The achhi can be kept for ten years, and according to them, the older it is the better, and the shortest time in which they use it is a year. Sultan Mahmud used to take cup after cup of this sar; nay! he would drink a jar of it. Sultan Husain is also addicted to it, and brought me some of his choicest quality. I took some in order to try it. I had also drunk it before. Its intoxicating effects are aphrodisiac, but its taste is harsh. It appeared that they mix some bhang (bang) with it, which increases its intoxicating power. If there were no wine, it could in case of necessity be used as a substitute. The fruits are apricots, peaches, and pears (?) (amrud). As they do not cultivate them, but they spring up of themselves, they are harsh-flavoured and unpleasant. Their blossoms are a joy. Their houses are of wood, and are built after the Kashmiri fashion. They have hawks, and horses, camels, cattle, and buffaloes, and many goats and fowls. Their mules are small and are not fit for heavy loads. As it was represented to me that some stages farther on the cultivation was not such as to provide sufficient grain for the royal camp, I gave an order that they should only take a small advanced camp, sufficient for our needs and the necessary establishments, and diminish the number of elephants, and take with them provisions for three or four days; that they should take with them only some of the immediate attendants on the royal stirrup, and that the rest of the men should come on some stages behind under the command of Khwaja Abu-l-Hasan, the Bakhshi. In spite of precautions and injunctions, it was found necessary to have 700 elephants for the advanced camp and the establishments.

The mansab of Sultan Husain was 400 personal and 300 horse; I now promoted him to 600 personal and 350 horse, and conferred on him a robe of honour, a jewelled dagger, and an elephant. Bahadur Dhanturi was an auxiliary of the army of Bangash. An order was given that he should hold the mansab, original and increased, of 200 personal and 100 horse. On Wednesday, the 27th, having marched 5 1/4 koss, and crossing by bridges the Nainsukh, [283] I chose a halting-place. This Nainsukh (repose of the eyes) flows from the North, and comes down from the hills of Dard [284] (?), which is between the country of Badakhshan and Tibet. As at this place it forms two branches, they had, according to order, prepared two wooden bridges for the crossing of the victorious army, one 18 cubits and the other 14 cubits in length, with a breadth each of 5 cubits. The way in which they make bridges in this country is to throw pine-trees [285] on the surface of the water, and fasten the two ends strongly to rocks, and having thrown on to these thick planks of wood, make them firm with pegs and ropes, and these, with a little repair, last for years. Briefly, they made the elephants ford, whilst the horsemen and foot passed over by the bridge. Sultan Mahmud called this river Nainsukh--that is, "Repose of the eye." On Thursday, the 30th, having marched about 3 1/2 koss, a halt was made on the bank of the Kishan Ganga. On this road there is a kotal of great height, the ascent being 1 koss, and the descent 1 1/2 koss, which they call Pim darang. The reason for this name is that in the language of Kashmir they call cotton (pamba) pim. As the rulers of Kashmir had placed a superintendent there, who took duties from loads of cotton, and delay takes place here for the collection of the duty, it has become known as the Pim darang [286] (cotton delay). After traversing the pass, there is a very fine and clear waterfall. Having drunk my usual cups on the edge of the water in the shade of the trees, I went on to my halting-place in the evening. There was an old bridge over this river, 54 yards long and 1 1/2 yards wide, which footmen crossed by. According to orders, another bridge was prepared parallel to this, in length 53 yards and breadth 3 yards. As the water was deep and swift, they took the elephants across without loads, and the footmen and horses crossed by the bridge. By order of my father, a very strong saray of stone and lime was erected on the top of the ridge overlooking the river. One day before New Year's Day we had sent Mu`tamid K. forward to select a spot for the placing of the throne and preparing the New Year's entertainment. This had to be lofty and choice. By chance, as he crossed the bridge, there was a ridge overlooking the water, green and pleasant. On the top of this was a flat place of 50 cubits which one might say the rulers of fate had specially prepared for such a day. The aforesaid officer had made ready everything necessary for the New Year's feast on the top of that ridge, which was much approved. Mu`tamid K. was much applauded for this. The river Kishan Ganga comes from the south [287] and flows northwards. The Bihat (Jhelam) comes from the East, and joining the Kishan Ganga, flows to the North.

THE FIFTEENTH NEW YEAR'S FEAST AFTER THE AUSPICIOUS ACCESSION