The Book of Akbar 401.2

401.2

‘Itimad Khan a servant of Baz Bahadur was in command there and he exerted himself to strengthen the fort. As it is in itself a paragon for loftiness and solidity the siege drew out to a long period. The exploit-loving heroes such as Jai Diwana, Yar ‘Ali Bilūc, Daim Kokaltash, Maulana Muhtasham, Mulk Muhammad and Mirza Afaq displayed acts of valour and made assaults upon the gate. One day Muhammad Mir Katib made a strong attack and was the subject of universal commendation. At last one morning very early Khusrū Shah, the head of Pir Muhammad’s servants fixed scaling-ladders and got above the fort. Two hundred other heroes advanced at the true dawn. As the blackness of their overthrow had arrived, the garrison were negligent and asleep. The morning breeze of victory had begun to blow, when the enemy took to fighting. A battle took place and the heroes fought well. When the garrison got into difficulties they cried out for quarter and dispersed. At this time ‘Itimad Khan was coming forward with one companion and crying out for quarter and asking to be taken to Pir Muhammad Khān. An arrow reached him and he went to non-existence. When ‘Itimad Khan’s companion saw this he drew his sword, and after fighting as long as he could he manfully died. A large number became the harvest of the sword. The leavings of the sword obtained quarter and brought out their lives from the whirlpool. An immense booty fell into the hands of the imperial servants.