A King came to the gate of a garden in the heat of the day. He saw
an old gardener standing at the gate, and asked him if there were
any pomegranates in the garden. He said: "There are." He told him
to bring a cup of pomegranate juice. The gardener had a daughter
adorned with grace of person, and beauty of disposition. He made
a sign to her to bring the pomegranate juice. The girl went and at
once brought a cup full of pomegranate juice, and placed some leaves
upon it. The King took it from her hand and drank it. Then he asked
the girl what was her reason for placing leaves on the top of the
juice. She, with an eloquent tongue and a sweet voice, represented
that it was not wise at once to drink off a quantity of liquid when
he was bathed in perspiration, and in such a hot air. On this account
she had placed the leaves on the liquid by way of precaution, so that
he might drink it slowly. The King was greatly pleased with her sweet
ways, and it crossed his mind to admit the girl into his Palace. After
this he asked the gardener: "How much profit do you derive from this
garden every year?" He answered: "Three hundred dinars." The King
asked: "What do you pay the Diwan (tax-collector)?" He answered:
"The King takes nothing from the trees, but takes a tenth of the
cultivated crops." It came into the King's mind that there were in
his dominions many gardens and countless trees. If he were to get
a tenth of the garden produce as well, it would amount to a large
sum, and there would be no great loss to the cultivator. Hereafter
he would order a tax to be levied on garden produce. He said then:
"Bring me a little more pomegranate juice." The girl went, and after
a long time brought a small quantity. The King said: "The first time
thou camest quickly, and broughtest more. This time thou didst stay
a long time, and broughtest less." The girl said: "The first time I
had filled the cup with the juice of one pomegranate, and brought it;
this time I pressed out five or six pomegranates and did not get as
much juice." The astonishment of the King increased. The gardener
represented: "The blessing of produce depends on the goodwill of the
King. It occurs to me that you must be a King. At the time when you
inquired of me the income from the garden, your disposition must have
changed. Consequently the blessing passed away from the fruit." The
Sultan was impressed, and drove that idea out of his heart. He then
said: "Bring me once more a cup of pomegranate juice." The girl went
again, and quickly bringing a cup full to the brim, gave it, smiling
and gladly, into the Sultan's hand. He praised the intelligence of
the gardener, and explained the actual state of affairs, and begged
the girl of him in marriage, and married her.
This true tale of that truth-preserving King has remained as a memento
on the page of time. In truth, the manifestation of such spiritual
(?) [133] results is the mark of good intentions, and the fruit of
justice. Whenever all the energies and purposes of justice-observing
Kings are devoted to the comfort of the people and the contentment of
their subjects, the manifestations of well-being and the productions
of fields and gardens are not far off. God be praised that in this
age-enduring State no tax has ever been levied on the fruit of trees,
and is not levied now. In the whole of the dominion not a dam nor
one grain (habba) [134] on this account enters the public treasury,
or is collected by the State. Moreover, there is an order that whoever
makes a garden on arable land, its produce is exempted. I trust that
God (to whom be glory!) will always incline this suppliant towards
what is good.
"When my purpose is good, do Thou grant me good." [135]
On Saturday, for the second time, my desire for the company of Jadrup
increased. After performing the midday devotions, I embarked in a boat
and hastened to meet him, and at the close of day I ran and enjoyed his
society in the retirement of his cell. I heard many sublime words of
religious duties and knowledge of divine things. Without immoderate
praise, he sets forth clearly the doctrines of wholesome Sufism,
and one can find delight in his society. He is sixty years old. He
was twenty-two years of age, when, forsaking all external attachments,
he placed the foot of determination on the highroad of asceticism, and
for thirty-eight years he had lived in the garment of nakedness. When
I took leave he said: "In what language can I return thanks for this
gift of Allah that I am engaged in the reign of such a just King in the
worship of my own Deity in ease and contentment, and that the dust of
discomposure from any accident settles not on the skirt of my purpose?"
On Sunday, the 3rd, marching from Kaliyadaha, I encamped at the village
of Qasimkhera. I employed myself on the road in hawking. By chance a
crane rose, and the tuyghun falcon, of which I am very fond, was let
fly after it. The crane sought to escape, and the falcon soared and
flew so high as to disappear from sight. Although the huntsmen and
the head-beaters ran after it in all directions, they found no trace
of it, and it was impossible for the falcon to be caught in such a
desert. Lashkar Mir Kashmiri, who is the head of the Kashmir huntsmen,
in whose charge the falcon was, ran in a bewildered state through the
desert in all directions without finding a sign or trace. Suddenly he
saw a tree in the distance, and when he went up to it he found the
falcon sitting on the end of a branch. Showing a domestic fowl, he
called to the falcon. Three gharis more had not passed when he brought
it to me. This gift from the hidden world, that had entered into the
thoughts of no one, increased the joy of my mind. Increasing his mansab
as a reward for this service, I gave him a horse and a dress of honour.
