The Book of Akbar 398.5

398.5

His Majesty by his divine strength brought the elephant out of that abyss and tried to get on to the house where the rebels had fortified themselves. At this time none of the attendants was present except Rajah Bhagwant Dās and Rajah Badīcand. As His Majesty suffered from thirst Rajah Bhagwant Dās served him with his own supply. By chance in the same lane where his Majesty the Shāhinshāh was advancing towards victory, a Hindu drew his sword and struck with it. The blow fell upon the iron ring which is placed on elephants’ tusks for strength and for show. The clash made sparks fly out, and the elephant in a rage doubled up the swordsman and trod him under foot. Just then a boy of fifteen, in his agitation flung himself from a roof on to the elephant. Jujhār Khān wanted to kill him, but His Majesty in his mercifulness did not permit him to do so. When they came near the house they saw that the special faujdars had come and were standing in astonishment at the amount of the work. His Majesty advanced and drove the elephant against the gate. A Rajput was shooting arrows. Seven hit the Shāhinshāh’s shield. He used to say that five went through and through the shield to the extent of three and five fingers and that two stopped in the shield without traversing it. The Divine protection was another shield which protected him.