The Book of Akbar 257: CHAPTER XLVII.
The Akbarnama (H. Beveridge), vols. I–II 257
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CHAPTER XLVII.
257.1
he forbade any one to give news, and asked the man who he was, and who had sent him, and what news there was among them about the King. The man answered that he was sent by Nazari of Sal Aulang to get news of the King, and that the report among them was that the King had come out of the battle wounded, and that after that no one had seen him. The Mirza’s men had found the royal jiba (cuirass or corselet) which the King had worn on that day and had brought it to the Mirza who had rejoiced thereat, and had instituted feasts. His Majesty summoned him to his presence and asked him if he knew him. He replied that the Divine effulgence does not remain hid. His Majesty said, “Go and convey the good tidings to Nazari, and tell him to make himself ready, so that at the time of my return he may perform acceptable service.” Next day he crossed by a ford and reached the village of Auliya Khanjan. Here M. Hindal joined him and was exalted by tendering presents. After that he encamped at Andarab. Mirzas Sulaiman and Ibrahim did homage and formed the part of loyalists. As the narrative has proceeded so far, it is necessary that before His Majesty Jahanbani shall have assembled his army and marched to the conquest of Kabul, the pen should take up the account of M. Kamran from the beginning of his treachery till his coming out from Kabul, which was the beginning of his punishment, so that the lips athirst for the wine of words, may be moistened from the watering place of this supplement.
257.2
When the stewards of destiny brought forth from a hidden quarter, for the confirmation of the royal, ever-during dominion, and for the confounding of the masters of hypocrisy, such a victory in the guise of defeat, and such joy in the garb of sorrow, and when His Majesty Jahanbani proceeded by the arrangement of devoted loyalists, towards Zuhhaq and Bamian, M. Kamran was amazed at the appearance of so wondrous an event, such as he had never imagined as likely to happen. The hypocrites joined him in crowds, and that foolish one was excited and delighted by the coming of those triflers and stretched out the arm of oppression upon the faithful who were firmly grasping the pinnacle of fidelity to the king. On the very field of battle Baba Sa'id brought Qaraca Qarabakht wounded before the Mirza. The latter was gracious and inquired about his evil-ending condition. He replied that Baba Sa'id had wounded him unawares and the Mirza proceeded to console that cheat by baseless favours. After that Baba Dost yasawal and a number of others brought forward Husain Quli muhrdar, who was one of the devoted loyalists, that evildoer struck with his own sword this faithful servant and ordered him to be cut to pieces in his presence. Thus this fundholder in loyalty's treasure-house sold in his benefactor's service a fleeting life and a contingent existence for the coin of fidelity, and thereby became for ever a sharer in the banquet of the true and the loyal.
257.3
They also brought in Takhji Beg who was a Caghatai officer and reckoned among the faithful. Him too they put to the sword without hesitation. After that Beg Babai of Kulab came forward and told the story of the wounding of His Majesty. The Mirza was jubilant and sent Yasin Daulat and Maqdum Koka and a body of men in pursuit. Qasim Husain Sl. had on this day shown treachery and blindness of heart. From the trepidation and fear which cling to the skirt of the disloyal, he took refuge on the side of the mountain and in his confusion did not know whether to advance or fly. Hasan Sadr and a number more were sent to him and they, by soothments and encouragement, brought him in. The Mirza left the field of battle and came to Carikaran. Here, a man brought His Majesty's special corselet to the Mirza who was so exultant that he could not contain himself for joy (lit. his clothes were not large enough for him). He marched from thence and besieged Kabul. Qasim Khan Barlas was in the service of His Majesty the Shahinshah, and was looking after the security of the fort. Though the Mirza made false promises to him, he would not sever the strong cord of fidelity which bound him to