[Pramāṇa](https://indike.org/pramana/) › [Indian literature](https://indike.org/pramana/in) › [Dark Ages](https://indike.org/pramana/in.darkages) › [Mughals (1526–1857)](https://indike.org/pramana/in.darkages.mughal) › [Akbar (1556–1605)](https://indike.org/pramana/in.darkages.mughal.akbar) › [Akbarnāma](https://indike.org/pramana/in.darkages.mughal.akbar.akbarnama) › [The Akbarnama (H. Beveridge), vols. I–II](https://indike.org/pramana/in.darkages.mughal.akbar.akbarnama~en-beveridge) › 276 # The Book of Akbar 276: CHAPTER LV. The Akbarnama (H. Beveridge), vols. I–II 276 - **Language:** English ### CHAPTER LV. ### [276.1](https://indike.org/pramana/in.darkages.mughal.akbar.akbarnama~en-beveridge.276.1) servant of dominion’s threshold; and that Sl. Adam himself would also do homage. Be it known that the Gakhars are a numerous clan and that they live between the Bihat (Jehlam) and the Indus. In the time of Sl. Zainu-l-'abidin of Kashmir, there came a Ghaznin officer, named Malik Kid, a kinsman of the ruler of Kabul, and took this country by force from the possession of the Kashmiris. He was succeeded by his son, Malik Kalan, and he again by his son Bir (or Pir). After him came Tatar Khan who had much contest with Sher Khan and his son, Salim Khan. He regarded himself as attached to His Majesty’s family, for at the time when His Majesty Geti-sitani Firdaus-makani conquered India, he entered his service and did good work. He was especially devoted in the war with Rana Sanka. He had two sons, Sl. Sarang and Sl. Adam. After Sarang the headship of the tribe fell to Sl. Adam. The sons of Sarang Kamal Khan and S'aid Khan submitted but were secretly disaffected. Jogi Khan, a confidential servant of M. Kamran, arrived with as Sl. Adam’s ambassador and tendered a petition from the Mirza, full of smooth and baseless words. ### [276.2](https://indike.org/pramana/in.darkages.mughal.akbar.akbarnama~en-beveridge.276.2) Abu’-l-fazl, the writer of this compendium of wisdom, and the chronicler of the deeds of this noble family, has his mind fixed on the history of His Majesty the Shahinshah and on the diffusion of information concerning his glorious rule. It is to satisfy the thirsty readers of this precious chronicle that he has given,—as a side-piece,—an account of the lofty line from Adam down till now, which is the era of the heir of the universe. It is indispensable to tell briefly the evil acts of M. Kamran and of his receiving retribution therefor by his own acts. Although the dignity of this noble record is too exalted for the entry of such matters, yet in order to complete the narrative, it is impossible to avoid treating of the low as well as of the high. Let it not be hidden from the listeners to these strange occurrences,—every one of which is a sermon from a sacred pulpit,—that when that morning, as has been related, M. Kamran was defeated and escaped with a thousand risks from the hands of the swordsmen, he was unable to remain in any one place. ### [276.3](https://indike.org/pramana/in.darkages.mughal.akbar.akbarnama~en-beveridge.276.3) From the ruin of his understanding,—the fruit of ingratitude,—and notwithstanding reverses, each of which might have guided him to the highway of auspiciousness,—he did not submit himself to a master so gracious and forgiving, when the dust of remorse and repentance should have covered his face and when he should have come, with shame and apology, to kiss the threshold and atone for his crimes,—but he, the destined pervert, went off to India for the purpose of presenting himself before Salim Khan, son of Sher Khan, (who in addition to inborn ingratitude, had his brain perturbed by the wine of insouciance and the ferment of pride), and to obtain from him auxiliaries for his disloyalty. Good God! what kind of reason had he to go to his deadly foe to compass the ruin of so great a friend? Why should he submit to indignities to this end? and wish him (Salim) to assist him to contend with his benefactor! To sum up; evil thoughts brought the Mirza to this, and with a few followers, he took the road to India. From the neighbourhood of the Khaibar, he sent Shah Budagh Khan to Salim Khan who was in Ban, a town of the Panjab. The Mirza’s ambassador arrived there and performed his mission. Salim Khan perceived that the success of the Mirza’s wishes was beyond his (Salim’s) power and therefore dissembled. He sent some money for expenses by the envoy and arranged that he (Kamran) should wait where he was, and he promised to send him help, and to assign him an income. ### [276.4](https://indike.org/pramana/in.darkages.mughal.akbar.akbarnama~en-beveridge.276.4) Before the ambassador had returned to the Mirza, Ali Muhammad Asp also was sent to Salim Khan. To sum up this long story, which might better have been shortened;—when the Mirza arrived within four kos of Ban, Salim Khan sent his own son, Awaz Khan, Maulana ‘Abdu-l-lah of Sultanpur and a number of his officers to welcome him. The Mirza was received by the Afghan leader (i.e., Salim) in a manner unfitting for enemies or street-dogs. His companions were Baba Jujak, Mulla Shafai, Baba Sa‘id Qibcaq, Shah Budagh, ‘Alam Shah, Rahman Quli