Chapter VIII: Part 8

On this day the joy-enhancing news of the conquest of the fort of Kangra rejoiced our mind. In thankfulness for this great boon and important victory, which was one of the renewed favours of the Bestower of Gifts, I bowed the head of humility at the throne of the merciful Creator, and beat with loud sounds the drum of gladness and pleasure. Kangra is an ancient fort to the North of Lahore, situated in the midst of the hill country, famous for its strength and the difficulty of conquering it. Who was the founder of this fort God only knows. The belief of the Zamindars of the province of the Panjab is that, during this period the said fort has never passed to any other tribe, and no stranger has stretched out to it the hand of dominion. Wisdom is from Allah! But certainly from the time when the voice of Islam and the sound of the established religion of Muhammad reached Hindustan, not one of the Sultans of lofty dignity has obtained the victory over it. Sultan Firuz-shah, with all his power and might, himself went to conquer it, and besieged it for a long time. As he knew that the strength of the fort was such that as long as the means for holding it and provisions were with the besieged, victory over them was unattainable, nolens volens he was contented with the coming of the Raja to pay his respects to him, and withheld his hand. They say that the Raja prepared an offering and an entertainment, and at his request took the Sultan inside the fort. The Sultan, after going round and inspecting it, said to the Raja that to bring a king like him inside the fort was not according to the dictates of caution. What could he do if the body of men who were in attendance were to attack him and take possession of the fort? The Raja made a sign to his men, and instantaneously an army of valiant men armed and accoutred, came out from a concealed place and saluted the Sultan. The Sultan became suspicious and anxious about an attack from these men, and suspected some stratagem. The Raja came forward and kissed the ground of service, and said: "I have no thought but that of service and obedience, but as has been spoken by the auspicious tongue, I observe far-sighted caution, for all times are not the same." The Sultan applauded him. The Raja, having accompanied him for some stages, obtained leave to return. After this, whoever sat on the throne of Delhi sent an army to subdue Kangra, but the thing went no further. My revered father also sent a large army once under the leadership of Husain Quli K., who, after approved service, was honoured with the title of Khan Jahan. Whilst the siege was in progress, the outbreak of Ibrahim Husain Mirza took place. That ingrate fled from Gujarat, and raised the flag of rebellion and calamity towards the Panjab. Khan Jahan was compelled to raise the siege, and to turn to extinguish the flame of his sedition. Thus the acquisition of the fort fell into the knot of delay. The thought was continually lurking in the royal mind: "The longed-for Fair one does not show her face from the secret place of Destiny." When by the Grace of the Glorious God the throne of the State was adorned by the existence of this suppliant, this was one of the holy wars which I considered incumbent on me. In the first instance I dispatched Murtaza K., who was governor of the Panjab, with a force of brave men skilled in war, to conquer the fort. This important matter had not been completed when Murtaza K. attained to the mercy of God (died). After this Jauhar Mal, [455] s. Raja Baso, undertook this duty. I sent him, giving him the command of the army. That wicked one, taking to evil revolt and ingratitude, committed sin, and dispersion found its way into that army, and the acquisition of the fort fell into the knot of delay. No long time elapsed before that ingrate received the recompense of his deeds and went to hell, as has been described in its own place. [456] In fine, at this time Khurram undertook that duty, and sent his own servant Sundar [457] with all haste, and many of the royal servants obtained leave to go to his support. On the 16th Shawwal, A.H. 1029, (5 September, 1620), the armies, having invested the fort, erected batteries. Looking to the ways of entrance into and exit from the fort with the eye of caution, they closed the road for the entrance of provisions. By degrees the besieged became straitened, and when there remained in the fort no grain that they could eat, for four months more they boiled dry grasses [458] with salt and ate it. When destruction was imminent, and no hope of escape was left, they asked for quarter and surrendered the fort.

On Thursday, the 1st Muharram, A.H. 1030, [459] Hijri (16 November, 1620), the victory unattainable by all preceding Sultans of lofty dignity, and which appeared distant to the short-sighted, God Almighty of His own grace and mercy granted to this suppliant. The troops, who had displayed praiseworthy activity in this service, were exalted according to their exertions and fitness by increase of mansab and dignities.

On Thursday, the 11th, I went, at the request of Khurram, to his newly-built house. I took those of his offerings that pleased me. Three elephants were placed in the private stud. On the same day I appointed `Abdu-l-`Aziz K. Naqshbandi to the faujdarship of the district of Kangra, and his mansab was fixed at 2,000 personal and 1,500 horse. I gave a private elephant to I`tiqad K. Alf K. Qiyam-khani K. obtained leave to take charge of the fort of Kangra, and his mansab, original and increased, was fixed at 1,500 personal and 1,000 horse. Shaikh Faizu-llah, son-in-law of Murtaza K., was appointed in company with him to stay at the top of the fort (bala-i-qil`a).

On the night of Saturday, the 13th of the same month, a lunar eclipse took place. Having performed the dues of humility at the throne of the highest and most powerful God, cash and goods were distributed by way of charity among the faqirs and poor, and deserving people. On this day Zambil Beg, ambassador of the ruler of Persia, had the good fortune to kiss the threshold. After performing salutation, he laid before me the gracious letter of that brother of high degree, containing expressions of sincerity and perfect friendship. He presented 12 `Abbasi [460] (coin) as nazar, four horses with trappings, three tuyghun (white) falcons, five mules, five camels, nine bows, and nine scimitars. The Shah had given him leave, in company with Khan `Alam, but for certain necessary matters he could not come with him. On this day he arrived at Court. I presented him with a superb dress of honour, with a plume and a jewelled turban fringe, and a jewelled dagger. Wisal Beg and Haji Ni`mat, who had come with him, were honoured by waiting on me. Amanu-llah, s. Mahabat K., was promoted to the mansab, original and increased, of 2,000 and 1,500 horse. At the request of Mahabat K., I added 300 horse to the mansab of Mubariz K. Afghan, and brought it up to 2,000 personal and 1,700 horse. One hundred horse were also added to the mansab of Kabak [461] (?). I sent winter dresses of honour to `Abdu-llah K. and Lashkar K. At the request of Qasim K. I went to his garden in the neighbourhood of the city, and in the course of the procession, scattered 10,000 charans (4-anna pieces). Out of his offerings I selected one ruby and one diamond, and some cloths.

