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The Akbarī Generations 81: Thirty-second year of the Reign.

Tabakát-i Akbarí of Nizámu-d dín Ahmad (extracts) 81

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Thirty-second year of the Reign.

81.1

On the 11th Rabi'u-l akhir, 995 (11th March, 1587 A.D.), when the sun passed from Pisces to Aries, the Nauroz-i Sultani was celebrated at the fort of Atak, and Kunwar Man Singh came to the feast. When Mirza Shah Rukh, Raja Bhagwan Das, and Shah Kuli Khan Mahram reached the pass of Bhuliyas, on the confines of Kashmir, Yusuf Khan, the ruler of that country, came up and blockaded the pass. The Imperial forces remained for some days inactive, snow and rain came on, and the supplies of corn were cut off. Moreover, the news of the defeat of Zain Khan arrived, and the army was in great difficulty. The amirs resolved to make peace. They settled a tribute to be paid by saffron, shawls, and by the mint to the royal treasury, and they appointed collectors. Yusuf was delighted with these terms, and came to visit the amirs, and they brought him along with them to see the Emperor. When they came to Court, the Emperor disapproved of the peace, and the amirs were forbidden his presence; but after some days they were allowed to make their obeisances.

81.2

About this time the ambassador of 'Abdu-lla Khan with Nazar Be and his sons arrived, and had an interview. Isma'il Kuli Khan and Rai Singh also arrived, bringing with them the chief men and leaders of the Biluchis. A sum of four lacs of tankas, equal to five hundred tumans of 'Irak, was presented as a gift to Nazar Be and his sons. After the feast of the Nauroz was over, Kunwar Man Singh was ordered to go to the support of Raja Todar Mal, who had been sent against the Yusufzai Afghans and others. When the Emperor had settled the course to be pursued with the Afghans, and the affairs of Atak and Kabul, he resolved to return to Lahore, and started on the 24th Rabi'u-s sani. Hunting and amusing himself as he went, he arrived at Lahore on the 18th Jumada-s sani. When Kunwar Man Singh was appointed to the government of Kabul, Isma'il Kuli Khan was sent from the river Behut (Beyah) in command of a strong force against the Yusufzai and other Afghans. An Imperial order was issued to Kunwar Man Singh, that when Isma'il Kuli arrived, the Kunwar was to go on to Kabul. Saiyid Bukhari also was appointed to support Isma'il Kuli, and was directed to occupy Peshawar. Mir 'Arab Bahadur, who had fled for refuge into the hills of Kamaun, and had troubled the inhabitants of the country at the foot of the hills, was killed by the servants of Mir Abu-l Fath in the pargana of Sherkot.

81.3

On the 13th Rajab the ceremony of weighing the Emperor was performed, and a splendid festival was held; and on the 19th Prince Salim was married to the daughter of Rai Singh, one of the great nobles. The Raja sent fine presents with his daughter, and felt highly honoured by the alliance. Muhammad Kasim Khan Mir-bahr and * * was sent with a large force to effect the conquest of Kashmir. After seven marches they entered the defiles of the mountains. When they reached the pass of Kartal, Ya'kub, the son of Yusuf Khan, considering himself ruler of Kashmir, came with a considerable force to oppose them. He closed the pass, and there took his post. But fortune fought for the Imperial army, and the stone of dissension was cast among the Kashmiris. The chiefs of Kashmir were distressed with the rule of Ya'kub, and several deserted from him and joined Kasim Khan. Another party raised the standard of rebellion in Srinagar, which is the capital of the country. Ya'kub, deeming it of primary importance to crush the internal rebellion, returned to Kashmir. The Imperial army then entered Kashmir without opposition, and Ya'kub, unable to make any resistance, fled to the mountains. Srinagar was occupied, and revenue collectors were appointed to all the parganas.

81.4

The Emperor, on being informed of the conquest, sent letters of thanks to Kasim Khan and the other amirs, and bestowed honours and promotions upon all of them. Ya'kub raised a force, and fought with Kasim Khan, but was defeated. Another time he tried a night surprise, but was unsuccessful. The royal forces pursued him into hills full of trees and defiles, beating him and driving him before them. He was very nearly captured. At last, in wretched plight and in humble mood, he waited upon Kasim Khan, and enrolled himself among the subjects of the Imperial throne. The country of Kashmir was thus cleared. On the 19th Ramazan the ambassador of 'Abdu-lla Khan received leave to return. Hakim Humam was sent as envoy to 'Abdu-lla Khan, and Mir Sadr Jahan as a complimentary visitor to Iskandar Khan, the father of 'Abdu-lla Khan. Nearly a lac and a half of rupees, equal to three thousand seven hundred tumans of 'Irak, goods of Hindustan, and curiosities were entrusted to Muhammad 'Ali Khazanchi for presentation to 'Abdu-lla Khan.

81.5

Saiyid Hamid Bukhari, formerly one of the nobles of the Sultans of Gujarat, had been received into the Imperial service, and was sent to Peshawar for the repression of the Roshanai sectaries. They had assembled about 20,000 foot and 6000 horse to attack him. He, and a few men who were with him at the time, fought and perished. The Emperor sent Zain Khan Koka and * * with a large force to subdue these heretics, who occupied the Khaibar Pass, and closed the road between Kabul and Hindustan. Kunwar Man Singh marched from Kabul, and attacked and defeated them in the Khaibar, and put a great many of them to the sword. He then occupied Jamrud, and left a detachment in the Khaibar. Mirza Sulaiman, having returned from his pilgrimage to Mecca, once more tried his fortune in Badakhshan; but he was unable to contend against 'Abdu-lla Khan Uzbek, and fled to Kabul. From thence he went to Hindustan, and was received by the Emperor in the month of Rabi'u-l awwal, 995 H.