The Book of Akbar 333.8

333.8

The gate was locked, and as their hearts had given way they could not break the bolt. They made the struggles of slaughtered animals and descended into the ditch of annihilation. A few flung themselves off the gate and brought themselves to an end by their own feet. A large number remained and hid themselves in houses in the city, where they took protection from evil-disposed, double-faced ones. In a short time Shah Muhammad pursued them and punished them all capitally. Bahadur Khan, when his stratagem did not succeed, came to Zamindawar and prepared an army. Vagabonds and villains collected around him, and he a second time made preparations for seizing Qandahar. As Shah Muhammad considered that help from court was a remote contingency, he strengthened the fort and addressed himself to the ruler of Persia. He wrote to him that H.M. Jahanbani had given an agreement that after the conquest of India, Qandahar should belong to the king of Persia’s servants. It was now proper that he should send a large force in order that the rebellion of this ingrate might be put down and also that Qandahar might be made over to him. The ruler of Persia sent 3,000 Turkomans from the jagirdars of Sistan, Farah and the garmsir, under the command of ‘Ali Yar Beg Afshar. Bahadur Khan knew nothing of this force which suddenly fell upon him. A hot engagement took place. Twice his horse fell under him, and at length he failed and had to fly. Nor could he maintain himself in Zamindawar.