The Book of Akbar 78.1

78.1

[Text, vol. iii. p. 432.] After the defeat of Ma’sum Khan, Shahbaz Khan went on after him towards Bhati, regardless of the rains and the swollen rivers. ’Isa Khan, the ruler of that country, professed to be a loyal adherent of the Imperial throne. Shahbaz Khan now determined to test this by calling upon him to surrender Ma’sum Khan, resolving also to tear the veil from his face, and punish him if he refused. Bhati is a low-lying country, and is called by that Hindi name, because it lies lower than Bengal. It extends nearly 400 kos from east to west, and nearly 300 from south to north. On the east lies the sea and the country of Jessore ; on the west lies the hill country south of Tanda ; on the north the salt sea, and the extremities of the hills of Tibet. The father of the chief of this country was a man of the Bais tribe of Rajputs, who used frequently to display his arrogance, and break out in rebellion. In the times of Salim Khan, Taj Khan, and Darya Khan, strong armies were sent into the country, and after a severe struggle, the chief was compelled to seek a truce. After a short time, he again broke out in rebellion, but was taken prisoner and put to death. His two sons, ’Isa and Isma’il, were sold to merchants. When Salim Khan died, and Taj Khan seized upon the country of Bengal, Kutb Khan, the uncle of ’Isa, won distinction by his good service. By great exertions, he brought the two brothers out of the country of Turan.