The History of Humāyūn (Gulbadan Begam) 10.11

10.11

When Mirza Kamran heard of the royal disaster in Balkh, he said: "The Emperor is not so friendly to me as he was." So he left Kulab, and went hither and thither. At this time (1550) his Majesty came out from Kabul. When he reached the Qibchaq defile, he incautiously halted in a low-lying place, and Mirza Kamran, coming from higher ground, armed and equipped, poured down foes upon him.
Either at Charikaran or Qara-bagh there was fighting with Mirza Kamran and his Majesty's army was successful. The mirza fled to the mountain passes (tanqaqha) and Lamghanat.
Aq Sultan (Yasin-daulat) who was the mirza's son-in-law, said in effect to him (gufta bashad) 'You are continually thwarting the Emperor. What is the meaning of it? It is not what should be. Either make your submission and obeisance to the Emperor or give me leave to go, so that men may distinguish between us.' Mirza Kamran said fiercely, 'Have my affairs come to such a pass that you offer me advice?' Aq Sultan also spoke angrily, 'If I stay with you, my position will be unlawful,' and left him at once, and went with his wife (Habiba) to Bhakkar. The mirza wrote to Mirza Shah Husain, and said: 'Aq Sultan has displeased me and has gone away. If he comes to Bhakkar, do not let his wife be with him. Part them and tell him to go where he likes.' Shah Husain Mirza at once, on receiving the letter, deprived Habiba Sultan Begam of the company of Aq Sultan and let him depart for the blessed Makka.
In the fight at Charikaran, Qaracha Khan and many of Mirza Kamran's well-known officers were killed.
'Ayisha Sultan Begam and Daulat-bakht were in flight for Qandahar, and were captured at the Khumar Pass, and brought in by the Emperor's people. Mirza Kamran went to the Afghans, and stayed amongst them.
From time to time his Majesty used to visit the orange-gardens. That year also, according to his old habit, he went to the mountain passes (tanqaqha) to see the oranges. Mirza Hindal was in attendance, and of the ladies (huraman), earlier services in one scale and the service of this night in the other. God willing! whatever claim you can make, you shall be exalted to its degree. One by one he allotted their posts, and then called for his own cuirass and surtout, and high cap and helmet.
His wardrobe-keeper had lifted up the wallet when someone sneezed, and he set it down for a while. Because of this delay, the mirza sent to hurry him. Then the things were brought quickly, and he asked: ‘Why were you so long?’ The man replied: ‘I had lifted the wallet when someone sneezed, and I therefore put it down. So there was a delay.’
The mirza replied: ‘You were wrong. (You should have) said rather: “May there be a blessed martyrdom.”’ Then he went on: ‘Friends all! be my witness that I abjure all forbidden things and all indecorous acts.’ Those present recited the fātiḥa and prayed: ‘May there be benediction.’ He said: ‘Bring my vest and cuirass and surtout.’ He put them on and went out to the trenches to encourage and solace his men. Just then his tabaqchī, hearing his voice, cried: ‘They are attacking me.’ The mirza, hearing this, dismounted and said: ‘Friends, it is far from brave to give no help when my servant is at the point of the sword.’ He himself went down into the trench but not one of his followers dismounted. Twice he sallied from the trenches, and in this endeavour became a martyr.
I do not know what pitiless oppressor slew that harmless youth with his tyrant sword! Would to Heaven that merciless sword had touched my heart and eyes, or Sa’adat-yar, my son’s, or Khizr Khwaja Khan’s! Alas! a hundred regrets! Alas! a thousand times alas!