The Book of Akbar 286

286

Expedition of His Majesty Jahanbani Jannat-Ashyani for the CONQUEST OF INDIA, AND VICTORY THEREOF BY THE DOMINION-INCREASING AUSPICES OF THE KING OF KINGS (Akbar).
Let it not be concealed from those waiting for strange impressions and the listeners for glorious news, that when the truth about the confusion in India, and the tumult and uproar in this centre of peace and tranquillity, of which some hints have been already been given, again came to the hearing of His Majesty Jahanbani Jannat-ashyani, he addressed himself to the expedition, already determined upon in the recesses of his foreseeing mind, and having committed all the chaste ladies of his family in Kabul to the Divine protection, he appointed Shah Wali bakawal-begi the guardian of M. Muhammad Hakim. The service of the ladies and the affairs of the province of Kabul were entrusted to Mun'im Khan, and His Majesty set out in the middle of Zi'l-hijja 961, (about 12th November, 1554), in a propitious hour and at a time which the heavenly motions made glorious, and the aspects of the stars made supreme. The nursling of Divine light, His Majesty the Shahinshah to wit, was then, as regards his elemental life, twelve years and eight months old. The perfect understanding of that great one of both worlds was beyond computation. He was made the forefront of the army of spiritual and temporal victories. On the day of starting an omen was taken from the diwan of Hafiz. As a great work was being unveiled the heralds of glad tidings from people and places spake loudly and with thousands of tongues. Among them this holy