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The History of Fīrūz Shāh (ʿAfīf) 33: Fifteenth Mukaddama. — Return of Fíroz Sháh from Jájnagar by difficult roads.

Táríkh-i Fíroz Sháhí of Shams-i Siráj 'Afíf (extracts) 33

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33

After the Sultán had started on his return to Dehlí, the guides lost their way, and proceeded over mountains and plains and along the banks of a river like the Jíhún. The author's father, who accompanied the march, stated that the army ascended and descended mountain after mountain, and passed through jangals and hills until they were quite in despair and utterly worn out with the fatigues of the arduous march. No road was to be found, nor any grain. Provisions became very scarce, and the army was reduced to the verge of destruction. For six months no news of the Sultán reached Dehlí, and the Khán-i Jahán was in great alarm. Day after day he rode about the environs of the city, and fear of him kept the country at peace. At the end of six months, a road was discovered, and the Sultán determined to send a messenger to Dehlí. He gave public notice that all who wished to write to their families and friends might take this opportunity. This gave great satisfaction, and every man of the army, from the highest to the lowest, wrote some account of his condition. The letters were sent to the tent of the Sultán, and the number of them was so great that a camel-load of letters was sent to Dehlí. When they reached the city, the Khán-i Jahán made great public rejoicing, the letters were piled in a heap before the palace, and all who expected letters were directed to come forward and receive them.
The Sultán's army having at length traversed the mountains and jungles, and having crossed the river, after enduring great privations and practising many expedients, came out into the open country. They thanked God for their deliverance, and the Sultán hastened to rejoin his baggage-train (bungáh). When the Sultán was at Jájnagar, he left the baggage train at Karra, where it still remained. A farmán was sent to Dehli announcing the return of the Sultan, and the Khán-i Jahán made suitable preparations for his reception.