The Book of Akbar 376.2.1

376.2.1

Meanwhile news came that M. Beg had been killed, and that Pīr Muhammad Khān had collected an army and was preparing for war. The story of this catastrophe is that the Mīrzās had on their march to Khurāsān advanced to near the Cūl-i-Zardak (the brownish desert ?) which is known by the name of San’ Cirek, and had passed the Casma-i-Gazarin, and were purposing to go on still further when the news came that M. Beg had left Pir Muhammad Khan’s house after finishing a great piece of work, when at a sign from Pir Muhammad Khan, Khusri had killed him with a sword. (Pir Muhammad’s view was) “what weakness is there in us that we should give up our own territory,” and his whole intention in proposing peace was to procrastinate, and to collect his forces. Now that assistance had come he had marched across country and headed the Mirzās. When the Mirzas heard this news they took counsel among themselves. Men of experience said that the proper course was to bend round qurib shuda) and make a rapid march to the shrine (Ribat) of Mir Rizadar. The Uzbegs would be left behind. If it should come to a fight that too would be advantageous. But to march on to meet them was in no way expedient. The Mirzas did not accept this opinion and went on to meet the enemy.