On Monday, the 4th, Tuesday, the 5th, Wednesday, the 6th, I marched
continuously, and, halting on Thursday, the 7th, I arranged a feast
of pleasure on the bank of a tank. Nur-Jahan Begam had been ill for
some time, and the physicians who had the good fortune to be chosen
to attend on her, Musulmans and Hindus, perceived no gain from all
the medicines they gave her, and confessed their helplessness in
treating her. At this time Hakim Ruhu-llah began to wait upon her,
and undertook (to find) a remedy. By the aid of God (Glory be to
His name!), in a short time she quite recovered. In reward for this
excellent service I increased his mansab and bestowed on the Hakim
three villages in his native country as his private property, and
an order was given that he should be weighed against silver, which
should be given him as a reward. From Friday, the 8th, until Sunday,
[136] the 13th, I made successive marches, and every day up to the
end of the stage employed myself in hunting with hawks and falcons
(baz u jurra). Many durraj (partridges) were caught. On last Sunday,
Kunwar Karan, s. Rana Amar Singh, having enjoyed the good fortune of
kissing the ground, presented his congratulations on the conquest of
the Deccan, offering 100 muhars and Rs. 1,000 by way of nazr, and
the value of Rs. 21,000 in jewelled vessels, with some horses and
elephants as pishkash. The horses and elephants I returned to him,
and the rest was accepted. The next day I presented him with a dress
of honour. To Mir Sharif, Vakil of Qutbu-l-mulk, and to Iradat K.,
the chief butler, an elephant each was given. Sayyid Hizabr K. was
given the faujdari of Mewat, and his mansab, original and increased,
was fixed at 1,000 personal and 500 horse. Having selected Sayyid
Mubarak for the charge of the fort of Rohtas, I conferred on him the
mansab of 500 personal and 200 horse. On Thursday, the 14th, the camp
was pitched on the bank of the tank of the village of Sandhara, and
the feast of cups was held, and chosen servants were made happy with
cups of pleasure. The birds of chase, "that had been shut up in Agra to
moult" (ba-kuriz basta budand), were this day brought to me by Khwaja
`Abdu-l-Latif, the Chief Fowler. Picking out those that were fit for
my own use, the rest were given to the Amirs and other servants.
On this day the news of the revolt and ingratitude for favours
of Raja Suraj Mal, s. Raja Baso, came to my ear. Baso had several
[137] sons. Although the above-mentioned was the eldest, his father
mostly kept him in confinement on account of his evil thoughts and
mischievous tendencies, and regarded him with displeasure. After his
(Baso's) death, as this wretch was the eldest, and he had no other
capable or intelligent son, I, looking to the services rendered by
Raja Baso, for the purpose of preserving the family of a Zamindar,
and the protection of his hereditary property and country, conferred
on this wretch the title of Raja, with a mansab of 2,000, and gave him
the position and jagir of his father, which the latter had obtained
by his loyalty and good service. I also gave him the sums of money
and goods that his father had collected during long years. When the
deceased Murtaza K. was sent off on the duty of conquering Kangra, as
this wretch was the chief Zamindar of that hill country, he outwardly
displayed zeal in the service and loyalty, and was nominated as an
auxiliary. After he reached the spot, Murtaza K. pressed the siege
tightly against the garrison. This evil-minded fellow discovered
from the appearance of things that he would soon be victorious,
and began to disagree and be troublesome. He took off the veil of
respect from his face, and proceeded to quarrel and be hostile to
Murtaza K.'s men. Murtaza K. read the writing of misery and ruin on
the page of the wretch's forehead, and reported unfavourably of him
to the Court, or rather wrote plainly that the signs of rebellion
and want of loyalty were clear in his conduct. As there was there
such an officer as Murtaza K. and a large army in the hill-country,
the wretch did not find the time convenient for the preparation of
a disturbance. He sent a report to my son Shah-Jahan that Murtaza
K., at the instigation of interested parties, had turned against
him, and desired to overthrow and ruin him, and was accusing him of
wrong-doing and rebellion. He hoped that he would summon him to Court,
and thus provide a means for his escape and (the prolonging of)
his life. Although I had every confidence in the words of Murtaza
K., yet as he (Suraj Mal) begged to be sent for to Court, a doubt
passed into my mind that possibly Murtaza K., at the instigation of
seditious people, might cause a confusion, and might have accused him
without due reflection. Briefly, at the request of my son Shah-Jahan,
passing over his offence, I summoned him (Suraj Mal) to Court. Just
at this time Murtaza K. died, and the conquest of the fort of Kangra
was delayed till the dispatch of another leader. When this seditious
fellow arrived at Court, I, under the pressure of affairs, rapidly
encompassed him with favours and sent him off to do duty with my son
Shah-Jahan in the conquest of the Deccan. After this, when the Deccan
had come into the possession of the servants of the enduring State,
he, having acquired influence in my son's service, was appointed to
superintend the taking of the fort of Kangra. Although the sending
back of this ungrateful and untruthful one into that hill-country
showed a want of caution and care, yet as my son had taken on himself
the responsibility of the undertaking, I was obliged to give in to
his wish and to leave the matter to him. My fortunate son appointed
him, along with one of his own servants of the name of Taqi and a
suitable army of mansabdars, ahadis, and royal musketeers, as has
already been related summarily in these pages. When he arrived at
the place, he began to show enmity and trickery toward Taqi also,
and displayed his natural disposition. He continually reported
unfavourably of him (Taqi), until he wrote plainly that he could
not get on with him, and that Taqi could not do the work. If another
general were appointed, the fort would be quickly conquered. In fine,
he (Shah-Jahan) had no choice but to summon Taqi to Court, and to
appoint Raja Bikramajit, who was one of his chief servants, with an
army of fresh men on this service. When the wretch discovered that his
stratagems could no longer continue, and his deceit go no farther,
he, before the arrival of Bikramajit, gave leave to a number of the
servants of the Court, on the pretence that they had been on service
a long time without proper arrangements (commissariat), to hasten to
their jagirs and provide themselves with their equipments before the
arrival of Raja Bikramajit. As palpably this came to a dispersion of
the forces of the loyal, and most of them left for their own jagirs,
only a few experienced men remained there. Seeing his opportunity,
he showed the signs of revolt and sedition. Sayyid Safi Barha, who
was distinguished for his bravery, with some of his brothers and
relatives, advanced the feet of courage, and tasted the wholesome
draught of martyrdom, and some who were wounded with severe wounds,
which are the adornment of the lions of battle, that rascal took
captive from the field of strife and carried off to his own house
of calamity. [138] Some from love [139] of life hastily withdrew
themselves to the corner of safety. That rascal stretched out the
hand of oppression and possession over the parganas on the skirts of
the hill-country (daman-i-kuh), which mostly belonged to the jagir of
I`timadu-d-daula, and did not abate a hair's breadth from attacking
and plundering. It is hoped that with the same swiftness, he will be
caught with the reward of his deeds and the recompense of his actions,
and that the spirit [140] of this State will do its work, please God!
