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+-------------------------------------------------------------+
| Transcriber's note: |
| |
| Many Turki, Arabic and Persian names have various spellings |
| in the text. There are about 700 occurrences of hyphenated |
| unhyphenated and spaced words. Correcting those for the |
| sake of consistency would be risky in many cases and would |
| mean a major change in the printed text which already has |
| many typographical errors. |
| |
| Two wide tables have been split into narrower sections. |
+-------------------------------------------------------------+
THE BĀBUR-NĀMA IN ENGLISH
(MEMOIRS OF BĀBUR).
Translated from the original Turki Text of
Z̤ahiru'd-dīn Muḥammad Bābur Pādshāh _Ghāzī_
by
Annette Susannah Beveridge
First Printed 1922
[Illustration:
_This work
is dedicate to
Bābur's
fame._]
TABLE OF CONTENTS
PREFACE: Introductory.—Cap. I. Babur's exemplars in the
Arts of peace, p. xxvii.—Cap. II. Problems of the mutilated
Babur-nama, p. xxxi.—Cap. III. The Turki MSS. and
work connecting with them, p. xxxviii.—Cap. IV.
The Leyden and Erskine "Memoirs of Baber", p. lvii.—Postscript
of Thanks, p. lx.
SECTION I.—FARGHĀNA
899 AH.—Oct. 12th 1493 to Oct. 2nd 1494 AD.—Bābur's age at
the date of his accession—+Description of Farghāna+
(pp. 1 to 12)—Death and biography of `Umar Shaikh
(13 to 19 and 24 to 28)—Biography of Yūnas _Chaghatāī_
(18 to 24)—Bābur's uncles Aḥmad _Mīrān-shāhī_ and
Maḥmūd _Chaghatāī_ (The Khān) invade Farghāna—Death
and biography of Aḥmad—Misdoings of his successor, his
brother Maḥmūd 1-42
900 AH.—Oct. 2nd 1494 to Sep. 21st 1495 AD.—Invasion of
Farghāna continued—Bābur's adoption of orthodox
observance—Death and biography of Maḥmūd
_Mīrān-shāhī_—Samarkand affairs—revolt of Ibrāhīm _Sārū_
defeated—Bābur visits The Khān in Tāshkīnt—tribute collected
from the Jīgrak tribe—expedition into Aūrātīpā 43-56
901 AH.—Sep. 21st 1495 to Sep. 9th 1496 AD.—Ḥusain
_Bāī-qarā's_ campaign against Khusrau Shāh—Bābur receives
Aūzbeg sulṯāns—Revolt of the Tarkhāns in Samarkand—Bābur's
first move for Samarkand 57-64
902 AH.—Sep. 9th 1496 to Aug. 30th 1497 AD.—Bābur's second
move for Samarkand—Dissensions of Ḥusain _Bāī-qarā_ and
his sons—Dissensions between Khusrau Shāh and Mas`ūd
_Mīrān-shāhī_ 65-71
903 AH.—Aug. 30th 1497 to Aug. 19th 1498 AD.—Bābur's
second attempt on Samarkand is successful—+Description
of Samarkand+ (pp. 74 to 86)—his action there—Mughūls
demand and besiege Andijān for Bābur's half-brother
Jahāngīr—his mother and friends entreat his help—he
leaves Samarkand in his cousin `Alī's hands—has a relapse
of illness on the road and is believed dying—on the news
Andijān is surrendered by a Mughūl to the Mughūl faction—Having
lost Samarkand and Andijān, Bābur is hospitably
entertained by the Khujandīs—he is forced to dismiss
Khalīfa—The Khān (his uncle) moves to help him but is
persuaded to retire—many followers go to Andijān where
were their families—he is left with 200-300 men—his
mother and grandmother and the families of his men sent
to him in Khujand—he is distressed to tears—The Khān
gives help against Samarkand but his troops turn back on
news of Shaibānī—Bābur returns to Khujand—speaks of
his ambition to rule—goes in person to ask The Khān's
help to regain Andijān—his force being insufficient, he
goes back to Khujand—Affairs of Khusrau Shāh and the
Tīmūrid Mīrzās—Affairs of Ḥusain _Bāī-qarā_ and his
sons—Khusrau Shāh blinds Bābur's cousin Mas`ūd—Bābur
curses the criminal 72-96
904 AH.—Aug. 19th 1498 to Aug. 8th 1499 AD.—Bābur borrows
Pashāghar for the winter and leaves Khujand—rides 70-80
miles with fever—a winter's tug-of-war with Samarkand—his
force insufficient, he goes back to Khujand—unwilling
to burthen it longer, goes into the summer-pastures of
Aūrātīpā—invited to Marghīnān by his mother's uncle
`Alī-dost—a joyful rush over some 145 miles—near
Marghīnān prudent anxieties arise and are stilled—he is
admitted to Marghīnān on terms—is attacked vainly by
the Mughūl faction—accretions to his force—helped by
The Khān—the Mughūls defeated near Akhsī—Andijān
recovered—Mughūls renew revolt—Bābur's troops beaten
by Mughūls—Taṃbal attempts Andijān 97-107
905 AH.—Aug. 8th 1499 to July 28th 1500 AD.—Bābur's campaign
against Ahmad _Taṃbal_ and the Mughūl faction—he takes
Māzū—Khusrau Shāh murders Bāī-sunghar _Mīrānshāhī_—Biography
of the Mīrzā—Bābur wins his first ranged battle, from Taṃbal
supporting Jahāngīr, at Khūbān—winter-quarters—minor
successes—the winter-camp broken up by Qaṃbar-i-`alī's taking
leave—Bābur returns to Andijān—The Khān persuaded by Taṃbal's
kinsmen in his service to support Jahāngīr—his troops retire
before Bābur—Bābur and Taṃbal again opposed—Qaṃbar-i-`alī
again gives trouble—minor action and an accommodation made
without Bābur's wish—terms of the accommodation—The
self-aggrandizement of `Alī-dost _Mughūl_—Bābur's first
marriage—a personal episode—Samarkand affairs—`Alī quarrels
with the Tarkhāns—The Khān sends troops against
Samarkand—Mīrzā Khān invited there by a Tarkhān—`Alī defeats
The Khān's Mughūls—Bābur invited to Samarkand—prepares to
start and gives Jahāngīr rendezvous for the attempt—Taṃbal's
brother takes Aūsh—Bābur leaves this lesser matter aside and
marches for Samarkand—Qaṃbar-i-`alī punishes himself—Shaibānī
reported to be moving on Bukhārā—Samarkand begs wait on
Bābur—the end of `Alī-dost—Bābur has news of Shaibānī's
approach to Samarkand and goes to Kesh—hears there that `Alī's
Aūzbeg mother had given Samarkand to Shaibānī on
condition of his marriage with herself 108-126
906 AH.—July 28th 1500 to July 17th 1501 AD.—Shaibānī murders
`Alī—a son and two grandsons of Aḥrārī's murdered—Bābur leaves
Kesh with a number of the Samarkand begs—is landless and
isolated—takes a perilous mountain journey back into
Aūrātīpā—comments on the stinginess shewn to himself by
Khusrau Shāh and another—consultation and resolve to attempt
Samarkand—Bābur's dream-vision of success—he takes the town by
a surprise attack—compares this capture with Ḥusain
_Bāī-qarā's_ of Herī—his affairs in good position—birth of his
first child—his summons for help to keep the Aūzbeg
down—literary matters—his force of 240 grows to allow him to
face Shaibānī at Sar-i-pul—the battle and his defeat—Mughūls
help his losses—he is besieged in Samarkand—a long
blockade—great privation—no help from any quarter—Futile
proceedings of Taṃbal and The Khān 127-145
907 AH.—July 17th 1501 to July 7th 1502 AD.—Bābur surrenders
Samarkand—his sister Khān-zāda is married by Shaibānī—incidents
of his escape to Dīzak—his 4 or 5 escapes from
peril to safety and ease—goes to Dikh-kat in Aūrātīpā—incidents
of his stay there—his wanderings bare-head, bare-foot—sends
gifts to Jahāngīr, and to Taṃbal a sword which
later wounds himself—arrival from Samarkand of the
families and a few hungry followers—Shaibānī Khān raids
in The Khān's country—Bābur rides after him fruitlessly—Death
of Nuyān Kūkūldāsh—Bābur's grief for his friend—he
retires to the Zar-afshān valley before Shaibānī—reflects
on the futility of his wanderings and goes to The Khān in
Tāshkīnt—Mughūl conspiracy against Taṃbal _Mughūl_—Bābur
submits verses to The Khān and comments on his
uncle's scant study of poetic idiom—The Khān rides out
against Taṃbal—his standards acclaimed and his army
numbered—of the _Chīngīz-tūrā_—quarrel of Chīrās and
Begchīk chiefs for the post of danger—Hunting—Khujand-river
reached 146-156
908 AH.—July 7th 1502 to June 26th 1503 AD.—Bābur comments on
The Khān's unprofitable move—his poverty and despair in
Tāshkīnt—his resolve to go to Khitāī and ruse for getting
away—his thought for his mother—his plan not accepted by The
Khān and Shāh Begīm—The Younger Khān (Aḥmad) arrives from
Kāshghar—is met by Bābur—a half-night's family talk—gifts to
Bābur—the meeting of the two Khāns—Aḥmad's characteristics and
his opinion of various weapons—The Khāns march into Farghāna
against Jahāngīr's supporter Taṃbal—they number their
force—Bābur detached against Aūsh, takes it and has great
accretions of following—An attempt to take Andijān frustrated
by mistake in a pass-word—Author's Note on pass-words—a second
attempt foiled by the over-caution of experienced begs—is
