The Memoirs of Bābur 911.5.6

911.5.6

No such patron and protector of men of parts and accomplishments is known, nor has one such been heard of as ever appearing. It was through his instruction and support that Master (Ustād) Qul-i-muḥammad the lutanist, Shaikhī the flautist, and Ḥusain the lutanist, famous performers all, rose to eminence and renown. It was through his effort and supervision that Master Bih-zād and Shāh Muz̤affar became so distinguished in painting. Few are heard of as having helped to lay the good foundation for future excellence he helped to lay. He had neither son nor daughter, wife or family; he let the world pass by, alone and unencumbered. At first he was Keeper of the Seal; in middle-life he became a beg and for a time was Commandant in Astarābād; later on he forsook soldiering. He took nothing from the Mīrzā, on the contrary, he each year [Sidenote: Fol. 171b.] offered considerable gifts. When the Mīrzā was returning from the Astarābād campaign, `Alī-sher Beg went out to give him meeting; they saw one another but before `Alī-sher Beg should have risen to leave, his condition became such that he could not rise. He was lifted up and carried away; the doctors could not tell what was wrong; he went to God's mercy next day,[1072] one of his own couplets suiting his case:— I was felled by a stroke out of their ken and mine; What, in such evils, can doctors avail? Aḥmad the son of Tawakkal _Barlās_ was another;[1073] for a time he held Qandahār.