The Book of Akbar 345.4

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.