The Book of Akbar 337.2.6

337.2.6

Of the events which happened during the stay in Lahore, for the warning of strife-mongers there was the bringing to capital punishment of Takht Mal the Zamindar of Mau. The brief account of this is as follows. This Zamindar in his evil-fatedness became a companion of Sultan Sikandar and was a cause of his errors. As the general custom of Indian Zamindars is to leave the path of single-mindedness and to have an eye to every side, and to join anyone who is victorious or who is making increasing stir, when there was confusion upon the unavoidable event (the death) of H.M. Jahanbani Jannat Ashiyani becoming known in India, and Sikandar Sūr uplifted the head of strife, that strayed one joined him and backed him up. When the standards of victory besieged Mankot, and the garrison had got into difficulties he, according to Zamindari tricks, joined the army. When Bairam Khan became apprised of his intrigues he had him executed, and appointed in his room his brother, Bakht Mal, who was prominent for prudence and loyalty. As it is a principle of the Shahinshah’s lofty spirit that those who come in voluntarily, even if they do so out of necessity, should be protected from vengeance, and his noble nature, which partakes of thousands of kindnesses and generosities does not take into account the wrong-doings of such men, he did not approve of this execution. But as the veil over his world-adorning beauty had not been lifted, he did not give any outward sign (of his displeasure).