[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) › 337 # The Book of Akbar 337: CAPTURE OF THE FORT OF MANKOT, AND RETURN OF THE SHAHINSHAH’S ARMY TO LAHORE, AND OTHER FORTUNATE OCCURRENCES. The Akbarnama (H. Beveridge), vols. I–II 337 - **Language:** English ## Contents - [337.1](https://indike.org/pramana/in.darkages.mughal.akbar.akbarnama~en-beveridge.337.1) — 8 parts - [337.2](https://indike.org/pramana/in.darkages.mughal.akbar.akbarnama~en-beveridge.337.2) — 9 parts ### CAPTURE OF THE FORT OF MANKOT, AND RETURN OF THE SHAHINSHAH’S ARMY TO LAHORE, AND OTHER FORTUNATE OCCURRENCES. ### [337.1.1](https://indike.org/pramana/in.darkages.mughal.akbar.akbarnama~en-beveridge.337.1.1) By the Divine aid and by the auspicious care of the Shahinshah, who is the key of all locks, visible and invisible, an opening took place. As the world-adorning Deity watches over the affairs of this spiritual and temporal lord, it is proper to inquire in regard to every matter which has relation to him what are the arrangements of the superintendents of destiny. The conquest of this fort, which equalled the rampart of Alexander is a proof of this remark. The manner in which it was taken did not enter into the minds of the wise. Arrangements for the siege, such as no one could imagine, were excellently carried out, and the entrenchments were pushed forward on all sides. In some places the batteries closely touched the fort, and among them was an entrenchment which was under the care of the Nasir-al-Mulk and in advance of all the others. The egress and ingress of the prisoners of the fort were closed. Though Sikandar relied on the strength of the fort, yet he was disheartened by the appearance of affairs. But in spite of this discouragement, as scoundrels were calculating on the sedition of Mubariz Khan ‘Adali, of whom a short account has already been given (and hoping), that perhaps he would be able to lift up his head from the eastern provinces of India and march against Delhi, and so the siege of the fort (Mankot) would not be completed, and that so he (Sikandar) would have an opportunity for commotion in the tranquillised districts, he did not give up defending the fort. ### [337.1.2](https://indike.org/pramana/in.darkages.mughal.akbar.akbarnama~en-beveridge.337.1.2) But as the doings of the opponents of God-given dominion do not succeed, Mubariz Khan’s measure of life became full. The account of this affair is as follows: The son of Muhammad Khan who was ruler of Bengal and was called Sadr Khan, took to himself the title of Jalalu-d-din, and made great pretensions. He advanced to give battle to revenge his father whom Mubariz Khan had slain in battle. A great fight ensued and Mubariz Khan ‘Adili was killed. He had reigned four years and odd. I admire the wondrous fortune which occurred to the empire from the mutual contentions of its enemies. They made enterprises against one another, and showed themselves as auxiliaries of the eternal dominion. When this news came to the garrison they at once became disheartened. When Sikandar both witnessed and learnt the uprearing of the standards of daily increasing fortune, and his own defeats upon defeats, despair upon despair fell upon him. Of necessity he entered the lists of suppliants and sent his confidants to implore that H.M. the Shahinshah would send to the fort one of his trusty servants to comfort his distracted soul and make him a member of the victorious army. H.M. who was a mine of benevolence, out of compassion sent the Atka Khan, who was distinguished for his wisdom and reliability. Sikandar declared with an ashamed face that he did not possess the wisdom which looks to the end, and that he had adopted short-sighted views. ### [337.1.3](https://indike.org/pramana/in.darkages.mughal.akbar.akbarnama~en-beveridge.337.1.3) He was not in a condition to do homage and so whiten his face. His case would be properly dealt with if H.M. the Shahinshah would be so gracious as to excuse him for a time from service. He now sent his son as a slave and hoped that a place would be assigned to himself where he might stay for a while and prepare himself for the blessing of kissing the threshold. He vowed, by God the Creator of the world, that as long as he lived, he would never remove the neck of submission from the line of obedience, and that he would