The Akbarī Generations 41: March of the Emperor to Ajmír.
Tabakát-i Akbarí of Nizámu-d dín Ahmad (extracts) 41
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March of the Emperor to Ajmír.
41.1
The Emperor was accustomed, wherever he might be, to pay a visit every year to the tomb of Mu'ínu-l hakk wau-d dín Hasan Sanjarí at Ajmír. In this happy year, on the 8th Rabí'u-l ákhir, 978, he started for that place, in order to show his gratitude for the boon granted to him. He stayed twelve days at Fathpúr, in order to make some necessary arrangements for his journey. He arrived at Ajmír in due course. To show his favour, and to improve the condition of the place, he ordered a strong wall to be built round it, and a palace to be erected in it for his own residence. The amírs and khánṣ, and attendants of the Court, vied with each other in erecting dwellings there. He distributed the villages and lands and houses of Ajmír among his amírs, to enable them to pay the expenses of the new buildings. On Friday, 4th Jumáda-l ákhir, he left Ajmír, and arrived in sight of Nágor on the 16th. Here there is a large tank, which he ordered his soldiers to dig and fill with water. He himself inspected the tank, and gave it the name of Shúkr taláo. While he was thus staying at Nágor, Chandar Sen, son of Rái Máldeo came to pay his allegiance, and make his offerings. Rájá Kalyán Mal, the Rájá of Bíkánír, also came with his son, Rái Singh, to wait upon His Majesty, and present his tribute. The loyalty and sincerity of both father and son being manifest, the Emperor married Kalyán Mal's daughter. For fifty days he shed the light of his justice and equity upon the poor people of Nágor.
41.2
From thence he proceeded to Ajodhan, to pay a visit to the tomb of Shaikh Farídu-d dín Mas'úd Ganj-i shakar. Rái Kalyán Mal, who was so fat that he could not ride on horseback, now received permission to return to Bíkánír; but his son was ordered to remain in attendance upon His Majesty, in which he received high promotion, as will be related in the proper place.
41.3
There were many wild asses (gor-khar) in this desert country, and His Majesty, who had never hunted this animal, was desirous of doing so. One day as he was journeying on, the scouts brought information that there was a herd of wild asses in the vicinity of the camp. He immediately mounted a fleet courser, and after a ride of four or five kos, came in sight of the herd. He got off his horse, and commanded all his followers to remain quiet. He himself, with four or five Bilúchís, who were acquainted with the country, approached the herd with guns in their hands. At the first shot he struck an ass, and the remainder of the herd, being frightened by the noise, dispersed. His Majesty cautiously approached, and struck another, and so on, until sixteen asses fell by his hand. That day he travelled nearly seventeen kos in hunting, and at the close returned to the camp. By his order the sixteen asses were brought to the camp in carts, and their flesh was distributed in front of the royal tent among the amírs and courtiers. Then he proceeded towards Ajodhan; and on arriving in sight of the place, he went on immediately, and performed all the ceremonies of pilgrimage, and distributed his bounty among the poor. * * *
41.4
From thence he proceeded towards Lahore, and when he arrived at Dípálpúr, the jágírdár of that pargana, Mírzá 'Azíz Muhammad Kokaltásh, who bore the title of 'Azam Khán, and was well known as Mírzá Koka, prepared an entertainment, and begged him to stay there a few days and rest. His Majesty graciously consented, and remained there. For some days feasting went on, and upon the last day splendid offerings were presented to him. Arab and Persian horses, with saddles of silver; huge elephants, with chains of gold and silver, and housings of velvet and brocade; and gold and silver, and pearls and jewels, and rubies and garnets of great price; chairs of gold, and silver vases, and vessels of gold and silver; stuffs of Europe, Turkey, and China, and other precious things beyond all conception. Presents of similar kind also were presented for the young princes and the Emperor's wives. All the ministers and attendants and dignitaries received presents, and every soldier of the army also participated in the bounty.