The Book of Akbar 127.3

127.3

His Majesty was the eldest and straightest of the sons of ‘Umar Shaikh Mirza. In his twelfth year, on Tuesday, 5 Ramazan, 899 (10th June, 1494), he sate upon the throne in Andijan. Few kings have encountered such difficulties as he, and the courage, self-reliance and endurance which he displayed in the battle-field and in danger were superhuman. When the inevitable accident of ‘Umar Shaikh Mirza occurred in Akhsi, his Majesty Giti-sitani Firdaus-makani was in the Carbagh (Palace) of Andijan. Next day, viz., Tuesday, 5 Ramazan, the news was brought to Andijan. In a moment he mounted his horse and proceeded to the fort of Andijan. As he was alighting at the gate, Shirim Taghai seized his bridle and carried him towards the namazgah (place of prayer) in order to take him to Ozkand and the foot of the hills. His idea was that, as Sultan Ahmad Mirza was coming with great power, the treacherous officers might make over the country to him; if out of disloyalty, they did so, his Majesty’s sacred person might be saved from this danger and be conveyed to his maternal uncles Ilanja Khan and Sultan Mahmud Khan. Khan. The officers, on becoming aware of this intention, sent Khwaja Muhammad Darzl to dispel anxieties that had arisen in his mind. The cortege had reached the namdzgdh when Khwaja Muhammad came up with it. He calmed his Majesty and induced him to return.