place the necklace of this favour round the neck of his life and make it the jewel of his good fortune. He won over the heart of the ambassador by deceitful blandishments and submissions, and also sent presents in money and goods to the Nasir-al-Mulk who was the Khan-Khanan’s vakil, or rather was the vakil of the Sultanate, and he, as if from fidelity, interested himself in Sikandar, and conveyed the purport of his requests to the Shahinshah through the instrumentality of the Khan-Khanan. ### [337.1.4](https://indike.org/pramana/in.darkages.mughal.akbar.akbarnama~en-beveridge.337.1.4) H.M. who regarded the sweets of forgiveness as greater than those of revenge, accepted the representations of the Khan-Khanan, and assigned to Sikandar Kharid and Bihar as jagirs. The latter sent his son 'Abdu-r-Rahman along with Ghazi Khan Tannuri, who was one of his confidential officers to the Court, the protection of princes, in order that their good services might be the cause of greater favour on the part of the Shahinshah to himself. The agreement was carried out according to the kingly desires. Valuable presents including some choice elephants, such as might be fit for the Court, were sent, and on 11 Murdad, Divine month, corresponding to Saturday, 27th Ramzan, 24 May, 1557, the keys of the fort were surrendered to the imperial servants. H.M. the Shahinshah drew the writing of forgiveness over the schedule of his offences, and shutting his eyes to the record of his deeds, gave him leave to depart. He came out of the prison of the fort, and, after a thousand apprehensions and fears, reached Kharid and Bihar. After two years he went to the abode of annihilation. When the conquest of Mankot had been thus completed and Sultan Sikandar had by becoming a suppliant of the Sultanate conveyed himself into safety, the charge of the fort was made over to Abu-l-Qasim, the brother of Muhammad Qasim Khan Mauji. ### [337.1.5](https://indike.org/pramana/in.darkages.mughal.akbar.akbarnama~en-beveridge.337.1.5) On 16 Murdad, Divine month, corresponding to 2 Shawwal, 31 July, 1557, the army, after a stay of six months odd, left the slopes of the Siwaliks for Lahore, in order that it might proceed to Agra after having arranged the affairs of the Panjab. On the way Bairam Khan's mind became troubled on account of misunderstanding, and of his not appreciating the favour shown to him. The account of this affair is as follows. During the last days of the siege of Mankot the Khan-Khanan fell ill. Some boils formed which prevented him from mounting a horse. During that time H.M. the Shahinshah turned his attention, as a means of diversion, to elephant-fights. Many times did he apply himself to this sport, which has hundreds of nice points involved in it. One day there was a prolonged contest between two of the royal elephants called Fataha and Lagna. By chance these two during their fight came near the Khan-Khanan’s tent. The crowd of people and the general uproar caused apprehension and annoyance to the Khan-Khanan, and he came to suspect that perhaps the thing had occurred at the sublime suggestion (of Akbar). He was confirmed in this suspicion by some strife-mongers. He sent one of his confidential servants to Maham Anaga with this message. “I am not conscious of having committed any offence in this sphere-circled threshold, and I have not displayed anything except well-wishing respect. ### [337.1.6](https://indike.org/pramana/in.darkages.mughal.akbar.akbarnama~en-beveridge.337.1.6) Why then have mischief-makers imputed some offence to me, and caused such unkindness as that furious elephants should have been let loose against my tent?” Maham Anaga by soothing expressions quieted his disturbed mind. At this time a strange thing happened in relation to the Lord of the Earth, who was keeping himself in the disguise of an incognito, and was giving attention to the concealment of his idiosyncrasy—a mystery which has already been conveyed, as far as my capacity would allow, from the heart to paper. The event, of which the following is an account, was the cause of some well-instructed minds coming to a knowledge of truth. One day the world-adorning Shahinshah felt constrained by the presence of short-sighted men, and began to chafe. The power of indignation which in a disposition innately equable is an ingredient