The Book of Akbar 254: CHAPTER XLVI.
The Akbarnama (H. Beveridge), vols. I–II 254
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CHAPTER XLVI.
254.1
Khan would not have been able to resist, and would either have been put to the rout or obliged to make peace on such terms as his Majesty chose. For 'Abdu-l-'aziz Khan and the other Uzbek Khans would not have been able to come to help. Since there was long delay, they had time to come to the assistance of the enemy. The Uzbek officers who had been taken prisoners, were sent to Kabul with Khw. Qasim mahlas, one of the trusted of the Court, but his Majesty took the ataliq with him and marched by way of Khulm. Two or three days later, they passed Khulm and halted at Baba Shahu. Next day they encamped near the shrine which is a well-known landmark, and scouts brought information that a large body of Uzbeks had arrived under the leadership of Waqqas Sultan and Shah Muhammad Sultan Hisari.
254.2
His Majesty drew up his troops and set his foot in the stirrup of victory. A slight engagement took place between the advance guards and, at the time of encamping, Shah Muhammad Sultan Hisari attacked the camp with a large force. Brave men like Kabuli Khan, brother of Muhammad Qasim mauji, Sher Muhammad Pakna and Muhammad Khan Turkman distinguished themselves. Kabuli fell and the enemy being unable to resist took to flight. Ukin Ughlan, a man of distinction among the Uzbeks, was made prisoner and brought to the presence. A dispute arose between Muhammad Khan Turkman and Saiyid Muhammad Pakna, each claiming the honour of this feat. His Majesty asked Ukin who had brought him down. He pointed to Muhammad Khan and said, “He first aimed a blow at me and the wind of it unhorsed me. When I recovered myself and stood up, this other man,” pointing to Saiyid Muhammad Pakua, “struck me on the face with his sword.” His Majesty blamed Saiyid Muhammad saying, “He was thrown down by Muhammad Khan; you were ungenerous to strike another’s catch (said).” He gave the prize of valour to Muhammad Khan and made over Ukin to Pīr Muhammad akhta to be cared for.
254.3
In spite of the signs of victory, hypocritical, disloyal officers continued to show faint-heartedness and were continually uttering false reports about M. Kāmrān and spreading them among themselves. Though everything disgraceful which they ascribed to the Mīrzā had the appearance of truth, for he was capable of it and of more, yet in this instance, they fastened false charges on him. In fine the Uzbeks gave battle next day in great force and tried to gain the victory, ‘Abdu-l-‘azīz Khan, son of Ubaid Khan, being in the centre, Pīr Muhammad Khan on the right and Sultān-i-hisār on the left. His Majesty also drew up his army, he himself occupying the centre, M. Sulaimān the right wing and M. Hindāl the left, while Qarača Khan, Hājī Muhammad Khan, Tardī Beg Khan, Mun‘im Khan and Sultān Husain Beg Jalāīr with his brothers were in the van. After mid-day the armies encountered one another and a great battle raged till evening. Brave men trod the field of courage and drove off the enemy’s front ranks across the canals and into the outer defences (kūčaband) of Balkh. His Majesty in the strength of his mental vigour and wisdom, wished to pursue and to take his standards across the canals. His hypocritical followers while pretending to agree, gave wrong advice, and ignorant friends supported their opinion out of ignorance, and thereby made the opinion of enemies to prevail.
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They did not permit the crossing of the canals and uttered timorous speeches, sometimes alleging the paucity of their men and the number of the enemy; sometimes speaking of M. Kāmrān’s going to Kābul and of their fears lest the soldiers’ families should be made prisoners, and sometimes urging that they ought to wait for M. Kāmrān. Pressing these and other matters, they recommended a retreat. At length, after a thousand struggles with his spirit, it was agreed to proceed to Dara-gaz which is a strong position, and to stay there some days and collect the Aimāqs and other soldiers and so to get together the materials of victory. During that delay accurate news of M. Kāmrān would arrive. In the event of his having marched against Kābul, it was not proper for them to torment themselves (kaftan) in those parts. At a future time, they could with whole heart, conquer Balkh, nay, Transoxiana and, by the help of God, they had been constantly successful up to this day and would continue so. For every reason it was right to withdraw and proceed to Dara-gaz. His Majesty seeing the general feeling, was helpless and ordered a march in that direction. Thus the already captured Balkh was let go on account of the discord of the disloyal. Shaikh Bahlul was sent to turn back the van which had crossed the stream and driven back the Uzbeks and entered the fortifications (shahrbarun). M. Sulaiman and a number of other valiant men were appointed to be the rear-guard.
