The Akbarī Generations 18: Journey of the Emperor to Narwar.
Tabakát-i Akbarí of Nizámu-d dín Ahmad (extracts) 18
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Journey of the Emperor to Narwar.
18.1
On the 12th Zi-l ka'da, 971 H., corresponding with the ninth year of the reign, the Emperor left Agra, and went towards the river Chambal with the object of elephant hunting. In consequence of the heavy rains and the inundations, he had to halt fifteen days, and when he did cross over one of his choice elephants named Lakhna was drowned. When he came to the vicinity of the town of Narwar he pitched his camp, for the jungle hard by was an elephant haunt. * * * After they had cleared that neighbourhood of elephants, he marched on towards Malwa, and halted at Rewar. Heavy rains compelled him to remain two days in sight of that town. From thence he proceeded to Sarangpur, and again the heavy rains and floods greatly distressed his escort. When he approached Sarangpur, Muhammad Kasim Khan Naishapuri the governor came forth to meet him and presented tribute. Next day the Emperor proceeded onwards towards Mandu.
18.2
'Abdu-lla Khan Uzbek was governor of Mandu, and as there were sundry differences between him and the Emperor, he was greatly alarmed at his approach, and consequently fled off towards Gujarat. When the Emperor was informed of his flight, he sent Mukim Khan, one of his chief nobles, to 'Abdu-lla, to advise and reassure him. Although Mukim Khan urged and persuaded, his words had no effect, for 'Abdu-lla thought that the object of the Khan was to detain him with words and stories till the royal forces had arrived and secured the roads; so he left Mukim Khan and fled; and the Khan went back and reported his want of success.
18.3
The Emperor's anger was roused, and he gave orders for a force to be sent to arrest 'Abdu-lla's progress. The Emperor himself followed, and on reaching Mandu intelligence arrived that his advanced force was engaged in action with 'Abdu-lla, so he pressed on with all speed. When 'Abdu-lla saw that some of his most faithful followers had fallen, and heard that the Emperor was near at hand, he left his baggage and soldiers and hastened off. The Imperial forces pursued him as far as the country of 'Ali, on the confines of Gujarat, and drove him away from his wives and elephants. He then went to Changiz Khan in Gujarat. This Changiz Khan was a slave of Sultan Mahmud of Gujarat, after whose death he had obtained the government of the country. The royal forces which had captured the horses and elephants and wives of 'Abdu-lla then turned back to 'Ali, where they were received with honour.
18.4
The Imperial army then moved, and on the new moon of Zi-l hijja, 791 H., reached Mandu. The zamindars of the neighbourhood came in to pay their allegiance, and met with a gracious reception. Miran Mubarak Shah, ruler of Khandesh, sent a letter and suitable presents by the hands of ambassadors to the Emperor. After some days the ambassadors received permission to return, and a farman was sent to Miran Mubarak Shah directing him to send any one of his daughters whom he thought worthy to attend upon the Emperor. 'Itimad Khan was also sent along with the ambassadors. When Mubarak Shah received this gracious communication, he was greatly delighted, and he sent his daughter with a suitable retinue and paraphernalia to His Majesty, esteeming it a great favour to be allowed to do so. Whilst the Emperor remained at Mandu, Khan Kuli, a servant of 'Abdu-lla Khan, who was now in Hindia, and Mukarrab Khan, one of the nobles of the Dekhin, in compliance with the royal command, came in with their followers, and had an audience. Mukim Khan, who had exhibited vigour and ability in this expedition, received the title of Shuja' Khan.
18.5
In Muharram, 972 (August, 1564), the Imperial camp moved from Mandu, and was pitched in sight of the town of Nalcha. Karra Bahadur Khan was appointed governor of Mandu, and an order was made directing a party of the Imperial followers who remained behind in Mandu to stay in that province along with Karra Bahadur, and zealously serve His Majesty. Two days after, the camp moved towards Agra, and upon reaching Ujjain, it remained there four days, in consequence of heavy rain. In four days' march from thence it reached Sarangpur, and in a week afterwards it arrived at the pargana of Kherar, within sight of the town. By regular stages it reached Sipri. Here the scouts brought in news of a herd of elephants, in which there was one very large animal. The royal servants went in chase of them, and captured the whole of them. Proceeding by way of Narwar and Gwalior, the Emperor reached Agra, on the 3rd Rabi'u-l awwal. In the course of this year the Emperor had twins borne to him, one of whom was named Hasan, the other Husain; but they lived only a month. After His Majesty returned from Mandu, and while he was enjoying himself at Agra, he often rode out to Kakrani, a village in the vicinity of the capital, which was remarkable for the purity of its air and the excellence of its water. He deemed this a suitable site for a palace, so he ordered one to be built. In a short time fine houses arose, and a great town sprung up, which was called Nagar-chin.