The Book of Akbar 335: Arrival of H.M. Miriam-Makānī and the other chaste ladies, and H.M. the Shāhinshāh’s march to meet them.
The Akbarnama (H. Beveridge), vols. I–II 335
- Language
- English
Arrival of H.M. Miriam-Makānī and the other chaste ladies, and H.M. the Shāhinshāh’s march to meet them.
335.1
Before the arrival of the news of the disaffection of M. Sulaimān and of his designs upon Kābul, H.M. the Shāhinshāh had directed that the veil of chastity Miriam-Makānī, and the other secluded ladies of the holy Harem should come to India, and a reference to this order has already been made. But on account of the Mirzā’s disturbance the coming of the ladies was suspended. A cautious order was sent to Mun‘im K., that when M. Sulaimān’s sedition had been suppressed, the ladies should set out for the capital. After the disturbance caused by the Mirzā had, by God’s help, been put down, and the minds of the imperial servants were at ease on that score, as has already been narrated, the chaste ladies proceeded to arrange for moving to India, partly to fulfil their vows, and partly to carry out the directions of H.M. the Shāhinshāh. The families of many of the soldiers who were serving in the army also joined the cortége. But as the disturbance of Hēmū was known to the evil-disposed in those regions, the sacred journey did not come into effect. But when the news of victory placed a stain on the darkened brows of the disaffected, and the head of Hēmū was brought and hung up on the iron gate of Kābul, the drums of joy beat high, and after thanksgiving and rejoicing, the expedition set out in a propitious hour.
335.2
Mun‘im Khān, who was in charge of Kābul, also accompanied the ladies in order that he might be their guide, and also might do good work in India, and thereby make himself illustrious. Kābul was made over to Muḥammad Qulī Khān Birlās, who had come from the Court as an auxiliary, and in accordance with the instructions of H.M. the Shāhinshāh, Muḥammad Ḥakīm and his mother and sisters remained in Kābul. Ghaznīn was made over to Khwāja Jalālu-d-dīn Maḥmūd Bajūq. When the caravan reached Jalalabad it stopped there for some days on account of supplies, etc. While there, the news of the supremacy of Bairam Khan, and of the putting to death of Tardi Beg Khan arrived from the Court-reporters, and on this account Mun‘im Khan saw it proper to give up his intention of proceeding to India. He conducted the ladies as far as Kotal Sitāra and there took leave and came back to Kabul. Shamsu-d-din Muhammad Khan Atka and his brethren, Khwaja ‘Ambar Nazir and Mulla Maqsūd Bangali, and a number of other servants were in charge of the ladies. When Mun‘im Khan came to Kabul, he gave Muhammad Quli Khan leave to go to India, and after that, the officers and the rest of the devoted servants of the Court proceeded with the cortége of H.M. Miriam-Makani and others to the capital. Among the occurrences that happened on this journey were the deaths of two full sisters of H.M. the Shahinshah. One died in Jalalabad, and the other at Kotal Sitara near the Indus. H.M.
335.3
Miriam Makani and the other ladies spent some days in grief for the departure of these heart-delights, and then resigned themselves to the Divine will. The joy of seeing the Shahinshah overcame all sorrow, and after the last rites had been paid, the expedition proceeded on. When the news of the chaste ladies reached the royal ears, H.M. the Shahinshah was delighted and sent that cupola of chastity, Maham Anaga, the mother of Adham Khan, who, on account of her abundant sense and loyalty, held a high place in the esteem of the Shahinshah, and who had been in his service from the time of the cradle ’till his adornment of the throne, and who trod the path of good service with the acme of affection, to welcome the cortége of H.M. Miriam-Makani and the other chaste ladies. That cupola of chastity entered on the auspicious service of the ladies in Lahore, and after informing them of H.M. the Shahinshah’s eagerness to see them, proceeded with them towards the camp of fortune. H.M. the Shahinshah made over the charge of the siege to the Khan-Khanan and went forward to meet them. The auspicious conjunction took place at one stage from the Fort (Mankot), and H.M. Miriam-Makāni’s wishful eyes were gratified by the world-adorning beauty of H.M. the Shahinshah. There were mutual rejoicings, and next morning H.H. M.
