Muntakhab al-tawarikh 78.37.6

78.37.6

This was the commencement of the twenty-second year from the accession. At this time news arrived, that after the death of Mun'im Khan, Khan Khanan, the Amirs being unable any longer to withstand the attacks of Daud, had retired on Bhagalpur and Patnah from Gaur and Tandah, and that Khan Jahan, because his army was still at Lahor, was advancing but slowly. Accordingly the Emperor wrote a farman, and entrusted it to Turk Subhan Quli to bear to Khan Jahan, ordering him to hasten up as quickly as possible. And Subhan Quli performed his mission, covering a distance of nearly a thousand cosses in twenty-two days. At the same time news came to Agrah, that Khan Jahan, on arriving at Garhi, had fought an obstinate battle with the Afghans of Daud, and had defeated them, and was still advancing. During the first part of the blessed month Muharram of the year nine hundred and eighty-four (984) the Emperor Khan represented that I had a very strong desire to take part in a holy war. So the Emperor sent for me, and asked me: “Are you in earnest?” I answered: “Yes.” Then he said, “For what reason?” I humbly replied: “I have the presumption to desire to dye these black mustachios and beard in blood through loyalty to your Majesty’s person:— Thine is a perilous service, but I wish to undertake it, That I may gain renown, or death, for thy sake.” He replied, “If God (He is exalted) will, thou Shalt return the bearer of news of victory.”