The History of Humāyūn (Gulbadan Begam) 4.3.7

4.3.7

For this historic feast Gul-badan has provided a hors d'œuvre in shape of a story of improper conduct in Sulaiman which, if it expressed derision, as her vague wording does not forbid to be read, was fully justified by both what had been and what was to come. It is a very funny little tale, and readers are commended to it. To tears and professions were added lands and freedom. Kamran received Kulab, where Haram Begam's father had once ruled for Babar and Humayun. He was now dead, and his son, Chakar 'Ali, was left with Kamran there. The mirza was not pleased with his fief. 'What!' he exclaimed to the bearer of the deed of grant, 'have I not been king of Kabul and Badakhshan? Kulab is a mere district of Badakhshan. How can I serve in it?' The bearer observed that he had heard Kamran was wise, and begged permission to remind him that the wonder was he had received anything at all. 'Askari, too, was given a fief, and then, leaving them neighbours and at large, Humayun went back to Kabul in October, 1548.