The Book of Akbar 272: CHAPTER LIII.
The Akbarnama (H. Beveridge), vols. I–II 272
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CHAPTER LIII.
272.1
EXPEDITION OF HIS MAJESTY JAHANBANI JANNAT-ASHYANI FROM BIHSUD AGAINST THE AFGHAN CLANS,—AMONGST WHOM WAS THE AMBUSH OF M. KAMRAN’S STRIFES,—AND FLIGHT OF THE LATTER TO INDIA. When winter came to an end in the village of Bihsud and the violence of the cold was over; and when it was known that M. Kamran, with a few retainers, was spending his days amongst the Afghan clans, most of the officers were of opinion that, as the Mirza had now no power of opposition, His Majesty should leave there a body of troops, and should proceed to Kabul. But a party of the far-seeing represented that as the weather was now temperate, it was advisable to attack and plunder the Afghans; and that it was improper to return until this faction,—the material of strife and sedition;—had been thoroughly subdued. Thus both M. Kamran who was secretly living amongst the tribe and who was making ready the constituents of dissension, would fall into their hands, and also, the root of the disturbers would be dug up.
272.2
His Majesty Jahanbani preferred this view, and guided by victory, mounted the steed of fortune in order to fall suddenly upon the clans and pour the dust of defeat on their heads. A number of impetuous heroes and wielders of the sword, such as Muhammad Khan Jalair, Sl. Muhammad Fawaq, Shaikh Bahlul, Shah Quli Naranji, were appointed under the leadership of Sl. Husain Khan to go forward in advance. The wind was very cold that night and the way was long, so they halted mid-way to ease their men and cattle. In the morning, they mounted and went on.
272.3
As the tribes had scattered here and there, it was not known in which the Mirza was. In this time of perplexity, Maham ‘Ali Quli Khan and Baba Khizri who were on the way from M. Kamran to Malik Muhammad of Mandraur, fell into the hands of the royal servants. They asked in which tribe the Mirza was. Maham ‘Ali led the inquirers astray and indicated a tribe other than that in which the Mirza was. Baba said, “He is frightened, he does not know what he is saying. The Mirza is in such and such an encampment and I will show the way.” The advance-guard reached the place at early dawn, attacked it, sent many to the abode of annihilation and captured a number of women and children. Some of the heroes entered the tent where the Mirza was sleeping, and Sijah Quli Niranji declares that he was one of them and that there were two persons within. One of them was caught and the other contrived to escape. In the morning, it was seen that the captive was Beg Muluk whom the Mirza always kept in his sight, and that it was the Mirza who had gone out. Some of the vagabond Afghans, such as Shaikh Yusuf Kararani and Malik Sangi, stood up to fight and then flung the dust of disgrace on themselves by running away. Their goods fell into the hands of the royal servants. The victory was won before the arrival of the royal standards. The Mirza was not able to remain in those parts and went to India.
272.4
When His Majesty's heart was freed from the business of chastising the rebellious and when, by God's favour, a great victory had been gained,—such as might be a preface to victories,—he left the district and returned to Bihsud. When it was ascertained that the Mirza had escaped, under circumstances befitting thankless ingrates, and had gone to India, His Majesty Jahanbani went to the Bagh-i-safa which is the delight of hearts and may be styled a cleanser (safa-bakhsh) of the picture-gallery of the soul, and there made a festival with pomp and splendour. As the days were lengthening and there was the beginning of the splendour of spring and of the freshness of avenues (khiyaban) and of the delights of the heart opening streams, he sent a number of special individuals under charge of ‘Ali Quli of Andarab to Kabul to fetch that spring-blossom, His Majesty the Shahinshah, together with the chaste ladies; so that he might, by beholding the wonders of early spring and by reading the pages of the rose-garden, gain admittance to the enclosure of recognition of the Divine artist and might lay the foundations of thanksgiving. Their Highnesses arrived in a short time, and His Majesty gave endless thanksgiving gifts, which are a means of attracting yet more favours from the true Benefactor. After a time of enjoyment, he proceeded in an auspicious hour, to Kabul.