On the night of Sunday, the 21st, the advanced camp proceeded auspiciously and happily towards Agra. Barq-andaz K. was appointed superintendent of artillery with the army of the Deccan. Shaikh Ishaq (Isaac) was appointed to duty at Kangra. The brother of Allah-dad, the Afghan, I released from prison, and made him a present of Rs. 10,000. I gave also a tuyghun falcon to Khurram. On Thursday, the 26th, the usual entertainment took place. The presents from the ruler of Persia, which had been sent by Zambil Beg, were laid before me. I gave an elephant to Sultan Husain, and made a present of Rs. 1,000 to Mulla Muhammad Kashmiri. [462] The mansab of Sardar Afghan, at the request of Mahabat K., was fixed at 1,000 personal and 400 horse. As Raja Rup Chand of Gwalior [463] had been very active in his service at Kangra, an order was given to the chief diwans to hand over half of his native place to him in free gift, and the remaining half as a tankhwah jagir.

On the 3rd I demanded in marriage for my son Shahriyar the daughter's daughter [464] of Madaru-l-mulk I`timadu-d-daula, and sent Rs. 100,000 in cash and goods by way of sachaq (dowry given as part of the marriage rites). Most of the Amirs and the chief servants went to his house with gifts. He prepared a grand entertainment with much ceremony. It is hoped that it may be auspicious to him. As that Chief of the State had erected lofty buildings, and highly decorated bowers in his house, he invited me to an entertainment. I went there with the ladies. He had prepared a great feast, and laid before me appropriate offerings of all kinds. In order to please him, I took such as I approved of. On this day Rs. 50,000 were presented to Zambil Beg, the ambassador. The mansab of Zabar-dast K. was fixed at 1,000 personal and 500 horse, original and increased. Maqsud, brother of Qasim K., was promoted to the mansab of 500 personal and 300 horse, and Mirza Dakhani, s. Mirza Rustam, to that of 500 personal and 200 horse.

At this auspicious time [465] when the standards of victory and conquest were in Kashmir, the province of eternal spring, happily employed in sight-seeing and sport, representations constantly came from the officials in the Southern territories to the effect that when the victorious standards went to a distance from the centre of the Khalifate, the rulers of the Deccan, owing to their wickedness, broke their promises and raised their heads by giving trouble and exciting sedition, and placing their feet beyond their own boundary, took possession of many of the districts of Ahmadnagar and Berar. It was constantly reported that the chief object of these evil-fortuned ones was to plunder and ruin the cultivated fields and the grazing-lands. When at the first time the world-opening standards had proceeded to the conquest of the regions of the south and the overthrow of that band, and Khurram, with the vanguard, had gone to Burhanpur, they, by feline tricks suitable to such seditious people, made him their intercessor and evacuated the royal dominions. They also sent by way of tribute large sums in cash and goods, and promised that they would not let loose from their hands the rope of service, and would not place their feet beyond the boundary of respect, as has been recorded in the preceding pages. At the request of Khurram, I had halted for a few days at the Fort of Shadi'abad Mandu, and at his intercession, and on their humiliation and bewailing, they were pardoned.

As they had now broken their agreement through evil disposition and quarrelsomeness, and had turned back from the way of obedience and service, I sent off the hosts of good fortune again under his leadership, that they might receive retribution for their evil deeds, and be an example to all those of crooked fortune and turned heads. But as the important business of Kangra had been entrusted to him, he had sent most of his experienced men there. For some days, accordingly, he could not arrange the matter. At last, report followed on report one after another, that the enemy had gathered strength, and that nearly 60,000 vagabond horsemen had collected together and taken possession of royal territory, and wherever there were posts, had removed them, and joined together in the town of Mahakar. For three months the imperialists had passed their days in strife and fighting with their rascally enemies, and during this time three pitched battles had taken place, and each time the self-sacrificing servants (of the State) had proved superior to the evil-fortuned rebels. As grain and provisions could not reach the camp by any road, and the enemy was plundering on all sides of the army of good fortune, a great scarcity of grain resulted, and the animals were in bad plight. Having no choice, they came down from the Balaghat, and took up their position at Balapur. The rebels, waxing valiant in their pursuit, engaged in plundering in the neighbourhood of Balapur. Of the servants of the Court 6,000 or 7,000 horsemen, well mounted, were selected, and they made an attack on the enemy's camp. They (the enemy) numbered about 60,000 cavalry. Briefly, a great fight took place, and their camp was plundered. Having killed and taken prisoners many of them, they returned in safety and with plunder. When they turned back those wretches again attacked them from all sides, and they came on, fighting as far as the camp. On both sides about 1,000 were killed. After this fight they (the imperialists) remained about four months at Balapur. When the scarcity of grain became excessive, many of the qulaqchis (servants) ran away and joined the enemy, and constantly bands of them, taking to the road of disloyalty, were enrolled among the rebels. On this account, not considering it advisable to delay any longer, they (the imperialists) came to Burhanpur. Again, those wretches followed them and besieged Burhanpur, and they were six months shut up there. Many parganas of the provinces of Berar and Khandesh passed into their possession, and they stretched out the hand of oppression over the cultivators and poor, and engaged in collecting the revenues. As the army had undergone great hardships and the animals had fallen into bad condition, they could not leave the city to inflict substantial punishment. Thus the pride and conceit of those short-sighted ones became greater. Just at this time the royal standards returned to the capital, and by the grace of God Kangra was conquered.

