| [[118]] As the
auspicious constellations regard with favourable aspects the fortunate
horoscope of the Shahinshah, and results corresponding thereto must show
themselves, predestined victories, and the unveiling of the brides of aspirations,
displayed themselves in their order. Every hope which promised to arise
either by dint of struggle and labour, or without effort or striving, was
fulfilled in divers ways. Among these was the happy augury which occurred
after the coming to Agra, viz., the facile conquest of the fort of Gwaliar.
It has already been briefly stated that Qiya Khan and an army of gallant
men had gone to besiege it. But as that strong fortress is for strength
and solidity a masterpiece of the wise of former times, and a wondrous
memorial of skilful ancients, so that to take it by force is impossible,
and could only be thrown open by the daily-increasing prestige of such
a master of Fortune, the enterprise had not advanced in spite of the endeavours
of the world-conquering combatants.
At this time, when Agra became the seat of the standards of victory, Habib Ali Khan and Maqsud Ali Sultan and a number of others were appointed to assist Qiya Khan. Bahabal Khan did not neglect the smallest point in the maintaining of the fort. A number of guides to fortune who were his well-wishers gave him sound advice to the effect that though the fort was strong, and supplied with munitions, yet nothing could prevail against Divine help and celestial fortune, especially when no protector remained to back him up. As the remark was very just he accepted the counsel, and in Bahman, Divine month, corresponding to Rabi-al-Akhir, Haji Muhammad Khan Sistani went at the request of the garrison and composed his (Bahabal's) disturbed mind, and brought him to serve [[119]] H. M. the Shahinshah. That auspicious one recognized that to make over the keys of the fort to the Imperial servants was to open the gates of his own wishes. That strong fort came into the possession of the heroes of fortune. H. M. treated him with great kindness and gave him presents, [a] robe of honour, and a fief..... [[121]] One of the strange occurrences was Shah Quli Khan Mahram's becoming a jogi and a hermit. There was a boy with him named Qabul Khan who knew how to dance and whom he loved. As H. M. did not approve of this kind of conduct in any of his servants -- for though it may be pure, yet there are improprieties mixed up with it which sensible men well know -- he prohibited it. Shah Quli could not give up the practice, and so it was ordered that the boy should be taken from him and made over to guards. Shah Quli Khan, owing to the burden of humanity, gave way to anguish, and set fire to his name and fame. He put on the dress of [a] jogi, and sought retirement. Bairam Khan recited an ode to comfort him, and tried to amend him. He came back to his allegiance to the Shahinshah, and was ashamed of what he had done; and he was treated with endless favours. ===========
|
== Akbar-nama
vol. 2 == Abu'l-Fazl == Glossary
== fwp's main page ==