[Pramāṇa](https://indike.org/pramana/) › [Indian literature](https://indike.org/pramana/in) › [Dark Ages](https://indike.org/pramana/in.darkages) › [General histories](https://indike.org/pramana/in.darkages.general) › [Ṭabaqāt-i Akbarī](https://indike.org/pramana/in.darkages.general.tabaqat-i-akbari) › [Tabakat-i Akbari of Nizamu-d din Ahmad (extracts)](https://indike.org/pramana/in.darkages.general.tabaqat-i-akbari~en-elliot) › 16 # The Akbarī Generations 16: Ninth year of the Reign. Tabakát-i Akbarí of Nizámu-d dín Ahmad (extracts) 16 - **Language:** English ### [16](https://indike.org/pramana/in.darkages.general.tabaqat-i-akbari~en-elliot.16) The beginning of this year was Wednesday, 29th Rajab, 971 (13th March, 1564). When Abu-l Ma'ali killed Ahmad Beg, and found that the royal army was coming up in pursuit of him, he was dismayed, and turning aside from the direct roads he fled towards Kabul. When he approached Kabul, he wrote a letter full of expressions of affection and devotion for the late Emperor, and sent it to Mah Chochak Begam (the Emperor's widow). She sent to invite him in, and received him with honour. She also gave him her daughter in marriage. Abu-l Ma'ali now pushed himself forward, and took the direction of the establishment of Prince Muhammad Hakim. A party of malcontents, who were displeased with the treatment they had received from Mah Chochak Begam, such as Shagun, son of Karacha Khan, and Shadman, and others, leagued with Abu-l Ma'ali, and persuaded him that matters would never go on well as long as the Begam lived. He fell in with their views, and slew the unfortunate woman with a dagger. Then he got into his hands the Prince Mirza Muhammad Hakim, who was of tender age, and took the direction of the government. He seized upon Haidar Kasim Kohbar, who was the minister (wakil) of the Mirza, and put him to death. He also imprisoned his brother Muhammad Kasim. Hereupon Tardi Muhammad Khan, Baki Muhammad Khan Kakshal, Husain Khan, and several other adherents of the late Begam, conspired against him to avenge her death. 'Abdi Sarmast informed Abu-l Ma'ali of this conspiracy, and he instantly armed a party of his supporters, and went forth to destroy them. The conspirators cut their way into the fort, and Abu-l Ma'ali pressed after them. Many on both sides were killed, but at length Abu-l Ma'ali succeeded in driving them out of the fort, and they fled in all directions. Muhammad Kasim, who was in confinement, obtained his release, and went to Mirza Sulaiman, in Badakhshan. He informed him of all that had passed at Kabul, and urged him to march against the city. Mirza Muhammad Hakim also sent a person to Mirza Sulaiman, calling upon him for assistance. The Mirza, on hearing the state of affairs, assembled the forces of Badakhshan, and with the approval of Khurram Begam his wife, marched against Kabul. Abu-l Ma'ali, on his side, assembled the forces of Kabul, and taking with him Mirza Muhammad Hakim, advanced to the river Ghorband. Both sides drew up their forces, and the battle began. The Kabul men on the right of Abu-l Ma'ali were defeated by the Badakhshan forces, and began to retreat. He hastened up with some reinforcements to support them, leaving Mirza Muhammad Hakim in charge of his servants. These men seized the opportunity to cross the river and join Mirza Sulaiman. When this was discovered by the Kabul forces, they were seized with panic, and every man fled to his home. When Abu-l Ma'ali came back from his charge, he was dismayed to find no trace either of Mirza Hakim or of his army, so he fled. The Badakhshan men pursued and overtook him at the village of Charikaran. He was brought to the presence of Mirza Sulaiman, who, elated with his success, went on to Kabul, taking Mirza Muhammad Hakim with him. Three days afterwards he sent Abu-l Ma'ali, with his hands bound behind his neck, to Mirza Muhammad Hakim, and he ordered him to be strangled in punishment of his crimes. This happened on the night of the 17th Ramazan, 970 H. Mirza Sulaiman now sent to Badakhshan for his daughter, and married her to Mirza Muhammad Hakim. After giving jagirs in the Kabul territory to many of his followers, and appointing Ummaid 'Ali, who was in his confidence, to the post of minister, he returned to Badakhshan. In the course of this year, Khwaja Muzaffar 'Ali Tarbati, one of the old associates of Khan-khanan Bairam Khan, was raised to the office of financial minister \[wazarat-i diwan-i 'ala\], and received the title of Khan. - [Previous: 15.4](https://indike.org/pramana/in.darkages.general.tabaqat-i-akbari~en-elliot.15.4) - [Next: 17](https://indike.org/pramana/in.darkages.general.tabaqat-i-akbari~en-elliot.17) --- Source: [https://indike.org/pramana/in.darkages.general.tabaqat-i-akbari~en-elliot.16](https://indike.org/pramana/in.darkages.general.tabaqat-i-akbari~en-elliot.16) · Pramāṇa