Accordingly, on Friday, the 4th of Dai, I despatched Khurram in that direction, bestowing on him a dress of honour, a sword, and an elephant. Nur Jahan Begam also gave him an elephant. I told him after he had conquered the province of the Deccan he should take as a reward two [466] crores of dams from the conquered country. 650 mansabdars, 1,000 Ahadis, 1,000 Turkish musketeers, and 1,000 [467] gunners on foot, in addition to the 31,000 horse already in that quarter, and a large force of artillery, and many elephants, were appointed to accompany him. I also gave him a crore of rupees for the expenses of the victorious army. The servants (of the Court) who were appointed on this duty received each, according to his standing as a reward, horses, elephants, and dresses of honour.

At the same auspicious hour and favourable time, the standards of the expedition were turned toward Agra, and a halt was made at Naushahr. [468] Muhammad Riza Jabiri was appointed Diwan to Bengal, and Khwaja Mulki to the post of Bakhshi in the same, and were promoted in mansab. Jagat Singh, s. Rana Karan, came from his native place, and had the good fortune to kiss the threshold. On the 6th of the same month the open space on the bank of Raja Todar Mal's tank [469] became the alighting place of the Court of good fortune. Here I halted for four days. On this day some of the mansabdars who had obtained leave to go to the conquest of the Deccan were promoted as follows: Zahid K. held the mansab of 1,000 and 400 horse; he received that of 1,000 and 500 horse; Hardi Narayan Hada I promoted to 900 and 600 horse, original and increased; Ya`qub, s. Khan Dauran, was given that of 800 and 400 horse, and in the same manner a great number of the servants of the State received increase of mansab according to their capabilities. Mu`tamid K. was appointed to the post of Bakhshi and newswriter to the royal army, and was honoured with a tugh. The offering of Lachmi Chand, Raja of Kumaon, consisting of hawks and falcons and other hunting animals, was brought before me. Jagat Singh, s. Rana Karan, obtained leave to proceed as an auxiliary to the army of the Deccan, being presented with a private horse and saddle. Raja Rup Chand, having been honoured with the gift of an elephant and a horse, took leave to go to his jagir. On the 12th my son Khan Jahan (Lodi) was made governor of Multan, and was given leave. There were conferred on him a complete dress together with a nadiri (a robe of Jahangir's invention), a jewelled dagger, a special elephant with trappings, a female elephant, a special horse of the name of Khadang (i.e., Arrow), and a pair of hawks. Sayyid Hizabr K. held the mansab of 1,000 and 400 horse. Increasing these by 500 and 200 horse, I gave him leave to accompany Khan Jahan. Muhammad Shafi` was appointed Bakhshi and newswriter to the Subah of Multan. Bhawal (or Bahwal), who was one of the old servants, was made Ashraf-i-tup-khana (head of the artillery?), and received the title of Ray. On the 13th the bank of the river Gobindwal became the camp of the army of prosperity, and a halt of four days was made. A special elephant called Jai Singh, with a female, were given to Mahabat K., and sent to him by Safiyya his servant. Robes of honour were also forwarded to the Amirs of the Subah of Bangash by `Isa Beg.

On the 17th [470] the feast of my lunar weighing took place. As Mu`tamid K. had been appointed Bakhshi to the army of the Deccan and given leave, the post of `Arz-muqarrir was given to Khwaja Qasim. Mir Sharaf was made Bakhshi of the Ahadis, and Fazil Beg made Bakhshi of the Panjab. As Bahadur K., governor of Qandahar, in consequence of a disease in his eyes, had requested to be allowed to kiss the threshold, entrusting the government of Qandahar this day to `Abdu-l-`Aziz K., an order was issued to Bahadur K., that when he arrived he should hand over the fort to him and come himself to Court. On the 21st of the same month I took up my quarters at Nur-saray. [471] At this spot the Vakils of Nur Jahan Begam had built a lofty house, and made a royal garden. It was now completed. On this account the Begam, having begged for an entertainment, prepared a grand feast, and by way of offering, with great pains produced all kinds of delicate and rare things. In order to please her, I took what I approved. I halted two days at this place. It was settled that the officials of the Panjab should send Rs. 200,000, in addition to the Rs. 60,000 already ordered for provisions for the fort of Qandahar. Mir Qiwamu-d-din, the diwan of the Panjab, obtained leave to go to Lahore, and received a dress of honour. Qasim K., with a view to punish the seditious in the neighbourhood of Kangra, and to preserve order in those regions, was given leave to go, and I presented him with a special nadiri, a horse, a dagger, and an elephant. His mansab, original and increased, was fixed at 2,000 personal and 500 horse. At his request, I allowed Raja Sangram (of Jammu) to proceed to that region, conferring on him a robe of honour, a horse, and an elephant.

On Thursday the camp was pitched outside the town of Sihrind. I halted one day, and amused myself with going round the garden. On Sunday, the 4th, Abu-l-Hasan was sent on service for the conquest of the Deccan. A dress of honour, with a nadiri, a special shawl, an elephant named Subh-dam (breath of morn), a horsetail banner, and drums, being given him. I gave leave to Mu`tamid K., presenting him with a dress of honour, and a special horse called Subh-i-sadiq (the true dawn). On the 7th of the same month the bank of the river Sarasati (Saraswati) was the place of encampment of good fortune in the neighbourhood of the qasba of mustafa'abad. The next day I encamped at Akbarpur, [472] whence I sat in a boat on the river Jumna, to reach my object. On this day `Izzat K. Chachi, [473] with the faujdar of that region, had the good fortune to kiss the threshold. Giving Muhammad Shafi` leave to proceed to Multan, I presented him with a horse, a dress of honour, and a nur-shahi muhar, and sent by him a special turban (chira) to Khan Jahan, my son (farzand).