deposited by the Lord of power broke out into anger. He became averse to the servants of fortune’s threshold who always attended on his stirrup and separated from them, and issued an order that no one of his retinue should be in attendance on him. He even sent away his grooms and such like persons that the solitude of his retirement might not be contaminated by the crowd of this class of men and went out unattended and alone from the camp of fortune. In reality he was engaged in prayerful communion with his God, ostensibly he was angered with men. ### [337.1.7](https://indike.org/pramana/in.darkages.mughal.akbar.akbarnama~en-beveridge.337.1.7) Among his special horses there was a noble Iraqi horse called Hairan which Khizr Khwaja Khan had presented to him. It had not its like for spirit and swiftness, and was also unequalled for viciousness. When he was left loose no one could come near him, and it was with difficulty that he could be re-caught. The divine hero of the world, owing to his strength and courage, rode him constantly. In this period of solitude he mounted upon this auspicious steed, and set off rapidly, leaving society aside and increasing his glory by the presence of God. When he had gone some distance he dismounted for some purpose, and, becoming heedless of the nature of his steed, assumed the posture of communing with his God. That swift and fiery horse acted according to its custom and rushed off rapidly so that it disappeared from the far-searching gaze of His Majesty. When his holy heart was again disposed to mount, there was no-one in attendance, and no horse at his service. For a little while he was perplexed what to do, when suddenly he saw that this very horse was coming from a distance and galloping towards him. It ran on till it came back to him and stood quietly waiting for him. His Majesty was astonished and again mounted the noble animal. ### [337.1.8](https://indike.org/pramana/in.darkages.mughal.akbar.akbarnama~en-beveridge.337.1.8) It must be considered as one of the strange faculties of this throne-adorning dominion that a horse, whose habit was not to allow himself to be readily mounted, and who, when he ran off, could with difficulty be re-caught, and who had gone off and disappeared in such a plain, should, merely on the attention of the Shahinshah being directed towards him come back of his own accord and quietly submit to be re-mounted. Bravo! what apprehension can there be from solitude to him whom the incomparable Deity favours, and of whom he takes charge? And what improbability is there in such things happening to him? Although it may seem as if the wisdom-erecting Deity makes the world-adorning beauty of this spiritual and temporal visible to him alone, yet in reality it is the setting forth of sundry lamps in the highway of guidance for the direction of the short-sighted and superficial, in that they who know in him a visible lord and king may, what is more and better, know him as a spiritual ruler, and recognising that the pleasing of him is the pleasing of God may arrive at the rose-rendezvous of eternal happiness. ### [337.2.1](https://indike.org/pramana/in.darkages.mughal.akbar.akbarnama~en-beveridge.337.2.1) Hail to the great one who attains to this knowledge, and joy to the fortunate one who receives such instruction! And what a blind atheist is he who in the presence of such lights of intelligence remains under the veil of irrecognition, and descends into the mire of ignorance! And what a futile wretch is he who in spite of having found this glorious station enters on the no-thoroughfare of hypocrisy and opposition and contends with God the Creator of the world! Let us be brief, for to noble discourse of this kind there is no limit! The Khedive of the earth recognised this mysterious intimation (the return of the horse) as a Divine inspiration and, renouncing his intention of solitude, addressed himself again to the cordial greeting of those loyal officers who were in the camp, and cast the shadow of kindness over these regions. Mankind rejoiced, and H.M. with his retinue reached Lahore on 25 Murdad, Divine month, corresponding to H. 11 Shawwal (7 August, 1557), before the camp had arrived there. He immediately occupied himself in hunting. After a few days the whole camp