The Book of Akbar 268: CHAPTER LI. · Another Expedition of His Majesty Jahanbani Jannat-ashyani to Quell the Disturbance caused by M. Kamran; and the Martyrdom of M. Hindal.

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M. Kamran spent some days in the cell of contempt and disgrace, and then hearts which had been set at rest, were again agitated by the news of his strife-mongering; and wayfarers reported to His Majesty that he had come back from the Indus (Nilab) and had again raised the head of sedition in the district of Jui Shahi, in concert with a band of vagabonds. His Majesty summoned M. Hindal from Ghaznin and issued marching-orders to the neighbouring jagirdars. In a short time M. Hindal did homage, and the devoted and dutiful followers gathered round. His Majesty Jahanbani ordered an expedition to extinguish the flames of sedition, and M. Kamran, on hearing of this, retreated unsuccessful. When the victorious standards had neared Surkhab, Haidar Muhammad Akhtabegi, who was in the advance-guard, had, with many devoted men, gone ahead of the royal camp and halted on the banks of the Siah Ab, which is between the Surkhab and Gandamak. M. Kamran, who did not find himself able to engage in a pitched battle, made a night attack on him. Haidar Muhammad showed lion-like courage and made a gallant fight, and received conspicuous wounds, which are in appearance and in reality red-lettered diplomas (tughra). He remained firm and did not give up his ground. Though many things were plundered, the Mirza failed and had to return disconcerted.
After some days when the village of Japrlar, which belongs to the tuman of Neknahar, had been made the camping ground,—inasmuch as vigilance and caution are the components of alertness,—batteries were arranged and a trench and bulwark made. At the end of the day two Afghans brought word that M. Kamran intended that night to make an attack with a large body of Afghans. His Majesty Jahanbani brought the rules of circumspection to bear and stationed men at every point. On the night of Sunday, 21st Zi’l-qa'da, 958 (20th November, 1551), when a quarter of the night had passed away, M. Kamran fell upon the camp with a large body of Afghans. His Majesty Jahanbani mounted his horse and stood on a height behind his tent, and summoned to his presence the glory of foreheads and the great pearl of the diadem of the Khilafat, to wit. His Majesty the Shahanshah. The servants of the exalted threshold were all in the entrenchments and doing their duty bravely. The flames of battle were blazing. In the midst of this tumult and confusion ‘Abdu-l-wahhab yasawal, who was in the entrenchments, was struck by a bullet and became a martyr. The market of conflict grew hot until the shining moon,—which is the mirror-holder of the world,—raised her head from the quarter of fortune and brightened the earth with her effulgence. The light of victory radiated from the brows of dominion, and the adversary sought safety in flight. The imperialists were victorious and raised the standards of composure. The hearts of all had become tranquil when suddenly an unpleasant report came to the royal hearing, that M. Hindal had left this evil world. Joy became bitter and exaltation was changed into abundance of sorrow. Alas! ‘tis the way of this transitory world that if a breath go forth in joy, next moment the smoke of grief ascends from the breast of the afflicted.
Verse.
Never is heaven’s eye brightened by the morning, Without the evening twilight’s suffusing it with blood.
There is neither capability of dallying for enjoyment therein, nor permission for persistent grief. Though the Mirza left this unstable world and departed from this unenduring hostel, he gained the glory of martyrdom and at once acquired a good name in the visible world and an exalted rank in the world of reality. Hail! O Thou little-receiving and much-giving who, on the departure of borrowed life, hast given such permanent grandeurs! His Majesty