The Book of Akbar 84.2

84.2

Hakim Abu-l Fath hastened off with some forces to the fort of Jag-dara. The Raja was incensed at this separation, and nursed his angry feelings. In the morning they met at the fort. Kokaltash prepared a feast, and invited his colleagues. But the Raja refused to attend, and sent to say, that the best thing to be done was for experienced men to meet and determine on the course to be pursued. Kokaltash repressed his anger, and went to the Raja. Other chiefs also went with him, and represented that it would be best to recognize Kokaltash as chief, and meet to consult at his abode. At this council the Raja and the Hakim spoke hotly, and then abused each other; but by the conciliatory conduct of Kokaltash, they were appeased. * * He then proposed that a force should be left to hold the fort, while the rest of the army marched against the enemy. He thought that the fresh forces might undertake this work, while he remained with the old force to protect the centre of the country; or if they preferred, they might remain at Jag-dara, while he went to chastise the mountaineers. The Raja and the Hakim rejected both propositions, and said it was the Emperor’s desire, not that they should occupy the country, but that they should inflict chastisement on the enemy, and hasten back to Court. Kokaltash remonstrated that it was inexpedient to abandon a country which had been acquired with such difficulty;