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As the whole aim of the disaffected and black-hearted was to confound the army, this compulsory retreat to Dara-gaz, which happened also to be on the route to Kabul, was represented as a return thither, and the march of M. Kamran was on every-one’s tongue. Men lost heart and separated in different directions. Though his Majesty Jahanbani sent Husain Quli Sl. muhrdar who was one of his confidants, and a number of others also, to turn back the disheartened crowd, it was of no avail, as proposition and disposition did not coincide (taqdir muafiq-i-tadbir nabud). And in fact the decree of the Omnipotent was to this effect in order that the vast country of India might be sheltered from the mischief of tyrants and the inflictions of oppressors and become the descension-point of the blessings of a holy personality, and the abiding-throne and theatre (takhtgah-i-abd dastgah) of his Majesty, the Shahinshah, the Shadow of God; and that many thousands of good seeds might be shed over the wide fields of earth and the hope-plots of the sincere. To sum up; God, the World-adorner, revealed such a victory as this under the guise of conditions which might prove a lesson and a warning to the wise, and thereby brought to pass the things of counsel and wisdom. For had this disaster not occurred, the work of the helpless ones of India would have been hindered by the undertaking of the conquest of Transoxiana;
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and the setting-in order of those lands which are a haven for the pilgrims of the seven climes, had sunk under the veil of delay. In brief, when the enemy became aware of the un-pleasing occurrence (i.e., the retreat), they put their own confused affairs in order and came in pursuit. His Majesty Jahanbānī displayed splendid courage and performed achievements whose eulogy might be the frontispiece to the model-battles of the world. In that jungle of tigers of war, his world-traversing dun-coloured steed which bore the name of tasarru-n-nazirīn and had been presented to him by Muhammad Khan, the governor of Herat and which he was riding, fell from being wounded by an arrow. Haidar Muhammad akhta presented that leader of faith and dominion with his own horse and was exalted by this piece of service. As the Divine protection was hovering over that Lord of Sovereignty's throne, he was brought into a place of safety. Most of his followers, when they beheld symptoms of defeat, dispersed in all directions in a cowardly and ignominious manner.
254.7
The names of the chief officers of the army are as follows : Mirzās Hindāl and Sulaimān, Qarāca Khan, Hāji Muhammad Khan, Tardī Beg Khan, Mun'im Khan, Khizr Khw. Sl., Muhammad Qulī Khan Jalāir, Iskandar Khan, Qāsim Husain Khan, Haidar Muhammad ākhta-begī, ‘Abdu-l-lah Khan Uzbek, Husain Qulī Khan muhrdār, Muhibb ‘Alī Khan (son of) Mir Khalifa, Sl. Husain Khan, Baltu Sl., Musahib Beg, Shah Bidagh Khan, Shaham Khan Beg Jalair, Shah Quli Naranji, Muhammad Qasim mauji, Latafu-l-lah of Sihrind, 'Abdu-l-wahhab Auji, Baqi Muhammad parwanci, and Khaldin. Three days later, his Majesty halted at the top of the pass of the Four Springs and here Muhammad Quli Shaikh Turkman who had hit on the right road, heard of the royal party and joined it.
254.8
From this place, his Majesty wrote an affectionate epistle to his Majesty the Shahinshah, and to the chaste ladies who were in Kabul, the abode of peace and sent it by Beg Muhammad akhta-begi. He also sent a friendly letter to Rashid Khan, the ruler of Kashghar who had always shewn loyalty and devotion, informing him of his arrival and telling him how his evil-minded brother, M. Kamran, had by constraint of his natural character, elevated the hideousness of discord over the beauty of concord and so had completely depressed the side of love and loyalty. Many of his followers too had shewn a want of courage. Certainly the expedition had not redounded to the joy of well-wishers; on the contrary, it had been a cause of sorrow and distress. In the same letter, he expressed his thanks for his safety and he inserted excellent counsels such as might comfort a loving heart. Leaving that place, he arrived after one night’s interval, at Ghurband and on the next night, at Khwaja Siyaran. Thence he went to Qara Bagh and thence to Ma'mūra. His Majesty, the Shahanshah, came out to meet him here and was affectionately received. From this place he went in an auspicious hour to Kabul.
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M. Sulaiman went off to Badakhshan and M. Hindal to Qundūz, Mun’im Khan accompanying him. All the other officers followed his Majesty to Kabul. Shah Bidāgh Khan who had given proofs of courage, remained a prisoner with the enemy, as did also Mir Sharif bakhshi, Khw. Nasiru-d-din ‘Ali mustaufi, Mir Muhammad munshi, Mir Jan Beg darogha-i-imarat, and Khw. Muhammad Amin Kang. All the other servants were safe. When the atālīq and other Uzbeks who had been made prisoners at Aibak, were released and went to their own country, and gave account of the royal kindness and liberality, Pīr Muhammad Khan was astonished, and sent his prisoners in a humane manner to Kabul. His Majesty, recognizing that his return was really advantageous, set himself to arrange his kingdom and engaged in the conduct of things spiritual and temporal. Khw. Jalalu-d-dīn Mahmud had been sent on an embassy to the king of Persia, but from various causes had delayed in Qandahar and he was now recalled. Khw. ‘Abdu-s-Samad and Mir Saiyid ‘Ali who were celebrated for their skill in painting, came with the Khwaja and were graciously received. Khw. Sl. ‘Ali, known as Afzal Khan, was raised from the position of mushrif-i-khizāna to that of vizier; while the whole charge of the diwani was made over to Khw. M. Beg.
