The Book of Akbar 345: CHAPTER XIX.
The Akbarnama (H. Beveridge), vols. I–II 345
- Language
- English
CHAPTER XIX.
345.1
H.M. the Shahinshah. That auspicious one recognised that to make over the keys of the fort to the imperial servants was to open the gates of his own wishes. That strong fort came into the possession of the heroes of fortune. H.M. treated him with great kindness and gave him presents, robe of honour and a fief. In fact it was by payment of promises of kindness that so many great works were accomplished. A new article of faith was added, viz., belief in the truth and rectitude of that mine of the greatness of collective humanity. A fresh support was given to those wandering in the desert of astonishment. All were convinced that whatever was determined in this world-protecting court would be fulfilled without fail. Nor would any room be given for evil-doing by any shortsighted and narrow-minded person. The wild denizens of the wilderness of unsociability obtained confidence and found direction to the pleasant abode of society, for this is a court where, as regards advancement and selection, no heed is taken of identity, or difference of race. Whoever has a clear conscience, and a sincere heart, and a grateful soul, and ability, and knows the value of instruction, escapes from the furnace of punishment and receives princely favours.
345.2
Of the events which occurred during this fortunate year was the engaging in battle of Kamal Khan Ghakar, and his victory. The facts of this beautiful story are that at the time when Agra became the abode of sovereignty it came to the royal ears that an Afghan tribe called the Miyana was stirring up strife in Saranj which is in the province of Malwa. H.M. sent Kamal Khan Ghakar against them as he showed marks of courage, and was fit for this employ. He went off with a body of troops and fought a battle. He was victorious and returned to kiss the threshold. He was rewarded by a robe of honour and received the towns of Karah, Fathpur, Hanswah, and other places in fief.
345.3
Among the occurrences was the sending of Adham Khan with a body of troops against Hatkant. The brief account of this is that Hatkant, than which there is no stronger place, is near Agra, and the landholders are of the Bhadauriyah tribe, etc., and are distinguished for sense and courage. They always were in revolt against the Sultans of India. As Bairam Khan was always suspicious of Adham Khan, he thought to give him this territory in jagir, so that in this way he might be removed from Court, while at the same time the rebels of that quarter would receive punishment, and thus two good objects be carried out at once. Accordingly he was appointed to this jagir and despatched. Bahadur Khan, Khan Jahan, Saiyid Mahmud Barha, Shah Quli Khan Mahram, Sadiq Khan, Isma‘il Quli Khan, Khurram Khan, Amir Khan and a number of heroes were inscribed in this army. By God’s help they subdued the country, and the seditious received fitting punishment.
345.4
One of the events of this year was the arrival at Court of Shah Muhammad Qilati, to whom the governorship of Qandahar had been entrusted by Bairam Khan. It has already been recorded that when Shah Muhammad Qilati had worsted Bahadur Khan, the brother of the Khan Zaman, by entering into engagements with the ruler of Persia, and by bringing an army from there, he had not stood by his promises. Consequently the ruler of Persia appointed his brother’s son, Sultan Husain M., the son of Bahram M. and his nephew’s guardian, Husain Beg Icak Ughli Istajlu, and Wali Khalifa Shamlu to take Qandahar. Shah Mahd., relying on the buttress of the Shahinshah’s fortune, exerted himself to hold the fort, and the siege was protracted. At length some Rustum-like heroes sallied out one night from the New Gate and attacked the batteries of Wali Khalifa Shamlu. They wounded him, and killed many. After a long discussion Sultan Husain M. retired from the foot of the fort without having accomplished his purpose. The ruler of Persia was vexed and sent the said Mirza, ‘Ali Quli Sultan the Governor of Shiraz, and Wali Khalifa Shamlu with a large force to get possession of Qandahar by every means possible. ‘Ali Quli Sultan, who had boasted much about this affair, made great efforts to take the fort, but became by a musket-ball a traveller to the region of non-existence. A division arose in the army.