Thence, in five marches, I reached the pargana of Kirana, the native country of Muqarrab K., and the Court encamped there. By way of offering, his Vakils laid before me 91 rubies [474] and 4 diamonds, 1,000 gaz of mikhmal (satin) as a pa-andaz (foot-carpet), with a petition from him, presenting also 100 camels as charity. I ordered them to be distributed among deserving people. From this place, in five marches Delhi became the halting-place of the standards of good fortune I sent It`imadu-d-daula to my fortunate son Shah Parwiz with a special farji (a dress), for him, and it was settled that he should return in the space of one month and wait on me. Having halted for two days at Salimgarh, on Thursday, the 23rd, I passed through the district of Delhi with the intention of hunting in the pargana of Palam, and halted on the bank of the Shamsi tank. On the road I scattered 4,000 charans (Rs. 1,000) with my own hand. Twenty-two elephants, male and female, had arrived from Bengal as an offering from Allah-yar, s. Iftikhar K., and were passed before me.

Zu-l-Qarnain [475] obtained leave to proceed to the faujdarship of Sambhar. He is the son of Iskandar, the Armenian, and his father had the good fortune to be in the service of `Arsh-ashyani (Akbar), who gave him in marriage the daughter of `Abdu-l-Hayy, [476] the Armenian, who was in service in the royal harem. By her he had two sons. One was Zu-l-Qarnain, who was intelligent and fond of work, and to him, during my reign, the chief diwans had entrusted the charge of the government salt works at Sambhar, a duty which he performed efficiently. He was now appointed to the faudjarship of that region. He is an accomplished composer of Hindi songs. His method in this art was correct, and his compositions were frequently brought to my notice and were approved. La`l Beg [477] was selected for the daroghahship of the records in the place of Nuru-d-din Quli. I passed four days pleasantly in sporting in the neighbourhood of Palam and returned to Salimgarh. On the 29th, 19 elephants, 2 eunuchs, [478] 1 slave, 41 [479] fighting cocks, 12 bullocks, and 7 buffaloes were brought before me as offerings from Ibrahim K. Fath-jang. On Thursday, the 30th, corresponding with the 25th Rabi`u-l-awwal, the ceremony of my lunar weighing [480] was performed. I had sent Koka K. to the Khan-khanan, and forwarded some messages by him. On this day a petition from him arrived. Mir Miran, who had been appointed to the faujdarship of Mewat, on this day came and paid his respects, and was dignified with the governorship of Delhi, in the room of Sayyid Bahwa.

On this day Aqa Beg and Muhibb `Ali, the envoys of the ruler of Persia, paid their respects, and presented a loving letter from that noble brother, together with a black and white plume (kalgi-i-ablaq), valued by the jewellers at Rs. 50,000. My brother also sent me a ruby weighing 12 tanks, [481] which had belonged to the jewel-chamber of M. Ulugh Beg, the successor of M. Shah-rukh. In the course of time, and by the revolutions of fate, it had come into the hands of the Safawi family. On this ruby there were engraved in the Naskh [482] character the words: "Ulugh Beg b. M. Shah-rukh Bahadur b. Mir Timur Gurgan." My brother, Shah `Abbas, directed that in another corner they should cut the words:

Banda-i-Shah-i-Wilayat [483] `Abbas
"The slave of the King of Holiness, `Abbas."

in the Nasta`liq character. He had this ruby inserted in a jigha (turban ornament), and sent to me as a souvenir. As the ruby bore the names of my ancestors, I took it as a blessing for myself, and bade Sa`ida, the superintendent of the goldsmith's department, engrave in another corner the words "Jahangir Shah b. Akbar Shah," and the current date. After some days, when the news of the conquest of the Deccan arrived, I gave that ruby to Khurram, and sent it to him.

On Saturday, the 1st of Isfandarmuz, I marched from Salimgarh, and going first to the glorious mausoleum of Humayun (may the lights of Allah be his testimony!), performed the dues of humility, and presented 2,000 quarter rupees (charan) to those who sat in seclusion in that pure cemetery. I encamped twice on the bank of the Jumna in the environs of the city. Sayyid Hizabr K., [484] who had been appointed an auxiliary to Khan Jahan, was sent off with the distinction of a dress of honour, a sword, a dagger, a horse, and a standard. Sayyids `Alim and `Abdu-l-Hadi, his brothers, were also each honoured with a horse and a dress of honour. Mir Baraka Bukhari was allowed to go to Transoxiana. I entrusted Rs. 10,000 to him, 5,000 of them to be conveyed to Khwaja Salih Dihbidi, who from his fathers was one of the well-wishers of this State, and the other 5,000 to be divided among the mujawirs (custodians) attached to the tomb of Timur (may the lights of Allah be his testimony!). I also gave a special turban (chira) to Mahabat K., and sent it to him by Mir Baraka. I also ordered Mir Baraka to make every effort to procure mottled fish-teeth, and to procure them from any possible quarter, and at any price.

