Muntakhab al-lubab 8: Proceedings of Murad Bakhsh.

8

[vol. ii. p. 7.] It was learned from the news-letters (akhbar) of Ahmadabad that Prince Muhammad Murad Bakhsh had struck coin and caused the khutba to be read in his name. He had also sent Khwaja Shahbaz, a eunuch, with an army and necessary siege train for the reduction of the fort of Surat, and the occupation of the port. Khwaja Shahbaz, on reaching Surat, invested the place, and after driving mines and blowing up bastions and forts, he reduced the fortress. Then he called together the merchants of the place, and demanded from them a contribution of fifteen lacs of rupees. After much parley, the chiefs of the merchants agreed to pay six lacs of rupees on behalf of their body, and took a bond for the money under the seal of Muhammad Murad Bakhsh, and the bail of Khwaja Shahbaz. * * * *