The Memoirs of Jahāngīr (Jahāngīrnāma) 1.1
Táríkh-i Salím Sháhí; Tuzak-i Jahángírí, of the Emperor Jahángír (Elliot & Dowson, extracts) 1.1
- Language
- English
1.1.1
When the troops and generals of Khusrú's army despaired of the capture of the fort, and news arrived of the royal army being in pursuit, they perceived that they had committed extreme folly, and had not obtained any place where they could remain secure. Distracted as they were, they set their hearts upon battle, and determined that with twelve thousand men they would make a night attack upon my victorious army. With this design, on Tuesday, between the hours of evening- and bed-prayer, they abandoned the siege of the fort of Lahore, and withdrew. The next evening the intelligence reached me at the saráí of Kází Alí, that Khusrú, after raising the siege of Lahore, had gone off with nearly 20,000 wretches. On receipt of this news, fire inflamed my breast, and I reflected that perhaps he might have undertaken some other expedition. That very night, though rain was falling heavily, I ordered that the camp should be struck, and we marched to Dewal, crossing the river at Govindwál.
1.1.2
On Thursday, about noon, Shaikh Faríd succeeded in intercepting the army of Khusrú, and found himself in presence of the luckless enemy. I was seated at Sultánpúr, and at that moment they had just brought me a tray of food, and I was about to eat something, when news arrived that the action had commenced. I took only a mouthful for good luck’s sake, while they were preparing my charger. I then mounted and galloped off. I did not stay to put my army in array, and although I demanded my arms, yet I took nothing but my sword and spear with me, and commending myself to God, proceeded in the utmost haste towards the scene of action. There were about 10,000 cavalry with me, but I ordered the paymaster to get ready the reserve and follow me. When I arrived at the bridge of Govindwál, I sent on nearly 20,000 men to support Shaikh Faríd.
1.1.3
I also despatched Mír Jamálu-d dín Husain Injú to Khusrú, to give him advice, to the effect that although the devil had drawn him from the right path, and that he was now actually engaged in open contest with me, I was ready to pardon his crime, provided he accompanied Mír Jamálu-d dín to my presence, and confessing shame for his proceedings, would relieve himself of the responsibility of sacrificing me and the slaves of God. Though himself well inclined to repair to my presence, he was withheld by the counsels of the desperate and turbulent profligates with him, and the reply which he conveyed to me through Jamalu-d din imported that, having proceeded so far, there was no alternative but the sword, and that God Almighty would give the crown to that head which he knew to be worthy of the empire.
1.1.4
When this reply was communicated to me by Mir Jamalu-d din, I no longer entertained any compassion for my headlong son, and, being without remedy, I sent to announce to Shaikh Farid that there was no longer need to wait further orders, and that he was at once to attack the main body of the rebels. When the Shaikh received this announcement, Bahadur Khan Uzbek commenced the attack on their rear with 10,000 cavalry, while Shaikh Farid attacked the enemy in front with 20,000 men. The battle commenced two hours after sunrise, and did not close till sunset. As the assistance of God and the future of the empire were on my side, nearly 10,000 horsemen of the enemy were slain in the battle and pursuit. Bahadur Khan Uzbek happened to come to the very spot where Khusru, having dismounted from his horse, had seated himself on a litter, conceiving that in the tumult of the battle he would not be recognized and be taken captive. Bahadur Khan, however, on recognizing him, caused him to be immediately surrounded by his troops, just as Shaikh Farid arrived at the same spot. Khusru, no longer perceiving the smallest outlet for escape, quitted the litter, and said to Shaikh Farid that compulsion was unnecessary, as he was of his own accord on the way to throw himself at his father’s feet. I was myself at the head of the bridge of Govindwal, in some apprehension of the result.
