A. D. 1519. district of Lemghân. Kutluk Khwâjeh got ready a hasty dinner, of which I partook ; after which I rode back to Kâbul. August 22. On Monday the 25th, I bestowed a Khilaat-Khâseh1 (or dress of honour of the highest degree), and a saddled horse, on Derwish Muhammed Sârbân, and he was presented on being raised to the rank of Beg. For four or five months I had never eut August 24. the hair of my head. On Wednesday the 27th I had it cut. This day we had a August 26. August 31. Sept. 3. Sept. 4. Sept. 7. Sept. 8. Sept. 11. Sept. 14. drinking party. On Friday the 29th, I invested Mîr Khûrd with the office of governor to Hindâl, on which occasion he brought me a present of a thousand shahrokhis. On Wednesday, the 5th of Ramzan, one Jekni, a servant of Tûlik Gokultâsh Birlâs, came from his master with a letter, reporting that an Uzbek plundering party had appeared in his neighbourhood, and that he had overtaken, attacked, and defeated it. The messenger brought one Uzbek alive, and the head of another. On the night of Saturday the 8th, we went to Kâsim Beg's house, and broke our fast. He presented me with a saddled horse. Next morning, we broke our fast at the house of Khalîfeh, who presented me with a saddled horse. The morning after, Khwâjeh Muhammed Ali and Jân Nâsir, who had been sent for in order to consult about military matters, arrived from their governments. On Wednesday the 12th, Sultan Ali Mirza, the maternal uncle of Kamrân, who, in the year in which I passed over from Khost to Kâbul, had proceeded to Kâshghar, as has been mentioned, waited on me. On Thursday, the 13th of Ramzan, I set out on an expedition for the purpose of repelling and chastising the Yûsefzais, and halted at a valley which lies near DehYakub, on the Kâbul side of that village. As I was mounting my horse, Bâba Jan, my waiting-man, having presented it in an awkward manner, I was angry, and struck him a blow on the face with my fist, by which I dislocated my thumb. I did not feel it much at the time; but when I had dismounted at the end of our march, it had become extremely painful. For a long while I suffered excessively from it, and I was unable to write a single letter. It got well, however, at last. At this station, one Kutluk-dem, a foster-brother of my aunt, Doulet Sultan Khanim, arrived from Kashghâr, bringing letters and news of the Khanim. The same day, Bukhân and Mûsa, the chiefs of the Dilazâks, came with their tribute, and were introduced. On Sunday the 16th, Kûch Beg arrived. On Wednesday the 19th, we marched, and, passing by Bût-khâk, halted in the place where we had been accustomed to encamp on the banks of the Bût-khâk river. As Bamiân, Kehmerd, Ghûri, and the districts held by Kûch Beg, were much exposed, in consequence of the vicinity of the Uzbeks, I excused him from accompanying 1 The Khilaat-Khâseh, or dress of honour of the highest degree, in the time of Baber, probably consisted of a robe or vest of rich cloth, a cap, sabre and dagger with enamelled handles, a military standard, and a horse with trappings enriched with gold, and perhaps the nekara-khaneh, or band of music. 2 About £50. The mention of such sums shows the poverty of the country. 3 This being Ramzan, Baber did not break his fast till sunset. In like manner, during Ramzan, they eat in the morning, before sunrise. the army; and at this station, presenting him with a turban which I myself had Next morning, we halted at Barîk-âb. I went and rode all round Karayûl. In the Sept. 16. course of this day's march, we found honey in a tree. Advancing, march after march, on Wednesday the 26th we halted at Bagh. All Thursday we staid at Bagh. On Friday, we marched, and halted after passing Sultânpûr. The same day, Mîr Shah Sept. 21, Hussain arrived from his government. Bûkhân and Mûsa, the chiefs of the Dilazâks, 22, and 23. and the Dilazâks themselves, also arrived this day. I had intended to make an expedition against Sewâd, in order to check the Yûsefzais. The Dilazâk chiefs represented to me, that, in Hashnaghar, there were a great number of Ulûs (or wandering tribes), who had large quantities of corn, and urged me to attack them. After consulting, I finally arranged, that as there seemed to be large quantities of grain in Hashnaghar, we should plunder the Afghâns of that neighbourhood: that we should fit up the fort of Hashnaghar, or that of Pershâwer, and lay up magazines of grain in them; and that Mir Shah Hussain should be left there with a body of troops for their defence. In consequence of this resolution, Mîr Shah Hussain got leave of absence for a fortnight, that he might go back to his government, and return with such warlike stores as were requisite. Next morning, we resumed our march, and came to Jûî Shâhi, where we halted. Sept. 24. Tengri Berdi and Sultan Muhammed Duldai overtook and joined us at this station. Khamzeh likewise arrived this day from Kundez. On Sunday, the 30th of Ramzân, we marched from Jûî Shâhi, and halted at Kiruk Sept. 25. Arik. I went on board of a raft with a few of my intimate friends. We passed the feast of the new moon' in this station. Some people had brought several animals loaded with wine from the valley of Nûr. After evening prayers, there was a drinking-party, consisting of Mohib Ali Korchi, Khwâjeh Muhammed Ali Kitâbdar, Shah Hassan Shah Beg, Sultan Muhammed Duldai, and