On Sunday, the 17th, I crossed Ghati Chanda. On Monday, the 18th,
the Jan-sipar Ataliq Khan-khanan, Commander-in-Chief, had the honour
of kissing the threshold. As he had been absent from my presence for a
long time, and the victorious retinue was passing by near the Sarkars
of Khandesh and Burhanpur, he asked to wait upon me, and an order was
given that if his mind were at ease in all respects, he should come
unattended and return quickly. He accordingly came with all speed,
and had the good fortune to pay his respects on this day, and, having
been exalted by the receipt of all kinds of royal favours and kingly
benefits, he presented an offering of 1,000 muhars and Rs. 1,000.
As the camp had undergone great hardship in crossing the Ghati,
I ordered a halt for the refreshment of the people on Tuesday, the
19th. I marched on Wednesday, the 20th, and on Thursday, the 21st,
halted again and held a feast of cups on the bank of a river that is
known as the Sind. [141] I gave a special horse, of the name of Sumer,
which was one of the finest horses, to the Khan-khanan. In the Hindi
language they call a hill of gold Sumer (Sumeru), and he was called
by this name on account of his colour and size. On Friday, the 22nd,
and Saturday, the 23rd, two successive marches were made. On this day
a wonderful waterfall was seen. The water is exceedingly clear, and
pours down with boiling and noise from a lofty place. On all sides
of it there are halting places where one may praise God. Certainly
I have not recently seen such another fine waterfall, and it is a
delightful recreation-place. I was delighted with the spectacle for
a while. On Sunday, the 24th, I halted, and, sitting in a boat on a
tank which was in front of the royal enclosure (daulat-khana), were
shot [142] ducks (murghabi). On Monday, the 25th, Tuesday, the 26th,
and Wednesday, the 27th, I marched one after the other. I bestowed on
the Khan-khanan the pustin (sheep-skin coat) I had on my own person,
and seven horses from my stable, on which I always rode, were also
given him. On Sunday, the 2nd of the Ilahi month of Dai, the royal
standards were raised at the fort of Ranthambur. This is one of the
great forts of the Indians. In the time of Sultan `Ala'u-d-din Khalji,
Ray Pitambar Deo was in possession of it. The Sultan besieged it for
a long time, and conquered it with labour and great exertions, and
in the beginning [143] of the reign of H.M. (Akbar)--may the light of
God be his witness!--Ray Surjan Hada had it in his possession. He had
always 6,000 or 7,000 horse in attendance on him. That revered one,
by the aid of the glorious God, conquered it in the space of one
month and twelve days, and Ray Surjan, by the guidance of fortune,
having had the good fortune to kiss the threshold, was enrolled
among the number of the loyal, and became one of his respectable and
trusted Amirs. After him his son Ray Bhoj also was included among
the great Amirs. Now his grandson, Sar-buland Ray, is among the chief
officers. On Monday, [144] the 3rd, I went to inspect the fort. There
are two hills close to each other. They call one Ran, and the other
Thanbur. The fort is built on the top of Thanbur, and, putting these
two names together, they have called it Ranthambur. Although the
fort is exceedingly strong, and has plenty of water, the hill of
Ran is a specially strong fortress (in itself), and the capture of
the fortress depends upon the possession of this hill. Accordingly,
my revered father ordered that they should plant cannon on the top of
the hill of Ran, and aim at (majra girand) the buildings inside the
fort. The first gun they fired reached the square building (chaukandi)
[145] of the palace of Ray Surjan. From the fall of that building,
a trembling found its way into the foundations of his courage, and a
great perplexity overpowered his heart, and thinking he would best
consult his own safety in delivering up the fort, he rubbed the
head of worship and humility on the throne of the king of kings,
who forgave faults and accepted excuses.
