[Pramāṇa](https://indike.org/pramana/) › [Indian literature](https://indike.org/pramana/in) › [Dark Ages](https://indike.org/pramana/in.darkages) › [Kashmir](https://indike.org/pramana/in.darkages.kashmir) › [Tārīkh-i Rashīdī](https://indike.org/pramana/in.darkages.kashmir.tarikh-i-rashidi) › [The Tarikh-i-Rashidi (Elias, Ross)](https://indike.org/pramana/in.darkages.kashmir.tarikh-i-rashidi~en-ross) › 244 # The Rashīdī History 244: CHAPTER CXIII. · FLIGHT OF THE CHAGHATAI FROM HINDUSTAN TO LAHUR. The Tarikh-i-Rashidi (Elias, Ross) 244 - **Language:** English ### CHAPTER CXIII. · FLIGHT OF THE CHAGHATAI FROM HINDUSTAN TO LAHUR. ### [244.1](https://indike.org/pramana/in.darkages.kashmir.tarikh-i-rashidi~en-ross.244.1) On the 1st of Rabi I. 947, all the Sultans, Amirs and people assembled together. So great was the crowd of people that there was but little space for moving about, while it was difficult to find a lodging. High and low, each had his own ends to serve, and each made suggestions; every man of noble birth had his scheme, and all those of low parentage their ideas. Among them were Muhammad Sultan Mirza and Ulugh Mirza, who had deserted on the banks of the Gang, on the eve of the battle. Not finding any place in which they could remain, they came in a most pitiable condition to Lahur. They kept apart \[from the others\] and were still boasting hostility. \[These two\] made themselves the heads, or rather the donkeys'-heads, of a rabble of ruffians and senseless Hindus. Hindal Mirza and Yadgar Nasir Mirza likewise entered into baseless and idle plans, \[saying\] : We will go to Bakar and take it from Shah Husain Arghun, and with his forces will subdue Gujrat. Kamran Mirza was engrossed with devising some plan for dispersing all this assemblage, while he should repair, alone, to Kabul. ### [244.2](https://indike.org/pramana/in.darkages.kashmir.tarikh-i-rashidi~en-ross.244.2) Humayun Padishah for a time thought of reunion, but seeing difficulties in the way, he abandoned all hope of this, and was at a loss what to do next. \[Reunion\], however, was his object. At this time repeated meetings were held, out of mere hypocrisy. Union was discussed, but they had only disunion at heart; they called in the magnates and leading men, to be witnesses that no one opposed or deviated from the resolutions agreed to. Thus were summoned Khwaja Khand Mahmud, his younger brother Khwaja Abdul Hakk and Mir Abul-baka, who were all noted for their learning and esteemed for their piety, together with many other great men, whose names it would take too long to mention individually. The Sultans, Amirs and many others were present. At first they assented to reunion and drew up a written engagement, upon the margin of which the magnates signed their names as witnesses. They then embarked upon the discussion. ### [244.3](https://indike.org/pramana/in.darkages.kashmir.tarikh-i-rashidi~en-ross.244.3) First of all the Emperor, pointing to me, said : "You must tell us what you consider the most suitable line of action to pursue at this moment." I represented: "When Sultan Husain Mirza of Khorasan departed this life, his seventeen sons, in consequence of their disunion, abandoned Khorasan to Shahi Beg Khan, so that to the present day they are objects of reproach to the people, and rejected of all mankind. To add to this disgrace they have all been extinguished; insomuch that within the space of one year, excepting Badi-uz-Zaman who went to Rum, not one remains alive. The late Emperor, Babar, conquered this far-stretching land of Hindustan with much exertion and toil, and on leaving this world, transmitted \[the empire\] to you. Would you suffer a country like Hindustan to be seized by such a man as Shir Khan? Consider what a difference there is between Hindustan with all its revenues, and Khorasan; and how inferior is Shir Khan to Shahi Beg Khan! Also remember the degree of censure you will incur from mankind! Now is the moment for you to consider your condition, and having removed your head from the collar of envy, to place it in the pocket of meditation, that you may acquire the esteem of the people. Formerly, when matters could have been arranged with ease, you put obstacles in the way, by your want of constancy and of purpose. At present it is impossible to achieve anything, without encountering untold difficulties.' ### [244.4](https://indike.org/pramana/in.darkages.kashmir.tarikh-i-rashidi~en-ross.244.4) "I will now lay before you what seems to me your wisest course. It involves great hardships, but it is you who have made hard what was once easy. And moreover, if you do not bear patiently your present troubles, they will become yet more onerous. My advice is as follows: Shir Khan will still take four months to reach Lahur. During these four months, the mountain slopes of Hindustan should be given to the Sultans, and each one, in proportion to his share, should be made to pledge his allegiance. "Let every man attend to the particular business to which he has been appointed. Let me, for instance, be appointed to the task of subduing Kashmir, and I engage that within two months I will accomplish it. As soon as you hear of my arrival in Kashmir, let every one send his family and baggage thither, while he betakes himself to the mountains, and forms a strong position on the slopes—from the hills of Sarind to those \[occupied by\] Sarang. The mortars \[dig\] and swivels \[zarb-zan\] of Shir Khan are the mainstay of his fighting power. It is impossible to bring gun-carriages into the hills, and he will not hazard a battle without them. His army, from stress of numbers, will perish for want of grain, and must perforce retreat." Kámrán Mirza, frowning at these words, said: "Although what you recommend is plausible enough, it involves difficulties too great." I replied: "When I began, I represented, in excuse for myself, that the business was a difficult one. ### [244.5](https://indike.org/pramana/in.darkages.kashmir.tarikh-i-rashidi~en-ross.244.5) All easy methods are now out of question. Nothing but difficulties remain. If any one can suggest an easier solution, let him speak." Kámrán Mirza said: "We have now with us nearly 200,000 householders \[khána-wár mardum\]. Should the advice just offered be acted upon, and the attempt fail, it is probable that all this multitude will be destroyed. It is, therefore, better that the Emperor and the Mirzás should go unencumbered, either to the hills or to Kashmir, leaving their families to be conducted to Kábul by me. Having safely disposed of the families, I will return to join the army." All were bewildered by this suggestion and asked themselves, "What has now become of our oath of union? What are these sentiments? Who would think of sending his family to Kabul and himself remaining without baggage? Between Lahur and Kabul there are rivers, highway robbers, and mountains. The Mirza's scheme is quite impracticable." Although much discussion followed, Kámrán Mirzá did not carry a single point. Thus \[ostensible\] desires for union were shown to be hypocrisy, and the meeting broke up. But time passed, and meanwhile Shir Khan had reached the banks of the river of Sultánpur. Every man chose a place of retreat for himself. The Emperor consulted with me in this exigency, and I again respectfully represented that I still held by the Kashmir plan. ### [244.6](https://indike.org/pramana/in.darkages.kashmir.tarikh-i-rashidi~en-ross.244.6) "At any rate," I continued, "if you allow me to go in advance, the rest can follow after, and I guarantee that I will conquer Kashmir." The Emperor then gave me leave to depart, furnishing me with what help he was able; so that with four hundred freed men and slaves, I set out for Kashmir. --- Source: [https://indike.org/pramana/in.darkages.kashmir.tarikh-i-rashidi~en-ross.244](https://indike.org/pramana/in.darkages.kashmir.tarikh-i-rashidi~en-ross.244) · Pramāṇa