Ma-ásiru-l Umará, of Sháh Nawáz Khán Samsámu-d daula (Elliot & Dowson, extracts)
Translation of Maʾathir al-umaraʾ (Maʾāthir al-umarāʾ)
- Language
- English
- Date
- 1877 CE
- Translators
- Henry Miers Elliot, John Dowson
- Extent
- 2 passages, 542 words
- Text
- complete digital text
- Source
- archive.org · The History of India, as told by its own Historians. The Muhammadan Period. The posthumous papers of Sir H.… · Public domain (published before 1930)
Contents
Text
1
Zamana Beg was son of Ghuyur Beg Kabuli, and belonged to the Saiyids of the pure Razwiya stock. Khan-zaman, son of Mahabat Khan, in a history which he wrote, traces the descent of his ancestors from the Prophet Moses. They were all men of position and wealth. Ghuyur Beg came from Shiraz to Kabul, and settled among one of the tribes of that neighbourhood. He was enrolled among the military followers of Mirza Muhammad Hakim, and on the death of the Mirza he obtained employment in the service of the Emperor Akbar, when he distinguished himself greatly in the campaign against Chitor. Zamana Beg in his youth was entered among the ahadis of Prince Salim (Jahangir), and, having rendered some acceptable services, he, in a short time, received a suitable mansab, and was made Bakhshi of the shagird-peshas. When Raja Uchaina made a treaty and agreement with Mu'azzam Khan Fathpuri at Allahabad, and came to wait upon the Prince, the city and its environs swarmed with his numerous followers. Whenever he went out, all men, high and low, gazed with wondering eyes at his followers. This annoyed the Prince, who said one night in private, "Why should I be troubled with this man?" Zamana Beg said that if permission were given, he would that very night settle his business. Having received directions, he went alone with a servant at midnight to the dwelling of the Rája, who was drunk and fast asleep. He left his servant at the door, and telling the Raja's servants to wait outside, because he had a royal message to deliver, he went into the tent, cut off the Rája's head, wrapped it in a shawl, and came out. Telling the servants that no one must go in, because he had an answer to bring, he took the head and threw it down before the Prince. Orders were immediately given for plundering the Rája's followers. When these discovered what had happened, they dispersed, and all the Raja's treasure and animals were confiscated to the State. Zamana Beg received the title of Mahábat Khan, and at the beginning of the reign of Jahángír he was raised to a mansab of 3000, and sent in command of an army against the Rána. * * *
2
Mu'tamad Khan Muhammad Sharíf was a native of Persia, of obscure station. On his coming to India his good fortune caused his introduction to Jannat Makání (Jahángír). In the third year of the reign he was honoured with the title of Mu'tamad Khán. He was Bakhshí of the Ahadís for a long time. In the ninth year died Sulaimán Beg Fidáí Khán, who was Bakhshí of the army of Prince Sháh Jahán in the campaign against the Ráná. Mu'tamad Khán was then appointed to the office. In the eleventh year, when the Prince was deputed to make arrangements in the Dakhin, the office of Bakhshí was again entrusted to him. * * Although he had a reputation for his knowledge of history, yet it appears from his work Ikbál-náma Jahángírí, which is written in an easy flowing style, that he had very little skill in historical writing, as, notwithstanding his holding the office of Ahdál-navísí, he has not only left out many trifling matters, but has even narrated imperfectly important facts.