The Memoirs of Bābur 926.1.5

926.1.5

(_Jan. 16th_) At dawn (24th) we got on a raft; on another several braves went. People in Bajaur, Sawād, Kūnār and thereabouts make a beer (_bīr būza_)[1536] the ferment of which is a thing they call _kīm_.[1537] This _kīm_ they make of the roots of herbs and several simples, shaped like a loaf, dried and kept by them. Some sorts of beer are surprisingly exhilarating, but bitter and distasteful. We had thought of drinking beer but, because of its bitter taste, preferred a confection. `Asas, Ḥasan _Aīkirik_,[1538] and Mastī, on the other raft, were ordered to drink some; they did so and became quite drunk. Ḥasan _Aīkirik_ set up a disgusting disturbance; `Asas, very drunk, did such [Sidenote: Fol. 250b.] unpleasant things that we were most uncomfortable (_ba tang_). I thought of having them put off on the far side of the water, but some of the others begged them off. I had sent for Khwāja Kalān at this time and had bestowed Bajaur on Shāh Mīr Ḥusain. For why? Khwāja Kalān was a friend; his stay in Bajaur had been long; moreover the Bajaur appointment appeared an easy one. At the ford of the Kūnār-water Shāh Mīr Ḥusain met me on his way to Bajaur. I sent for him and said a few trenchant words, gave him some special armour, and let him go. Opposite Nūr-gal (Rock-village) an old man begged from those on the rafts; every-one gave him something, coat (_tūn_), turban, bathing-cloth and so on, so he took a good deal away.