The Institutes of Akbar 337.1

337.1

107. Muhibb ’Alí Khán, son of Mír Khalífah. This grandee must not be confounded with Muhibb Alí Khán Rohtásí (p. 422). Muhibb ’Alí Khán is the son of Mír Niẓámuddín ’Alí Khalífah, the “pillar of Bábar's government.” He had no faith in Humáyún, and was opposed to his accession. He therefore favoured Mahdí Khwájah, Bábar’s son-in-law. Mahdí, a short time before Bábar’s death, assumed a royal deportment. One day, Mír Khalífah happened to be in Mahdí’s tent; and when he left, Mahdí, thinking himself alone, put his hand to his beard, and exclaimed, “‘Thou shalt by and by follow me.” He had scarcely uttered these words, when he observed Muqím i Harawí in the corner of the tent. Muqím reported these words to Mír Khalífah, and upbraided him for giving Mahdí his support. Mír Khalífah thereupon changed his mind, forbade people to visit Mahdí, and raised, on Bábar’s death, Humáyún to the throne.