surprised in his bivouac by Taṃbal—face to face with
Taṃbal—his new _gosha-gīr_—his dwindling company—wounded—left
alone, is struck by his gift-sword—escapes to Aūsh—The Khān
moves from Kāsān against Andijān—his disposition of Bābur's
lands—Qaṃbar-i-`alī's counsel to Bābur rejected—Bābur is
treated by the Younger Khān's surgeon—tales of Mughūl
surgery—Qaṃbar-i-`alī flees to Taṃbal in fear through his
unacceptable counsel—Bābur moves for Akhsī—a lost chance—minor
actions—an episode of Pāp—The Khāns do not take Andijān—Bābur
invited into Akhsī—Taṃbal's brother Bāyazīd joins him with
Nāṣir _Mīrān-shāhī_—Taṃbal asks help from Shaibānī—On news of
Shaibānī's consent the Khāns retire from Andijān—Bābur's
affairs in Akhsī—he attempts to defend it—incidents of the
defence—Bābur wounded—unequal strength of the opponents—he
flees with 20-30 men—incidents of the flight—Bābur left
alone—is overtaken by two foes—his perilous position—a
messenger arrives from Taṃbal's brother Bāyazīd—Bābur
expecting death, quotes Niz̤āmī—(the narrative breaks off in
the middle of the verse) 157-182
+Translator's Note.+—908 to 909 AH.—1503 to 1504 AD.—Bābur
will have been rescued—is with The Khāns in
the battle and defeat by Shaibānī at Archīān—takes refuge
in the Asfara hills—there spends a year in misery and
poverty—events in Farghāna and Tāshkīnt—Shaibānī
sends the Mughūl horde back to Kāshghar—his disposition
of the women of The Khān's family—Bābur plans to go to
Ḥusain _Bāī-qarā_ in Khurāsān—changes his aim for Kābul 182-185
[+End of Translator's Note.+]
SECTION II.—KĀBUL
910 AH.—June 14th 1504 to June 4th 1505 AD.—Bābur halts on an
alp of Ḥiṣār—enters his 22nd (lunar) year—delays his march in
hope of adherents—writes a second time of the stinginess of
Khusrau Shāh to himself—recalls Sherīm̤ T̤aghāī _Mughūl's_
earlier waverings in support—is joined by Khusrau Shāh's
brother Bāqī Beg—they start for Kābul—Accretions of
force—their families left in Fort Ajar (Kāhmard)—Jahāngīr
marries a cousin—Bāqī advises his dismissal to Khurāsān—Bābur
is loyal to his half-brother—Jahāngīr is seduced, later, by
disloyal Begchīk chiefs—Ḥusain _Bāī-qarā_ summons help against
Shaibānī—Despair in Bābur's party at Ḥusain's plan of
"defence, not attack"—Qaṃbar-i-`alī dismissed to please
Bāqī—Khusrau makes abject submission to Bābur—Mīrzā Khān
demands vengeance on him—Khusrau's submission having been on
terms, he is let go free—Bābur resumes his march—first sees
Canopus—is joined by tribesmen—Khusrau's brother Walī flees to
the Aūzbegs and is executed—Risks run by the families now
fetched from Kāhmard—Kābul surrendered to Bābur by Muqīm
_Arghūn_—Muqīm's family protected—+Description of Kābul+ (pp.
199 to 277)—Muqīm leaves for Qandahār—Allotment of
fiefs—Excess levy in grain—Foray on the Sulṯān Mas`ūdī
Hazāra—Bābur's first move for Hindūstān—Khaibar
traversed—Bīgrām visited—Bāqī Beg prevents crossing the
Sind—and persuades for Kohāt—A plan for Bangash, Bannū and
thence return to Kābul—Yār-i-ḥusain _Daryā-khānī_ asks for
permission to raise a force for Bābur, east of the Sind—Move
to Thāl, Bannū, and the Dasht—return route varied without
consulting Bābur—Pīr Kānū's tomb visited—through the
Pawat-pass into Dūkī—horse-food fails—baggage left behind—men
of all conditions walk to Ghaznī—spectacle of the
Āb-istāda—mirage and birds—Jahāngīr is Bābur's host in
Ghaznī—heavy floods—Kābul reached after a disastrous
expedition of four months—Nāṣir's misconduct abetted by two
Begchīk chiefs—he and they flee into Badakhshān—Khusrau Shāh's
schemes fail in Herāt—imbroglio between him and Nāṣir—Shaibānī
attempts Ḥiṣār but abandons the siege on his brother's
death—Khusrau attempts Ḥiṣār and is there killed—his followers
revolt against Bābur—his death quenches the fire of sedition 188-245
911 AH.—June 4th 1505 to May 24th 1506 AD.—Death of
Bābur's mother—Bābur's illness stops a move for Qandahār—an
earth-quake—campaign against and capture of Qalāt-i-ghilzāī—Bāqī
Beg dismissed towards Hindūstān—murdered
in the Khaibar—Turkmān Hazāra raided—Nijr-aū
tribute collected—Jahāngīr misbehaves and runs
away—Bābur summoned by Ḥusain _Bāī-qarā_ against
Shaibānī—Shaibānī takes Khwārizm and Chīn Ṣūfī is
killed—Death and biography of Ḥusain _Bāī-qarā_ (256 to
292)—his burial and joint-successors 246-293
912 AH.—May 24th 1506 to May 13th 1507 AD.—Bābur, without news
of Ḥusain _Bāī-qarā's_ death, obeys his summons and leaves
Kābul—Jahāngīr flees from Bābur's route—Nāṣir defeats
Shaibānī's men in Badakhshān—Bābur, while in Kāhmard, hears of
Ḥusain's death—continues his march with anxious thought for
the Tīmūrid dynasty—Jahāngīr waits on him and accompanies him
to Herāt—Co-alition of Khurāsān Mīrzās against Shaibānī—their
meeting with Bābur—etiquette of Bābur's reception—an
entertainment to him—of the _Chīngīz-tūrā_—Bābur claims the
ceremonial observance due to his military
achievements—entertainments and Bābur's obedience to
Muḥammadan Law against wine—his reflections on the
Mīrzās—difficulties of winter-plans (300, 307)—he sees the
sights of Herī—visits the Begīms—the ceremonies observed—tells
of his hitherto abstention from wine and of his present
inclination to drink it—Qasīm Beg's interference with those
pressing Bābur to break the Law—Bābur's poor carving—engages
Ma`ṣūma in marriage—leaves for Kābul—certain retainers stay
behind—a perilous journey through snow to a wrong pass out of
the Herīrud valley—arrival of the party in Yakaaūlāng—joy in
their safety and comfort—Shibr-tū traversed into
Ghūr-bunḍ—Turkmān Hazāra raided—News reaches Bābur of
conspiracy in Kābul to put Mīrzā Khān in his place—Bābur
concerts plans with the loyal Kābul garrison—moves on through
snow and in terrible cold—attacks and defeats the
rebels—narrowly escaped death—attributes his safety to
prayer—-deals mercifully, from family considerations, with the
rebel chiefs—reflects on their behaviour to him who has
protected them—asserts that his only aim is to write the
truth—letters-of-victory sent out—Muḥ. Ḥusain _Dūghlāt_ and
Mīrzā Khān banished—Spring excursion to Koh-dāman—Nāṣir,
driven from Badakhshān, takes refuge with Bābur 294-322
913 AH.—May 13th 1507 to May 2nd 1508 AD.—Raid on the Ghiljī
Afghāns—separation of the Fifth (_Khams_)—wild-ass,
hunting—Shaibānī moves against Khurāsān—Irresolution of the
Tīmūrid Mīrzās—Infatuation of Ẕū'n-nūn _Arghūn_—Shaibānī takes
Herī—his doings there—Defeat and death of two _Bāī-qarās_—The
Arghūns in Qandahār make overtures to Bābur—he starts to join
them against Shaibānī—meets Ma`ṣūma in Ghaznī on her way to
Kābul—spares Hindūstān traders—meets Jahāngīr's widow and
infant-son coming from Herāt—The Arghūn chiefs provoke attack
on Qandahār—Bābur's army—organization and terminology—wins the
battle of Qandahār and enters the fort—its spoils—Nāṣir put in
command—Bābur returns to Kābul rich in goods and fame—marries
Ma`ṣūma—Shaibānī lays siege to Qandahār—Alarm in Kābul at his
approach—Mīrzā Khān and Shāh Begīm betake themselves to
Badakhshān—Bābur sets out for Hindūstān leaving `Abdu'r-razzāq
in Kābul—Afghān highwaymen—A raid for food—Māhchuchak's
marriage—Hindūstān plan abandoned—Nūr-gal and Kūnār
visited—News of Shaibānī's withdrawal from Qandahār—Bābur
returns to Kābul—gives Ghaznī to Nāṣir—assumes the title of
Pādshāh—Birth of Humāyūn, feast and chronogram 323-344
914 AH.—May 2nd 1508 to April 21st 1509 AD.—Raid on the
Mahmand Afghāns—Seditious offenders reprieved—Khusrau Shāh's
former retainers march off from Kābul—`Abdu'r-razzāq comes
from his district to near Kābul—not known to have joined the
rebels—earlier hints to Bābur of this "incredible"
rebellion—later warnings of an immediate rising 345-346
+Translator's Note.+—914 to 925 AH.—1508 to 1519 AD.—Date of
composition of preceding narrative—Loss of matter here seems
partly or wholly due to Bābur's death—Sources helping to fill
the Gap—Events of the remainder of 914 AH.—The mutiny swiftly
quelled—Bābur's five-fold victory over hostile champions—Sa`īd
_Chaghatāī_ takes refuge with him in a quiet Kābul—Shaibānī's
murders of Chaghatāī and Dūghlāt chiefs 347-366
915 AH.—April 21st 1509 to April 11th 1510 AD.—Beginning of
hostilities between Ismā`īl _Ṣafawī_ and Shaibānī—Ḥaidar
_Dūghlāt_ takes refuge with Bābur.
