Muntakhab al-lubab 125: Death of the Emperor.
Muntakhabu-l Lubáb, of Kháfí Khán (Elliot & Dowson, extracts) 125
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Death of the Emperor.
125.1
[Text, vol. ii. p. 547.] Prince A'zam Shah was proud of his own courage, and of his army and soldiers. He had, moreover, won over to his side Jamdatu-l Mulk Asad Khan and several other amirs. He now sought a pretext for a quarrel with Prince Kam Bakhsh. The Emperor slightly improved in health; but although for some days he went into the public hall of audience and the Court of Justice, he was very weak, and death was clearly stamped upon his face. Prince A'zam's feelings towards Prince Kam Bakhsh, who was a poet and learned man, now displayed themselves in various slights and improper actions whenever an opportunity offered. Kam Bakhsh was dear to his father, for it often happens that men have the greatest affection for their youngest sons. So the Emperor appointed a nobleman to act as the bakhshi of Kam Bakhsh, and to him he entrusted the Prince, with instructions to take care of him. This bakhshi was Sultan Hasan, otherwise called Mir Malang. He was a courageous and faithful servant, and upon his appointment, the Emperor gave him the title of Hasan Khan. In faithful discharge of his duty, Hasan Khan deemed it necessary to place his ward under the protection of special guards, in addition to his own servants, and these accompanied the Prince armed and accoutred whenever he went to Court. For some days and nights they watched over the Prince with great vigilance. Prince A'zam Shah complained of this to the Emperor, but got no answer.
125.2
He then wrote to Nawab Zinatu-n Nissa Begam, his eldest sister, complaining of the insolence of Hasan Khan, who had exceeded his powers. He added that there would be no difficulty in chastising him, but that it had been forbidden by the Emperor. This letter was shown to the Emperor, who wrote a letter with his own hand, saying that he had heard of the suspicions and apprehensions shown by Hasan Khan, and would therefore send Kam Bakhsh to some other place. Prince A'zam winced under the censure implied in the letter; but he knew that submission was his only resource, and he felt great satisfaction at the removal of his younger brother. The foresight of the Emperor told him that his health was failing, and he saw that Prince (A'zam's) pretensions increased daily. He knew that if two unchained lions were left together, after his decease there would be divisions in the army, and great disturbances among the people. His affection for Kam Bakhsh also worked upon him. He sent Kam Bakhsh with all the signs and honours of royalty to Bijapur, and the drums of the royal naubat-khana were ordered to play as he departed. The sight of all this made Prince A'zam writhe like a poisonous serpent, but he could not say a word. In two or three days he also received orders to proceed to Malwa in charge of strict officers.
125.3
After the departure of the two Princes, the Emperor grew much worse, and fever increased. But for the next four or five days, notwithstanding the severity of the disease, he attended carefully to the regular prayers. In this state of things Hamidu-d din Khan presented a letter containing the advice of astrologers, recommending the giving away of an elephant and of a valuable diamond in charity. To that the Emperor wrote in reply that the giving away of an elephant was the practice of the Hindus and of star-worshippers; but he sent four thousand rupees to the chief kazi, for him to distribute among the deserving. On the same letter he wrote, saying, "Carry this creature of dust quickly to the first (burial) place, and consign him to the earth without any useless coffin." It is said that he wrote a will dividing his kingdom among his sons, and entrusted it to Hamidu-d din Khan. On Friday, the 28th Zi-l ka'da, in the fifty-first year of the reign, corresponding with 1118 A.H. (Feb. 21, 1707 A.D.), after performing morning prayers and repeating the creed, at about one watch of the day, the Emperor departed this life. He was ninety years and some months old, and had reigned fifty years two months and a half. He was buried near Daulatabad by the tombs of Shaikh Burhanu-d din and other religious worthies, and of Shah Zari Zar-bakhsh, and some districts of Burhanpur were assigned for the maintenance of his tomb.
125.4
Of all the sovereigns of the House of Timur — nay, of all the sovereigns of Dehli — no one, since Sikandar Lodi, has ever been apparently so distinguished for devotion, austerity, and justice. In courage, long-suffering, and sound judgment, he was unrivalled. But from reverence for the injunctions of the Law he did not make use of punishment, and without punishment the administration of a country cannot be maintained. Dissensions had arisen among his nobles through rivalry. So every plan and project that he formed came to little good; and every enterprise which he undertook was long in execution, and failed of its object. Although he lived for ninety years, his five senses were not at all impaired, except his hearing, and that to only so slight an extent that it was not perceptible to others. He often passed his nights in vigils and devotion, and he denied himself many pleasures, naturally belonging to humanity.