The Memoirs of Jahāngīr (Jahāngīrnāma) 20.2.1

20.2.1

On Wednesday, the 21st, I went to Amanabad for the purpose of sport. Some days before this, in accordance with orders, Khwaja Jahan, and Qiyam K., the head huntsman, had chosen a wide plain for a qamargha hunt, and drawn an enclosure round it, and driven within it many antelope from the neighbouring plains. As I had vowed that I would hereafter not kill any living thing with my own hand, it occurred to me to take them all alive, and place them within the Chaugan (polo-ground) of Fathpur, so that I might both enjoy the pleasure of sport and that at the same time no harm should happen to them. I accordingly took 700 head and sent them to Fathpur. As the hour for entering the capital was near, I ordered Ray Man, Khidmatiyya, to put up a screen on two sides, like a lane, from the huntingplace to the plain of Fathpur, and to drive the antelope there. About 800 antelope were sent in this way, or altogether 1,500. On the night of Wednesday, the 28th, marching from Amanabad, I halted in Bustan Saray, and on the eve of Thursday, the 29th, I halted at the Nur-manzil garden. On Friday, the 30th, the mother of Shah-Jahan attained the mercy of God. The next day I myself went to the house of that precious son, and having condoled with him in every way, took him with me to the palace. On Sunday, the 1st Urdibihisht, at the auspicious hour chosen by the astrologers and astronomers, I mounted a special elephant of the name of Dilir, and in all prosperity and happiness entered the city.