I had intended to pass the night in the fort, and the next day to
return to camp. As the buildings inside the fort had been built after
the fashion of the Hindus, and the rooms were without air and with
little space, they did not please me, nor was I disposed to stay
there. I saw a bath house, which one of the servants of Dastam [146]
Khan had built near the wall of the fort. A little garden and a lodging
(nishiman) which overlooks (mushrif) the open space is not wanting in
space and air, and there is no better place in the whole fort. [147]
Dastam K. was one of the Amirs of the late King (Akbar), and from his
early years had been brought up in his service. His connection with
him was confidential and intimate. H.M. had entrusted this fort to
him from his exceeding confidence in him.
After completing my inspection of the fort and houses, I ordered that
they should bring before me the criminals who were confined in the
fort, so that I might look into the case of each of them and give
an order in accordance with justice. In brief, with the exception of
affairs of murder, and of any person through whose release disturbance
or calamity might ensue in the country, I freed them all, and to
each one in accordance with his circumstances gave his expenses and
dresses [148] of honour. On the eve of Tuesday, the 4th, I returned
to the royal abode after a watch and three gharis had passed. On
Sunday (properly Wednesday), the 5th, having marched nearly 5 koss,
I halted on Thursday, the 6th. On this day the Khan-khanan presented
his offering of jewels, ornamented vessels, cloth, and an elephant. Of
these I chose whatever pleased me, and returned the rest. What was
accepted of his offering was of the value of Rs. 150,000. On Friday,
the 7th, I marched 5 koss. I had before this captured a saras with a
falcon, but until now I had never seen the hunting of a durna [149]
(crane). As my son Shah-Jahan had great pleasure in durna hunting
with the falcon (shahin), and his falcons were well grown, at his
request I rode out early in the morning, and caught one durna myself,
whilst the falcon my son had on his wrist caught another. Certainly,
of all good hunting amusements, this is the best. I was exceedingly
pleased with it. Although the saras is large, it is lazy and heavy on
the wing. The chase of the durna has no resemblance to it. I praise
the heart and courage of the falcon that can seize such strong-bodied
animals, and with the strength of his talons can subdue them. Hasan K.,
the chief huntsman of my son, was honoured with an elephant, a horse,
and a dress of honour, as a reward for this exhibition of sport, and
his son also received a horse and a dress of honour. On Saturday, the
8th, having marched 4 1/4 koss, I halted on Sunday, the 9th. On this
day the Khan-khanan, the Commander-in-Chief, having raised the head
of dignity through the gift of a special dress of honour, a jewelled
waist-sword, and a private elephant with trappings, was reappointed
to Khandesh and the Deccan. The mansab of that pillar of the kingdom,
original and increase, was fixed at 7,000 personal and horse. As
he did not get on with Lashkar K., at his request I assigned to
`Abid K. the duty of Diwan-i-buyutat, [150] and having given him
the mansab of 1,000 personal and 400 horse, as well as a horse,
an elephant, and a dress of honour, sent him to that Subah. On the
same day Khan Dauran arrived from Kabul, and had the good fortune to
pay his respects, and presented as nazr 1,000 muhars and Rs. 1,000,
as well as an offering of a pearl rosary, fifty horses, ten Persian
male and female camels, and some hawks, and china, [151] and porcelain
(?), and other things. On Monday, the 10th, I marched 3 1/4 koss, and
on Tuesday, the 11th, 5 3/4 koss. On this day the Khan Dauran arranged
his men before me, and passed in review a thousand Mughal cavalry,
most of whom had Turki horses, and some `Iraq and some Mujannas [152]
horses. Though his troopers had been mostly dispersed, some going
into the service of Mahabat K. and remaining in that Subah, whilst
a number left him at Lahore and went into different parts of the
dominion, yet he could show this body of well-mounted men. Certainly
the Khan Dauran for valour and generalship is one of the unique
of the ages, but alas! I found he had become a decrepit old man,
and his sight was very weak. He has two intelligent young sons, who
are not wanting in reasonableness, but it will certainly be a great
and difficult thing for them to show themselves his equals. On this
day I gave him and his sons dresses of honour and swords. On Sunday,
the 12th, traversing 3 1/2 koss, I alighted on the bank of the tank
of Mandu. [153] In the middle of the tank there is a stone building,
and on one of the pillars the quatrain of someone had been engraved. I
saw it, and was amazed. In truth, it is a fine verse:
"My congenial friends have left me:
One by one they've fallen into the hands of death.
They were poor drinkers at the banquet of life.
A moment sooner than us they became drunken." [154]
At this time I also heard another quatrain of the same description,
which I have recorded because it was very well said:
"Alas! that people of intelligence and wisdom have passed away.
They have been forgotten in the minds of their contemporaries.
Those who spoke with a hundred tongues
Ah! what heard they that they became silent."