I went by boat from Delhi, and in six stages reached the plain of Brindaban. I gave an elephant to Mir Miran, and permitted him to go to Delhi. Zabar-dast K. was selected to be Mir Tuzuk (master of ceremonies) in the place of Fida'i K., and I presented him with a special shawl (parm-narm). Next day, Gokul [485] was the place of encampment. At this stage, Lashkar K., the governor of Agra, `Abdu-l-Wahhab Diwan, Raja Nath Mal, Khizr K. Faruqi, ruler (deposed) of Asir and Burhanpur, Ahmad K., his brother, the Qazi, the Mufti, and other chief men of the city (of Agra), had the good fortune to wait [486] on me. On the 11th I halted auspiciously at the Nur-afshan [487] garden, which is on the opposite side of the Jumna. As the auspicious hour for entering the city had been fixed for the 14th, I halted here, and at the selected auspicious hour proceeded to the fort, and entered the palace happily and victoriously. The propitious journey from Lahore to Agra was accomplished in the period of two months and two [488] days, with 49 marches and 21 halts. No day either of marching or halting, on land or water, passed without sport. 114 deer, 51 duck, 4 heron (karwanak), 10 black partridge (durraj), and 200 bodna [489] were taken on the way.

As Lashkar K. had satisfactorily performed his duties at Agra, I increased his mansab by 1,000 personal and 500 horse, and made it 4,000 personal and 2,500 horse, and sent him as an auxiliary to the army of the Deccan. Sa`ida, superintendent of the goldsmith's department, was dignified with the title of Bi-badal K. Four horses, some silver ornaments and cloths, which the ruler of Persia had sent me by Aqa Beg and Muhammad Muhibb `Ali, were produced before me on this day. The entertainment of Thursday, the 20th, took place in the Nur-manzil garden. I gave a present of Rs. 1,00,000 to my son Shahriyar. Muzaffar K., according to order, came from Thatta, and had the good fortune to wait on me. He offered 100 muhars and Rs. 100. Lashkar K. produced a ruby as an offering. It was valued at Rs. 4,000. A special horse of the name of Musahib (companion) was given to `Abdu-llah K. `Abdu-s-Salam, s. Mu`azzam K., having arrived from Orissa, had the good fortune to wait on me: 100 muhars and Rs. 100 were laid before me as his nazar. The mansab of Dust Beg, s. Tulak K., was fixed at 900 personal and 400 horse. The entertainment of Thursday, the 27th, was held in the Nur-afshan garden. A special dress of honour was given to M. Rustam, and a horse to his son, who was called Dakhani, and a special horse and an elephant to Lashkar K.

On Friday, the 28th, I went to hunt to the village of Samonagar, and returned at night. Seven Persian horses, with their trappings, were laid before me as an offering from Aqa Beg and Muhibb `Ali. I presented Zambil Beg, the ambassador, with a Nur-jahani muhar of the weight of 100 tolas, and gave a jewelled penholder to Sadiq K., the chief Bakhshi. I also gave a village [490] in Agra, by way of in`am, to Khizr K. Faruqi. In this year 85,000 bighas of land, 3,325 khar-wars (of rice), 4 villages, 2 ploughs (of land), and a garden, Rs. 2,327, 1 muhar, 6,200 darbs (half rupees), 7,880 quarter rupees (charan), 1,512 tolas of gold and silver, and 10,000 dams from the treasury were given, in my presence, as alms to faqirs and necessitous people. Thirty-eight elephants, of the value of Rs. 2,41,000, [491] were presented as offerings, and were placed in the special elephant house, whilst 51 were presented by me to the great Amirs and the servants of the Court.

THE SIXTEENTH NEW YEAR'S FEAST AFTER THE AUSPICIOUS ACCESSION

On Monday, [492] the 27th Rabi`u-l-akhir, A.H. 1030 (10 March, 1621), the sun that bestows bounty on the world lit up the abode of fortune of Aries with his world-illuminating light, and gladdened the world and its inhabitants. The sixteenth year of the reign of this suppliant at the throne of Allah commenced with gladness and victory, and at the auspicious hour and blessed time I sat on the throne of success in the capital of Agra. On this joy-enhancing day my fortunate son Shahriyar lifted up his head with the honour of the mansab of 8,000 and 4,000 horse. My revered father bestowed, for the first time, this mansab [493] on my brothers. It is hoped that in the shadow of my education and in carrying out my pleasure, he may reach the extreme of life and prosperity. On this day Baqir K. arrayed his men and passed them before me in order. The great Bakhshis recorded (the number as) 1,000 horse and 2,000 foot, and reported to me. Having promoted him to the mansab of 2,000 personal and 1,000 horse, I entrusted the duties of faujdar of Agra to him.

On Wednesday, together with the ladies seated in a boat, I went to the Nur-afshan garden, and rested there at night. As the garden belongs to the establishment of Nur Jahan B., on Thursday, the 4th, she held the royal [494] entertainment and presented great offerings. Of jewels, jewelled ornaments, and all sorts of precious goods, I selected what I approved of, of the value of Rs. 100,000. During these days, every day after midday I embarked in a boat, and went to Samonagar, 4 koss distant from the city, for sport, returning to the palace at night. Sending Raja Sarang Deo to my prosperous son Shah Parwiz, I sent with him a special dress of honour, with a jewelled belt, which contained a sapphire [495] and several rubies. As I had given Behar to that son in the place of Muqarrab K., I started off a sazawul to conduct him from Allahabad to Behar. Mir Zahid, [496] son-in-law of Muzaffar K., having come from Thatta, waited on me. As Mir `Azudu-d-daula [497] had become very old and decrepit, he could not carry out the duties of the camp and his jagir. I released him from the trouble of service and active work. I ordered that he should receive Rs. 4,000 every month out of the public treasury, and living at ease and in comfort at Agra or Lahore, or wherever he wished, should employ himself in prayers for my increased life and welfare.

