The Book of Akbar 384.3

384.3

When he halted near the fort of Gāgraun, which is one of the strong forts of Mālwa, it transpired that Bāz Bahādur had made it over to one of his confidants and that it had not yet been captured. It was also reported to His Majesty that Adham Khān intended to take it in person. One day while His Majesty was encamped there, the conquering heroes had been ordered to invest the fort (lit. to inhoop that bezel of strength). When the governor became aware that the Shāhinshāh was casting the shadow of conquest over the fort he, inasmuch as he was able and far-seeing, made the keys of the fort the adminicle of his safety and became exalted by kissing the ground. He was honoured by royal favours. His Majesty left Khāldīn in charge of that strong fort and went on in the end of the same day. He travelled rapidly all night and in the morning, which is the time of expanding hearts, and augmenting life, he arrived in the neighbourhood of Sārangpūr. He made the long march (from Agra), in which there were so many ascents and descents, in sixteen days and planted his darkness-dispelling standards in the district of Sārangpūr on the day of Bahman 2 Khurdād, Divine month, corresponding to Tuesday the 27th Sh‘abān (13th May). One of the wonderful things was that on the same day Adham Khan had marched out from Sarangpūr with the intention of taking the fort of Gagraun, and had advanced two or three kos. He had no knowledge of the Shahinshah’s expedition.