The Book of Akbar 384.4

384.4

Though Maham Anaga had sent off swift couriers to inform him of the expedition and to enable him to make proper preparations for service, yet the rapidity of His Majesty was such as dream-messengers could not keep pace with, what then could be done by hard-riding couriers? Adham Khan had arranged his forces and was tranquilly proceeding towards Gagraun when the world-lighting gilded balls (kaukaba) were seen in the distance. Although but few of the victorious troops were on that night in attendance on His Majesty’s stirrup, yet throughout the whole of those plains and deserts there were, by reason of the armies of the Divine favour, such a press and aggregation of soldiers of the invisible world, and horsemen of the heavenly land, that they appeared to the eyes of his companions to be beyond count. Some of Adham Khan’s soldiers, who had gone ahead of him, suddenly came upon the royal escort. When their glance fell upon His Majesty they involuntarily threw themselves from their horses and did homage. Adham Khan was amazed when he saw his men so confused and flinging themselves off their horses. “Good God, to whom are they paying such reverence?” In his astonishment he urged on his horse, and came nearer. When his eye fell on the world-illuminating beauty of His Majesty the Shahinshah he became confounded, and like a bewildered moth dismounted and did homage. He placed the face of servitude in the dust of supplication and was exalted by kissing the stirrup.