On Thursday, the 13th, I made a halt. `Abdu-l-`Aziz K., having come
from Bangash, had the good fortune to kiss the threshold. Ikram K.,
who was in charge of the faujdari of Fathpur and the neighbourhood,
was honoured with waiting on me. Khwaja Ibrahim K., Bakhshi of the
Deccan, was exalted with the title of `Aqidat K. Mir Hajj, who is
one of the auxiliaries attached to that Subah, and one of the brave
young officers, was promoted to the title of Sharza (tiger-whelp)
K., and received a standard. On Friday, the 14th, I marched 5 1/4
koss. On Saturday, the 15th, having marched 3 koss, I halted in the
neighbourhood of Bayana. [155] There I hastened with the ladies to see
the spectacle of the top of the fort. Muhammad, the Bakhshi of Humayun,
who was entrusted with the charge of the fort, had built a fine house
overlooking the plain, of great height and with fine air. The tomb
of Shaikh Bahlul is also in that neighbourhood, and is not wanting
in excellence. The Shaikh was the elder brother of Shaikh Muhammad
Ghaus, and was much versed in the science of incantations by names
(of God). Humayun had great affection for him, and the most perfect
reliance on him. When he conquered the province of Bengal, he took
up his abode there for some time. Mirza Hindal, by his order, had
remained [156] at Agra. A body of avaricious servants (qulluq-chiyan),
whose character was mischievous and seditious, taking to the way of
faithlessness, came from Bengal to the Mirza, and, working upon his
base nature (shaking the chain of his vile heart), led the Mirza on
the road of rebellion and ingratitude for favours, and of irrecognition
of duty. The thoughtless Mirza had the khutba recited in his own name
(proclaimed himself king), and openly raised the standard of rebellion
and strife. When the royal ear heard what had taken place from the
reports of those who were loyal, he sent Shaikh Bahlul to admonish the
Mirza, and to turn him back from his vain purpose, and to establish
his feet on the highroad of sincerity and concord. As these wretches
had made the flavour of royalty sweet to the Mirza's palate, he became
imbued with futile ideas, and would not be loyal. At the instigation of
these seditious people he made Shaikh Bahlul a martyr with the sword of
recklessness at the Charbagh (garden) which H.M. Babar had made on the
bank of the Jumna. As Muhammad Bakhshi was a disciple of the Shaikh,
he carried the body into the fort of Bayana, and buried it there.
On Sunday, the 16th, marching 4 1/2 koss, I came to the stage of
Barah. [157] As the garden and well which had been built by the order
of Maryam-zamani (Jahangir's mother) in the pargana of Jusat was on
the road, I went to inspect them. Certainly the ba'oli (step-well) was
a grand building, and had been built exceedingly well. I ascertained
from the officials that a sum of Rs. 20,000 had been expended on this
well. As there was much game in this neighbourhood, I halted on Monday,
the 17th.
On Tuesday, the 18th, marching 3 1/8 koss, the host of prosperity
halted at the village of Dayarm'a'u. [158] On Wednesday, the 19th,
marching 2 1/2 koss, the victorious standards were raised on the bank
of the Lake of Fathpur. As at the time when the conquest of the Deccan
was meditated, the stages and distances from Ranthambur to Ujain were
recorded, it appears unnecessary to repeat them. From Ranthambur [159]
to Fathpur by the road by which I came was a distance of 234 koss,
in sixty-three marches and fifty-six halts, traversed in 119 days,
or, according to solar reckoning, in one day under four months,
and by lunar four full months. From the date on which the army of
fortune started from the capital for the conquest of the Rana and the
acquisition of the Deccan until now, when the victorious and prosperous
standards have been planted again in the centre of the empire, it is
five years and four months. The astrologers and astronomers chose the
day of Mubarak-shamba (Thursday), the 28th of the Divine month of Dai,
in my thirteenth year, corresponding with the last day of the Muharram
in the Hijri year 1028 (January 7, 1619), as the proper time at which
to enter the capital of Agra.
At this time, again, it appeared from the reports of the loyal that
the disease of the plague was prevalent in Agra, so that daily about
100 people, more or less, were dying of it. Under the armpits, or in
the groin, or below the throat, buboes formed, and they died. This is
the third year that it has raged in the cold weather, and disappeared
in the commencement of the hot season. It is a strange thing that
in these three years the infection has spread to all the towns and
villages in the neighbourhood of Agra, while there has been no trace
of it at Fathpur. It has come as far as Amanabad, which is 2 1/2 koss
from Fathpur, and the people of that place (Amanabad) have forsaken
their homes and gone to other villages. There being no choice, and
considering the observance of caution necessary, it was decided that
at this propitious [160] hour the victorious army should enter the
inhabited part of Fathpur in all joy and auspiciousness, and after
the sickness and scarcity had subsided and another auspicious hour
had been chosen, I should enter the capital, please the Almighty and
most holy Allah!
The Thursday entertainment took place on the bank of the Lake of
Fathpur. As the time for entering the town (of Fathpur) was fixed for
the 28th, I halted eight days in this place. I ordered them to measure
the circumference of the lake, [161] and it came to 7 koss. At this
stage, with the exception of the revered Maryam-zamani, who had become
very weak, all the Begams and inhabitants of the enclosure of chastity
and all the palace employés came out to meet me (istiqbal). The
daughter [162] of Asaf K., deceased, who is in the house of `Abdu-llah
K. (i.e., is married to `Abdu-llah), s. Khan A`zam, told me a strange
and wonderful tale, and strongly insisted upon its truth. I write it
on account of its strangeness. She said: "One day in the courtyard of
the house I saw a mouse rising and falling in a distracted state. It
was running about in every direction after the manner of drunkards,
and did not know where to go. I said to one of my girls: 'Take it by
the tail and throw it to the cat!' The cat was delighted, and jumped up
from its place and seized it in its mouth, but immediately dropped it
and showed disgust. By degrees an expression of pain and trouble showed
itself in its face. The next day it was nearly dead, when it entered
into my mind to give it a little treacle [163] (tiryaq, opium?). When
its mouth was opened, the palate and tongue appeared black. It passed
three days in a state of misery, and on the fourth day came to its
senses. After this the grain (dana) of the plague (buboes) appeared
in the girl, and from excess of temperature and increase of pain she
had no rest. Her colour became changed--it was yellow inclining to
black--and the fever was high (tap muhriq gardid). The next day she
vomited [164] and had motions, and died. Seven or eight people in that
household died in the same way, and so many were ill that I went to
the garden from that lodging. Those who were ill died in the garden,
but in that place there were no buboes. In brief, in the space of
eight or nine days seventeen people became travellers on the road of
annihilation." She also said: "Those in whom the buboes appeared, if
they called another person for water to drink or wash in, the latter
also caught the infection (sirayat), and at last it came to such a
pass that through excessive apprehension no one would come near them."
