The Book of Akbar 253.3

253.3

When his Majesty’s mind had been set at rest about the necessary arrangements for the expedition, he marched to Istalif. Here ‘Abbas Sultan Uzbak absconded. His Majesty marched slowly, as he waited to be joined by the Mirzas. When he heard that they had started, and that M. Kamran was getting ready, he went by Panjshir and encamped at Andarab. In imitation of his Majesty Sahib-qirani, he halted for three days at a stage where that fortunate prince had laid foundations. Thence he went to Nari, where there is a meeting of the ways. Having crossed the Nari Pass, he traversed the plain of Nilbar, the spring beauty of which is famous and pre-eminent above that of other parts of Badakhshan. Near this flowery spot, Mirzas Hindal and Sulaiman did homage and were encompassed with favours. Here at M. Sulaiman’s request, M. Ibrahim was permitted to go to Badakhshan that he might protect the country and look after the local army. From the neighbourhood of Baqlau, Mirzas Hindal and Sulaiman and Haji Muhammad Khan and a number of experienced and energetic men were sent on in advance, that they might set free from the Uzbeks the town of Aibak, a dependency of Balkh which is famed for its cultivation, the abundance of its fruits, and the excellence of its climate.