The Book of Akbar 40: Sulaiman Kirani of Bengal.
Akbar-náma, of Shaikh Abu-l Fazl (Elliot & Dowson, extracts) 40
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Sulaiman Kirani of Bengal.
40.1
While the Emperor was engaged in the siege of Chitor, Sulaiman Kirani of Bengal again had the Emperor’s name recited in the khutba, and made a wolf-like peace with Mun’im Khan Khan-khanan. The facts of the case are as follows:—When Mubariz Khan, better known as ’Adali, set up pretensions to royalty (in Bengal), Taj Khan Kirani with his brothers fled to Bihar. There he pursued an artful and wily course, both in the days of Muhammad Khan, ruler of Bengal, who had rebelled, and afterwards also in the days of Bahadur Khan, until the time when ’Adali was slain fighting against Bahadur Khan. When, after some time, the latter died, his brother Jalalu-d din advanced his claim to the sovereignty of Bengal and Bihar. Taj Khan and his brothers were sometimes opposed to him, sometimes in league with him. He also made an artful and hypocritical friendship with Khan-zaman. When Jalalu-d din died, Taj Khan obtained possession of Bengal and Bihar. He shortly afterwards died, and his younger brother Sulaiman succeeded, and established his authority over the two provinces. Sulaiman kept up a sort of friendship with Khan-zaman, and looking sharply after his own interests, he strengthened his position. Numbers of roving Afghans gathered round him, and he amassed wealth and gathered together many elephants. After Khan-zaman had received the punishment due unto his deeds, the Emperor appointed Mun'im Khan Khan-khanan to the government of Jaunpur.
40.2
Asadu-lla Khan, an officer of Khan-zaman, had charge of Zamaniya, a place built by Khan-zaman, and on the death of the Khan, Asadu-lla, in his stupidity, sent a person to Sulaiman, offering to surrender the place to him and to become his subject. But Mun'im Khan having got information of this, sent some persons to Asadu-lla, who induced him to forego this determination, and to repair in person to Khan-khanan. The Afghan army, which had come up with the intention of taking possession of Zamaniya, went back disappointed. Lodi Afghan, who was the chief minister of Sulaiman, and remarkable for his wisdom and intelligence, was on the banks of the Sone. He knew Mun'im Khan Khan-khanan to be a man desirous of peace, so he entered into friendly relations with him, hoping thus to secure his own territories from the attacks of the Imperial forces. Presents and letters passed between them, strengthening their friendship. Meanwhile the Emperor was engaged in the siege of Chitor, and Sulaiman was occupied in subduing the Raja of Orissa and Ibrahim. But Sulaiman was ill at ease about Khan-khanan; so, while the Emperor was besieging Chitor, he sought to establish amity with him, Lodi being his medium. After some correspondence, it was arranged that Khan-khanan should pay Sulaiman a visit, to establish friendship between the Emperor and Sulaiman, and to arrange for the Emperor's name and titles being read in the khutba and impressed upon the coins.
40.3
Khan-khanan determined to go and effect the objects in view, although many wise and sagacious persons endeavoured to dissuade him. But he paid no heed to them, and proceeded to Patna on his visit, attended by three hundred chosen men and by several of his officers and their attendants, numbering altogether about one thousand men. Lodi came to meet him, and show him proper respect. Then came Bayazid, eldest son of Sulaiman; and at five kos from Patna, Sulaiman himself came forth to give him a formal state reception. Sulaiman conducted him to his own dwelling, and there gave him a sumptuous entertainment. The Imperial name was read out in the pulpit, coins were struck with it, and suitable tribute (to the Emperor) was presented. But a party of Sulaiman’s turbulent adherents formed the design of seizing Khan-khanan, while the Emperor was engaged at Chitor with his great nobles, and while there was no one left at the capital who could interfere with their designs upon the Khan. When Lodi became acquainted with this conspiracy, he endeavoured to divert them from their purpose. Sulaiman assented to his views, but the fierce Afghans would not listen to his words. Khan-khanan got information of the plot, and, with the advice of Lodi, he got away from his camp by a clever stratagem, and galloped off, attended by a small well-mounted escort. He was a long way off before the Afghans were aware of his escape;
40.4
and as they had failed in their purpose, they affected to maintain a friendly feeling. Bayazid and Lodi hastened after the Khan, and, after showing him great honour and respect, they returned. Khan-khanan crossed the Ganges, and after two or three stages, he received the despatch of the conquest of Chitor. Sulaiman now returned re-assured to Bengal, and devoted his attention to his own affairs. He treacherously seized upon the country of Orissa, in which the temple of Jagannath is situated, and perfidiously killed the Raja. Ibrahim [Sultan of Dehli], who was not quite right in his mind, and was soured by his fall from his lofty position, had taken refuge with the Raja of Orissa, and still dreamed of sovereignty. Sulaiman, by promises and oaths, got Ibrahim into his clutches, and then sent him to the next world.