916 AH.—April 11th 1510 to March 31st 1511 AD.—Ismā`īl defeats
the Aūzbegs near Merv—Shaibānī is killed—20,000 Mughūls he
had migrated to Khurāsān, return to near Qūndūz—Mīrzā Khān
invites Bābur to join him against the Aūzbegs—Bābur goes to
Qūndūz—The 20,000 Mughūls proffer allegiance to their
hereditary Khān Sa`īd—they propose to set Bābur aside—Sa`īd's
worthy rejection of the proposal—Bābur makes Sa`īd The Khān of
the Mughūls and sends him and his Mughūls into
Farghāna—significance of Bābur's words, "I made him
Khān"—Bābur's first attempt on Ḥiṣār where were Ḥamza and
Mahdī _Aūzbeg_—beginning of his disastrous intercourse with
Ismā`īl _Ṣafawī_—Ismā`īl sends Khān-zāda Begīm back to
him—with thanks for the courtesy, Bābur asks help against the
Aūzbeg—it is promised under dangerous conditions.
917 AH.—March 31st 1511 to March 19th 1512 AD.—Bābur's
second attempt on Ḥiṣār—wins the Battle of Pul-i-sangīn—puts
Ḥamza and Mahdī to death—his Persian reinforcement
and its perilous cost—The Aūzbegs are swept across the
Zar-afshān—The Persians are dismissed from Bukhārā—Bābur
occupies Samarkand after a nine-year's absence—he
gives Kābul to Nāṣir—his difficult position in relation to
the Shī`a Ismā`īl—Ismā`īl sends Najm S̤ānī to bring him
to order.
918 AH.—March 19th 1512 to March 9th 1513 AD.—The Aūzbegs
return to the attack—`Ubaid's vow—his defeat of Bābur at
Kūl-i-malik—Bābur flees from Samarkand to Ḥiṣār—his
pursuers retire—Najm S̤ānī from Balkh gives him rendezvous
at Tīrmīẕ—the two move for Bukhārā—Najm perpetrates
the massacre of Qarshī—Bābur is helpless to prevent
it—Najm crosses the Zar-afshān to a disadvantageous
position—is defeated and slain—Bābur, his reserve, does
not fight—his abstention made a reproach at the Persian
Court against his son Humāyūn (1544 AD.?)—his arrow-sped
message to the Aūzbeg camp—in Ḥiṣār, he is attacked
suddenly by Mughūls—he escapes to Qūndūz—the retributive
misfortunes of Ḥiṣār—Ḥaidar on Mughūls—Ayūb _Begchīk's_
death-bed repentance for his treachery to Bābur—Ḥaidar returns
to his kinsfolk in Kāshghar.
919 AH.—March 9th 1513 to Feb. 26th 1514 AD.—Bābur may
have spent the year in Khishm—Ismā`īl takes Balkh from
the Aūzbegs—surmised bearing of the capture on his later
action.
920 AH.—Feb. 26th 1514 to Feb. 15th 1515 AD.—Ḥaidar's
account of Bābur's misery, patience and courtesy this year
in Qūndūz—Bābur returns to Kābul—his daughter Gulrang
is born in Khwāst—he is welcomed by Nāṣir who
goes back to Ghaznī.
921 AH.—Feb. 15th 1515 to Feb. 5th 1516 AD.—Death of
Nāṣir—Riot in Ghaznī led by Sherīm T̤aghāī _Mughūl_—quiet
restored—many rebels flee to Kāshghar—Sherīm
refused harbourage by Sa`īd Khān and seeks Bābur's
protection—Ḥaidar's comment on Bābur's benevolence.
922 AH.—Feb. 5th 1516 to Jan. 24th 1517 AD.—A quiet year
in Kābul apparently—Birth of `Askarī.
923 AH.—Jan. 24th 1517 to Jan. 13th 1518 AD.—Bābur visits
Balkh—Khwānd-amīr's account of the affairs of Muhammad-i-zamān
Mīrza _Bāī-qarā_—Bābur pursues the Mīrzā—has him brought to
Kābul—gives him his daughter Ma`ṣūma in marriage—An expedition
to Qandahār returns fruitless, on account of his illness—Shāh
Beg's views on Bābur's persistent attempts on Qandahār—Shāh
Beg's imprisonment and release by his slave Saṃbal's means.
924 AH.—Jan. 13th 1518 to Jan. 3rd 1519 AD.—Shāh Beg's son
Ḥasan flees to Bābur—stays two years—date of his return
to his father—Bābur begins a campaign in Bajaur against
Ḥaidar-i-`alī _Bajaurī_—takes two forts.
[+End of Translator's Note.+]
925 AH.—Jan. 3rd to Dec. 23rd 1519 AD.—Bābur takes the Fort of
Bajaur—massacres its people as false to Islām—Khwāja Kalān
made its Commandant—an excessive impost in grain—a raid for
corn—Māhīm's adoption of Dil-dār's unborn child—Bābur marries
Bībī Mubārika—Repopulation of the Fort of Bajaur—Expedition
against Afghān tribesmen—Destruction of the tomb of a heretic
qalandar—Bābur first crosses the Sind—his long-cherished
desire for Hindūstān—the ford of the Sind—the Koh-i-jūd
(Salt-range)—his regard for Bhīra, Khūsh-āb, Chīn-ab and
Chīnīūt as earlier possessions of the Turk, now therefore his
own—the Kalda-kahār lake and subsequent location on it of the
Bāgh-i-ṣafā—Assurance of safety sent to Bhīra as a Turk
possession—History of Bhīra _etc._ as Turk
possessions—Author's Note on Tātār Khān _Yūsuf-khail_—envoys
sent to Balūchīs in Bhīra—heavy floods in camp—Offenders
against Bhīra people punished—Agreed tribute collected—Envoy
sent to ask from Ibrāhīm _Lūdī_ the lands once dependent on
the Turk—Daulat Khān arrests and keeps the envoy who goes
back later to Bābur _re infectâ_—news of Hind-āl's birth and
cause of his name—description of a drinking-party—Tātār Khān
_Kakar_ compels Minūchihr Khān _Turk_, going to wait on Bābur,
to become his son-in-law—Account of the Kakars—excursions and
drinking-parties—Bhīra appointments—action taken against Hātī
Khān _Kakar_—Description and capture of Parhāla—Bābur sees the
saṃbal plant—a tiger killed—Gūr-khattrī visited—Loss of a
clever hawk—Khaibar traversed—mid-day halt in the
Bāgh-i-wafā—Qarā-tū garden visited—News of Shāh Beg's capture
of Kāhān—Bābur's boys carried out in haste to meet
him—wine-parties—Death and biography of Dost Beg—Arrival of
Sulṯānīm _Bāī-qarā_ and ceremonies observed on meeting her—A
long-imprisoned traitor released—Excursion to Koh-dāman—Hindū
Beg abandons Bhīra—Bābur has (intermittent) fever—Visitors
from Khwāst—Yūsuf-zāī chiefs wait on Bābur—Khalīfa's son sends
a wedding-gift—Bābur's amusement when illness keeps him from
an entertainment—treatment of his illness—A Thursday reading
of theology (_see_ Add. Note p. 401)—Swimming—Envoy from Mīrzā
Khān—Tribesmen allowed to leave Kābul for wider
grazing-grounds—Bābur sends his first _Dīwān_ to Pūlād
_Aūzbeg_ in Samarkand—Arrivals and departures—Punitive
expedition against the `Abdu'r-rahman Afghāns—punishment
threatened and inflicted (p. 405) on defaulters in help to an
out-matched man—Description of the Rustam-maidān—return to
Kābul—Excursion to Koh-dāman—snake incident—Tramontane begs
warned for service—fish-drugging—Bābur's non-pressure to
drink, on an abstainer—wine-party—misadventure on a
raft—toothpicks gathered—A new retainer—Bābur shaves his
head—Hind-āl's guardian appointed—Aūzbeg raiders defeated in
Badakhshān—Various arrivals—Yūsuf-zāī campaign—Bābur
dislocates his wrist—_Varia_—Dilah-zāk chiefs wait on him—Plan
to store corn in Hash-nagar—Incidents of the road—Khaibar
traversed—Bārā urged on Bābur as a place for corn—Kābul river
forded at Bārā—little corn found and the Hash-nagar plan
foiled—Plan to store Pashāwar Fort—return to `Alī-masjid—News
of an invasion of Badakhshān hurries Bābur back through the
Khaibar—The Khiẓr-khail Afghāns punished—Bābur first writes
since dislocating his wrist—The beauty and fruits of the
Bāgh-i-wafā—incidents of the return march to Kābul—Excursion
to the Koh-dāman—beauty of its harvest crops and autumnal
trees—a line offensive to Khalīfa (_see_ Add. Note p.
