The Book of Akbar 160: Mīrzā 'Askarī leaves Gujrāt with rebellious designs.

160

Of a surety, a grandee who does not recognise the force of kindness and prestige, and takes the road of ingratitude, smites his own foot with a hatchet, and of his own act falls into the hell of ruin. The story of the doings of Mirza 'Askarī and the officers of Gujrāt is a proof of this, for owing to the smallness of their capacities a little success made them give way to rebellious thoughts. From immoderate living there arose the beginnings of mutual strife and their actions were darkened by the mist of dissimulation. Accordingly after about three months the enemy stirred up commotion. Khan Jahan of Shiraz and Rūmī Khan, who had the name of Safar and who is the builder of the fort of Surat, united and took possession of Nausārī which was held by 'Abdullah Khan, a relative of Qasim Husain Khan Uzbeg. 'Abdullah Khan left that quarter and came to Broach. About this time they also took the port of Surat. Khan Jahan marched by land to Broach, while Rūmī Khan came there by sea with warships carrying guns and muskets. Qasim Husain Khan lost his head (lit. lost hands and feet), and hurried to Campānīr, and then from there went on to Ahmadābād to Mirza 'Askarī and Hindu Beg in search of help. Sayyid Ishaq who had received from Sultan Bahadur the title of Shitāb Khan (the swift Khan) took possession of Cambay, and Yadgar Nasir Mirza went off from Pattan to Ahmadabad at the summons of 'Askarī Mirza. Darya Khan and Muhafiz Khan set out from Raisin and were going towards the Sultan at Diu, when finding Pattan empty (i.e., undefended), they took possession of it. From want of union and want of counsel things came to such a pass that one Ghazanfar (the lion), a servant of Yadgar Nasir Mirza deserted with 300 horse and joined Sultan Bahadur. He invited the Sultan to come (to Ahmadabad) and letters of loyalists followed in succession, so that Sultan Bahadur marched towards Ahmadabad, and soon halted near Sarkej. 'Askari Mirza, Yadgar Nasir Mirza, Hindu Beg, and Qasim Husain Khan proceeded with nearly 20,000 horse and confronted the Sultan in the rear of Asawal. They faced him for three days and nights, and then, as they were neither loyal to his Majesty Jahanbani nor clear-headed they, out of a darkened understanding and evil thoughts, went off without fighting to Campanir. Much mischief ensued.
'Tis evident how far they carried the eating of the salt and the breaking the salt-cellar on the table-top and how in the domain of thanksgiving they trod the arena of crime and the field of little service. Good God, I understand their lack of fidelity, which is a priceless jewel and of rare occurrence in this wicked world, but why should they drop from their hands the coin of common sense which is negotiable everywhere? In fine, Sultan Bahadur who had been in a thousand anxieties, grew bold and pursued them. Sayyid Mubarak of Bukhara was at the head of the vanguard and came near the imperial army. Yadgar Nasir Mirza who commanded in the rear turned and fought bravely with the result that many of the Sultan's vanguard were killed, while the Mirza was wounded in the arm. The enemy halted at Mahmudabad, and the Mirza joined the main army. As M. ‘Askari had lost heart he incontinently crossed the Mahindri which was in front of him, and many of the soldiers lost their lives in its floods. The Sultan arrived at the edge of the river and the Mirza went on to Campanir. Tardi Beg Khan made arrangements for their entertainment, and then went back to his post.
Next day the Mirzas sent a treacherous message to Tardi Beg Khan to the effect that they were in distress, and their army in evil case, and begged that he would send them by way of assistance a portion of the fort treasures in order that they might give it to their soldiers. When they had refreshed themselves, they would use diligence to attack the enemy. They were reporting to Mandu, where the imperial camp was, but it would take a courier six days to