The Memoirs of Bābur 902.6

902.6

This year the mutual recriminations of Sl. Ḥusain Mīrzā and Badī`u'z-zamān Mīrzā led on to fighting; here are the particulars:—Last year, as has been mentioned, Badī`u'z-zamān Mīrzā and Muz̤affar Ḥusain Mīrzā had been made to kneel for Balkh and Astarābād. From that time till this, many envoys had come and gone, at last even `Alī-sher Beg had gone but urge it as all did, Badī`u'z-zamān Mīrzā would not consent to give up Astarābād. 'The Mīrzā,' he said, 'assigned[327] it to my son, Muḥammad Mū`min Mīrzā at the time of his circumcision.' A conversation had one day between him and `Alī-sher Beg testifies to his acuteness and to the sensibility of `Alī-sher Beg's feelings. After saying many things of a private nature in the Mīrzā's ear, `Alī-sher Beg added, 'Forget these matters.'[328] 'What matters?' rejoined the Mīrzā instantly. `Alī-sher Beg was much affected and cried a good deal. At length the jarring words of this fatherly and filial discussion went so far that _his_ father against his father, and _his_ son against his son drew armies out for Balkh and Astarābād.[329] Up (from Harāt) to the Pul-i-chirāgh meadow, below Garzawān,[330] went Sl. Ḥusain Mīrzā; down (from Balkh) came [Sidenote: Fol. 41b.] Badī`u'z-zamān Mīrzā. On the first day of Ramẓān (May 2nd.) Abū'l-muḥsin Mīrzā advanced, leading some of his father's light troops. There was nothing to call a battle; Badī`u'z-zamān Mīrzā was routed and of his braves masses were made prisoner. Sl.