Tarikh-i Salatin-i Afaghina 3.1
Táríkh-i Salátín-i Afághana of Ahmad Yádgár (extracts) 3.1
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3.1.1
Some historians relate that when Sikandar died, he left two sons by one wife: the first, Sultan Ibrahim; the second, Jalal Khan. When Ibrahim grew up, and became celebrated for his personal beauty and excellent disposition, the nobles determined to place him on the throne, to which they accordingly raised him on Thursday, the 7th of Zi-l hijja, a.h. 923 (Nov. 1517). On that day, all those who were attached to the royal person prepared the tents, embroidered with gold and adorned with jewels, and spread carpets of various colours, worked with gold thread. They placed the throne of Sikandar, covered with gems of price and jewels of great value, on a coloured carpet. The tributary kings and nobles wore beautiful dresses and embroidered garments, and resembled the flowers blooming in a garden. The horses and elephants were decked with the most magnificent trappings. So splendid a coronation had never been witnessed, and the people consequently long remembered the day on which this fortunate and youthful monarch obtained the crown.
3.1.2
The nobles and pillars of the State then gave Ibrahim's brother by the same mother, the title of Sultán Jalálu-d dín (he had been previously called Jalál Khán), and sent him with many officers and a large army to take charge of the kingdom of Jaunpúr. Four months afterwards, 'Azam Humáyún Lodí, and the Khán-khánán Farmulí came from their estates to congratulate the King, and took that opportunity of accusing the nobles attending on His Majesty, saying, that it was a great error for two persons to share a kingdom, and that two sovereigns could never rule together. As the poet says : " One body cannot cover two souls, Nor one kingdom own two monarchs." Accordingly, Sultán Ibráhím cast the agreement which he had made with his brother into the recess of oblivion ; and after taking advice, came to the conclusion that as the Sháhzáda was not thoroughly established, and had not as yet arrived at the seat of his government, it would be best to write and tell him that the Sultán required his presence to aid him in transacting certain momentous affairs ; that he should come unattended ; and that after they had consulted together, he might return to the seat of his government.
3.1.3
Haibat Khán, the wolf-slayer, who was noted for his extreme cunning, was despatched on this errand, and directed to cajole the Sháhzáda to return with him. It is said, that walls have ears, and an account of this arrangement had, before this, come to the ears of Jalálu-d dín, so that he was not entrapped by the flattering speeches and attempts at deception which Haibat Khán used profusely, and therefore he would not consent to come. Haibat Khan reported his unsuccessful mission, and the King then sent divers other courtiers; these were also unsuccessful, as the Shahzada steadily refused to go with them. After this, the Sultan wrote farmans containing expressions of kindness and goodwill to all the nobles and jagirdars of the suba of Jaunpur, and promised them munificent rewards if they would forsake their allegiance to Jalal Khan, and refuse to treat him as their ruler. He sent secretly a confidential servant to certain of the nobles, bearing dresses of honour, horses, etc., and commanded them, on the receipt of this farman, to renounce allegiance to Jalal Khan.
3.1.4
As it was decreed by fate, that Jalalu-d din should not reign, many of the grandees deserted him, and became his enemies. At this period Shahzada Jalal Khan, having set up a jewelled throne, and covered the doors and walls of his palace with brocade, sat there in state on the 15th of Zi-l hijja, 923 A.H. (Dec. 1517). He gave audience to the servants of the State, the courtiers and the soldiers, to all of whom he presented dresses of honour, swords, girdles, daggers, horses, elephants, titles, and honours, according to their respective ranks. Having thus gained the good opinion of the people, he opened the gates of charity to the poor and needy, and increased their allowances; and having thus established his authority, he ceased to obey Sultan Ibrahim, and caused the khutba to be read and coin to be struck in his own name. When he felt himself sufficiently powerful, he sent confidential agents to 'Azam Humayun, who was at that time besieging the fort of Kalinjar, and wrote to him, saying, "You are in the place of my father and uncle, and are well aware that the compact has not been broken by me. Sultan Ibrahim, of his own accord, gave me a portion of the inheritance which our father left, because I was his own brother, the son of the same mother. He has broken the phial of the connexion which we derived from our parent's womb with the stone of unkindness.