254.10
The account of M. Kamran is as follows. When his Majesty, out of his kindness and affection, forgave his grave offences and gave him Kūlāb and appointed Cakar Beg of Kulab, the son of Sl. Wais Beg, as his co-adjutor and went to Kabul, no long time intervened before the Mirza behaved badly to Cakar Beg and drove him out. He placed the great favours which had been bestowed on him in the niche (tāq) of forgetfulness and giving way to evil thoughts, watched for his opportunity. During the time that His Majesty Jahānbānī was in Kabul, he was continually making false promises that he would come; and His Majesty, out of his candid nature and straightforwardness,—which are the characteristics of magnanimous natures,—believed his false words and went off to Balkh. The Mirza looked upon this opportunity as fair gain and again determined in his perfidious heart, that he would go to Kabul. The rebellious designs which were leavening his mind, came near the surface, and at his instigation, narrow-minded and disloyal officers practised various hypocrisies in that expedition, as has already been related. But as His Majesty returned and cast the shade of his justice on Kabul, M. Kāmrān left M. ‘Askarī in Kūlāb and went off to fight M. Sulaimān. The latter hastened away without fighting from Tālīqān to Qil'a Zafar. M. Kāmrān made over Tālīqān to Bābūs Beg and proceeded towards Qil‘a Zafar.
254.11
Mirzas Sulaimān and Ibrāhīm not thinking it expedient to fight left Isḥāq Sulṭān in Qil'a Zafar and went off to the defiles of Badakhshān. They took post in the village of Jīrīū and awaited the Divine retribution. M. Kāmrān, having disposed of M. Sulaimān went off to Qundūz. He began by making false pretences to M. Hindāl and proposed a union with him. M. Hindāl did not hearken to him and stood by his obligations, whereupon M. Kāmrān laid siege to Qundūz. M. Hindāl neglected no point in defending the fort and when M. Kāmrān could not succeed, he joined the Uzbeks and asked their assistance. A large body of Uzbeks came to help him and joined him in the siege. M. Hindāl in order to cause confusion and deceive the foe, which in fact is a guidance on the high road of success, devised an excellent plan, viz., he wrote a letter as from M. Kāmrān to himself, full of a renewal of peace between them and of deceiving the Uzbeks, and after the manner of experts, he gave this false document to a courier who was intentionally to throw himself into the hands of Uzbeks. When, on searching the courier, the letter was found, and when it appeared from its contents that the two Mirzas were going to act in concert and make the Uzbeks a target for the arrows of evil, the latter were confounded and withdrew from the siege and set off for their own country. The affair of the fort remained unaccomplished and just then, news came that Cakar Beg was besieging Kulab and that M.
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'Askari had been defeated and was shut up therein. Also that M. Sulaiman had joined with Ishaq Sl. and had got possession of Qil'a Zafar and had then imprisoned Ishaq Sl. M. Kamran was bewildered at this news and withdrawing in despair from Qunduz, he sent Yasin Daulat and Babus with a body of troops against M. Sulaiman and himself hastened to Kulab and made Cakar Beg retire. M. 'Askari came out and did homage to M. Kamran who took him with himself, and went off to put down M. Sulaiman. They had halted near Rustaq, when a large force of Uzbeks who had come on a plundering expedition (yurtāwal) under the leadership of Sa'id Beg, passed by the encampment and made a raid on it. Mirzas Kamran, 'Askari and 'Abdu-l-lah Mughal escaped with a few men to Taliqan. When the Sa'id afore-named knew the rights of the matter, he sent back the baggage to the Mirza with all respect and apologized for the plundering. Mirzas Hindal and Sulaiman thinking the opportunity favourable, set out to put down M. Kamran who not deeming it advisable to remain in Badakhshan, went off to Khost in order that he might, by the route of Zuhhaq and Bamian withdraw into the Hazara country. There he would learn the real state of Kabul and either proceed there or go elsewhere. As the disloyal officers of His Majesty Jahanbani were always urging the Mirza to come to Kabul, he fraudulently sent ambassadors to the Court and represented that his object in coming was to apologize for the past and to serve his Majesty.
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His hope was, he said, that His Majesty would with royal kindness, forgive his crimes and sins. Verse. I’ve come again to worship the dust of thy feet, If submission be ordered, I’m ready to pay it. “My hope is that on this occasion, I may by good service, obtain release from the heavy burden of shame.” His Majesty from the purity of his own nature, regarded his gold-incrusted copper as genuine, and accepted it according to the standard for fine gold.