416)—Humāyūn makes a good shot—Beauty of the harvest near
Istālīf and in the Bāgh-i-pādshāhī—Return to Kābul—Bābur
receives a white falcon in gift—pays a visit of consolation to
an ashamed drinker—Arrivals various—he finishes copying
`Alī-sher's four _Dīwāns_—An order to exclude from future
parties those who become drunk—Bābur starts for Lāmghān 367-419
926 AH.—Dec. 23rd 1519 to Dec. 12th 1520 AD.—Excursion to
Koh-dāman and Kohistān—incidents of the road—Bābur shoots with
an easy bow, for the first time after the dislocation of his
wrist—Nijr-aū tribute fixed—Excursions in Lāmghān—Kāfir
head-men bring goat-skins of wine—Halt in the Bāgh-i-wafā—its
oranges, beauty and charm—Bābur records his wish and intention
to return to obedience in his 40th year and his consequent
excess in wine as the end approached—composes an air—visits
Nūr-valley—relieves Kwāja Kalān in Bajaur—teaches a talisman
to stop rain—his opinion of the ill-taste and disgusting
intoxication of beer—his reason for summoning Khwāja Kalān,
and trenchant words to Shāh Hasan relieving him—an old beggar
loaded with gifts—the raft strikes a rock—Description of the
Kīndīr spring—Fish taken from fish-ponds—Hunting—Accident to a
tooth—Fishing with a net—A murderer made over to the avengers
of blood—A Qoran chapter read and start made for Kābul—(here
the diary breaks off) 420-425
+Translator's Note.+—926 to 932 AH.—1520 to 1525 AD.—Bābur's
activities in the Gap—missing matter less interesting than
that lost in the previous one—its distinctive mark is
biographical—_Dramatis personæ_—Sources of information 426-444
926 AH.—Dec. 23rd 1519 to Dec. 12th 1520 AD.—Bābur's five
expeditions into Hindūstān—this year's cut short by menace
from Qandahār—Shāh Beg's position—particulars of his menace
not ascertained—+Description of Qandahār-fort+—Bābur's various
sieges—this year's raised because of pestilence within the
walls—Shāh Beg pushes out into Sind.
927 AH.—Dec. 12th 1520 to Dec. 1st 1521 AD.—Two accounts of
this year's siege of Qandahār—(i) that of the
_Ḥabību's-siyar_—(ii) that of the _Tārīkh-i-sind_—concerning
the dates involved—Mīrzā Khān's death.
928 AH.—Dec. 1st 1521 to Nov. 20th 1522 AD.—Bābur and Māhīm
visit Humāyūn in Badakhshān—Expedition to Qandahār—of the duel
between Bābur and Shāh Beg—the Chihil-zīna monument of
victory—Death of Shāh Beg and its date—Bābur's literary work
down to this year.
929 AH.—Nov. 20th 1522 to Nov. 10th 1523 AD.—Hindūstān
affairs—Daulat Khān _Lūdī_, Ibrāhīm _Lūdī_ and Bābur—Dilawār
(son of Daulat Khān) goes to Kābul and asks help against
Ibrāhīm—Bābur prays for a sign of victory—prepares for the
expedition—`Ālam Khān _Lūdī_ (apparently in this year) goes to
Kābul and asks Bābur's help against his nephew Ibrāhīm—Birth
of Gul-badan.
930 AH.—Nov. 10th 1523 to Oct. 27th 1524 AD.—Bābur's fourth
expedition into Hindūstān—differs from earlier ones by its
concert with malcontents in the country—Bābur defeats Bihār
Khān _Lūdī_ near Lāhor—Lāhor occupied—Dībalpūr stormed,
plundered and its people massacred—Bābur moves onward from
Sihrind but returns on news of Daulat Khān's doings—there may
have been also news of Aūzbeg threat to Balkh—The Panj-āb
garrison—Death of Ismā`īl _Ṣafawī_ and of Shāh Beg—Bābur turns
for Kābul—plants bananas in the Bāgh-i-wafā.
931 AH.—Oct. 29th 1524 to Oct. 18th 1525 AD.—Daulat Khān's
large resources—he defeats `Ālam Khān at Dībalpūr—`Ālam Khān
flees to Kābul and again asks help—Bābur's conditions of
reinforcement—`Ālam Khān's subsequent proceedings detailed
_s.a._ 932 AH.—Bābur promises to follow him speedily—is
summoned to Balkh by its Aūzbeg menace—his arrival raises the
siege—he returns to Kābul in time for his start to Hindūstān
in 932 426-444
[+End of Translator's Note.+]
SECTION III—HINDŪSTĀN
932 AH.—Oct. 18th 1525 to Oct. 8th 1526 AD.—Bābur starts on
his fifth expedition into Hindūstān—is attacked by illness at
Gandamak—Humāyūn is late in coming in from
Badakh-shān—Verse-making on the Kābul-river—Bābur makes a
satirical verse such as he had forsworn when writing the
_Mubīn_—attributes a relapse of illness to his breach of
vow—renews his oath—Fine spectacle of the lighted camp at
Alī-masjid—Hunting near Bīgrām—Preparations for ferrying the
Sind—Order to make a list of all with the army, and to count
them up—continuation of illness—Orders sent to the Lāhor begs
to delay engagement till Bābur arrived—The Sind ferried (for
the first time) and the army tale declared as 12,000 good and
bad—The eastward march—unexpected ice—Rendezvous made with the
Lāhor begs—Jat and Gūjūr thieves—a courier sent again to the
begs—News that `Ālam Khān had let Ibrāhīm _Lūdī_ defeat him
near Dihlī—particulars of the engagement—he takes refuge with
Bābur—The Lāhor begs announce their arrival close at
hand—Ibrāhīm's troops retire before Bābur's march—Daulat Khān
_Lūdī_ surrenders Milwat (Malot)—waits on Bābur and is
reproached—Ghāzī Khān's abandonment of his family
censured—Jaswān-valley—Ghāzī Khān pursued—Bābur advances
against Ibrāhīm _Lūdī_—his estimate of his adversary's
strength—`Ālam Khān's return destitute to Bābur—Bābur's march
leads towards Pānīpat—Humāyūn's first affair
succeeds—reiterated news of Ibrāhīm's approach—Bābur's success
in a minor encounter—he arrays and counts his effective
force—finds it under the estimate—orders that every man in the
army shall collect carts towards Rūmī defence—700 carts
brought in—account of the defences of the camp close to the
village of Pānīpat—Bābur on the futility of fear; his excuses
for the fearful in his army—his estimate of Ibrāhīm's army and
of its higher possible numbers—Author's Note on the Aūzbeg
chiefs in Ḥiṣār (918 AH. 1512 AD.)—Preliminary
encounters—Battle and victory of Pānīpat—Ibrāhīm's body
found—Dihlī and Āgra occupied by Bābur—he makes the circuit of
a Farghāna-born ruler in Dihlī—visits other tombs and sees
sights—halts opposite Tūghlūqābād—the _khuṯba_ read for him in
Dihlī—he goes to Āgra—Author's Note on rulers in Gūālīār—The
(Koh-i-nūr) diamond given by the Gūālīār family to
Humāyūn—Bābur's dealings with Ibrāhīm's mother and her
entourage—+Description of Hindūstān+ (pp. 478 to 521)—Revenues
of Hind (p. 521)—Āgra treasure distributed—local disaffection
to Bābur—discontent in his army at remaining in Hindūstān—he
sets the position forth to his Council—Khwāja Kalān decides to
leave—his and Bābur's verses on his desertion—Bābur's force
grows locally—action begun against rebels to Ibrāhīm in the
East—Gifts made to officers, and postings various—Bīban
_Jalwānī_ revolts and is beaten—The Mīr of Bīāna
warned—Mention of Rānā Sangā's failure in his promise to act
with Bābur—Sangā's present action—Decision in Council to leave
Sangā aside and to march to the East—Humāyūn leads out the
army—Bābur makes garden, well and mosque near Āgra—Progress of
Humāyūn's campaign—News of the Aūzbegs in Balkh and
Khurāsān—Affairs of Gujrāt 445-535
933 AH.—Oct. 8th 1526 to Sep. 27th 1527 AD.—Birth announced of
Bābur's son Fārūq—incomplete success in casting a large
mortar—_Varia_—Humāyūn summoned from the East to act against
Sangā—Plundering expedition towards Bīāna—Tahangar, Gūālīār
and Dūlpūr obtained—Ḥamīd Khān _Sārang-khānī_ defeated—Arrival
of a Persian embassy—Ibrāhīm's mother tries to poison
Bābur—+Copy of Bābur's letter detailing the affair+—his
dealings with the poisoner and her agents—Humāyūn's return to
Āgra—Khw. Dost-i-khawānd's arrival from Kābul—Reiterated news
of the approach of Rānā Sangā—Bābur sends an advance force to
Bīāna—Ḥasan Khān _Miwātī_—Tramontane matters disloyal to
Bābur—Trial-test of the large mortar (p. 536)—Bābur leaves
Āgra to oppose Sangā—adverse encounter with Sangā by Bīāna
garrison—Alarming reports of Rājpūt prowess—Spadesmen sent
ahead to dig wells in Madhākūr _pargana_—Bābur halts
there—arrays and moves to Sīkrī—various joinings and
scoutings—discomfiture of a party reconnoitring from Sīkrī—the
reinforcement also overcome—The enemy retires at sight of a
larger troop from Bābur—defence of the Sīkrī camp Rūmī
fashion, with ditch besides—Continued praise of Rājpūt
prowess—Further defence of the camp made to hearten Bābur's
men—20-25 days spent in the above preparations—arrival of 500
men from Kābul—also of Muḥ. Sharīf an astrologer who augurs
ill for Bābur's success—Archers collected and Mīwāt
over-run—Bābur reflects that he had always wished to cease
from the sin of wine—verses about his then position—resolves
to renounce wine—details of the destruction of wine and
precious vessels, and of the building of a commemorative well
and alms-house—his oath to remit a tax if victorious is
recalled to him—he remits the _tamghā_—Shaikh Zain writes the
_farmān_ announcing the two acts—Copy of the _farmān_—Great
fear in Bābur's army—he adjures the Ghāzī spirit in his men
who vow to stand fast—his perilous position—he moves forward
in considerable array—his camp is laid out and protected by
ditch and carts—An omen is taken and gives hope—Khalīfa
advising, the camp is moved—While tents were being set up, the
enemy appears—The battle and victory of Kānwa—described in a
copy of the Letter-of-victory—Bābur inserts this because of
its full particulars (pp. 559 to 574)—assumes the title of
Ghāzī—Chronograms of the victory and also of that in Dībalpūr
(930 AH.)—pursuit of the fugitive foe—escape of Sangā—the
falsely-auguring astrologer banished with a gift—a small
revolt crushed—a pillar of heads set up—Bābur visits
Bīāna—Little water and much heat set aside plan to invade
Sangā's territory—Bābur visits Mīwāt—give some historical
account of it—Commanders rewarded—Alwār visited—Humāyūn and