On the 9th Farwardin the offering of I`tibar K. was laid before me. Of jewels, cloths, etc., the value of Rs. 70,000, was accepted, and I returned the remainder to him. Muhibb `Ali and Aqa Beg, envoys of the ruler of Persia, presented twenty-four horses, two mules, three camels, seven greyhounds (sag-i-tazi), twenty-seven pieces (taq) of brocade, a shamama [498] of ambergris, two pairs of carpets, and two namad takya [499] (woollen coverlets). Two mares with foals that my brother had sent with them were also brought before me.

On Thursday, at the request of Asaf K., I went to his house with the ladies. Having prepared a grand entertainment, he submitted to me many delicate gems and wonders in cloths, and rare gifts. Choosing out of these to the value of Rs. 130,000, I gave the rest to him. Mukarram K., governor of Orissa, sent by way of offering thirty-two elephants, male and female, and these had the honour of being accepted. At this time I saw a wild ass [500] (gur-khar), exceedingly strange in appearance, exactly like a lion. From the tip of the nose to the end of the tail, and from the point of the ear to the top of the hoof, black markings, large or small, suitable to their position, were seen on it. Round the eyes there was an exceedingly fine black line. One might say the painter of fate, with a strange brush, had left it on the page of the world. As it was strange, some people imagined that it had been coloured. After minute inquiry into the truth, it became known that the Lord of the world was the Creator thereof. As it was a rarity, it was included among the royal gifts sent to my brother Shah `Abbas. Bahadur K. Uzbeg had sent as an offering some tipchaq horses and cloth stuffs from `Iraq, and they were produced before me. Dresses of honour for the winter were sent for Ibrahim K. Fath-jang and the Amirs of Bengal by Mumin Shirazi. On the 15th the offering of Sadiq K. was produced. It was of all sorts. Having taken what was worth Rs. 15,000, I gave the remainder to him. Fazil K. on this day also gave an offering according to his condition. Of this a trifle was taken. On Thursday (19th Farwardin) the feast of the culmination was held, and when two watches and one ghari of the day had passed, I took my seat on the throne. According to the request of Madar-ul-mulk I`timadu-d-daula, the feast of the culmination was held in his house. He presented a remarkable offering of rare and choice things from all countries. Altogether I took the value of Rs. 138,000. On this day I gave Zambil Beg, the ambassador, a muhar [501] equal to 200 tolas in weight. At this time Ibrahim K. had sent some eunuchs from Bengal. One of these was a hermaphrodite. Among the offerings of the above-mentioned were two boats made in Bengal, of a very pleasant shape, on the decoration of which a sum of Rs. 10,000 had been expended. They were really kingly boats. Having made Shaikh Qasim K. governor of Allahabad, I honoured him with the title of Muhtashim K. and the mansab of 5,000, and gave an order that the Diwans should give him an increase to his jagir out of the unappropriated (mahall-i-ghair-i-`amali) estates. Raja Shyam Singh, Zamindar of Srinagar (in Garhwal) was given a horse and an elephant.

At this time it was reported to me that Yusuf K., s. Husain K., [502] had died in the victorious army of the Deccan a sudden death. The report said that when he was at his jagir he had become so fat that he got out of breath with the least exertion. One day when he was paying his respects to Khurram, in coming and going his breathing [503] became difficult. When a dress of honour was given him, in putting it on and saluting he became helpless, and a trembling affected all his limbs, and with a hundred labours and exertions he saluted and stumbled out and fell under the shelter of the tent enclosure, and became unconscious. His servants placed him in a palanquin, and took him home, and as he arrived, the messenger of death came also. He received his command, and left his heavy lump of earth in the perishable dustbin. On 1st Urdibihisht, I gave a special dagger to Zambil Beg, the ambassador. On the 4th of the same month the feast of the kar-i-khair (consummation of marriage) of my son Shahriyar increased the joy of my heart. The Hinna-bandi (putting on henna) assembly took place in the palace of Maryamu-z-zamani. The feast of the nikah (marriage) was held in the house of I`timadu-d-daula. I myself went there with the ladies and adorned the feast of joy. After seven gharis of night had passed, on Friday [504] the marriage took place with rejoicings. I hope that it will be propitious to this daily-increasing State. On Tuesday, the 19th, in the Nur-afshan garden, I presented my son Shahriyar with a jewelled charqab (coat), with a turban and waist-belt (kamar-band), and two horses, one an `Iraqi, with a gold saddle, and the other a Turki, with an embroidered saddle.

In these days Shah Shuja` had an eruption so violent that water would not go down his throat, and his life was despaired of. As it had been recorded in his father's horoscope that his son would die this year, all the astrologers were unanimous that he would not live, but Jotik Ray said, on the contrary, that the dust of calamity would not settle on the skirt of his life. I asked: "By what proof?" He said that in the horoscope of my destiny it was recorded that in this year no distress or trouble would find its way to the royal mind from any road, and as I had a great affection for the child, it behoved that no calamity should happen to him, and some other child would die. It came to pass as he said, and he carried his life out of this deadly place, and a son that he (Shah Jahan) had by the daughter of Shah-nawaz K., died at Burhanpur. Besides this, many of Jotik Ray's judgments (ahkam) turned out correct. This is not without strangeness, and it is therefore recorded in these memoirs. I accordingly ordered him (Jotik Ray) to be weighed against money and the weight came to Rs. 6,500. This was given him as a reward.

