Storia do Mogor 60.4.3

60.4.3

It happened that the villagers, of whom I have spoken before (ante, f. 83), raised such a great rebellion that Akbar was obliged to go against them in person. He surrounded a fort into which many of them had retired, a place that it was impossible to escalade. Therefore orders were given that the most courageous of the elephants should be sent to batter in the gate. He (Akbar) disguised himself, and at dawn appeared near the gate, and, mounting upon a very bold elephant, attacked the gate. In the first assault the animal was not able to knock it down ; it was driven to the assault once more, the gate fell, and the fortress was taken. The driver of the elephant asked the pretended elephant-driver what his name was, as he was anxious to report his bravery to the king and announce that he was the cause of the victory. Akbar replied that before giving his name he wanted to know that of the elephant. The driver said the elephant was called the 'Active '; thereupon Akbar said that his name was ' Breaker-in of Gateways.' The following day, when the elephants were paraded before him, he gave to ' Active ' the title of ' Active, Breaker-in of Gateways,' and made him captain of all the elephants, with an increase of pay. He rewarded the elephantdriver by a serpao (sarāpā), whereby the man learnt that the 'Breaker-in of Gateways' was the very king himself.