The Book of Akbar 266: CHAPTER L.
The Akbarnama (H. Beveridge), vols. I–II 266
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CHAPTER L.
266.1
- impure heart, and he dismissed the royal ambassadors with pretences and false promises of his coming. At the same time he sent a messenger to M. Kamran, asking him how long he was going to wander about in the hills and deserts, and telling him to come quickly in his own direction so that they might act in concert. By chance Bairam Khan, who was going to Qandahar in His Majesty's service, arrived at Ghaznin. Haji Muhammad, who was longing for the Khan (ba khan tawaqan bud), went out to meet him and fawned upon him, seeking to bring him into the fort under the pretext of a feast and to shut him up there. The Khan proceeded towards the fort when Mir Habash, who was with Haji Muhammad Khan, gave a signal to the Khan, and he, being put on his guard, thereby made an excuse and renounced his intention of entering the fort, and encamped at a fountain outside the city. There he soothed Haji Muhammad and prevailed upon him to accompany him to Kabul. He sent the news of his own arrival and of the bringing of Haji Muhammad; and His Majesty, having heard that M. Kamran was coming to the territory of Kabul, proceeded to Kabul with all haste. M. Kamran advanced to within one stage of Kabul and then, when he heard of the arrival of the Khankhanan and of his having Haji Muhammad Khan with him, he again withdrew in confusion to Lamghan. One day Haji Muhammad wished to enter Kabul by the Iron Gate, but Khw.
266.2
Jalalu-d-din Mahmud, who was in charge of Kabul, would not permit him to enter the fort and sent him a harsh message. That face-blackened one became suspicious and went off to Qara Bagh, under pretext of hunting; and then, passing by the Kutal-i-minar went to Baba Qucqar (i.e., Baba ram); then by the Daman-i-koh of Bihzadi and Lalandar, went quickly off to Ghaznin. Just then the victorious standards of His Majesty Jahanbani, who had gone towards Kabul to quell the disturbance of M. Kamran, arrived at Siah Sang. Bairam Khan was exalted by paying homage. His Majesty Jahanbani ordered that no one should enter the city, for he was going in pursuit of the Mirza, so that he might, once for all, free God's creatures from daily disturbance. But as his mind was not at ease about Haji Muhammad, the officers were unanimous that he should be secured about him and then set out after the Mirza. His Majesty came to the city and appointed Bairam Khan to look after Haji Muhammad and instructed him to act with dissimulation and by every contrivance possible to bring him in.
266.3
Bairam Khan tamed Haji Muhammad by suitable devices and after promises and oaths, he came to the village of Gulkar and embraced the Khankhanan. The latter brought him to the presence of the forgiving prince and begged for the remission of his offences. Four or five days later they all went together towards the Lamghanat which was the retreat of the Mirza. In spite of the recent forgiveness of so many crimes, Haji Muhammad acted as if he had never committed them, and again had the audacity to enter on still worse schemes. He shewed disgraceful conduct and disgusted the holy heart. His Majesty went off with a large body of men, and when the standards of fortune reached Jalalabad, the Mirza retreated to the defiles of Kanur and Nurgal, and all sedition-mongers crept away. The Khankhanan was appointed to follow the Mirza, and the latter, not being able to maintain himself in Kanur and Nurgal went off to the Indus (Nilab). The Khankhanan returned and did homage in Daka.
266.4
At this time His Majesty took into consideration general utility and the public tranquillity, and ordered the arrest of Haji Muhammad and his brother, Shah Muhammad—who was capable of being Haji Muhammad's instructor in wickedness. And these two ungrateful brothers—who in their service looked to nothing but material advantages and their own credit; who were given over to cupidity and ingratitude; who looked for a great price in exchange for their inferior goods, and who were unmindful of benefits, were caught by their own wickedness. His Majesty, in accordance with his just nature, ordered that the services which the low-thoughted service-sellers had voluntarily or involuntarily rendered during their careers, should be entered by them in a list, and that one of the honest servants should write out their offences, so that by putting them into the balance of justice, the real facts about these two evil-doers