Muhammad Husain Jabiri was appointed Bakhshi and newswriter of the Subah of Orissa. The mansab of Lachin Munajjim (astrologer) Qaqshal, at the request of Mahabat K., was fixed, original and increased, at 1,000 personal and 500 horse. Muhammad Husain, brother of Khwaja Jahan, came from Kangra and waited on me. Having presented an elephant to Bahadur K. Uzbeg, I sent it with his Vakil. Hurmuz and Hushang, grandsons of the asylum of pardon Mirza Muhammad Hakim, by reason of the caution that is fitting to rulers, had been imprisoned in the fort of Gwalior. At this time, having summoned them into my presence, I ordered them to remain in Agra, and a daily allowance sufficient for their expenses was allowed for them. At this time a brahman of the name of Rudar Bhattacharaj, who was one of the learned ones of this caste, and was engaged at Benares in teaching, had the good fortune to pay his respects to me. In truth, he has studied well, both in the rational and traditional sciences, and is perfect in his own line.

One of the strange events of this time [505] was that on 30 Farwardin (about 10 April, 1621) in the present year, in a certain village of the pargana of Jalandhar, in the morning, a terrible noise arose from the East, such that its inhabitants, from fright at that terror-increasing sound, nearly deserted their bodies. Whilst this noise and disturbance were going on, a light fell from above on the ground, and the people thought that fire was raining down from heaven. After a moment, when that noise ceased, and their troubled hearts recovered from their bewilderment and terror, they sent a quick runner to the collector (`amil) Muhammad Sa`id, and informed him of what had occurred. He immediately rode there himself, and went to look at the spot. For ten or twelve yards in length and breadth the land was so burnt that no trace of any grass or green was left, and there were still signs of heat and burning. He ordered them to dig up the soil, and the more they dug the greater the heat appeared to be till they came to a place where a piece of heated iron appeared. It was as hot as if it had been taken out of a furnace. After a while it became cold, and taking it up, he conveyed it to his house, and placing it in a kharita (cover), which he sealed, he sent it to Court. I ordered them to weigh it in my presence, and it came to 160 tolas. I ordered Master (Ustad) Da'ud [506] to make a sword, a dagger, and a knife of it, and bring them to me. He represented that it would not stand below the hammer, and fell to pieces. I told him in that case to mix it with other iron and make use of it. As I had told him, he mixed three parts of lightning-iron and one of other iron, and having made two swords, one dagger, and one knife, brought them to me. From the mixing of other iron he had brought out its quality (watering). According to the manner of the excellent swords of Yaman [507] and the South, it could be bent, and became straight again. I ordered them to test it in my presence. It cut very well, equal to true swords. I called one the Shamshir-i-qati` (keen sword) and the other Barq-sirisht (lightning-natured). Bi-badal K. composed a quatrain which demonstrated [508] these particulars, and recited it:

By Shah Jahangir the world acquired order.
There fell in his reign raw iron from lightning.
From that iron were made by his world-taking command,
A dagger, a knife, and two scimitars.

And "Spark of royal lightning" gave the date (A.H. 1030).

At this time Raja Sarang Deo, who had gone to my fortunate son Shah Parwiz, came and waited on me. Parwiz represented that he, according to order, had proceeded from Allahabad to Behar. I hope he will be prosperous (there). Qasim K. was dignified with the gift of drums. On this day one `Alimu-d-din, a servant of Khurram, brought a report from him containing the good news of the victory, with a jewelled thumbstall (shast, perhaps a ring), which he had sent as nazar. I gave him leave, sending by him a dress of honour. Amir Beg, brother of Fazil Beg. K., was appointed Diwan to my son Shahriyar and Muhammad Husain, brother of Khwaja Jahan, was made Bakhshi, and Ma`sum was appointed Mir-Saman. Sayyid Haji obtained leave to go as an auxiliary to the army of the Deccan, and I gave him a horse. Muzaffar K., was also promoted to the post of Bakhshi.

As at this time the mother [509] of Imam-quli K., the ruler of Turan, had sent to Nur Jahan Begam a letter containing expressions of good will and the dues of acquaintanceship, and sent some rarities from that country. Khwaja Nasir, who was one of the old servants and one of my attendants from the time when I was a prince, was sent by way of embassy on the part of Nur Jahan Begam with a letter, with choice gifts from this country. At the time when the ladies were staying in the Nur-afshan garden, a rang (ibex) fawn eight days old, jumped down from the terrace of the palace, which is 8 gaz in height, on to the ground, and began to leap about, no sign of injury or pain being perceptible in it.

