The Akbarī Generations 1.8
Tabakát-i Akbarí of Nizámu-d dín Ahmad (extracts) 1.8
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1.8.1
On the same night Kamran quitted Kabul, and fled by way of Bini Hisar to Ghazni. Being informed of his flight, the Emperor sent Mirza Hindal in pursuit. The Emperor then entered Kabul, and at night the citizens, in the extreme of joy, illuminated the whole city with lamps. On his entering the palace, Her Highness the Begam brought the young prince Jalalu-d din Muhammad Akbar to his father's presence. This sight lighted up the heart of the Emperor with joy, and he offered up his thanksgivings for the reunion. The victory was accomplished on the 10th Ramazan, 953 H., when the prince was four years two months and five days old. Some place the event in the year 952; but God knows the truth. After this a person was sent to bring up the forces which were in Kandahar. Mirza Yadgar Nasir came to Kabul in attendance upon the Empress Maryam Makani Begam. Great feasts were then held, and the ceremony of circumcising the young prince was performed. The remainder of that year the Emperor spent in enjoyment at Kabul. When Kamran reached Ghazni, he could not get admission into the city, so he went off into the Hazara. Mirza Ulugh Beg was sent to take the government of Zamin-dawar, and Kamran, finding it impossible to remain in that country, went to Bakhar, to Shah Husain Arghun, who gave him his daughter in marriage and assisted him.
1.8.2
In the following year Humayun marched to Badakhshan, for Mirza Sulaiman, son of Khan Mirza, had disregarded the summons to come in and make his submission. It was therefore determined to invade Badakhshan. Mirza Yadgar Nasir had been engaged in hostile intrigues, and once more meditated flight. His intentions being made known to Humayun, an order was given for placing him in confinement, and a few days afterwards Muhammad Kasim, under the Emperor's orders, put him to death. The Emperor, passing over the heel of the Hindu-koh (Hindu-Kush), encamped at Shergiran. Mirza Sulaiman assembled the forces of Badakhshan and gave battle, but he was defeated in the first action, and fled into the kohistan of Durdasht. The Emperor then proceeded to Talikan and Kisham, but he was taken ill, and from day to day he grew worse, so that every one was in anxiety, and no one but his immediate attendants were sure of his being alive. There was consternation in the army, and Karracha Khan placed Mirza 'Askari in safe custody. The people of Badakhshan again commenced hostilities. After two months His Majesty recovered, and sent accounts of his convalescence to all parts. The disturbances thereupon subsided. The royal camp then moved to the neighbourhood of the fort of Zafar. Khwaja Mu'azzam, brother of the Empress Maryam Makani, killed at this time Khwaja Rashidi, who had come from 'Irak in the retinue (of the Emperor), and then fled to Kabul, where, by command, he was placed in confinement.
1.8.3
Mirza Kamran at Bakhar, when he was assured of Humayun's march to Badakhshan, assembled a force around him, and made a rapid march by Ghorband to Kabul. On his way he fell in with some merchants, from whom he obtained plenty of horses, so that he supplied each of his men with a spare horse. When he reached Ghazni, a few individuals brought him into the fortress, and Zahid Beg, the governor of the place, being off his guard, was put to death. Under the orders of the Mirza the roads to Kabul were guarded, so that intelligence might not be carried thither. He then marched rapidly on in full confidence to Kabul. Muhammad Kuli Tughai and Fazail Beg, and the force under their command in Kabul, were quite unprepared, when they were informed that Kamran had entered the city. Muhammad Khan was made prisoner while in his bath, and was instantly put to death. Upon entering the fort, Kamran captured Fazail Beg and Mihtar vakil, and he had their eyes put out. He appointed persons to guard the Emperor's ladies and the young prince.
1.8.4
Intelligence of the fall of Kabul reached the Emperor at Kila Zafar. The government of Badakhshan and Kunduz, which had been given to Mirza Hindal, was transferred to Mirza Sulaimen, and Humayun then returned towards Kabul. Kamran meanwhile mustered all the forces he could. Sher-afgan, who was allied with him, and Sher 'Ali, one of his officers, advanced to Zuhak and Ghorband, and took possession of the roads. Humayun crossed the river in the valley of Zuhak, and drove before him Sher 'Ali, who resisted to the best of his power. Humayun then safely crossed the Shaki, but Sher 'Ali again annoyed his rear until he arrived at Dih-Afghanan (a suburb of Kabul). Next day Sher-afgan Beg sallied forth at the head of all Kamran's forces, and a great battle was fought in the lines of Yurt-jalak. The leading forces of the Emperor were repulsed, but by the efforts of Mirza Hindal, Karracha Khan, and Haji Muhammad Khan, the enemy was eventually defeated. Sher-afgan Beg was taken prisoner, and when he was brought into the Emperor's presence he was put to death, through the exertions of the nobles. Many of Kamran's men fell on this day, and those who escaped the sword fled into the fort. Sher 'Ali, a man of undaunted courage, sallied forth every day and kept up the fighting with all his vigour. On one occasion Sher 'Ali and Haji Muhammad Khan encountered each other, and the Haji was wounded.