Derwish Muhammed Sârbâu. Derwish Muhammed always abstained from wine. From my childhood down, it has been my rule that no one should be pressed to drink against his will. Derwish Muhammed was always of our parties, and never was urged to drink at all. Khwâjeh Muhammed Ali would not suffer him to take his own way, but, by pressing and urging, made him drink some wine. Early on Monday, being the day of the Id, we renewed our march; on the way I Sept. 26. took a maajûn to remove the crop sickness. At the time of my taking the maajûn. they brought a Coloquint apple. Derwish Muhammed had never seen one. I told him it was a Hindustâni melon, and cutting it up, gave him a slice, which he put hastily into his mouth, and chewed eagerly. The bitter taste did not leave his mouth 1 The Id-e-Fitr is the festival on the conclusion of the feast of the Ramzân, celebrated on seeing the new moon of Shawâl. ? That is, of the new moon of Shawâl. The new moon having been seen the evening before, which to the Musulmans was Monday evening, they had celebrated the Id-e-Fitr on Monday eve. A.D. 1519. that whole day. We halted on the rising ground of Germ Cheshmeh. Some meat had been already dressed and presented, when Lenger Khan, who had been for some time at his place, arrived with an offering of some maajûn as tribute, and made a tender of his services. We went on and halted at Bedeh-sir. At afternoon prayers, I went aboard of a raft with several of my intimates, sailed down the stream about a kos, and then returned back. Sept. 27. Sept. 28. Sept. 29. Sept. 30. Next morning we marched thence and halted at the bottom of the Kheiber Pass. The same day Sultan Bayezîd, who had passed over from Nilâb by way of Bareh (whence, having got notice of my motions, he had traced me out), arrived and gave me information, that the Aferîdî Afghâns, with their families and property, were settled in Bareh, where they had sown a great quantity of rice, which had not yet been carried off the ground. As I had fixed on plundering the country of the Yusefzai Afghâns and Hashnaghar, I did not care to meddle with these others. At noonday prayers, we had a drinking party at the quarters of Khwâjeh Muhammed Ali. During this party I sent to Khwâjeh Kilân at Bajour, by the hands of Sultan Tirâhi, a detailed account of our march into these countries. On the margin of the letter I wrote the following couplet ; O, Zephyr! kindly say to that beautiful fawn Thou hast condemned me to wander in the hills and deserts.2 Marching thence at dawn, we passed the defiles of Kheiber, and halted at Ali Mesjid. Marching again about noon-day prayers, and leaving the baggage to follow, we reached the banks of the river of Kâbul when the second watch was over, and had a short sleep. At break of day we discovered a ford, and crossed the river. We got notice from our advanced party, that the Afghâns had received information of our approach, and fled. Proceeding in our course we crossed the river of Sewâd, and halted amidst the cornfields of the Afghâns. We did not find one half of the grain that we had been led to expect; indeed, not one-fourth. I consequently gave up my intention of fortifying Hashnaghar as a depôt. The Dilazâk chiefs who had urged us to make this inroad were rather mortified. About afternoon prayers we crossed to the Kâbul side of the Sewâd river, and halted. Next morning having marched from the Sewâd river, we crossed the Kâbul river and halted. Having summoned the Begs who were admitted to council, we held a consultation, in which it was resolved to plunder the country of the Aferîdî Afghâns, as had been proposed by Sultan Bayezîd, to fit up the fort of Pershâwer for the reception of their effects and corn, and to leave a garrison in it. Hindû Beg, and the Mirzâdehs3 of Khost, joined us at this station. This day I took a maajûn. Derwish Muhammed Sârbân, Muhammed Gokultâsh, and Gedâi Taghai, the captain of the nightguard, were of the party. We afterwards sent also for Shah Hassan. After dinner, about afternoon prayers, we embarked on a raft. We sent for Lenger Khan Sari likewise to join us on the raft. About evening prayers we landed and returned to the camp. 1 Hot-spring. 2 Two Persian verses from an ode of Hafez. 3 Sons of the Mirs. October 1. Marching early in the morning from the banks of the river, in execution of the plan A. D. 1519. which had been formed, and passing Jâm,' we halted on reaching the mouth of the river of Ali Mesjid. Abul Hâshem Sultan Ali, who had followed us, reported, that on the eve of Arifeh,2 he had, at Jûi Shahi, met with a person who was come from Badakhshân, and who had informed him, that Sultan Saîd Khan was marching against Badakhshân, which had induced him to hasten to me with the intelligence. I immediately sent for the Begs and consulted them, when it was resolved to renounce our plan of garrisoning the fort, and to set out on an expedition into Badakhshân. I bestowed a dress of honour on Lenger Khan, and appointing him to reinforce Muhammed Ali Jeng-Jeng, gave him his leave. That night we had a drinking party in Khwâjeh Muhammed Ali's tent. Early next morning we set out on our march, and crossing the Kheiber Pass, halted October 2. at the foot of it. The Khizer-Khail had been extremely licentious in their conduct. Both on the coming and going of our army they had shot upon the