The History of Humāyūn (Gulbadan Begam) 3.4.8

3.4.8

Apropos of the aunts of frequent mention, it may be said that both Babar and Haidar convey the opinion that deference to elder women was a permanent trait of their age and set. Comings and goings of aunts are set down, houses and incomes provided, advice is sought, troubles are carried to them for sympathy; they are ambassadors of peace; their nephews vie with one another as to who shall entertain them; in short, both the Tuzuk and the Tarikh indicate distinct deference to women of an elder generation. A good deal about the exodus of the ladies can be gleaned from Babar and from our princess, who now comes on the scene in her small person of five or six. The order for it was given at latest in 1528; this is clear from the royal letter to the khwaja and from the fact that Maham started in January, 1529. Babar heard on March 22nd that all had really left Kabul, which news, taken with the arrival of the main cavalcade three months after her, suggests that Maham started first and travelled quickly, as being of a small company, and that the rest set off in detachments, as they and their transport were ready. The whole party would get off between January 21st and the end of February; this can be surmised, because the letter of March 22nd would be about a month in reaching Babar.