others allowed to leave Hindūstān—Despatch of the
Letter-of-victory—Various excursions—Humāyūn bidden
farewell—Chandwār and Rāprī recovered—Apportionment of
fiefs—Bīban flees before Bābur's men—Dispersion of troops for
the Rains—Misconduct of Humāyūn and Bābur's grief—Embassy to
`Irāq—Tardī Beg _khāksār_ allowed to return to the
darwesh-life—Bābur's lines to departing friends—The
Ramẓān-feast—Playing-cards—Bābur ill (seemingly with
fever)—visits Dūlpūr and orders a house excavated—visits Bārī
and sees the ebony-tree—has doubt of Bāyazīd _Farmūlī's_
loyalty—his remedial and metrical exercises—his Treatise on
Prosody composed—a relapse of illness—starts on an excursion
to Kūl and Saṃbal 536-586
934 AH.—Sep. 27th 1527 to Sep. 15th 1528 AD.—Bābur visits Kūl
and Saṃbal and returns to Āgra—has fever and ague
intermittently for 20-25 days—goes out to welcome kinswomen—a
large mortar bursts with fatal result—he visits Sīkrī—starts
for Holy War against Chandīrī—sends troops against Bāyazīd
_Farmūlī_—incidents of the march to Chandīrī—account of
Kachwa—account of Chandīrī—its siege—Meantime bad news arrives
from the East—Bābur keeping this quiet, accomplishes the work
in hand—Chandīrī taken—change of plans enforced by defeat in
the East—return northwards—Further losses in the East—Rebels
take post to dispute Bābur's passage of the Ganges—he orders a
pontoon-bridge—his artillery is used with effect, the bridge
finished and crossed and the Afghāns worsted—Tukhta-būghā
_Chaghatāī_ arrives from Kāshgar—Bābur visits Lakhnau—suffers
from ear-ache—reinforces Chīn-tīmūr against the
rebels—Chīn-tīmūr gets the better of Bāyazīd _Farmūlī_—Bābur
settles the affairs of Aūd (Oude) and plans to hunt near 587-602
+Translator's Note.+ (part of 934 AH.)—On the _cir._
half-year's missing matter—known events of the Gap:—Continued
campaign against Bīban and Bāyazīd—Bābur at Jūnpūr, Chausa and
Baksara—swims the Ganges—bestows Sarūn on a Farmūlī—orders a
Chār-bāgh made—is ill for 40 days—is inferred to have visited
Dūlpūr, recalled `Askarī from Multān, sent Khw. Dost-i-khāwand
to Kābul on family affairs which were causing him much
concern—Remarks on the Gap and, incidentally, on the Rāmpūr
Dīwān and verses in it suiting Bābur's illnesses of 934 AH.
[+End of Translator's Note.+]
935 AH. Sep. 15th 1528 to Sep. 5th 1529 AD.—`Askarī reaches
Āgra from Multān—Khwānd-amīr and others arrive from
Khurāsān—Bābur prepares to visit Gūālīār—bids farewell to
kinswomen who are returning to Kābul—marches out—is given an
unsavoury medicament—inspects construction-work in
Dūlpūr—reaches Gūālīār—+Description of Gūālīār+ (p. 607 to p.
614)—returns to Dūlpūr—suffers from ear-ache—inspects work in
Sīkrī and reaches Āgra—visit and welcomes to kinswomen—sends
an envoy to take charge of Rantanbhūr—makes a levy on
stipendiaries—sends letters to kinsfolk in Khurāsān—News
arrives of Kāmrān and Dost-i-khāwand in Kābul—of T̤ahmāsp
_Safawī's_ defeat at Jām of `Ubaidu'l-lāh _Aūzbeg_—of the
birth of a son to Humāyūn, and of a marriage by Kāmrān—he
rewards an artificer—is strongly attacked by fever—for his
healing translates Aḥrārī's _Wālidiyyah-risāla_—account of the
task—Troops warned for service—A long-detained messenger
returns from Humāyūn—Accredited messengers-of-good-tidings
bring the news of Humāyūn's son's birth—an instance of rapid
travel—Further particulars of the Battle of Jām—Letters
written and summarized—+Copy of one to Humāyūn inserted
here+—Plans for an eastern campaign under `Askarī—royal
insignia given to him—Orders for the measurement, stations and
up-keep of the Āgra-Kābul road—the _Mubīn_ quoted—A feast
described—`Askarī bids his Father farewell—Bābur visits Dūlpūr
and inspects his constructions—Persian account of the Battle
of Jām—Bābur decides contingently to go to the East—Balūchī
incursions—News reaches Dūlpūr of the loss of Bihār (town) and
decides Bābur to go East—News of Humāyūn's action in
Badakhshān—Bābur starts from Āgra—honoured arrivals in the
assembly-camp—incidents of the march—congratulations and
gifts sent to Kāmrān, Humāyūn and others—also specimens of the
Bāburī-script, and copies of the translation of the
_Wālidiyyah-risāla_ and the Hindūstān Poems—commends his
building-work to his workmen—makes a new ruler for the better
copying of the _Wālidiyyah-risāla_ translation—letters
written—+Copy of one to Khwāja Kalān inserted here+—Complaints
from Kītīn-qarā _Aūzbeg_ of Bābur's begs on the Balkh
frontier—Bābur shaves his head—Māhīm using his style, orders
her own escort from Kābul to Āgra—Bābur watches
wrestling—leaves the Jumna, disembarks his guns, and goes
across country to Dugdugī on the Ganges—travels by
litter—`Askarī and other Commanders meet him—News of Bīban,
Bāyazīd and other Afghāns—Letters despatched to meet Māhīm on
her road—Bābur sends a copy of his writings to
Samarkand—watches wrestling—hears news of the Afghāns—(here a
surmised survival of record displaced from 934 AH.)—fall of a
river-bank under his horse—swims the Ganges—crosses the Jumna
at Allahābād (Piag) and re-embarks his guns—wrestling
watched—the evil Tons—he is attacked by boils—a Rūmī remedy
applied—a futile attempt to hunt—he sends money-drafts to the
travellers from Kābul—visits places on the Ganges he had seen
last year—receives various letters below Ghāzīpūr—has news
that the Ladies are actually on their way from Kābul—last
year's eclipse recalled—Hindu dread of the Karmā-nāśā
river—wrestling watched—Rūmī remedy for boils used again with
much discomfort—fall of last year's landing-steps at
Baksara—wrestling—Negociations with an envoy of Naṣrat Shāh of
Bengal—Examination into Muḥammad-i-zāman's objections to a
Bihār appointment—despatch of troops to Bihār
(town)—Muḥammad-i-zamān submits requests which are granted—a
small success against Afghāns—Royal insignia given to
Muḥammad-i-zamān, with leave to start for Bihār—Bābur's
boats—News of the Bengal army—Muḥammad-i-zāman recalled
because fighting was probable—Dūdū Bībī and her son Jalāl
escape from Bengal to come to Bābur—Further discussions with
the Bengal envoy—Favourable news from Bihār—Bābur in
Arrah—Position of the Bengal army near the confluence of Gang
and Sārū (Ganges and Gogrā)—Bābur making further effort for
peace, sends an envoy to Naṣrat Shāh—gives Naṣrat's envoy
leave to go conveying an ultimatum—Arrival of a servant from
Māhīm west of the Bāgh-i-ṣafā—Bābur visits lotus-beds near
Arrah—also Munīr and the Son—Distance measured by counting a
horse's paces—care for tired horses—Bābur angered by Junaid
_Barlās'_ belated arrival—Consultation and plans made for the
coming battle—the Ganges crossed (by the Burh-ganga channel)
and move made to near the confluence—Bābur watches `Alī-qulī's
stone-discharge—his boat entered by night—Battle and victory
of the Gogrā—Bābur praises and thanks his Chaghatāī cousins
for their great services—crosses into the Nirhun _pargana_—his
favours to a Farmūlī—News of Bīban and Bāyazīd—and of the
strange deaths in Saṃbal—Chīn-tīmūr sends news from the west
of inconveniences caused by the Ladies' delay to leave
Kābul—and of success against the Balūchī—he is ordered to
Āgra—Settlement made with the Nuḥānī Afghāns—Peace made with
Naṣrat Shāh—Submissions and various guerdon—Bīban and Bāyazīd
pursued—Bābur's papers damaged in a storm—News of the rebel
pair as taking Luknūr(?)—Disposition of Bābur's boats—move
along the Sārū—(a surmised survival of the record of 934
AH.)—Account of the capture of Luknūr(?)—Dispositions against
the rebel pair—fish caught by help of a lamp—incidents of the
march to Adampūr on the Jumna—Bīban and Bāyazīd flee to
Mahūba—Eastern Campaign wound up—Bābur's rapid ride to Āgra
(p. 686)—visits kinswomen—is pleased with Indian-grown
fruits—Māhīm arrives—her gifts and Humāyūn's set before
Bābur—porters sent off for Kābul to fetch fruits—Account of
the deaths in Saṃbal brought in—sedition in Lāhor—wrestling
watched—sedition of Raḥīm-dād in Gūālīār—Mahdī Khwāja comes to
Āgra 605-689
936 AH.—Sep. 5th 1529 to Aug. 25th 1530 AD.—Shaikh Ghaus comes
from Gūālīār to intercede for Raḥīm-dād—Gūālīār taken over 690
+Translator's Note.+—936 and 937 AH.—1529 and 1530 AD.—Sources
from which to fill the Gap down to Bābur's death (December
26th 1530)—Humāyūn's proceedings in Badakhshān—Ḥaidar
_Dūghlāt's_ narrative of them—Humāyūn deserts his post, goes
to Kābul, and, arranging with Kāmrān, sends Hind-āl to
Badakhshān—goes on to Āgra and there arrives unexpected by his
Father—as he is unwilling to return, Sulaimān _Mīrān-shāhī_ is
appointed under Bābur's suzerainty—Sa`īd Khān is warned to
leave Sulaimān in possession—Bābur moves westward to support
him and visits Lāhor—waited on in Sihrind by the Rāja of
Kahlūr—received in Lāhor by Kāmrān and there visited from
Kābul by Hind-āl—leaves Lāhor (March 4th 1530 AD.)—from
Sihrind sends a punitive force against Mundāhir Rājpūts—hunts
near Dihlī—appears to have started off an expedition to
Kashmīr—family matters fill the rest of the year—Humāyūn falls
ill in Saṃbal and is brought to Āgra—his disease not yielding
to treatment, Bābur resolves to practise the rite of
intercession and self-surrender to save his life—is urged
rather to devote the great diamond (Koh-i-nūr) to pious
uses—refuses the substitution of the jewel for his own
life—performs the rite—Humāyūn recovers—Bābur falls ill and is
bedridden till death—his faith in the rite unquestionable,
belief in its efficacy general in the East—Plan to set Bābur's
sons aside from the succession—The _T̤abaqāt-i-akbarī_ story
discussed (p. 702 to 708)—suggested basis of the story (p.
