The Cambridge History of India, Vol. IV: The Mughul Period v4.c16.117

v4.c16.117

Meanwhile Bhagwān Dās had advanced into Kashmīr, and Yūsuf Shāh, fearing lest he should succeed, in spite of cold, rain, snow and scarcity of provisions, in reaching Srīnagar, offered to do homage to Akbar, and on 22 February, 1586, was received by Bhagwān Dās, who welcomed his submission, for the army, which should never have been sent into the mountains at that season of the year, was suffering severely. It was understood by all that Akbar required only personal submission and a promise of tribute, and that Yūsuf would then be permitted to return to his kingdom as the emperor’s vassal. It was on this understanding that Yūsuf surrendered, and these were the terms granted to him by Bhagwān Dās. Akbar was displeased with the treaty but, in order to secure Yūsuf’s submission, ratified it, and, having ratified it, detained Yūsuf as a state prisoner and prepared to send another army into Kashmīr to complete the subjugation of the country. Bhagwān Dās, whose honour had been besmirched by his master, could not be expected to command a second expedition, and was ordered to Kābul, but on his way thither attempted to commit suicide. Abu-’l-Fazl attributes the act to a fit of temporary insanity, but there is no doubt that he was in his right mind, and that his act, characteristic of his caste, was an attempt to wipe out the stain on his honour.