345.5
Though no outward assistance came from the Khedive of the Age, the Divine aid helped from time to time, and confounded such large forces. Sultan Husain M., who could neither venture to return, nor judge it right to remain, spent his days in a distracted manner and encamped round the fort. Meanwhile Shah Muhammad Qilati sent a representation to Court, explaining the state of the case, and in reply a command was issued to him to the effect that H.M. Jahanbani Jinnat Ashiyani used to say that when he had conquered India he would give Qandahar to the Shah. It was not right to fight with these men, and to carry matters so far. The fort should be delivered to the Shah’s servants, and he, (Shah Muhammad) should, after making apologies, repair to Court. I laud the gentleness and humanity which were here displayed in such a high degree; and the observance of right and the adherence to obligations which were so conspicuous! In accordance with the lofty order Shah Muhammad delivered over Qandahar to Sultan Husain M., and proceeded to the Court, and this year had the bliss of service, and was the recipient of royal favours.
345.6
One of the strange occurrences was Shah Quli Khan Mahram's becoming a jogi and hermit. There was a boy with him named Qabal Khan who knew how to dance and whom he loved. As H.M. did not approve of this kind of conduct in any of his servants, for though it may be pure, yet there are improprieties mixed up with it which sensible men well know, he prohibited it. Shah Quli could not give up the practice, and so it was ordered that the boy should be taken from him and made over to guards. Shah Quli Khan owing to the burden of humanity gave way to anguish and set fire to his name and fame. He put on the dress of a jogi, and sought retirement. Bairam Khan recited an ode to comfort him and tried to amend him. He came back to his allegiance to the Shahinshah. and was ashamed of what he had done; and he was treated with endless favours. One of the wonderful felicities that befel the holy personality during this time was that the Khedive was engaged in hunting at Mandhakar, which is six kos from Agra, when a cita pursued a fawn. He caught it in his mouth and was carrying it off when the mother, being moved by her affection, made a fierce attack on him. The cīta which was exulting in the prey it had taken, fell to the ground in disgrace; in appearance it was from the blow of the mother, in reality it was from the graciousness of the Shahinshah, and the gazelle escaped from the claws of death and scoured the plain along with its mother. Though the holy heart wished to remain veiled (lit.
345.7
to adorn the curtain), yet the divine contrivance was revealing his world-adorning beauty. During this dominion-increasing time H.M. the Shahinshah always wore in Agra the garb of indifference, and was testing the men of the age. He was continually engaged in hunting deer with the cita, and in elephant-fights, and such other external matters which the superficial man regards as matters of insouciance, while the wise recognise them as the veil of world-adorning beauty. The incomparable Deity day by day made the light of the sun of fortune of His own chosen one more and more resplendent, and what H.M. regarded as a veil of his beauty was converted by the Creator into exhibitions of his beauty, so that day by day the majesty of that Khedive of the age was exalted. The kingly might and majesty were continually unveiling themselves without any external insignia. The specialities and details of such actions cannot be committed to books and records. The dust-seated mote, Abul Fazl, who has come in haste and is putting together an abridged account of the acts of this Khedive of the age, by questioning bit by bit those acquainted with them, is somewhat surprised at the eloquent and able men of this dominion-conjoined with eternity.
345.8
For, if the lord of the world remained under a veil, and did not, for the instruction of mankind, dictate an account of his wondrous deeds, and glorious state, what negligence took possession of these able and connoisseurs, so that they have not collected the holy occurrences of this God-given dominion? Moreover where have I the ill-fated one, who have neither trunk nor leaf of outward growth and have to carry out royal orders, and who know that unstinted service is my reasonable devotion, and so spend my time in discordant occupations, the leisure to record things in detail? Yes, truly, if God grant me sufficient life in the service of His Majesty, I shall recite the wondrous tale of my spiritual and temporal king, and under this guise pay my devotions to God. In short, although the ruler of the age was spending his days under the veil of indifference, yet every day men of genius and talent, loyal combatants, devoted heroes, sages, and other men of skill were coming from the quarters of the earth in troops and were gaining their desires. The court of the king became the shadow of the Divine Court, every section succeeded above its wishes and became part of the army of fortune; and the garden of human hearts blossomed out in various colours, and gladness and joy went on increasing.