The Book of Akbar 147: CHAPTER XX.
The Akbarnama (H. Beveridge), vols. I–II 147
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CHAPTER XX.
147.1
of the world-conquering rays of his Majesty Sahib Qiran. And it was this same light which from the time of the ocean pearl-shell Alanqua, displayed itself from the royal shells and pearls under the veils of women in travail. It was the same light by whose splendour Ughuz Khan was made glorious, and it was the same light which was preparing and increasing from Adam till Noah. The secrets of the revelation of this light, and the strange notes of its manifestation are beyond the circle of restraint and limitation, nor is everyone capable of recognizing this secret substance or of understanding its subtleties. To sum up; His Majesty Jahanbani was illuminating the world with the power of this Divine light, which through so many cycles and epochs had been concealed under various garbs, and the time of its apparition was now at hand. Accordingly the glory of spiritual and temporal greatness was radiating from the arch of his Majesty’s shining forehead. Perfect modesty and exceeding courage were conjoined in his holy nature, and all his lofty energy was devoted to fulfilling the desires of his great father; and the excellence of intrepidity being united with consummate majesty and dignity, out of his magnanimity and high-thoughtedness, he paid no regard to self and held himself of no account. Consequently he was glorious for right-mindedness and lofty courage in every enterprise that he engaged in and every service that he undertook.
147.2
In the whole of his auspicious life, he adorned the world by joining knowledge with power, and power with compassion and clemency. In many sciences and especially in mathematics, he had no rival or colleague. His noble nature was marked by the combination of the energy of Alexander and the learning of Aristotle. He displayed great justice in carrying out the provisions of the will for the distribution of territories and exhibited thorough equity or rather exceeding kindness and beneficence therein. But superiority in spiritual perfections (which is real sovereignty), that was his own by God’s grace; none of his brothers shared in the dainties of that table of inheritance.
147.3
Everyone connected with the Court received offices and pensions. Mirza Kamran obtained Kabul and Qandahar as his fief: Mirza 'Askari, Sambal; Mirza Hindal, Sarkar Alwar. Badakhshan was made over and confirmed to Mirza Sulaiman; and the nobles and great officers and the whole of the victorious army were brought into obedience by proper measures. Everyone who breathed disaffection. e.g., Muhammad Zaman Mirza, son of Badi'u-z-zaman Mirza, son of Sultan Husain Mirza (who had been in the service of his Majesty Giti-sitani Firdaus-makani and been distinguished by being made his son-in-law, but who had from short-sightedness and deficiency of judgment opened the sleeve of contumacy), bound the cincture of service on the waist of obedience. His Majesty, after five or six months, turned his attention to the conquest of Kalinjar and besieged that fort for about a month. When the people within became distressed, the governor submitted and sent twelve mans of gold with other presents. His Majesty had regard to his supplications and entreaties and forgave him. From thence he proceeded towards Cunar and besieged it.
147.4
Let it not be concealed that this sky-based fortress was in the possession of Sultan Ibrahim and was held for him by Jamal Khan Khassa Khail Sarangkhani. After the catastrophe of Sultan Ibrahim, Jamal Khan's life came to an end from the evil design of a worthless son, and Sher Khan sought the widow (who was called Lad Mulk, and was adorned with beauty and charm) for his wife and by this contrivance got possession of the fortress. When Sher Khan heard of the approach of the conquering army, he left his son, Jalal Khan with a number of trusty persons, in the fort, and came out himself. He sent clever ambassadors and wove crafty speeches. His Majesty, recognizing the circumstances of the time, accepted his proposals and Sher Khan sent his son, 'Abdu-r-rashid to serve his Majesty Jahanbani so that he might himself remain guarded from the blows of the imperial armies and might arrange the materials of pride and presumption. This son was for a long time in the service, but when his Majesty came to Malwa, to subdue Sultan Bahadur, that worth-