705)—Bābur's death (Jūmāda I. 5th 937 AH.—Dec. 26th 1530 AD.)
and burial first, near Āgra, later near Kābul—Shāh-jahān's
epitaph inscribed on a tablet near the grave—Bābur's wives and
children—Mr. Erskine's estimate of his character 691-716
[+End of Translator's Note.+]
APPENDICES
A. Site and disappearance of old Akhsī.
B. The birds Qīl-qūyīrūgh and Bāghrī-qarā.
C. On the _gosha-gīr_.
D. The Rescue-passage.
E. Nagarahār and Nīng-nahār.
F. The name Dara-i-nūr.
G. On the names of two Dara-i-nūr wines.
H. On the counter-mark Bih-būd of coins.
I. The weeping-willows of f. 190_b_.
J. Bābur's excavated chamber at Qandahār.
K. An Afghān Legend.
L. Māhīm's adoption of Hind-āl.
M. On the term Bahrī-quṯās.
N. Notes on a few birds.
O. Notes by Humāyūn on some Hindūstān fruits.
P. Remarks on Bābur's Revenue List.
Q. On the Rāmpūr Dīwān.
R. Plans of Chandīrī and Gūālīār.
S. The Bābur-nāma dating of 935 AH.
T. On L:knū (Lakhnau) and L:knūr (Lakhnur _i.e._ Shahābād
in Rāmpūr).
U. The Inscriptions in Bābur's Mosque at Ajodhya (Oude).
V. Bābur's Gardens in and near Kābul.
Indices:—I. Personal, II. Geographical, III. General, p. 717
_et seq._
Omissions, Corrigenda, Additional Notes.
LIST OF ILLUSTRATIONS.
Plane-tree Avenue in Babur's (later)
Burial-garden[1] _facing_ p. xxvii
View from above his grave and Shah-jahan's
Mosque[1] _facing_ p. 367
His Grave[2] _facing_ p. 445
Babur in Prayer[3] _facing_ p. 702
His Signature App. Q, lxi
Plans of Chandiri and Gualiar App. R, lxvii
[Illustration: Plane-tree Avenue in Babur's (later)
Burial-garden.]
PREFACE.
O Spring of work! O Source of power to Be!
Each line, each thought I dedicate to Thee;
Each time I fail, the failure is my own,
But each success, a jewel in Thy Throne.
JESSIE E. CADELL.
INTRODUCTORY.
This book is a translation of Babur Padshah's Autobiography, made from
the original Turki text. It was undertaken after a purely-Turki
manuscript had become accessible in England, the Haidarabad Codex (1915)
which, being in Babur's _ipsissima verba_, left to him the control of
his translator's diction—a control that had been impracticable from the
time when, under Akbar (1589), his book was translated into Persian.
What has come down to us of pure text is, in its shrunken amount, what
was translated in 1589. It is difficult, here and there, to interpret
owing to its numerous and in some places extensive _lacunae_, and
presents more problems than one the solution of which has real
importance because they have favoured suggestions of malfeasance by
Babur.
My translation has been produced under considerable drawback, having
been issued in four _fasciculi_, at long intervals, respectively in June
1912, May 1914, October 1917, and September 1921. I have put with it of
supplementary matter what may be of service to those readers whom
Babur's personality attracts and to those who study Turki as a
linguistic entertainment, but owing to delays in production am unable to
include the _desiderata_ of maps.
CHAPTER I.
BABUR'S EXEMPLARS IN THE ARTS OF PEACE.
Babur's civilian aptitudes, whether of the author and penman, the maker
of gardens, the artist, craftsman or sportsman, were nourished in a
fertile soil of family tradition and example. Little about his teaching
and training is now with his mutilated book, little indeed of any kind
about his præ-accession years, not the date of his birth even, having
escaped destruction.[4] Happily Haidar Mirza (_q.v._) possessed a more
complete Codex than has come down to us through the Timurid libraries,
and from it he translated many episodes of Baburiana that help to bridge
gaps and are of special service here where the personalities of Bābur's
early environment are being named.
Babur's home-milieu favoured excellence in the quiet Arts and set before
its children high standard and example of proficiency. Moreover, by
schooling him in obedience to the Law, it planted in him some of Art's
essentials, self-restraint and close attention. Amongst primal
influences on him, his mother Qut-luq-nigar's ranked high; she,
well-born and a scholar's daughter, would certainly be educated in Turki
and Persian and in the home-accomplishments her governess possessed
_(ātūn_ q.v.). From her and her mother Aisan-daulat, the child would
learn respect for the attainments of his wise old grandfather Yunas
Khan. Aisan-daulat herself brought to her grandson much that goes to the
making of a man; nomad-born and sternly-bred, she was brave to obey her
opinion of right, and was practically the boy's ruling counsellor
through his early struggle to hold Farghana. With these two in fine
influence must be counted Khan-zada, his five-years elder sister who
from his birth to his death proved her devotion to him. Her life-story
tempts, but is too long to tell; her girlish promise is seen fulfilled
in Gul-badan's pages. `Umar Shaikh's own mother Shah Sultan Begim
brought in a type of merit widely differing from that of Aisan-daulat
Begim; as a town-lady of high Tarkhan birth, used to the amenities of
life in a wealthy house of Samarkand, she was, doubtless, an
accomplished and cultured woman.
`Umar Shaikh's environment was dominated for many years by two great
men, the scholar and lover of town-life Yunas Khan and the saintly
Ahrari (_i.e._ Khwaja `Ubaidu'l-lah) who were frequently with him in
company, came at Babur's birth and assisted at his naming. Ahrari died
in 895-1491 when the child was about seven years old but his influence
was life-long; in 935-1529 he was invoked as a spiritual helper by the
fever-stricken Babur and his mediation believed efficacious for recovery
(pp. 619, 648). For the babe or boy to be where the three friends held
social session in high converse, would be thought to draw blessing on
him; his hushed silence in the presence would sow the seed of reverence
for wisdom and virtue, such, for example, as he felt for Jami (_q.v._).
It is worth while to tell some part at least of Yunas' attainments in
the gentler Arts, because the biography from which they are quoted may
well have been written on the information of his wife Aisan-daulat, and
it indicates the breadth of his exemplary influence. Yunas was many
things—penman, painter, singer, instrumentalist, and a past master in
the crafts. He was an expert in good companionship, having even temper
and perfect manners, quick perception and conversational charm. His
intellectual distinction was attributed to his twelve years of wardship
under the learned and highly honoured Yazdi (Sharafu'd-din 'Ali), the
author of the _Zafar-nama_ [Timur's Book of Victory]. That book was in
hand during four years of Yunas' education; he will thus have known it
and its main basis Timur's Turki _Malfūzāt_ (annals). What he learned of
either book he would carry with him into `Umar Shaikh's environment,
thus magnifying the family stock of Timuriya influence. He lived to be
some 74 years old, a length of days which fairly bridged the gap between
Timur's death [807-1404] and Babur's birth (888-1483). It is said that
no previous Khan of his (Chaghatai) line had survived his 40th year; his
exceptional age earned him great respect and would deepen his influence
on his restless young son-in-law `Umar Shaikh. It appears to have been
in `Umar's 20th year (_cir._) that Yunas Khan began the friendly
association with him that lasted till Yunas' death (892-1483), a
friendship which, as disparate ages would dictate, was rather that of
father and son than of equal companionship. One matter mentioned in the
Khan's biography would come to Babur's remembrance in the future days
when he, like Yunas, broke the Law against intoxicants and, like him,
repented and returned.