1.8.5
Intelligence now came in that a caravan with a large number of horses had arrived at Charikaran, and Kamran sent Sher 'Ali, with a considerable force, to bring these horses into the city. Humayun was aware of this movement, and drawing nearer to the city he completely closed all means of ingress and egress. When Sher 'Ali returned from his expedition, he could find no way of getting into the place. Kamran then sallied forth, and endeavoured to cut a way through for Sher 'Ali. But the besiegers were aware of a sally being intended, and when the forces came out they were received with a fire of guns and musketry and driven back. Baki Salih and Jalalu-d din Beg, two of Kamran's most trusted adherents, deserted from him and joined the Emperor. Sher 'Ali now gave up all hope of entering the city. Kamran, with dastardly feeling, ordered that His Highness the young prince Akbar should be exposed upon the battlements, in the place where the balls and shot of the guns and muskets fell thickest. But Maham Anka took the child in her bosom, put herself forward, and held him towards the enemy [i.e. the garrison]. So God Almighty preserved him. A part of the garrison made their way out and went off, all in one direction. Humayun sent men in pursuit, who killed many and made many prisoners. Kamran's spirits fell, and from all parts and quarters men came in to render assistance to the Emperor.
1.8.6
Mirza Sulaiman sent reinforcements from Badakhshan, Mirza Ulugh Beg came from Kandahar, and Kasim Husain Sultan brought a body of the men of Sarm Tugha as a reinforcement from Kandahar. Mirza Kamran now sued for peace, and the Emperor granted it, upon condition of his making personal submission. But he was afraid to do this, and sought to make his escape. The chiefs of the Chaghatai tribes were of opinion that the capture of Kamran would be adverse to their interests, so they sent a message informing him that Humayun would, in a day or two, assault the fort, and advising him to delay no longer in the place. Kamran, who was offended with Namus Beg and Karracha Khan Beg, killed three young children of Namus Beg in revenge, and had their bodies cast down from the walls of the city — a cruel deed, which excited the abhorrence of all men both inside and outside the city. He also fastened Sardar Beg, the son of Karracha Khan, upon the summit of the ramparts. Humayun exerted himself to console Karracha Khan; and the Khan went close to the fort, and with loud voice declared that if his son were killed, both Mirza Kamran and Mirza 'Askari should be put to death when the city fell. Kamran now despaired on every point, so he caused a hole to be made through the wall, on Khwaja Khizr's side, and made his way out barefoot at the place indicated by the nobles (outside who were friendly to his escape).
1.8.7
Humayun sent Haji Muhammad Khan in pursuit, who nearly overtook him, and Kamran then called out in the Turki language, "I have killed your father Baba Kashaka." Haji Muhammad was always ready for a quarrel, (but), when he heard this he returned. His Highness Prince Akbar now came to his father, and showed him all proper respect. Much charity was shown to the poor and needy.
1.8.8
After Kamran escaped, in a forlorn and destitute condition, he reached the foot of the Kabul mountains, where he was met by a party of Hazaras, who plundered him of all he possessed. But one of the Hazaras recognized him, and informed the leader of the band, who conducted him to Zuhak and Bamian, where Sher 'Ali his adherent still remained at the head of a small force. He remained there for a week, and nearly 150 horsemen joined him. Then he marched to Ghori, where Mirza Beg Birlas, the governor of Ghori, with a force of 150 horse and 1000 foot, gave him battle, and was defeated. The horses and asses of the vanquished fell into the hands of the victor. Having gathered some strength, he went to Balkh, where he had a meeting with Pir Muhammad Khan, the ruler. Pir Muhammad followed his own inclination, and came to Badakhshan, to the assistance of Kamran. Ghori and Bakalan fell into the hands of Mirza Kamran, and many soldiers flocked to his standard. Pir Muhammad then returned to his own country. Kamran advanced against Sulaiman Mirza and Ibrahim Mirza, and, as they had no power to resist him, they went away from Talikan to Kolab. Kamran now established his authority over many parts of Badakhshan.