The Akbarī Generations 1.9
Tabakát-i Akbarí of Nizámu-d dín Ahmad (extracts) 1.9
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1.9.1
Karracha Khan, and some other nobles who had rendered good service in these days, now recommended some impossible steps to Humayun. One was the execution of Khwaja Ghazi, the wazir, and the appointment of Khwaja Kasim to succeed him. This proposition fell heavily on the heart of His Majesty, and he would not accede to their wishes. The noblemen then conspired together, and, mounting their horses at breakfast-time, they drove off the royal flocks (galah), which were in Khwaja Riwaj, and went towards Badakhshan. After break of day and the assembling of the army, His Majesty mounted his horse, and went off in pursuit. The conspirators, by a forced march, reached Ghorband, and crossing the bridge they destroyed it behind them. The advanced guard of His Majesty came up with a party of them and inflicted chastisement. At night Humayun returned to Kabul, to make preparations for a march into Badakhshan. The conspirators went on to Kamran, leaving Tamar 'Ali in Panjshir, to collect and forward intelligence of Humayun's movements. His Majesty, having determined to go to Badakhshan, sent farmans to Mirza Sulaiman, Mirza Ibrahim, and Mirza Hindal. Mirza Ibrahim advanced by way of the fort of Paridu into Panjshir, and getting knowledge of Tamar 'Ali Shaghali, he went after him and killed him. He waited upon the Emperor in the Karabagh at Kabul.
1.9.2
At this time Mirza Kamran sent Sher 'Ali, at his own request, to contend against Mirza Hindal, but he was taken prisoner by some of Hindal's men. Mirza Hindal then went to see the Emperor, and took Sher 'Ali a prisoner with him. The Emperor, in his generosity, pardoned Sher 'Ali, and made a grant to him of Ghori. Kamran, having left Karracha Khan and his Kabul confederates at Kisham, had himself gone to Talikan. His Majesty thereupon sent Mirza Hindal and Haji Muhammad Koki in advance to Kisham. Karracha Khan then sent to inform Kamran that Mirza Hindal was approaching with a small force, while Humayun was at a distance, and that if he hastened up he might defeat Hindal, and so make the war against Humayun an easier matter. Karracha returned to Kisham with all the speed he could. When he reached the river of Talikan, he encountered Mirza Hindal, just as he had crossed the river. At the first charge Hindal's troops were defeated and lost all their baggage.
1.9.3
His Majesty now came up with his army, and was delayed a little in seeking for a ford. After getting over the river, his advanced guard came up with Kamran's rear, and made Shaikham Khwaja Khizr and Isma'il Duldi prisoners, and brought them in to the Emperor. Mirza Kamran faced round to repulse this advanced guard; but as they approached each other, he descried the standards of the Emperor, and knowing that he was unable to contend with him, he retreated to Talikan, leaving all his plunder and all his own baggage behind him. Next day Talikan was invested, and Mirza Sulaiman came in and joined Humayun. Kamran then sought assistance from the Uzbeks, and when he found that he had nothing to expect from them he was greatly cast down, and sent to beg the Emperor to allow him to go to Mecca. Humayun generously granted his request, on condition that he would send the rebellious nobles to the royal court. Kamran begged forgiveness for Manus Beg, but sent the other amirs, who came ashamed and downcast to the royal presence. The Emperor, a second time, forgave their offences.
1.9.4
Mirza Kamran proceeded out of the fort, and went to the distance of a parasang; but when he was no longer in apprehension of any harm from the superior power of Humayun, he was greatly ashamed, and turned back with the resolve of paying allegiance to him. As soon as His Majesty was informed of this he greatly rejoiced, and sent out the mirzas to give him a ceremonial reception. When they met, he displayed the greatest kindness to Kamran, who again received the ensigns of sovereignty. Three days they remained in the same place, and feasts and rejoicings went on. After some days the country of Kolab was given as an ikta' to Kamran. Mirza Sulaiman and Mirza Ibrahim remained in Kisham. The royal camp then returned to Kabul, where it took up winter quarters, and an order was issued directing the officers to look after the equipment of the army.