335.4
Makani, Haji Begum, Gulbadan Begum, Gulcahra Begum, Salima Sultan Begum and a number more of the relations and connections of the noble family, and of the soldiery, arrived at the camp. The army which had become straitened by the long siege were greatly rejoiced at the arrival of their highnesses, and of many loyal soldiers, and recognising their arrival as a means of victory they increased their efforts. One of the occurrences that happened during the siege owing to the abundance of good fortune was that Khan Zaman, who had gone to Sambhal, obtained great victories although he did not possess real truthfulness and loyalty. Alas! Alas! loyalty was a thousand leagues away from him. He did not know the meaning of service and mastership. Nay, he had not even come to know the ways of worldly tradesmen which every ignorant one requires to be acquainted with. Accordingly a brief account of his disastrous end will be given in its proper place in this noble volume. One of the good services which were performed by him at this time owing to his outward connection with bliss was the battle with Rukn Khan, Lohani who was a great officer of Mubariz Khan. Khan Zaman defeated him and subdued many rebels of Sambhal, etc., as far as Lucknow. Another of his famous deeds of this time was the defeating Hasan Khan Bachgoti.
335.5
The brief account of this wonderful occurrence is that the said Hasan Khan was one of the famous landholders of India, and distinguished for the number of his brethren and other relations and of his servants. When the Shahinshah's army was engaged in besieging Mankot, this short-sighted, arrogant one thought he had an opportunity and collected a large army and proceeded to ravage the Sarkar of Sambhal. He took with him Jalal Khan Sur, who was one of the great Afghan leaders. When his evil designs became known to the Khan Zaman, he joined with the royal officers who were there and advanced to join battle near Lucknow. The heroes distinguished themselves and gained a victory. The hostile army consisted of more than 20,000 cavalry while the army of fortune was not more than 4,000 strong. By the aid of God-given fortune and in spite of the character of the leader, to which a brief reference has been made, his connection with eternal fortune gave him the victory. An incalculable amount of booty fell into his hands; also many elephants. Of the noted elephants there were two called Sabdilia, and Dilsankar which were of supreme excellence. They were approved of by the fastidious glance (of Akbar), and included among the special elephants of the Shahinshah. As the Khan Zamin’s career ended in destruction and disgrace, and his essential baseness came out, and he became a ringleader among the disloyal, the loyal heart does not permit of his deeds being detailed at length.
335.6
It is best to turn the reins of the courser of the pen from this plain. Among the fortunate occurrences that happened during the siege of Mankot was the victory of Qiya Khan. The brief account of this joyful event is this: The fort of Gwaliar which is one of the famous fortresses of India, and has few like it for strength, was in the possession of Mubariz Khan ‘Adali. It was governed on his behalf by Bhil Khan who was one of the slaves of Selim Khan the son of Sher Khan. Rajah Ram Sah, whose ancestors had been the masters of the fort, besieged it with a host of Rajputs and had brought the garrison into straits. Qiya Khan marched from Agra to Gwaliar, and Ram Sah left the fort and came to give him battle. He fought bravely, but Qiya Khan stood firm, and as he sought victory from the world-conquering genius of the Shahinshah, he defeated the enemy and sent many to the world of annihilation. Thereafter he undertook the siege of Gwaliar.
335.7
One of the excellent events which occurred during the siege of Mankot was that the fortunate-starred daughter of M. ‘Abdullah Khan Moghul who was distinguished for his lineage, entered into the bond of matrimony with the unique jewel of the Caliphate. Bairam Khan did not approve of this connection, for ‘Abdullah Moghul’s sister was married to M. Kamran, and so he regarded ‘Abdullah as a partizan of Kamran (az kamrani). So he opposed the match until Nasir-al-Mulk gave him to understand that opposition in such matters was very unacceptable, and by taking charge of the affair brought this happy event by his prudence to a termination. An order was issued to him (Nasir-al-Mulk) for arranging an assemblage of pleasure and banquet of joy, and a royal feast was provided. Leaving this matter I return to my narrative and proceed to detail the subsequent adventures of the besieged in Mankot.