On Saturday, the 22nd, Khwaja Jahan, who had had the charge of Agra,
having had the good fortune to kiss the threshold, presented 500 muhars
by way of nazr, and Rs. 400 [165] as charity. On Monday, the 24th, a
special dress of honour was conferred on him. On Mubarak-shamba [166]
(Thursday), the 28th (? 27th), after four ghari [167] or nearly two
sidereal hours (sa`at), had passed,
"In an hour which agreed with two almanacs (?) (or which marked
two events),"
the royal standards auspiciously and happily entered the inhabited
part of Fathpur. At the same hour the entertainment (of weighing)
for my prosperous and noble son, Shah-Jahan, was held. I ordered him
to be weighed against gold and other things, and his twenty-eighth
year according to the solar [168] months began auspiciously. It
is hoped that he may reach the natural [169] limit of life. On the
same day H.M. the revered Maryam-zamani (his mother) came from Agra,
and I acquired eternal good fortune from the blessing of waiting on
her. I hope that the shadow of her bringing up and affection may be
perennial on the head of this suppliant. As Ikram K., s. Islam K.,
had performed the duties of faujdar of this neighbourhood in a proper
manner, I bestowed on him the mansab of 1,500 personal and 1,000 horse,
original and increased. Suhrab [170] K., s. Mirza Rustam Safavi,
was promoted to the mansab of 1,000 personal and 300 horse.
On this day, going over in detail the buildings of the palace of the
late King (Akbar), I showed them to my son, Shah-Jahan. Inside of them
a large and very clear reservoir of cut stone has been constructed,
and is called the Kapur-talao (camphor tank). It is a square of 36
yards by 36, [171] with a depth of 4 1/2 yards. By the order of that
revered one, the officials of the public treasury had filled it with
fulus (copper coins) and rupees. It came to 34 krors, and 48 lakhs,
and 46,000 dams, and 1,679,400 rupees, or a total of 10,300,000 (one
kror and three lakhs) according to Hindustani reckoning, and 343,000
tuman according to Persian. For a long time the thirsty-lipped ones
of the desert of desire were satisfied from that fountain of benignity.
On Sunday, the 1st Bahman, a reward of 1,000 darb (Rs. 500) was given
to Hafiz Nad `Ali, [172] the reciter. For a long time past Muhibb
`Ali, s. Budagh [173] K. Chikani, and Abu-l-Qasim Gilani, whom the
Ruler of Iran had blinded and driven into the desert of exile, have
passed their days in ease under the refuge of this State. To each of
them, according to his condition, an allowance for living had been
granted. On this day they came from Agra, and had the good fortune to
kiss the threshold, and each of them was presented with Rs. 1,000. The
Mubarak-shamba entertainment was held in state in the palace, and my
private servants were gladdened with cups of pleasure. Nasru-llah, whom
my son, Sultan Parwiz, had sent to Court with the elephant Kuh-daman,
[174] took his leave and returned. A copy (jild) of the Jahangir-nama,
together with a special tipchaq horse, were given to him to take to
my son. On Sunday, the 8th, Kunwar Karan, son of Rana Amar Singh, was
presented with a horse, an elephant, a dress of honour, a jewelled
khapwa, and a phul-katara. I gave him leave to go to his jagir,
and sent a horse with him for the Rana. On the same day I went out
sporting to Amanabad. As there was an order that no one should kill
the antelope of that region, in the course of six years many antelope
had come together, and they had grown very tame. On Thursday, the
12th, I returned to the palace, and on that day, according to custom,
a feast of cups was prepared.