arrived. ### [337.2.2](https://indike.org/pramana/in.darkages.mughal.akbar.akbarnama~en-beveridge.337.2.2) The Khan-Khanan under the influence of the Sultan of imaginings again returned to the old story and began to suspect Shamsu-d-din Muhammad Khan Atka. He said to him: “Although the countenance of my loyalty and devotion to the sublime family be free from the stain of deceit or dissimulation and know that H.M.’s glance of grace and kindness to myself is without flaw and so I have no fear of any breach in the pillars thereof, yet as H.M. occasionally treats me with disfavour I believe this must come from your contrivances and calumnies. What have I done that you should gird up the loins of hostility against me and that in thirsting for my blood you should turn the sacred mind against me? And should even go so far as to attempt my life?” Shamsu-d-din was troubled by this attack, and having collected all his relatives and dependants he went before the Khan-Khanan and made protestations, accompanied with solemn oaths, that he had never opened his mouth to speak ill of him, and that he never would do so. At last the Khan-Khanan came to his senses, and his anxiety abated somewhat. ### [337.2.3](https://indike.org/pramana/in.darkages.mughal.akbar.akbarnama~en-beveridge.337.2.3) Among the occurrences of this time was Bahadur Khan’s being sent to Multan to put his jagir in order. As has already been intimated, this had been recently conferred on him. He was also ordered to give a lesson to the Bilūcīs of that neighbourhood, who had raised the head of refractoriness. Bahadur Khan, after arriving in that pleasant country behaved with bravery. A large number of foot and cavalry came to oppose him, and displayed great obstinacy. The fighting lasted for a month, but as the shadow of the fortunes of the lord of the earth had been cast over him, he became victorious by the Divine aid. ### [337.2.4](https://indike.org/pramana/in.darkages.mughal.akbar.akbarnama~en-beveridge.337.2.4) As the world-arranging God was about to reveal the majesty of the Shahinshah that it might come forth from the veil of acquiescence and personally regulate the distractions of the world, the screen over Bairam Khan’s actions, who was always boasting of his loyalty, began to lift, and he became a traveller on a roadless tract. One of the vagaries which most sensible men observed in him was that with and without leave he distributed the royal elephants among his confidential officers (khurd). He even seized some of the reserved royal elephants, which were a screen for H.M.’s glory, on the pretence that he would make them over to (fitting) men. The Khedive of the earth did not wish to submit to this tyranny but as actions have their final time, and that time had not yet arrived, he winked at the procedure and acquiesced in fate. Good God! What width of capacity! And what gentleness! And that too in early youth which is the time for violence, and is the beginning of the boiling over of the powers of rage. But what is marvellous in a great man whom the Creator takes under his protection? During the term that Lahore was made illustrious by the advent of H.M. the Shahinshah, Sultan Adam Gakkar came and did homage and was received with favour. As he had not come forward when the standards of H.M. Jahanbani Jinnat Ashiyani, had first come for the conquest of India, he had an apprehension in his heart. ### [337.2.5](https://indike.org/pramana/in.darkages.mughal.akbar.akbarnama~en-beveridge.337.2.5) But as he had performed an acceptable service, namely, the seizing and making over of M. Kamran, who was the source of so much strife and trouble, he was regarded with favour, and his petitions were continually coming to the sublime Court. At this time, when the earth obtained celestial splendour by the light (far) of H.M. the Shahinshah’s throne, and Fortune was performing its vocation, viz., to drag every chief and leader by the hair to do homage to the sublime Court, and to exalt them by eternal auspiciousness, a desire to kiss the threshold seized the collar of this fortunate one. But from his natural savagery he begged that when he should be exalted by service, he should not be taken to India along with the sublime cortége, and that he should not by marks of favour, be made an exile from his own country. He also begged that one of the confidential servants should seize him and carry him off to the sublime Court. The Shahinshah’s graciousness ordered that his good services should be requited, and granted to the full all his requests. Taimur Khan Jalair was chosen for this service and directed to conciliate him and to bring him to do homage. And he received more favours that had entered into the mind of his wishes. ### [337.2.6](https://indike.org/pramana/in.darkages.mughal.akbar.akbarnama~en-beveridge.