The Akbarī Generations 39: Birth of Prince Sultan Salim Mirza.

39

On Wednesday, 18th of Rabi'u-l awwal, 977 H., and the fourteenth year of the reign, when seven hours of the day had passed, the exalted prince Sultan Salim Mirza was born in the house of Shaikh Salim Chishti, in the town of Fathpur. The Emperor himself was in Agra at the time, and the joyful tidings was conveyed to him by Shaikh Ibrahim, son-in-law of Shaikh Salim, who was right royally rewarded. In thanksgiving for this happy event, gifts were distributed among the people, prisoners were set free, and great feasts were held, which were kept up for seven days with great pleasure and rejoicing. The date of the birth is found in the words Shah-i al i Timur. Khwaja Husain composed an ode, of which the first line contained the date of the Emperor's accession, and the second the date of the prince's birth. The Khwaja received a present of two lacs of tankas for this ode, and several other poets received rewards for their productions. The Emperor made Fathpur a royal abode, raised a stone fortification round it, and built some splendid edifices, so that it became a great city. Before the prince was born, the Emperor had resolved in his own mind, that if the Almighty granted his wishes, he would go a pilgrimage on foot to the shrine of Muradu-l anwar Kutbu-l wasilin Khwaja Mu'inu-d din Chishti. Having prepared his offerings, on Friday, the 12th Sha'ban, 977, he started on foot from Agra for Ajmir. Every day he travelled seven or eight kos. He visited the shrine, and performed the usual observances immediately upon his arrival. He passed some days there, and then left Ajmir for Dehli, where he arrived in Ramazan, 977.