On the 4th of the Divine month [510] of Khurdad, Afzal K., Khurram's Diwan brought a letter from him containing the good news of his victory, and kissed the threshold. The details are as follows: When the victorious army reached Ujain, a band of the servants of the Court, who were in the fort of Mandu, sent a report that an army of the rebels, putting forward the foot of audacity, had crossed the Narbada, and burning several villages that were under [511] the fort, were busy with rapine and plunder. Madaru-l-mahamm Khwaja Abu-l-Hasan, with 5,000 cavalry, were appointed to go in all haste and inflict punishment on that vain lot of people. The Khwaja made a night march, and at the dawn of day reached the bank of the Narbada. When the enemy learnt this, they in one moment threw themselves into the river and reached the bank of safety. The brave cavalry galloped after them, and pursued them for nearly 4 koss, [512] and with the sword of vengeance, made many of them travellers on the road of non-existence. The ill-fated rebels did not turn back the reins of haste till they reached Burhanpur. Khurram wrote to Abu-l-Hasan to remain on that (the South) side of the river till he came. Soon he, with his army, joined this advanced force, and hastened on, march by march, till he reached Burhanpur. The graceless rebels were still keeping [513] their ground, and were encamped round the city. As the imperial servants had been contending with the rebels for two years, they had suffered much hardship from want of land (bi-jagiri, [514] non-possession of fiefs, landlessness) and scarcity of corn, and their horses were worn out by continued service. Accordingly, they had to delay nine days in order to recruit. During this period, thirty lakhs of rupees and many cuirasses [515] were distributed among the soldiers, and sazawuls had been sent out and had brought many men out of the city (Burhanpur). The gallant troops had not yet put their hands to the work, when the black-fated rebels felt that they could not resist, and scattered like "the daughters of the Bier" (the stars of the constellation of the Great Bear, which are dispersed over the heavens, instead of being clustered like the Pleiades). The brave and swift cavaliers followed them, and with the sword of vengeance cast many of them upon the earth of perdition. They gave them no rest, but smiting and slaying them, pursued them as far as Khirki, which was the residence of the Nizamu-l-mulk and the other rebels. One day before this the ill-starred one (Malik `Ambar) had got information of the approach of the imperialists, and had removed the Nizamu-l-mulk and his family and effects to the fort of Daulatabad. There he had encamped, with his back resting on the fort, while in front of him there were marshes and quagmires. [516] Most of his men became scattered in all directions. The leaders of the victorious army, with their vengeance-seeking soldiers, halted three days in the town of Khirki, and so destroyed a city which had taken twenty years to build, that it is not known if it will regain its splendour in other twenty years. In fine, after throwing down its buildings, all agreed in opinion that as an army of rebels was still besieging Ahmadnagar, they must at once go there, and inflict condign punishment on the originators of the disturbance, renew the supplies (of the Ahmadnagar garrison), and leave assistance there, and then return. With this view they set out, and came as far as the town of Patan (in Berar, Jarrett II. 233). Meanwhile, the crafty `Ambar [517] sent agents and officers, and said: "After this I will not drop the thread of service and loyalty from my hand, nor put out my foot beyond orders, and will regard whatever tribute and fine be commanded as a favour, and will send it to the government." It happened that just then there was great scarcity in the camp in consequence of the dearness of provisions, and also that news came that the rebel force which was besieging Ahmadnagar had withdrawn on hearing of the approach of the imperialists. Accordingly, a force was sent to help Khanjar K. (the governor of Fort Ahmadnagar), and a sum of money for his charges. Thereupon the imperialists were relieved from all anxiety and returned (across the Narbada?). After much entreaty and lamentation (on the part of `Ambar) it was settled that in addition to the territory which of old had belonged to the empire, the rebels should surrender 14 koss of the adjoining country, and should pay into the public treasury fifty lakhs of rupees as tribute.

I gave Afzal K. (Shah Jahan's diwan) leave to return, and sent with him, for Khurram, the ruby plume (kalgi-i-la`li) which the King of Persia had sent to me, and which has been already described, and I gave to the aforesaid (Afzal) a dress of honour, an elephant, an inkpot, and a jewelled pen. Khanjar K., who, when besieged in the Fort of Ahmadnagar, had performed approved services, and shown proper activity, was promoted to the mansab of 4,000 personal and 1,000 horse.

Mukarram K., having come by order from Orissa, had, with his brothers, the good fortune to wait upon me. He presented a string of pearls by way of offering. Muzaffaru-l-mulk, s. Bahaduru-l-mulk, was honoured with the title of Nusrat K. A standard was conferred on Uda Ram, Dakhani, and to `Azizu-llah, s. Yusuf K., was given the mansab of 1,000 personal and 500 horse. On Thursday, the 21st, Muqarrab K. arrived from Behar, and had the good fortune to wait upon me. At this time Aqa `Ali, Muhibb `Ali Beg, Haji Beg, and Fazil Beg, the envoys of the ruler of Persia, who had come at different times, were allowed to depart. To Aqa Beg I made a present of a dress of honour, a jewelled dagger, and Rs. 40,000 in cash; to Muhibb `Ali Beg a dress of honour and Rs. 30,000; and to the others in the same way I presented gifts according to their positions. I also sent a suitable souvenir by them to my brother. On this day Mukarram K. was appointed Subahdar of Delhi, and faujdar of Mewat. Shaja`at K. `Arab was dignified with the mansab of 3,000 personal and 2,500 horse, original and increased; Sharza K. with that of 2,000 and 1,000 horse; Girdhar, s. Ray Sal Kachhwaha, with that of 1,200 and 900 horse.

On the 29th, Qasim Beg, an envoy of the ruler of Persia, came and waited on me, bringing a letter from that brother of lofty dignity, containing expressions of sincerity and friendship. What he had sent by way of royal gifts was laid before me. On the 1st of Tir, I sent a special elephant called Gaj Ratan, for my son (farzand) Khan Jahan. Nazar Beg, a servant of Khurram, laid before me a letter from him asking for the gift of horses. I ordered Raja Kishan Das, the mushrif (accountant) to prepare within fifteen days 1,000 horses from the royal stables, and to send them off with him. I sent to Khurram as a present a horse of the name of Rum-ratan [518] ("the jewel of Turkey"), which the ruler of Persia had sent me out of the spoils of the Turkish camp.

On this day a servant of Iradat K., of the name of Ghiyasu-d-din, laid before me a report from him containing the good news of his victory. In the preceding pages there has been written with the pen of demonstration an account of the rebellion of the Zamindars of Kishtwar and of the despatch of Jalal, s. Dilawar K. As this important matter had not been properly managed by him, an order was given to Iradat K. to hasten to take up that duty, and to inflict severe punishment on the rebels, and make such arrangements in the hill-country that the dust of dispersion and calamity might not settle on its frontiers. He, as ordered, hastened there and did approved service, and the people of sedition and disturbance, having turned their heads towards the desert of exile, escaped half dead. Thus once more was the thorn of calamity and mischief rooted out of that country, and having established the officials and established posts, he returned to Kashmir. As a reward for this service I added 500 horse to his mansab.