The Book of Akbar 154.1

154.1

Account of the expedition of His Majesty Jahanbani Jannat-ASHIYANI FOR THE SUBJUGATION OF GUJRAT, OF THE DEFEAT OF SULTAN BAHADUR, AND THE CONQUEST OF THAT COUNTRY. Though the world-conquering heart (of Humāyūn) was void of the thought of the conquest of Gujrat so long as its ruler trod the path of harmony and sincerity, yet when the Creator wills to adorn a country with the splendour (farr) of a lawgiver's advent, He inevitably prepareth the means therefor. The actions of the ruler of Gujrat are a proof of this, for he, out of native arrogance, the assaults of flatterers, abundance of intoxication and intoxicated men, poverty of prudence and of the prudent, broke without object, treaties and visible ties, and became author of many improper acts. Thus it grew imperative for the lofty spirit (of Humāyūn) to march his army towards Gujrat. Accordingly in the beginning of Jumāda-l-awwal, 941, (8th November, 1534), the foot of determination was placed, in a happy hour, in the stirrup of felicity and the reins of prowess were directed to the subjugation of Gujrāt. When the army approached the fortress of Raisīn, the garrison submitted entreaties together with rich presents, representing that the fort was his Majesty's, and themselves his Majesty's slaves, and that as soon as the affair of Sultan Bahadur was settled, of what use would the fort be? In fact, as the object in view was the conquest of Gujrat, the army did not delay here, but marched on towards Malwa.