The Book of Akbar 194: Brief account of the evil-ending career of Sher Khan.

194

It is known that Sher Khan after crossing the Biah (Beas) advanced slowly, and in spite of all his warlike equipment acted with great circumspection. He was greatly afraid lest the heroes of the royal army should coalesce and advancing into the field of warfare should exact vengeance from him and bring to nothing all his treacherous machinations. He had sent a large force ahead, but was very cautious about engaging. After some days, when the defection of M. Kamran, and the opposition of the other brothers became known far and wide, he came to Lahor. From thence he advanced as far as Khushab, and was for some days in Bhera and its neighbourhood. He sent a summons to Sultan Sarang Ghakkar and Sultan Adam who were leading landholders in that neighbourhood, but as they had been clients of his Majesty Giti-sitani Firdus-makani, and had prospered by the favour of that exalted family they did not listen to his overtures. He advanced to Hatkiapur in the Ghakkar territory and sent a large force against them. The Ghakkars fought bravely and defeated the Afghans so that many of them were captured and sold. Sher Khan wished to march against them in person. He consulted his followers and they advised that as this tribe had strong mountains and remote (zaminha-i-qalb, heart, i.e., internal) territories, they should be dealt with by degrees and by