Muntakhab al-lubab 181.4

181.4

Nizamu-l Mulk had employed the interval of eight or nine months in collecting seven or eight thousand horse and materials of war. He was cautious and watchful, and he had formed the design of conquering the Dakhin, and of setting free that land of treasure and of soldiers. He now received notice from his vakils that the Saiyids had sent officers to summon him to the presence. But before these he had received letters from the Emperor and from private friends, telling him there was no time to be lost, and that what he had to do he must do quickly. Nizamu-l Mulk perceived that the brothers had the fixed intention of overthrowing the royal house and removing the Khalifa of the world. Seeing that there were no other means of safety, he consulted with his friends, and setting out from Ujjain, he made three marches towards Mandu, and then turned to the Dakhin. On the 1st of Rajab he crossed the Nerbadda, where he was joined by Rustam Beg Khan, Faujdar of Bijagarh, also called Kahargaon. * * On the same day he crossed the Nerbadda an envoy came from 'Usman Khan, a soldier (hazari) of the fort of Asir, proposing to surrender the fortress, * * and on the 16th Rajab he took possession of this important stronghold. * * He next sent Muhammad Ghiyas Khan to reduce Burhanpur. * * * Saiyid 'Alam 'Ali Khan (the acting subadar) sent Muhammad Anwar Khan to defend Burhanpur; * * but this man was wanting in courage, and gave up in despair. Nizamu-l Mulk entered the town on the 17th.