On the eve of Friday, the 13th (Bahman), I went to the mausoleum of
the refuge of pardon, Shaikh Salim Chishti, a little concerning whose
blessed qualities has been written in the preface [175] to this record
of prosperity, and the fatiha was recited. Although the manifestation
of miracles and wonders is not approved by the elect of the throne
of God, and from humility and a feeling of their low rank (as saints)
they avoid such display, yet occasionally in the excitement of ecstasy
an appearance is manifested unintentionally and without control, [176]
or for the sake of teaching someone the exhibition is made. Among these
was this, that he before my birth gave my father the good news of the
advent of this suppliant and of my two brothers. Again, one day my
father incidentally asked him how old he was, and when would he depart
to the abiding regions. He replied: "The glorious God knows what is
secret and hidden." After much urgency he indicated this suppliant
(Prince Salim), and said: "When the Prince, by the instruction of
a teacher or in any other way, shall commit something to memory
and shall recite it, this will be a sign of my union with God." In
consequence of this, His Majesty gave strict orders to all who were
in attendance on me that no one should teach me anything in prose
or verse. At length when two years and seven months had passed away,
it happened one day that one of the privileged [177] women was in the
palace. She used to burn rue constantly in order to avert the evil eye,
and on this pretext had access to me. She used to partake of the alms
and charities. She found me alone and regardless of (or ignorant of)
what had been said (by Akbar), she taught me this couplet:
"O God, open the rosebud of hope
Display a flower from the everlasting garden." [178]
I went to the Shaikh and repeated this couplet. He involuntarily
rose up and hastened to wait on the King, and informed him of what
had occurred. In accordance with Fate, the same night the traces
of fever appeared, and the next day he sent someone to the King
(with the request) to call Tan Sen Kalawant, who was unequalled as a
singer. Tan Sen, having gone to wait upon him, began to sing. After
this he sent some one to call the King. When H.M. came, he said:
"The promised time of union has come, and I must take leave of
you." Taking his turban from his head, he placed it on mine, and said:
"We have made Sultan Salim our successor, and have made him over to
God, the protector and preserver." Gradually his weakness increased,
and the signs of passing [179] away became more evident, till he
attained union with the "True Beloved."
One of the greatest monuments of my father's reign is this mosque
and cemetery (rauza). Certainly they are exceedingly lofty and solid
buildings. There is nothing like this mosque in any other country. It
is all built of beautiful stone, and five lakhs of rupees were
expended from the public treasury upon it. Qutbu-d-din K. Kokaltash
made the marble railing (mahjar) round [180] the cemetery, the flooring
(farsh) of the dome and portico, and these are not included in the five
lakhs. The mosque has two great gateways. The one [181] towards the
south is extremely lofty, and is very beautiful. The archway (pishtaq)
is 12 yards broad, 16 long, and 52 high. One must mount thirty-two
steps to get to the top of it. The other gateway is smaller, and is
towards the east. The length of the mosque from east to west, including
the width of the walls, is 212 yards. Out of this, the Maqsura (the
chancel) is 25 1/2 yards, the middle is 15 yards by 15, the portico
(pishtaq) is 7 yards broad, 14 yards long, and 25 yards high. On each
side of the large dome are two smaller domes 10 yards by 10. Then
there is a veranda (aiwan) which is pillared. The breadth of the mosque
from north to south is 172 yards. Round it are ninety verandas (aiwan)
and eighty-four cells. The breadth of each cell is 4 yards, [182] and
the length 5 yards. The verandas are 7 1/2 yards broad. The courtyard
(sahn) of the mosque, exclusive of the maqsura, and the verandas, and
the gates, is 169 yards long and 143 yards broad. Above the verandas,
the gates, and the mosque, small domes have been constructed, and on
the eves of anniversaries and on holy days lamps are placed in these,
and they are enveloped in coloured [183] cloths, so that they look
like lamp-shades (?). Under the courtyard they have made a well, and
they fill this with rainwater. As Fathpur has little water, and what
there is is bad, this well [184] yields a sufficient supply for the
whole year for the members of the family (of Salim Chishti) and for
the dervishes who are the mujawirs (caretakers) of the mosque. Opposite
the great entrance and towards the north-north-east is the tomb of the
Shaikh. The middle dome is 7 yards, and round the dome is a portico
of marble, and on the front side of this is a marble lattice. It is
very beautiful. Opposite this tomb on the west, at a little distance,
is another dome, in which are laid to rest the sons-in-law and sons
of the Shaikh, such as Qutbu-d-din K., Islam K., Mu`azzam K., [185]
and others, who were all connected with this family, and rose to the
position of Amirs and to lofty rank. Accordingly, the circumstances
of each have been recorded in their places. At present the son of
Islam K., who is distinguished by the title of Ikram K., is the lord
of the prayer-carpet. The signs of auspiciousness are manifest in him;
I am much inclined to cherish him.
On Thursday, the 19th, I promoted `Abdu-l-`Aziz K. to the mansab of
2,000 personal and 1,000 horse, and nominated him to the duty of taking
the fort of Kangra, and the overthrow of the ungrateful Suraj Mal. I
bestowed on him an elephant, a horse, and a dress of honour. Tursun
Bahadur was also dispatched on this duty, and his mansab was fixed
at 1,200 personal and 450 horse. He was given a horse, and took his
leave. As the house of I`timadu-d-daula was on the bank of a tank,
and people praised it greatly as a delightful place and enchanting
residence, at his request on Thursday, the 26th, an entertainment
was held there. That pillar of the kingdom engaged in the dues of
prostration and offerings, and prepared a grand meeting. At night,
after eating food, I returned to the palace. On Thursday, the 3rd
of the Divine month of Isfand-armuz, Sayyid `Abdu-l-Wahhab Barha,
who had done active service in Gujarat, was promoted to the mansab of
1,000 personal and 500 horse, and was honoured with the title of Dilir
K. On Saturday, the 12th, I went out to Amanabad for sport, and until
Sunday, with the ladies, employed myself in the pleasure of hunting. On
the eve of Thursday, the 27th [186] (17th), I returned to the palace.