1.1.5
Mir Jamalu-d din was saying that he had seen with his own eyes that the troops of Khusru exceeded 50,000 men, and he doubted if Shaikh Farid could overcome them that night, seeing that his force, combined with that of Bahadur Khan Uzbek, did not exceed 14,000 cavalry. I was engaged in this conversation, when news arrived of Shaikh Farid’s victory and the capture of Khusru. Mir Jamalu-d din dismounted from his horse, and throwing himself at my feet, exclaimed, “This is the real meaning of good fortune. But I scarcely yet venture to believe the news to be true.” He had scarcely said this, when Khusru himself with his eunuchs were brought into my presence, and laid their heads on the ground before me. At that moment, the Mir, in great agitation and surprise, fell down again at my feet, exclaiming, “This is indeed Your Majesty’s good fortune, which God has been pleased to grant.” Both Shaikh Farid and Abu Kasim Uzbek (Bahadur Khan) had conducted themselves with distinguished valour, and I immediately advanced both to the order of five thousand, with the insignia of the drum and standard, a horse with enriched caparisons, and waistband similarly ornamented; and I promoted Bahadur Khan to the government of Kandahar. Shaikh Farid had previously possessed the rank of an amir of two thousand, and I now promoted him to that of five thousand. Saif Khan, son of Saiyid Mahmud, had also performed excellent service, having received not less than seventeen wounds;
1.1.6
and Saiyid Jamalu-d din also received a mortal wound on one side of the head, of which he died a few days afterwards. Saiyid Kamalu-d din and his brother, terror-stricken by the din of the Imperial kettle-drums, fled in consternation from the field at the very commencement of the action. Nearly 400 Aimaks were sent to perdition in the conflict, and nearly 300 wretched ingrates from different quarters were brought prisoners to my presence. The jewel-chest of Khusru fell into the hands of some persons who were never discovered. On Thursday, the 25th of Zi-l hijja, I entered the castle of Lahore, and took my seat in the royal pavilion built by my father, from which he used to view the combats of elephants; and I directed a number of sharp stakes to be set up in the bed of the river, upon which thrones of misfortune and despair I caused the 300 traitors who had conspired with Khusru to be impaled alive. Than this there cannot exist a more excruciating punishment, for the culprits die in lingering torture. Let the reflecting man take warning by this, and be deterred by the thousand punishments, which cannot exceed those which I have described, from similar acts of perfidy and treason towards their benefactors.
1.1.7
As the Imperial treasury was at Agra, as my authority was only lately established, and as the disaffected were ripe for revolt, it seemed inconsistent with good policy to remain longer at Lahore, and I therefore returned to Agra, leaving Khusru to the visitations of shame, in the custody of Dilawar Khan, who had instructions to watch him with unremitting vigilance. A son ought always to be the stay of monarchy. To continue, therefore, in a state of hostility with him, would be to sap the foundations of its prosperity. Never have I permitted myself to be misled from the right path by injudicious counsels; my proceedings being governed by my own reason and experience. I have constantly borne in mind the observation of my father and spiritual guide, that two things are necessary for kings and princes, viz. prudence and success; prudence to preserve the sovereignty, and good fortune to maintain one’s wealth. Without good fortune, wealth is fleeting, and in a short time slips through our fingers.
1.1.8
In short, on the 28th of Safar, I returned to the metropolis of Agra. I cannot omit to describe, that for more than thirty-two hours after the flight of Khusru, and while I was far from Agra, his mother, being oppressed with grief, refused to take either food or water, but weeping and wailing, in hunger, and doing penance like the saints, sustaining life only by the barest sustenance, departed at last, in distraction and in anger, to the mercy of God — for how can any one live without either bread or water for two or three days ? Keshu Rai, in close attention to his duties, surpassed his father. By night and by day he was unremitting in his attendance. Rain or fair, he would stand during the whole night leaning on his staff. He always accompanied me on foot on my hunting excursions. For these services, I had, previous to my accession conferred upon him the order of 5000, and after my accession, I raised his mansab by 1000. He is now, however, from his increasing corpulence, become in a great degree incapable of discharging his duties. In short, kings do not look so much to the persons of men as to their services; and in proportion as these latter improve in merit, so will be the personal advancement.