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The Institutes of Akbar 269: 45. Shah Quli Mahram-i Baharlu.

The Áín i Akbari (Blochmann, Jarrett) 269

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269

He was in Bairam’s service and distinguished himself in the war with Hemu. It was Shah Quli that attacked Hemu’s elephant, though he did not know who his opponent was. The driver, however, made him a sign, and he led the elephant with Hemu, whose eye had been pierced by an arrow, from the battle-field, and brought the wounded commander to Akbar. Soon after, before the end of the first year, Sh. Q. served with Muhammad Qásim Khán (No. 40) against Hájí Khán in Nágor and Ajmír.
In the third year, it was brought to Akbar’s notice, that Sh. Q. was deeply attached to a dancing boy of the name of Qabúl Khán; and as the emperor had the boy forcibly removed, Sh. Q. dressed as a Jogí, and went into the forests. Bairám traced him with much trouble, and brought him back to court, where the boy was restored to him.
Like Bábá Zambúr, he remained faithful to Bairám to the last, and was pardoned together with his master in Tilwárah (p. 317).
After Bairám’s death, he was rapidly promoted and made an Amír. In the 20th year, when Khán Jahán (No. 24) was sent from the Panjáb to Bengal, Sh. Q. was appointed Governor of the Panjáb, rising higher and higher in Akbar’s favour.
It is said that the Emperor, from goodwill towards him, admitted him to his female apartments. After the first time he had been allowed to enter the Harem, he went home, and had his testicles removed (majbúb). From this circumstance, he was everywhere called Mahram, i. e. one who is admitted to the Haram and knows its secrets.
In the 34th year, Akbar, after his return from Zábulistán, crossed the Bahat (Jhelum) near Rasúlpúr, and encamped at Hílán. During his stay there, he mounted a female elephant, and was immediately attacked by a mast male elephant. Akbar was thrown down and sustained severe contusions. A rumour of his death spread over the whole country; in some provinces even disturbances broke out. The Rájpúts of Shaikháwat, especially, plundered the districts from Mewát to Rewárí; and in the 35th year, Akbar had to send Sh. Q. against them. He soon restored order.
In the 41st year, he was made a commander of Four Thousand, and soon after of Five Thousand. The Tabaqát says that in 1001 he had been a commander of Three Thousand for thirty years.
He died at Ágrah in 1010. At Nárnaul, where he chiefly lived, he erected splendid buildings, and dug large tanks. When he felt death approaching, he gave the soldiers of his contingent two years’ pay in advance, and left, besides, many legacies. As he had no heirs, his remaining property lapsed to the state (Tuzuk, p. 22).