That two men of the calibre and high repute of Ahrari and Yunas
maintained friendly guidance so long over `Umar cannot but be held an
accreditment and give fragrance of goodness to his name. Apart from the
high justice and generosity his son ascribes to him, he could set other
example, for he was a reader of great books, the Qoran and the _Masnawi_
being amongst his favourites. This choice, it may be, led Abu'l-faẓl to
say he had the darwesh-mind. Babur was old enough before `Umar's death
to profit by the sight of his father enjoying the perusal of such books.
As with other parents and other children, there would follow the happy
stilling to a quiet mood, the piquing of curiosity as to what was in the
book, the sight of refuge taken as in a haven from self and care, and
perhaps, Babur being intelligent and of inquiring mind and `Umar a
skilled reciter, the boy would marvel at the perennial miracle that a
lifeless page can become eloquent—gentle hints all, pointers of the way
to literary creation.
Few who are at home in Baburiana but will take Timur as Babur's great
exemplar not only as a soldier but as a chronicler. Timur cannot have
seemed remote from that group of people so well-informed about him and
his civilian doings; his Shahrukhi grandchildren in Samarkand had
carried on his author-tradition; the 74 years of Yunas Khan's life had
bridged the gap between Timur's death in 807-1405 and Babur's birth in
888-1483. To Babur Timur will have been exemplary through his grandson
Aulugh Beg who has two productions to his credit, the _Char-ulus_ (Four
Hordes) and the Kurkani Astronomical Tables. His sons, again, Babur
(_qalandar_) and Ibrahim carried on the family torch of letters, the
first in verse and the second by initiating and fostering Yazdi's
labours on the _Zafar-nama_. Wide-radiating and potent influence for the
Arts of Peace came forth from Herat during the reign of that Sultan
Husain Mirza whose Court Babur describes in one of the best supplements
to his autobiography. Husain was a Timurid of the elder branch of
Bai-qara, an author himself but far more effective as a Macænas; one man
of the shining galaxy of competence that gave him fame, set pertinent
example for Babur the author, namely, the Andijani of noble Chaghatai
family, 'Ali-sher _Nawa'i_ who, in classic Turki verse was the master
Babur was to become in its prose. That the standard of effort was high
in Herat is clear from Babur's dictum (p. 233) that whatever work a man
took up, he aspired to bring it to perfection. Elphinstone varies the
same theme to the tune of equality of excellence apart from social
status, writing to Erskine (August, 1826), that "it gives a high notion
of the time to find" (in Babur's account of Husain's Court) "artists,
musicians and others, described along with the learned and great of the
Age".
My meagre summary of Babur's exemplars would be noticeably incomplete if
it omitted mention of two of his life-long helpers in the gentler Arts,
his love of Nature and his admiration for great architectural creations.
The first makes joyous accompaniment throughout his book; the second is
specially called forth by Timur's ennoblement of Samarkand. Timur had
built magnificently and laid out stately gardens; Babur made many a
fruitful pleasaunce and gladdened many an arid halting-place; he built a
little, but had small chance to test his capacity for building greatly;
never rich, he was poor in Kabul and several times destitute in his
home-lands. But his sword won what gave wealth to his Indian Dynasty,
and he passed on to it the builder's unused dower, so that Samarkand was
surpassed in Hindustan and the spiritual conception Timur's creations
embodied took perfect form at Sikandra where Akbar lies entombed.
CHAPTER II.
PROBLEMS OF THE MUTILATED BABUR-NAMA.
Losses from the text of Babur's book are the more disastrous because it
truly embodies his career. For it has the rare distinction of being
contemporary with the events it describes, is boyish in his boyhood,
grows with his growth, matures as he matured. Undulled by retrospect, it
is a fresh and spontaneous recital of things just seen, heard or done.
It has the further rare distinction of shewing a boy who, setting a
future task before him—in his case the revival of Timurid power,—began
to chronicle his adventure in the book which through some 37 years was
his twinned comrade, which by its special distinctions has attracted
readers for nearly a half-millennium, still attracts and still is a
thing apart from autobiographies which look back to recall dead years.
Much circumstance makes for the opinion that Babur left his life-record
complete, perhaps repaired in places and recently supplemented, but
continuous, orderly and lucid; this it is not now, nor has been since it
was translated into Persian in 1589, for it is fissured by _lacunæ_, has
neither Preface nor Epilogue,[5] opens in an oddly abrupt and
incongruous fashion, and consists of a series of fragments so
disconnected as to demand considerable preliminary explanation. Needless
to say, its dwindled condition notwithstanding, it has place amongst
great autobiographies, still revealing its author playing a man's part
in a drama of much historic and personal interest. Its revelation is
however now like a portrait out of drawing, because it has not kept the
record of certain years of his manhood in which he took momentous
decisions,(1) those of 1511-12 (918) in which he accepted
reinforcement—at a great price—from Isma`il the Shi`a Shah of Persia,
and in which, if my reading be correct, he first (1512) broke the Law
against the use of wine,[6] (2) those of 1519-1525 [926-932], in which
his literary occupations with orthodox Law (_see Mubin_) associated with
cognate matters of 932 AH. indicate that his return to obedience had
begun, in which too was taken the decision that worked out for his fifth
expedition across the Indus with its sequel of the conquest of Hind.—The
loss of matter so weighty cannot but destroy the balance of his record
and falsify the drawing of his portrait.
a. _Problem of Titles._
As nothing survives to decide what was Babur's chosen title for his
autobiography, a modern assignment of names to distinguish it from its
various descendants is desirable, particularly so since the revival of
interest in it towards which the Facsimile of its Haidarabad Codex has
contributed.[7]
_Babur-nama_ (History of Babur) is a well-warranted name by which to
distinguish the original Turki text, because long associated with this
and rarely if ever applied to its Persian translation.[8] It is not
comprehensive because not covering supplementary matter of biography
and description but it has use for modern readers of classing
Babur's with other Timuriya and Timurid histories such as the
_Zafar-Humayun-Akbar-namas_.
_Waqi`āt-i-baburi_ (Babur's Acts), being descriptive of the book and in
common use for naming both the Turki and Persian texts, might usefully
be reserved as a title for the latter alone.
Amongst European versions of the book _Memoirs of Baber_ is Erskine's
peculium for the Leyden and Erskine Perso-English translation—_Mémoires
de Baber_ is Pavet de Courteille's title for his French version of the
Bukhara [Persified-Turki] compilation—_Babur-nama in English_ links the
translation these volumes contain with its purely-Turki source.
b. _Problems of the Constituents of the Books._
Intact or mutilated, Babur's material falls naturally into three
territorial divisions, those of the lands of his successive rule,
Farghana (with Samarkand), Kabul and Hindustan. With these are distinct
sub-sections of description of places and of obituaries of kinsmen.
The book might be described as consisting of annals and diary, which
once met within what is now the gap of 1508-19 (914-925). Round this
gap, amongst others, bristle problems of which this change of literary
style is one; some are small and concern the mutilation alone, others
are larger, but all are too intricate for terse statement and all might
be resolved by the help of a second MS. _e.g._ one of the same strain as
Haidar's.
Without fantasy another constituent might be counted in with the three
territorial divisions, namely, the grouped _lacunæ_ which by their
engulfment of text are an untoward factor in an estimate either of Babur
or of his book. They are actually the cardinal difficulty of the book as
it now is; they foreshorten purview of his career and character and
detract from its merits; they lose it perspective and distort its
proportions. That this must be so is clear both from the value and the
preponderating amount of the lost text. It is no exaggeration to say
that while working on what survives, what is lost becomes like a
haunting presence warning that it must be remembered always as an
integral and the dominant part of the book.
The relative proportions of saved and lost text are highly
significant:—Babur's commemorable years are about 47 and 10 months,
_i.e._ from his birth on Feb. 14th 1483 to near his death on Dec. 26th
1530; but the aggregate of surviving text records some 18 years only,
and this not continuously but broken through by numerous gaps. That
these gaps result from loss of pages is frequently shewn by a broken
sentence, an unfinished episode. The fragments—as they truly may be
called—are divided by gaps sometimes seeming to remove a few pages only
(cf. _s.a._ 935 AH.), sometimes losing the record of 6 and _cir._ 18
months, sometimes of 6 and 11 years; besides these actual clefts in the
narrative there are losses of some 12 years from its beginning and some
16 months from its end. Briefly put we now have the record of _cir._ 18
years where that of over 47 could have been.[9]
c. _Causes of the gaps._
Various causes have been surmised to explain the _lacunæ_; on the plea
of long intimacy with Babur's and Haidar's writings, I venture to say
that one and all appear to me the result of accident. This opinion rests
on observed correlations between the surviving and the lost record,
which demand complement—on the testimony of Haidar's extracts, and
firmly on Babur's orderly and persistent bias of mind and on the
prideful character of much of the lost record. Moreover occasions of
risk to Babur's papers are known.
