The Akbarī Generations 1.11
Tabakát-i Akbarí of Nizámu-d dín Ahmad (extracts) 1.11
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1.11.1
A body of Afghans having assembled at Dipalpur, under the leadership of Shahbaz Khan and Nasir Khan Afghan, the Emperor sent Mir Abu-l Ma'ali and 'Ali Kuli Sistani to disperse them. The Afghans were defeated, and their baggage and their wives and families became the prey of the victors.
1.11.2
Sikandar Afghan, who held possession of Dehli, sent 30,000 men under Tatar Khan and Haibat Khan to attack the advanced forces in Sirhind. The Chaghatai forces concentrated at Jalandar, and for all the numbers of the enemy and their own paucity they were ready to fight. They advanced and crossed the Sutlej. Towards the close of day the Afghans became aware of their transit, and marched forth to give battle. Notwithstanding the strength of the enemy, the Chaghatai chiefs determined to fight, and as the sun went down a great battle began. The Afghans began the battle with their archers, but as it was getting dark the arrows took little effect on the Mughals, but the Afghans being greatly annoyed by the fire (atash) threw themselves into a neighbouring village. As most of the houses in the villages of Hindustan are thatched, a fire broke out, and lighting up the field of battle the [Mughal] archers came out and plied their weapons heartily by the light of the burning village. The enemy, in the glare of the fire, presented a fine mark for their shafts, and being unable to endure longer took to flight. A great victory was gained, and elephants and much spoil fell into the hands of the victors. When the news of the victory reached Lahore, the Emperor was greatly delighted, and showed great honour to his generals. All the Panjab, Sirhind, and Hissar Firozah were now in his possession, and some of the dependencies of Dehli also were in the hands of the Mughals.
1.11.3
On hearing of this defeat, [Sultan] Sikandar Afghan marched forth to take his revenge, with 80,000 horsemen and elephants and artillery. He marched to Sirhind, and there he entrenched and fortified his camp. The Chaghatái generals strengthened the fortifications of Sirhind, and making a good show of resistance, they wrote letters to Humayun for reinforcements. He thereupon sent Prince Akbar towards Sirhind, and as he approached the generals came forth to meet him. The forces were drawn out in array with the greatest show against the enemy, who was four times more numerous than the Mughals. For some days the daring spirits in both armies challenged each other to combat and displayed their valour, till at length the vanguard of Prince Akbar was drawn up for battle. A second division, under Bairam Khan Khan-Khanan, on the one side; and on the other a third division with Iskandar Khan, 'Abdu-lla Khan Uzbek, Shah Abu-l Ma'ali, 'Ali Kuli Khan, and Bahadur Khan. Then they attacked the enemy. In the engagement all the nobles exhibited dauntless courage and the most determined resolution. The Afghans, 100,000 in number, were defeated, being inferior in courage, and [Sultan] Sikandar fled. The victors pursued the enemy and put many of them to death; and having secured an enormous booty, returned triumphant to wait upon the Emperor and congratulate him.
1.11.4
Under his orders a despatch of the victory was drawn, in which the honour of the victory was ascribed to Prince Akbar, and this was circulated in all directions. Sikandar Khan Uzbek was then sent on to Dehli, and the royal camp was moved to Samana. A body of Afghans in Dehli made their escape in hot haste, and Sikandar Uzbek entered and occupied the city. Mir Abu-l Ma'ali was sent to Lahore to keep in check [Sultan] Sikandar, who had fled into the Siwalik mountains. In the month of Ramazan the Emperor entered Dehli, and once more the khutba was read and the coins were stamped with his name in the territories of Hindustan. The chiefs who had taken part in the campaign were most liberally rewarded, and each one was made the ruler of a province. The remainder of this year was spent in ease and enjoyment. Abu-l Ma'ali, who had been sent to oppose [Sultan] Sikandar, treated the nobles who had been appointed to support him very unceremoniously, interfering with their territories and appropriating their treasure. So Sikandar daily grew stronger. This came to the knowledge of the Emperor, who immediately sent Bairam Khan in attendance upon Prince Akbar as his atalik or governor, to put an end to Sikandar's operations. Shah Abu-l Ma'ali was ordered to proceed to Hissar Firozah.
1.11.5
At this time a person named Kambar Diwana had collected round him a body of supporters in the Doab and Sambal, and had taken and plundered Bayana. Unquiet and adventurous men gathered about him from all quarters. 'Ali Kuli Khan Sistani was sent against him, upon which he shut himself up in the fortress of Badaun. In the course of a few days 'Ali Kuli Khan took the fort, captured Kambar Diwana, put him to death, and sent his head to the Emperor. But now the most extraordinary event occurred. On the 8th Rabi'u-l awwal, at sunset, the Emperor ascended to the roof of the library, and there stood for a short time. As he was descending, the muazzin cried aloud the summons to prayer, and he reverently sat down on the second step. When he was getting up again his foot slipped, and he fell from the stairs to the ground. The people in attendance were greatly shocked, and the Emperor was taken up senseless and carried into the palace. After a short time he rallied and spake. The Court physicians exerted all their powers, but in vain. Next day he grew worse, and his case was beyond medical help. Shaikh Juli was sent to the Panjab to summon Prince Akbar. On the 15th Rabi'u-l awwal, 963 H. (24th January, 1556), at the setting of the sun, he left this world for Paradise. The date of his death is given in the line, "Humayun badshah az bam uftad."
1.11.6
He reigned for more than twenty-five years, and he was fifty-one years old. His angelic character was adorned with every manly virtue, and in courage and heroism he excelled all the princes of the time. All the wealth of Hindustan would not have sufficed to maintain his generosity. In the sciences of astrology and mathematics he was unrivalled. He made good verses, and all the learned and great and good of the time were admitted to his society and passed the night in his company. Great decorum was observed in his receptions, and all learned discussions were conducted in the most orderly manner. The light of favour shone upon men of ability and worth during his reign. Such was his clemency that he repeatedly pardoned the crimes of Mirza Kamran and the Chaghatai nobles, when they were taken prisoners and were in his power. He was particular about his ablutions (wazu), and never allowed the name of God to pass from his tongue until he had performed them. One day he called Mir 'Abdu-l Hai, the sadar or chief judge, by the name of 'Abdal. But when he had gone through his ablutions he apologized, and said that as Hai was a name of the Almighty he was unable to use that name before performing purification. Every apparent and conceivable virtue was manifest in him. May God have mercy on him!
1.11.7
Shaikh Juli, who was sent off to the Panjab during His Majesty's illness, obtained an interview with Prince Akbar at Kalanor. He communicated the fact of the King's illness, and intelligence of his death soon after arrived. After due observance of the rites of mourning, the nobles who were in the suite of the Prince, under the leading of Bairam Khan, acknowledged the succession of the Prince, and so, on the 2nd Rabi'u-s sani, he ascended the throne of empire at Kalanor.