3.1.5
You ought to protect and help me because I am oppressed." Previous to this 'Azam Humayun had been ill-disposed towards Sultan Ibrahim. He was moved by the supplications of Jalal Khan, and raised the siege of the fort. He entered into a treaty and compact with Jalalu-d din, and told him that he ought first to obtain possession of Jaunpur, and then see what was best to be done. He then advanced towards Oudh by an uninterrupted succession of marches. The governor of that place, finding himself unable to contend with him, fled towards Karra, and sent information of what was passing to Sultan Ibrahim, who wished to start immediately with some picked men for the purpose of repressing the disturbance. By the advice of certain of the nobles, he confined four of his brothers in the fort of Hansi, and entrusted them to the charge of Muhammad Khan with 500 horse. He, moreover, summoned all the nobles into his private apartment, and gained them to his side by making them presents in gold, and giving them titles and dignities; after which he ordered the bakhshis to issue arrears of pay to the army, and give them one month's gratuity. On Thursday, the 24th of Zi-l hijja, he proceeded in the direction of Jaunpur by uninterrupted marches, and on arrival at Bhunganw received intelligence that 'Azam Humayun and his son Fath Khan had forsaken Sultan Jalalu-d din, and were on their way to pay their respects.
3.1.6
The Sultan was delighted at this news, and caused his army to halt, in order that he might make due preparations for their reception. On the day fixed for 'Azam Humayun's coming, Ibrahim sent a large concourse of his principal chieftains to meet him; and when he made his obeisance, his head was exalted by the many marks which he received of the royal favour. The Sultan also presented khil'ats of cloth of gold, girdles, jewelled daggers, and some of his most valuable elephants to 'Azam Humayun, whom he rendered grateful by these attentions. Meanwhile he appointed some of the principal nobles to conduct the war against Jalalu-d din, and furnished them with a large army, war elephants, and all other needful equipments. Jalalu-d din had marched towards Agra with a large army, consisting of 30,000 horsemen, besides many elephants; leaving some of his partisans in Kalpi, to which place Sultan Ibrahim laid siege, and took it after a short resistance, and gave it over to plunder. After this, when he heard that his brother had gone towards Agra with a strong force, he sent Malik Adam Ghakkar to protect that place, which he accordingly reached with all expedition. Jalalu-d din wished to treat Agra as the Sultan had done Kalpi; but Malik Adam contrived to deceive and amuse him until he had sent for further assistance, and given Sultan Ibrahim notice of what was passing.
3.1.7
The Sultan despatched 18,000 horsemen and 50 elephants to the assistance of the Malik, whose heart was so strengthened that he sent to Jalalu-d din, to say, that if he would relinquish all claim to the empire, and would put aside the umbrella, the áftábgír, the naubat, the kettle-drum, and other insignia of royalty, and would promise to conduct himself as one of the umará, he (Malik Adam) would use his interest in his behalf, and would obtain for him the súba of Kálpí on the same terms as he formerly held it.
3.1.8
Sultán Jalálu-d dín, led by his evil destiny, which had unfitted him for the charge of a kingdom, although he possessed 30,000 brave horsemen and 160 war elephants, acted like a coward, and agreed to these conditions. All his chiefs said to him, "Why are you so weak-hearted? The Sultán will on no account suffer you to live. We have eaten your salt for ten years; be firm and resolute, and give your faithful servants an opportunity of showing their devotedness to you. God is the Supreme Disposer of all things. The Sultán is of a bad disposition. In the end the nobles and troops will side with you." Notwithstanding their advice, as Providence had decreed his ruin, Jalálu-d dín was satisfied with the terms, and left off using the insignia of royalty. He sent Malik Adam Ghakkar to the King, to beg him to grant him other jágírs; but the Sultán (who was then at Etáwa) would not agree to do so, and sought means to get rid of him. When Jalálu-d dín heard of his intentions, he took refuge with the Rájá of Gwálior, and his old soldiers dispersed.