Of these occasions the first was the destruction of his camp near Hisar
in 1512 (918; p. 357) but no information about his papers survives; they
may not have been in his tent but in the fort. The second was a case of
recorded damage to "book and sections" (p. 679) occurring in 1529 (935).
From signs of work done to the Farghana section in Hindustan, the damage
may be understood made good at the later date. To the third exposure to
damage, namely, the attrition of hard travel and unsettled life during
Humayun's 14 years of exile from rule in Hindustan (1441-1555) it is
reasonable to attribute even the whole loss of text. For, assuming—as
may well be done—that Babur left (1530) a complete autobiography, its
volume would be safe so long as Humayun was in power but after the
Timurid exodus (1441) his library would be exposed to the risks detailed
in the admirable chronicles of Gul-badan, Jauhar and Bayazid (_q.v._).
He is known to have annotated his father's book in 1555 (p. 466 n. 1)
just before marching from Kabul to attempt the re-conquest of Hindustan.
His Codex would return to Dihli which he entered in July 1555, and there
would be safe from risk of further mutilation. Its condition in 1555 is
likely to have remained what it was found when `Abdu'r-rahim translated
it into Persian by Akbar's orders (1589) for Abu'l-faẓl's use in the
_Akbar-nama_. That Persian translation with its descendant the _Memoirs
of Baber_, and the purely-Turki Haidarabad Codex with its descendant the
_Babur-nama in English_, contain identical contents and, so doing, carry
the date of the mutilation of Babur's Turki text back through its years
of safety, 1589 to 1555, to the period of Humayun's exile and its
dangers for camel-borne or deserted libraries.
d. _Two misinterpretations of lacunæ._
Not unnaturally the frequent interruptions of narrative caused by
_lacunæ_ have been misinterpreted occasionally, and sometimes
detractory comment has followed on Babur, ranking him below the
accomplished and lettered, steadfast and honest man he was. I select two
examples of this comment neither of which has a casual origin.
The first is from the _B.M. Cat. of Coins of the Shahs of Persia_ p.
xxiv, where after identifying a certain gold coin as shewing vassalage
by Babur to Isma`il _Safawi_, the compiler of the Catalogue notes, "We
can now understand the omission from Babar's 'Memoirs' of the
occurrences between 914 H. and 925 H." Can these words imply other than
that Babur suppressed mention of minting of the coins shewing
acknowledgment of Shi`a suzerainty? Leaving aside the delicate topic of
the detraction the quoted words imply, much negatives the surmise that
the gap is a deliberate "omission" of text:—(1) the duration of the
Shi`a alliance was 19-20 months of 917-918 AH. (p. 355), why omit the
peaceful or prideful and victorious record of some 9-10 years on its
either verge? (2) Babur's Transoxus campaign was an episode in the
struggle between Shaibaq Khan (Shaibani) _Auzbeg_ and Shah
Isma`il—between Sunni and Shi`a; how could "omission" from his book,
always a rare one, hide what multitudes knew already? "Omission" would
have proved a fiasco in another region than Central Asia, because the
Babur-Haidar story of the campaign, vassal-coinage included,[10] has
been brought into English literature by the English translation of the
_Tarikh-i rashidi_. Babur's frank and self-judging habit of mind would,
I think, lead him to write fully of the difficulties which compelled the
hated alliance and certainly he would tell of his own anger at the
conduct of the campaign by Isma`il's Commanders. The alliance was a
tactical mistake; it would have served Babur better to narrate its
failure.
The second misinterpretation, perhaps a mere surmising gloss, is
Erskine's (_Memoirs_ Supp. p. 289) who, in connection with `Alam Khan's
request to Babur for reinforcement in order to oust his nephew Ibrahim,
observes that "Babur probably flattered `Alam Khan with the hope of
succession to the empire of Hindustan." This idea does not fit the
record of either man. Elphinstone was angered by Erskine's remark which,
he wrote (Aug. 26th 1826) "had a bad effect on the narrative by
weakening the implicit confidence in Babur's candour and veracity which
his frank way of writing is so well-calculated to command."
Elphinstone's opinion of Babur is not that of a reader but of a student
of his book; he was also one of Erskine's staunchest helpers in its
production. From Erskine's surmise others have advanced on the
detractor's path saying that Babur used and threw over `Alam Khan
(_q.v._).
e. _Reconstruction._
Amongst the problems mutilation has created an important one is that of
the condition of the beginning of the book (p. 1 to p. 30) with its
plunge into Babur's doings in his 12th year without previous mention of
even his day and place of birth, the names and status of his parents, or
any occurrences of his præ-accession years. Within those years should be
entered the death of Yunas Khan (1487) with its sequent obituary notice,
and the death of [Khwaja `Ubaidu'l-lah] Ahrari (1491). Not only are
these customary entries absent but the very introductions of the two
great men are wanting, probably with the also missing account of their
naming of the babe Babur. That these routine matters are a part of an
autobiography planned as Babur's was, makes for assured opinion that the
record of more than his first decade of life has been lost, perhaps by
the attrition to which its position in the volume exposed it.
Useful reconstruction if merely in tabulated form, might be effected in
a future edition. It would save at least two surprises for readers, one
the oddly abrupt first sentence telling of Babur's age when he became
ruler in Farghana (p. 1), which is a misfit in time and order, another
that of the sudden interruption of `Umar Shaikh's obituary by a fragment
of Yunas Khan's (p. 19) which there hangs on a mere name-peg, whereas
its place according to Babur's elsewhere unbroken practice is directly
following the death. The record of the missing præ-accession years will
have included at the least as follows:—Day of birth and its place—names
and status of parents—naming and the ceremonial observances proper for
Muhammadan children—visits to kinsfolk in Tashkint, and to Samarkand
(æt. 5, p. 35) where he was betrothed—his initiation in school
subjects, in sport, the use of arms—names of teachers—education in the
rules of his Faith (p. 44), appointment to the Andijan Command _etc._,
_etc._
There is now no fit beginning to the book; the present first sentence
and its pendent description of Farghana should be removed to the
position Babur's practice dictates of entering the description of a
territory at once on obtaining it (cf. Samarkand, Kabul, Hindustan). It
might come in on p. 30 at the end of the topic (partly omitted on p. 29
where no ground is given for the manifest anxiety about Babur's safety)
of the disputed succession (Haidar, trs. p. 135) Babur's partisan begs
having the better of Jahangir's (_q.v._), and having testified
obeisance, he became ruler in Farghana; his statement of age (12 years),
comes in naturally and the description of his newly acquired territory
follows according to rule. This removal of text to a later position has
the advantage of allowing the accession to follow and not precede
Babur's father's death.
By the removal there is left to consider the historical matter of pp.
12-13. The first paragraph concerns matter of much earlier date than
`Umar's death in 1494 (p. 13); it may be part of an obituary notice,
perhaps that of Yunas Khan. What follows of the advance of displeased
kinsmen against `Umar Shaikh would fall into place as part of Babur's
record of his boyhood, and lead on to that of his father's death.
The above is a bald sketch of what might be effected in the interests of
the book and to facilitate its pleasant perusal.
CHAPTER III.
THE TURKI MSS. AND WORK CONNECTING WITH THEM.
This chapter is a literary counterpart of "Babur Padshah's Stone-heap,"
the roadside cairn tradition says was piled by his army, each man laying
his stone when passing down from Kabul for Hindustan in the year of
victory 1525 (932).[11]
For a title suiting its contents is "Babur Padshah's Book-pile," because
it is fashioned of item after item of pen-work done by many men in
obedience to the dictates given by his book. Unlike the cairn, however,
the pile of books is not of a single occasion but of many, not of a
single year but of many, irregularly spacing the 500 years through which
he and his autobiography have had Earth's immortality.
Part I. The MSS. themselves.
_Preliminary._—Much of the information given below was published in the
Journal of the Royal Asiatic Society from 1900 onwards, as it came into
my possession during a search for reliable Turki text of the
_Babur-nama_. My notes were progressive; some MSS. were in distant
places, some not traceable, but in the end I was able to examine in
England all of whose continued existence I had become aware. It was
inevitable that some of my earlier statements should be superseded
later; my Notes (_see s.n._ JRAS.) need clearing of transitory matter
and summarizing, in particular those on the Elphinstone Codex and
Klaproth's articles. Neither they nor what is placed here makes claim to
be complete. Other workers will supplement them when the World has
renewed opportunity to stroll in the bye-paths of literature.
Few copies of the _Babur-nama_ seem to have been made; of the few I have
traced as existing, not one contains the complete autobiography, and one
alone has the maximum of dwindled text shewn in the Persian translation
(1589). Two books have been reputed to contain Babur's authentic text,
one preserved in Hindustan by his descendants, the other issuing from
Bukhara. They differ in total contents, arrangement and textual worth;
moreover the Bukhara book compiles items of divers diction and origin
and date, manifestly not from one pen.
The Hindustan book is a record—now mutilated—of the Acts of Babur alone;
the Bukhara book as exhibited in its fullest accessible example, Kehr's
Codex, is in two parts, each having its preface, the first reciting
Babur's Acts, the second Humayun's.
The Bukhara book is a compilation of oddments, mostly translated from
compositions written after Babur's death. Textual and circumstantial
grounds warrant the opinion that it is a distinct work mistakenly
believed to be Babur's own; to these grounds was added in 1903 the
authoritative verdict of collation with the Haidarabad Codex, and in
1921 of the colophon of its original MS. in which its author gives his
name, with the title and date of his compilation (JRAS. 1900, p. 474).
What it is and what are its contents and history are told in Part III of
this chapter.