Muntakhab al-tawarikh 77.4.2

77.4.2

Shahim Beg could not rest till he had gained her, and although the Khan Zaman possessed this girl in lawful marriage, he gave her up to him. He was perfectly happy with her for some days, and then he gave her up, and made her over to ‘Abd-ur Rahman bin Mu’ayyid Beg, who had a desperate fondness for her. When news of the Khan Zaman [’s misconduct] came to the court, the Emperor’s wrath knew no bounds, and an order went forth from Agra and Dihli to Jounpur addressed to the Khan Zaman to seek Shahim Beg, and another was issued to the fief-holders of that district, to the effect that, if the Khan Zaman should be dilatory in this matter, an Aghrugh, i. e., a meeting, should sit upon him, and bring him to punishment. Then the Khan Zaman sent a confidential servant of his, Barj ‘Ali by name, to the court to gloss over those faults of his, and to retrieve his shattered fortunes. He was first of all to repair to the dwelling of Pir Muhammad Khan, (P. 23) who was the Khan Zaman’s plenipotentiary, and whose abode was upon a tower, and to deliver his message. It may be that harsh language was contained in the letter, for Pir Muhammad Khan threw him down from the top of the tower, so that he was dashed to pieces. Pir Muhammad Khan with hardness of heart laughingly said, ‘ This little fellow has become a victim to his name.’ When the Khan Zaman heard this news he set his heart on getting rid of Shahim Beg, and extemporised the following : —