Tazkira-i Chaghatai, of Muhammad Hadi Kamwar Khan (Elliot & Dowson, extracts)
Translation of Tadhkirat al-salatin-i Chaghata (Tadhkirat al-salāṭīn-i Chaghatā)
- Language
- English
- Date
- 1877 CE
- Translators
- Henry Miers Elliot, John Dowson
- Extent
- 2 passages, 384 words
- Text
- complete digital text
- Source
- archive.org · The History of India, as told by its own Historians. The Muhammadan Period. The posthumous papers of Sir H.… · Public domain (published before 1930)
Contents
Text
1
[Yamīnu-d daula Āsaf Khān, 'Azam Khān and other nobles defeated the army of Shahriyār in the vicinity of Lahore. They entered the city, made Shahriyār prisoner, and blinded him. Bulākī and the other sons of Dāniyāl and Khusrū were put in chains, and imprisoned in the fort of Lahore.]
2
[Bahādur Shāh died on the night of the 20th Muharram, 1024 A.H. (9th Feb. 1615). Great confusion immediately followed in the royal camp, and loud cries were heard on every side. The amīrs and officials left the royal tents in the darkness of the night, and went off to join the young princes. Many persons of no party, and followers of the camp, unmindful of what fate had in store for them, were greatly alarmed, and went off to the city with their families. Ruffians and vagabonds began to lay their hands upon the goods of many. The streets were so crowded that it was difficult to pass along them, and houses could not be found to accommodate the people. Several persons were to be seen seeking refuge in one little shop. Friends and relations were unable to answer the calls made upon them. Great disturbances arose in the armies of the Princes, and none of the great men had any hope of saving their lives. The soldiers loudly demanded their pay and allowances, and joining the unceremonious servants, they made use of foul and abusive language, and laid their hands on everything they found. Fathers could do nothing to help their sons, nor sons for their fathers. Every man had enough to do in taking care of himself, and the scene was like the day of judgment. Informers brought in news that Prince Muhammad Karīm, son of Prince 'Azīmu-sh Shān, had left his own camp and gone off towards that of Mahābat Khān and Khān-zamān, sons of the late Khán-khánán, and no one knew what his intentions were. Every one, small and great, looked upon 'Azímu-sh Shán as the successor; for he had soldiers, artillery, elephants, treasure, and implements of war two-fold more than all his three brothers. Except Amíru-l umará Bakhshíu-l Mulk (Zú-l fikár Khán), all the royal nobles were in his favour. It was probable that he would draw up his forces at once, and not give his adversaries time to assemble theirs.