Khan, Salih diwana, Haji Yusuf, ‘Ali Muhammad Asp, Tamartash, Ghalib Khan, Abdal Kuka and many other broken men whose names had better not be given. As the acts of ingrates and the thoughts of the unfaithful are not for good and meet with disaster in the end, whatever happened to them was the consequence of their actions. The Mirza was disgusted with the bad manners of this ignorant crew (i.e., the Afghans) and continually reproached Shah Budagh in private, who had instigated him to come. When Salim Khan’s mind was at rest about the affairs of the Panjab, he set off for Dihli, taking the Mirza with him under false promises. He kept saying that he would let him go but did not do so. His idea was to imprison him in one of the strong forts of India. When the Mirza perceived how things were, and that there was no hope of assistance nor of his own release, he resolved to escape. ### [276.5](https://indike.org/pramana/in.darkages.mughal.akbar.akbarnama~en-beveridge.276.5) He sent Jogi Khan, his trusted servant, to Raja Bakhu who was twelve kos from Maciwara and asked for help. The Raja received the messenger kindly and promised his protection. One day when Salim Khan had crossed the Maciwara river, the Mirza left Yusuf aftabci in his (Kamran’s) sleeping suit and arranged with Baba Sa‘id to go on for a long time reciting something so that it might be supposed the Mirza was lying down. He himself changed his clothes and put a veil over his face and then went out by the enclosed side and hastened to the refuge which had been agreed upon. The Raja gave him a proper reception and when it was reported that an army was coming to search for him, sent him on to the Raja of Kahlur whose was the safest place in the neighbourhood. He too, from fear of enemies, sent the Mirza on, giving him a guide to Jammu. But the Raja of Jammu from the cautiousness of a landholder, would not allow him to enter his territory. Dismayed and confused, the Mirza went off to Mankot. There he was almost captured, and again changing his apparel, he went on, in woman’s garb, towards Kabul, in the company of an Afghan horse-dealer. Meditating evil, he went to Sl. Adam Gakhar thinking that perhaps he might induce the Gakhar tribe to act with him and to do things which ought not to be done. But Sl. Adam approved of loyalty. He kept the Mirza, by various pretexts, under surveillance and sent to represent the matter at the sublime Court. ### [276.6](https://indike.org/pramana/in.darkages.mughal.akbar.akbarnama~en-beveridge.276.6) The Mirza also, when he saw disappointing indications in the behaviour of the tribe, was compelled to adopt feline ways and to send a petition, as already stated. Though he tried to induce the Gakhars to join him, he had no success. He did not trouble himself about escaping because he had no refuge; moreover owing to the guard kept over him and to his own fatigue, he saw that it would be difficult to get away. He was obliged to subsist with this people and he learnt that every harmful thought becomes null and void which is entertained by the ill-wisher to a dominion adorned by the Divine splendour and safe-guarded by its protection; and that such an ill-wisher sinks into eternal punishment. When the envoy of Sl. Adam had represented the state of affairs, His Majesty determined to make an expedition into India as far as the Gakhar country. He sent Khw. Jalalu-d-din Mahmud to guard and govern Kabul and marched on himself, taking the Shahinshah with him, for the furtherance of good fortune. He bound the girdle of determination on the waist of energy that he might end the affair of M. Kamran and ease the world from his strife and sin. When the standards of victory reached the Indus, he sent Qazi Hamid, the chief judge of the victorious camp, to Sl. Adam, requesting his presence. He also sent the Mirza sage counsel and exhortations, to the effect that he should scour from his heart the rust of opposition and discord. When later, he crossed the Indus, there was no sign of Sl. ### [276.7](https://indike.org/pramana/in.darkages.mughal.akbar.akbarnama~en-beveridge.276.7) Adam who apparently was affected by the misplaced apprehensions of a landholder. His Majesty despatched Mun'im Khan to soothe him and bring him in. He also sent a few words to the Mirza such as might guide him to fortune. Mun'im Khan was moreover to ascertain from their actions and manners what were their secret thoughts and to report accordingly. He displayed his abilities and after cajolery and stratagem, Sl. Adam brought the Mirza and did homage near Parhala. His Majesty gave a feast which was kept up all night. Spite of so many crimes,—each one deserving condign punishment,—M. Kamran was encompassed with favours. All loyal officers and prudent well-wishers represented that though the kindness and benevolence of His Majesty always required that in his Court, the mantle of pardon should clothe great criminals,—yet foresight and firmness demanded that the oppressor and injurer of --- Source: [https://indike.org/pramana/in.darkages.mughal.akbar.akbarnama~en-beveridge.276](https://indike.org/pramana/in.darkages.mughal.akbar.akbarnama~en-beveridge.276) · Pramāṇa