The Book of Akbar 219.1

219.1

Khizr Khan held his breath from fear. When night came on he emerged from under the rock and reached a place of safety. As the daily increasing success of his Majesty Jahanbani was patent, and it became clear to the garrison that owing to the good fortune of his Majesty Jahanbani and the zeal of his devoted servants it would be impossible to maintain the defence, M. ‘Askari awoke from the sleep of carelessness and became disturbed in his mind, and could neither advance nor stay where he was. At first he asked to be allowed to surrender Qandahar and to proceed to Kabul, but his Majesty Jahanbani did not agree to this, and the Mirza’s crude idea came to nought. Out of necessity he had to send her Highness Khanzada Begam to his Majesty to beg forgiveness of his offences. At the request of that cream of chastity’s family the writing of forgiveness was drawn over the register of his offences, and on Thursday, 25th Jumada-l-akhir (3rd September, 1545), of that year (952) he came out of the fort, contrite and repentant, and in the train of the cupola of chastity. His Majesty Jahanbani had formed an assemblage in the diwankhana and the Caghatai and Persian officers were drawn up in line according to their rank. In accordance with the royal orders Bairam Khan hung the sword round M. ‘Askari’s neck and introduced him.