The Memoirs of Bābur 911.1.5

911.1.5

On arriving at Qalāt we attacked at once and from all sides, without our mail and without siege-appliances. As has been mentioned in this History, Kīchīk Khwāja, the elder brother of Khwāja Kalān, was a most daring brave; he had used his sword [Sidenote: Fol. 158b.] in my presence several times; he now clambered up the south-west tower of Qalāt, was pricked in the eye with a spear when almost up, and died of the wound two or three days after the place was taken. Here that Kīchīk Bāqī _Dīwāna_ who had been arrested when about to desert with Sher-i-`alī the page, expiated his baseness by being killed with a stone when he went under the ramparts. One or two other men died also. Fighting of this sort went on till the Afternoon Prayer when, just as our men were worn-out with the struggle and labour, those in the fort asked for peace and made surrender. Qalāt had been given by Ẕū'n-nūn _Arghūn_ to Muqīm, and in it now were Muqīm's retainers, Farrukh _Arghūn_ and Qarā _Bīlūt_ (Afghān). When they came out with their swords and quivers hanging round their necks, we forgave their offences.[953] It was not my wish to reduce this high family[954] to great straits; for why? Because if we did so when such a foe as the Aūzbeg was at our side, what would be said by those of far and near, who saw and heard?