Muntakhab al-lubab 29.4

29.4

When Dara reached the land of this evil zamíndár, Malik Jiwan came out like the destroying angel to meet him. As a guest-murdering host he conducted Dara home, and exerted himself to entertain him. During the two or three days that Dara remained here, his wife, Nadira Begam, daughter of Parwez, died of dysentery and vexation. Mountain after mountain of trouble thus pressed upon the heart of Dara, grief was added to grief, sorrow to sorrow, so that his mind no longer retained its equilibrium. Without considering the consequences, he sent her corpse to Lahore in charge of Gul Muhammad, to be buried there. He thus parted from one who had been faithful to him through his darkest troubles. He himself remained, attended only by a few domestic servants and useless eunuchs. After performing the ceremonies of mourning, Dara determined to set out the next morning under the escort of Malik Jiwan for Íran, by way of Kandahar. Jiwan apparently was ready to accompany him to Íran; but he had inwardly resolved to forward his own interests by trampling under foot all claims of gratitude, and of making the wretched fugitive prisoner. So he formed his plan. He accompanied his guest for some kos. Then he represented that it was necessary for him to return, in order to procure some further provisions for the journey, which he would collect, and would overtake Dara after two or three days' march.