By chance, on Tuesday, during the hunting, a string of pearls and
rubies that Nur-Jahan Begam had on her neck was broken, and a ruby of
the value of Rs. 10,000 and a pearl worth Rs. 1,000 were lost. Although
the huntsmen made every search for it on Wednesday, it did not fall
into their hands. It occurred to me that as the name of the day was
Kam-shamba, it was impossible to find it on that day. On the contrary,
as Mubarak-shamba (Thursday) was always a lucky day for me, and had
been blessed to me, the huntsmen on that day with but a little search
found both in that track-less place (without head or foundation)
and brought them to me. The best of coincidences was that on the same
propitious day the entertainment for my lunar weighing and the feast
of Basant-bari (Spring festival) also took place, and the good news of
the conquest of the fort of Mau and the defeat of that evil-fortuned
Suraj Mal arrived.
The particulars of this are that when Raja Bikramajit with the
victorious army arrived in that region, the ill-fated Suraj Mal
desired to delay him for some days by trickery and babblement, but the
aforesaid knew the real state of the case and did not pay attention to
his words, but advanced with the foot of valour. That abandoned one,
letting fall from his hand the thread of plan, neither planted the foot
of intrepidity firmly for battle nor had the courage to defend the
fort. After a slight struggle, and when many of his people had been
slaughtered, he took to flight, and the forts of Mau [187] and Mahri
(?), which were the chief reliance of that ill-fated man, were both
taken without difficulty. A country which he had held by hereditary
right from his fathers was trodden under foot by the victorious troops,
and he became a wanderer and a vagabond. He retired to the ravines
of the hills, and cast the dust of ruin and contempt on the head of
his Fortune. Raja Bikramajit, leaving his country behind, hastened
in pursuit of him with the victorious army. When the state of affairs
reached the royal ears, in reward for this becoming service I ordered
drums for the Raja, and a fateful farman was issued from the Sovereign
of Wrath that they should overthrow from their foundation the fort and
buildings that had been erected by Suraj Mal's father and himself,
and leave not a trace of them on the face of the earth. A strange
thing is that the unfortunate Suraj Mal had a brother called Jagat
Singh. When I promoted Suraj Mal to the title of Raja, and made him
an Amir, and gave him dominion, etc., without a partner or sharer,
I, in order to please him, gave a small mansab to Jagat Singh, who
did not get on well with him, and sent him to Bengal. This wretched
one was passing his days in a poor condition far from his home,
in contempt, and to the delight of his enemies, and waiting for
some hidden aid, until by his good fortune this affair took place,
and that unblessed one struck an axe on his own foot. Summoning Jagat
Singh in all haste to Court, I honoured him with the title of Raja and
the mansab of 1,000 personal and 500 horse, and bestowed 20,000 darbs
[188] on him out of the public treasury for his expenses. Giving him
a jewelled khapwa, a robe of honour, a horse, and an elephant, I sent
him to Raja Bikramajit, and issued a farman that if the aforesaid, by
the guidance of a good destiny, should perform laudable service, and
display loyalty, that country should be given over into his hand. [189]
As the praise of the garden of Nur-manzil and the buildings that
had been newly-erected there continually reached me, I on Monday
mounted my steed, and went to the stage of Bustan-saray, and passed
Tuesday in pleasure and at ease in that entrancing rose-garden. On
the eve of Wednesday the garden of Nur-manzil (the abode of light)
was adorned by the alighting of the hosts of prosperity. This garden
contains 330 jaribs (bighas), according to the Ilahi gaz. Around it
there has been built a wall, lofty and broad, of bricks and cement,
exceedingly strong. In the garden there is a lofty building and a
residence, highly decorated. Pleasant reservoirs have been constructed,
and outside the gate a large well has been made, from which thirty-two
pairs of bullocks continually draw water. The canal passes through the
garden, and pours water into the reservoirs. Besides this, there are
other wells, the water of which is distributed to the reservoirs and
plots. The beauty is increased by all kinds of fountains and cascades
and there is a tank in the exact middle of the garden which is filled
by rainwater. If by chance its water should fail in the extreme heat,
they supplement it by water from the wells, so that it may always
be full to the brim. Nearly Rs. 150,000 have been spent up to now
on this garden, and it is still unfinished, and large sums will be
expended in making avenues and laying down plants. It has also been
settled that the middle garden shall be newly walled [190] round,
and the channels for the coming and going of the water shall be made
so strong that it may always remain full of water and the water shall
not leak out in any way, and no damage accrue. It is possible that
before it is complete nearly Rs. 200,000 will have been spent on it.
On Thursday, the 24th, Khwaja Jahan presented an offering of jewels,
jewelled vessels, cloths, an elephant, and a horse, of the value
of Rs. 150,000. Having made a selection from them, I gave him the
remainder. Until Saturday I passed my time in that garden of delight
in enjoyment. On the eve of Sunday, the 27th, I inclined the reins of
returning towards Fathpur, and an order was given that the great Amirs,
according to annual custom, should decorate the palace. On Monday,
the 28th, I found that something had gone wrong with my eye. As it
arose from too much blood, I ordered `Ali Akbar, the surgeon, to open
a vein. On the next day the benefit of this was apparent. I bestowed
Rs. 1,000 on him. On Tuesday, the 29th, Muqarrab K. came from his
native place, and had the good fortune to kiss the threshold, and I
favoured him with many sorts of kindness.