The Book of Akbar 192.1

192.1

morning which was his downfall's evening, the Mīrzā proceeded with evil intent towards Mashtang. When he had advanced one or two kos, he asked his servants, if any of them had been that way. Jai Bahadur Uzbak, who was Qāsim Husain Sultān's servant and had on this expedition taken service with the Mīrzā, said, "I know this road thoroughly, and have repeatedly gone and come by it!" The Mīrzā replied that he was speaking the truth for he had been a jagīrdār there, and he bade him go on ahead and lead the way. He objected that his pony was knocked up, and the Mīrzā signed to Tarsūn Barlās, one of his servants, to give him his horse. He objected about his own necessities but had to surrender the animal. Jai Bahadur, who had served the king in India, advanced a little by auspicious guidance and then putting his horse to the gallop, went off to Bairām Khān's tent, and unfolded the facts of the case. Bairām Khān went with him to his Majesty Jahānbānī, whom he informed of the evil intentions of that ingrate ('Askarī). His Majesty sent to Tardī Beg and some others for horses. Those base, narrow-eyed men turned away from the perception of their good fortune (in thus having an opportunity of serving Humāyūn) and refused to give them. His Majesty wished to mount his horse (perhaps Jai Bahadur's) and go and give them a lesson. Bairām Khān deprecated doing this, as the moment was critical and there was no time for dallying.