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). ### [337.2.7](https://indike.org/pramana/in.darkages.mughal.akbar.akbarnama~en-beveridge.337.2.7) When his world-conquering mind was free from the affairs of the Panjab he spent the four months and fourteen days, during which Lahore was an object of envy to heaven from the splendour of the victorious army, in repose and pleasure: outwardly he wore the guise of one who did not attend to affairs, in reality he was deeply interested, and was testing the loyal. When the officers of the Caliphate had settled matters, the government of Lahore was entrusted to Husain Khan, sister’s son of Mahdi Qasim Khan, and the victorious standards advanced in an auspicious hour, on 25 Azar, Divine month, corresponding to Tuesday 15 Safar 965, (7 December 1557) towards the capital of Delhi. Among the events which happened while the army was encamped at Jalandhar was the marriage of the Khan-Khanan Bairam Khan with the cupola of chastity Salima Sultan Begum. The account of this is as follows. H.M. Jahanbani Jannat Ashiyani had during the time of his rule betrothed that veil of chastity, who was his sister’s son, and daughter of M. Nuru-d-din Muhammad, to Bairam Khan, the arrangement being that he would make over the unique pearl, who was distinguished for illustrious lineage and noble qualities (nasab u hasab) among the chaste ladies of the court, to Bairam Khan, after the conquest of India. This promise remained as a pledge till a fitting opportunity. ### [337.2.8](https://indike.org/pramana/in.darkages.mughal.akbar.akbarnama~en-beveridge.337.2.8) When Jalandhar became a seat of enlightenment owing to the arrival of the sublime camp, the Khan-Khanan applied his mind to the fulfilment of his claim, and begged the grant thereof from H.M. the Shahinshah. H.M., as under the guise of indifference he was treading the neck of conciliation, signified his assent to the request, and promoted the marriage. All the Court ladies and specially Bika Maham Anaga showed great alacrity in furthering the marriage, and accordingly the marriage and the bridal procession (zifaf) took place within one week. M. Nuru-d-din was son of M. ‘Ala’ud-din Muhammad, who was son of Khwaja Hasan, commonly known as Khwajazada Caghanian. This Khwajazada was grandson of K. Hasan ‘Attar, who again was the direct descendant of K. ‘Ala’ud-din who was the first Khalifa of Khwaja Naqshband. Let it not be concealed that the Khwajazada Caghanian was son-in-law of Sultan Mahmud, son of Sultan Abu Said Mirza. Pasha the daughter of ‘Ali Shukr Beg the third ancestor of Bairam Khan, and who was married to S. Mahmud, gave a daughter whom she had by the Mirza to the Khwajazada. H.M. Geti Sitani Firdaus Makani considering these relationships showed favour to M. Nuru-d-din Mahmud, in whom he saw marks of sincerity and loyalty, and gave in marriage to him his daughter Gulbarg Begum. Salima, who was distinguished for good qualities, purity and nobility of disposition, was born of that holy one (Gulbarg B.). H.M. ### [337.2.9](https://indike.org/pramana/in.darkages.mughal.akbar.akbarnama~en-beveridge.337.2.9) Jahanbani Jannat Ashiyani had thought of this connection (the marriage with Bairam) on account of those relationships. Good God! What an imitative world it is! Because S. Mahmud made a mistake about Khwajazada Caghanian, in that he made an alliance with a strange family, why was it that H.M. Firdaus Makani followed this up by making an alliance with M. Nuru-d-din Muhd.!, and for what reason Hakim gave his sister, Humayun’s daughter, Fakhru-nisa, to Khwaja Naqshbandi after the death of her first husband Abu-l-ma‘ali, and Akbar married his son Daniel to a daughter of Sultan Khwajah. --- Source: [https://indike.org/pramana/in.darkages.mughal.akbar.akbarnama~en-beveridge.337](https://indike.org/pramana/in.darkages.mughal.akbar.akbarnama~en-beveridge.337) · Pramāṇa