1.9.5
At the end of the year Humayun left Kabul, with the intention of proceeding against Balkh, and a person went to Kolab to summon Mirza Kamran and Mirza 'Askari. When His Majesty reached Badakhshan, Mirza Ibrahim and Mirza Hindal came to wait upon him, and at the instance of Mirza Sulaiman, Mirza Ibrahim was left at Kisham. Mirza Kamran and Mirza 'Askari once more showed their hostility, and did not come in to pay their homage. Humayun marched on to the fort of Aibak, and the atalik of Pir Muhammad Khan, governor of Balkh, with several of his chief nobles, had to take refuge in the fort, which Humayun then invested. The Uzbeks being reduced to extremity surrendered at discretion.
1.9.6
In consequence of Kamran's defection, a council of war was held to consider whether he might not make an attempt upon Kabul while the Emperor was engaged at Balkh. Humayun declared his opinion that as the invasion of Balkh had been undertaken, it should be prosecuted in full confidence; so the march was continued. But many of the men were discouraged by Kamran remaining absent. When the army came near Balkh, and was about to take up a position, Shah Muhammad Sultan Uzbek, with three hundred horsemen, made his appearance. A force was sent against him, and a sharp fight followed. Kabuli, brother of Muhammad Kasim Khan Fauji, was killed in the conflict, and one of the chiefs of the Uzbeks was taken prisoner. Next day Pir Muhammad Khan came out of the city, (and was joined by) 'Abdu-l 'Aziz Khan, son of 'Abid Khan, and Sultan of Hissar, who had come to his assistance. After mid-day the two armies came in contact, and the battle began. Humayun was fully accoutred, and with Mirza Sulaiman, Mirza Hindal, and Haji Muhammad Sultan, defeated the vanguard of the enemy, and drove it back towards the city. Pir Muhammad Khan also and his men were repulsed and driven into Balkh. At sunset the Chaghatai troops, who had got near to the city, turned back. Many of the Chaghatai chiefs had their wives and families in Kabul, and were alarmed because Mirza Kamran had not joined the army.
1.9.7
So the night before the day when Balkh would have fallen, they met together and conveyed their opinion to His Majesty that it was not advisable to pass over the river of Balkh, but rather to fall back towards Darra Gaz, and take up and secure a strong position; then, after a short time, the garrison of Balkh would surrender. They urged their views so strongly that Humayun retreated. Darra Gaz is on the road to Kabul, so friends and foes, being unaware of what had passed in the council, conceived the notion that a retreat to Kabul was intended. The Uzbeks were emboldened, and followed in pursuit. Mirza Sulaiman and Husain Kuli Sultan, the seal-bearer, who protected the rear, had an action with the van of the Uzbeks, and were defeated, and then the chiefs who were anxious to go to Kabul made off thither, each one taking the road that pleased him. All control was lost. About a thousand of the enemy came up. His Majesty, who fought in the conflict, inflicted a wound with his spear on one of the foremost of the enemy and unhorsed him; and by the strength of his own arm he cut his way out of the confusion. Mirza Hindal, Tardi Beg, Mun'im Khan, and a party of other nobles saved themselves by fighting. Shah Bidagh Khan and Tolak Khan Kuchin performed deeds of great valour in this battle. Humayun reached Kabul in safety, and remained there for the rest of the year. Mirza Kamran stayed at Kolab, and Chakar 'Ali Beg Kolabi, who was hostile to him, attacked Kolab with a large force.
1.9.8
Kamran sent Mirza 'Askari against him, but 'Askari was defeated; and on being sent a second time, he again returned unsuccessful. Mirza Sulaiman and Mirza Ibrahim now marched against Kamran from Kisham and Kunduz, and he, not having sufficient forces to oppose them, retreated to Rostak. A body of Uzbeks fell upon him on the march and carried off a large part of his baggage. In this distressed state Kamran wished to proceed by way of Zohak and Bamian into the Hazara. When Humayun was informed of this, he sent a force to Zohak and Bamian to protect the country. Karracha Khan, Kasim Husain Sultan, and some other traitorous nobles, despatched a messenger to Kamran, advising him to take the road to Zohak, and promising to join him in the day of battle. When Mirza Kamran came in sight, Karracha Khan and his associates cast the dirt of ignominy on their heads, and deserted Humayun. Being joined by these men, Kamran offered battle. Although Humayun's force was small, it met the attack bravely, and a desperate fight followed. Pir Muhammad Akhta and Ahmad, son of Mirza Kuli, were killed in this fight. His Majesty exerted himself greatly. He received a sword-cut on the top of his head, and his horse was wounded; but he kept his assailants off with his spear, and made his way out of the fight. He then proceeded towards Zuhak and Bamian, and was joined by a party of fugitives, who had taken the same route.