The Book of Akbar 270: CHAPTER LII. · Assignment of the Territory of Ghaznin to His Majesty the Shahinshah, and Elevation of some to his Service.
The Akbarnama (H. Beveridge), vols. I–II 270
- Language
- English
CHAPTER LII. · Assignment of the Territory of Ghaznin to His Majesty the Shahinshah, and Elevation of some to his Service.
270.1
As, from his early years, the notes of greatness and the glory of government shone from the lustrous brows of that new fruit of the tree of sovereignty and that splendour and nosegay of the garden of the Khilafat and fortune,—to wit. His Majesty the Shahinshah,—at this time, when he was ten years old, all the servants of M. Hindal, together with all his Jagirs, viz., Ghaznin, etc., were assigned to him, so that, by the practice of rule, he might exhibit favour and severity in the management of men; and by administration of a part, he might become accustomed to administer the whole. One of the wonderful things of fate was that some days earlier, the turban of this light of the eyes of dominion came off in a crowd when he was riding in the service of His Majesty Jahanbani. M. Hindal was there and from perfect reverence, he took off his own fortunate cap (taj) in the midst of that crowd and placed it on the star-brushing head (i.e., of Akbar). The far-seeing drew the omen from this that the time when the Shahinshah would wear the diadem and wield authority, was nigh at hand. The Almighty, in recompense for this deed, elevated the Mirza to the rank of martyrdom which is equivalent to life and joy eternal. His Majesty the Shahinshah—who is the Divine nursling,—shewed such marks of greatness, graciousness and appreciation of men, in winning hearts, that grief for the Mirza left men’s souls and they became possessed of constant joy. Verse.
270.2
O God! so long as the world hath lustre and colour, The heavens gyration and the earth stability; Grant him enjoyment of life and youth; Above all, give him abundance of existence.
270.3
The names of the principal servants of the deceased Mirza who entered into the service of the Shahinshah, are as follows;—(1). Muhibb ‘Ali Khan; (2). Nasir Quli; (3). Khw. Ibrahim; (4). Maulana ‘Abdu-l-lah; (5). Sama Tuqbai; (6). Sanjar; (7). Qarghuji; (8). Jan Muhammad Tuqbai; (9). Taju-d-din Mahmud barbegi; (10). Timur Tash; (11). Maulana Sam, now known as Sam Khan; (12). Maulana Baba Dost sadr, who was highly regarded by the Mirza; (13). Mir Jamal who was also a favourite with the Mirza; (14). Khaldin Dost Sahari. Baba Dost was also a servant of the Mirza but, as in the educational canon, nothing is worse than bad company, he, on account of his bad character was not taken on. Though Muhammad Tahir Khan was an old servant of the Mirza, yet, inasmuch as he had not been able to keep charge of Qunduz, he was excluded from the glance of the truth-discerning eye, and was not made a companion on this auspicious expedition. As the Court of this bestower of glory on the earth, was a test of the jewel of humanity, the condition of every one of these men who was of good disposition and pure character, became better day by day, and they attained lofty positions. And it is to be hoped that they will remain to the end in that condition. Every one who was evil had the veil stripped from his acts and was so dealt with as to be a warning to all who were evil or negligent.
270.4
As the village of Bihsud became the camp of the pavilions of fortune, an order was given to build a strong fort. His Majesty the Shahinshah was sent off in order to strengthen the city of Kabul and that he might there practise the methods of spiritual and temporal sovereignty. His Majesty himself remained at Bihsud under the Divine aid and exercised vigilance with regard to M. Kamran. The army remained there for four or five months. The Mirza, from want of sense, (az bi isti‘dadi) was each day the guest of a clan and each night took refuge with a landholder. From a defect of nature, he remained veiled in self-conceit and excluded from the auspicious service and fellowship of such a benefactor, and was for ever indulging in seditious thoughts. At this time, a set of superficialists who were in the service of His Majesty the Shahinshah and were oblivious of an internal abode of wisdom, wrote to His Majesty Jahanbani and complained about his Highness. His Majesty, notwithstanding that he was aware of the inner light of the Shahinshah, had regard to externals, and sent a gracious letter containing instructions and admonitions, full of kindness and paternal affection and not at all of a censuring or cautioning character. For what need has he who has been taught at the Divine school,—of human instructions? or what concern has the nursling of Heaven with such didactics? In that letter this verse of Shaikh Nizami was quoted. Verse.
270.5
Sit not idle, 'Tis not the time for play: 'Tis the time for arts and for work. He was first taken before Mullazada Mulla 'Aṣamu-d-din to be taught. As this teacher was devoted to pigeons, the servants reported against him. His Majesty discharged him and made over the duty of outward instruction to Maulana Bayazid. He performed this duty, but as the world-adorning Deity did not wish that His own special pupil should become tainted by exoteric sciences, He diverted him from such pursuits and made him inattentive to them. The shallow thought it was the fault of the teachers and reported against them, but as the latter were right-thinking and of good character, the complaints were not accepted or acted upon. At last His Majesty had an inspiration, to wit, that for the purpose of instructing that pupil of the Divine school, lots should be cast between Mulla ‘Abdu-l-Qadir, Mullazada Mulla 'Aṣamu-d-din, and Maulana Bayazid, so that he, on whom the lucky chance should fall, should be exalted by being made the sole teacher. It happened that the lot fell on Maulana 'Abdu-l-Qadir, and an order issued for the removal of Maulana Bayazid and the appointment of Maulana 'Abdu-l-Qadir. It is not hidden from the wise and acute that the appointment of a teacher in a case like this, springs from use and wont, and does