Padshah-namah 68: Twentieth Year of the Reign, 1056 A.H. (1646 A.D.).

68

[Prince Murad Bakhsh desires to retire from Balkh. — Displeasure of the Emperor expressed in a despatch. — The Prince persists.] Many of the amirs and mansabdars who were with the prince concurred in this unreasonable desire. Natural love of home, a preference for the ways and customs of Hindustan, a dislike of the people and the manners of Balkh, and the rigours of the climate, all conduced to this desire. This resolution became a cause of distress among the raiyats, of despondency among the soldiery, and of hesitation among the men who were coming into Balkh from all quarters. The soldiers, seeing this vacillation, began to plunder and oppress the people. So, when the Prince's desire was repeatedly expressed, the Emperor's anger was increased. He deprived the prince of his mansab, and took from him his tuyul of Multan. Under these circumstances, to settle the confusion in Balkh, the Emperor found it necessary to send there a trustworthy and able manager; so he selected Sa'du-lla Khan, his prime minister. [Fighting in Badakhshan. — Settlement of Balkh.] Sa'du-lla Khan returned on the 5th Sha'ban, 1056 H., having settled the affairs of Balkh, and restored order and tranquillity among the soldiers and people, and rescued the country from wretchedness. He had most effectually carried out the orders of the Emperor, and was rewarded with a khil'at, and a thousand increase to his mansab. [Prince Murad Bakhsh restored to his mansab of 12,000. — Much fighting near Balkh and Shaburghan.]