stragglers, and such of our people as lagged behind or separated from the rest, and carried off their horses. It was clearly expedient that they should meet with a suitable chastisement. With this view, early in the morning, we marched from the foot of the Pass, and spent the noon in Deh-Gholâmân. About noon-day prayers we fed our horses, and dispatched Muhammed Hussain Korchi to Kâbul, with orders to seize all the Khizer-Khail in the place; to put their property under sequestration, and to send me an account of what was done. I also desired them to write minutely, and send by some swift person, whatever information had been received from Badakhshân. That night we continued marching till midnight, and halted a little beyond Sultanpûr; from which place, after having taken a short sleep, we mounted again. The quarters of the Khizer-Khail extended from Behâr and Masîkh-kerâm as far as Karasû. The morning had dawned October 3. when we came up with and charged them. Much property, and many of their children, fell into the hands of our troops. A few of them gained a hill which was near at hand, and escaped. Next morning we encamped at Kila-ghu, where we took some Gher Jhâwels. The October 4. baggage which had been left behind joined us to-day at this station. The Vezîri Afghâns had been very irregular in paying their taxes. Alarmed at this example of punishment, they now brought three hundred sheep as tribute. Till my hand had got better I could not write at all. At this station, on Sunday the 14th, I was able to write a little. October 9. Next morning the chiefs of the Khirelchi and Shamû-Khail arrived, accompanied by October 10. a body of Afghâns. The Dilazâk chiefs earnestly besought me to overlook and forgive the offences of these people; I accordingly pardoned them, and set the prisoners at liberty. I fixed their tribute at four thousand sheep; and, having given their chiefs 1 Now Jamrûd. 2 This appears to be a mistake or oversight of Baber. The sheb or eve of Arifeh was not till the evening of the 2d December 1519. He probably meant to say, the Id-e-Fitr, which had occurred only five days before, on the 26th September. A. D. 1519. vests of honour, sent them back into their country, accompanied by collectors, whom I appointed. October 13. Having settled these affairs, on Thursday the 18th we marched, and halted at BeOctober 14. hâr and Masîkh-kerâm. Next morning I reached the Bagh-e-Vafa; it was the season when the garden was in all its glory. Its grass-plots were all covered with clover; its pomegranate trees were entirely of a beautiful yellow colour. It was then the pomegranate season, and the pomegranates were hanging red on the trees. The orange trees were green and cheerful, loaded with innumerable oranges; but the best oranges were not yet ripe. Its pomegranates are excellent, though not equal to the fine ones of our country. I never was so much pleased with the Bagh-e-Vafa (the Garden of Fidelity), as on this occasion. During the three or four days that we staid at the Garden, all the people in the camp had pomegranates in abundance. October 17. October 18. October 19. On Monday we marched from the Garden; I staid till the first watch, and bestowed the oranges on different persons. I gave Shah Hassan the oranges of two trees; to several Begs I gave one tree, and to several two orange trees. As I had an intention of travelling through the Lemghân in the winter, I desired them to save about twenty trees, around the piece of water, for my use. This day we reached Gendemek. Next morning we halted at Jagdâlik. Towards evening prayers we had a drinking party; many of my courtiers were present. About the end of the party, Gedai Muhammed, sister's son of Kâsim Beg, became very noisy and troublesome: and, when he got drunk, placed himself on the pillow on which I reclined, whereupon Gedai Taghai turned him out of the party. Marching thence, before break of day, I went to visit the country up the Bârik-âb of Kûrûk-sâi. Many Turâk trees were in excellent bearing. We halted at that place; and, having dined on a dish called Yulkerân, we drank wine in honour of the rich crop. We made them kill a sheep which was picked up on the road, caused some meat to be dressed, kindled a fire of oak branches, and entertained ourselves. Mûlla Abdal Malek Diwâneh having petitioned to be allowed to carry to Kâbul the news of my approach, I accordingly dispatched him for that city. Hassan Nebîreh, who had come on the part of Mirza Khan, after giving me due notice of his intentions, here met and waited on me. We continued at this place drinking till the sun was on the decline, when we set out. Those who had been of the party were completely drunk. Syed Kâsim was so drunk, that two of his servants were obliged to put him on horseback, and brought him to the camp with great difficulty. Dost Muhammid Bâkir was so far gone, that Amîn Muhammed Terkhân, Masti Chehreh, and those who were along with him, were unable, with all their exertions, to get him on horseback. They poured a great quantity of water over him, but all to no purpose. At this moment a body of Afghâns appeared in sight. Amîn Muhammed Terkhân, being very drunk, gravely gave it as his opinion, that rather than leave him, in the condition in which he was, to fall into the hands of the enemy, it was better at once to cut off his head, and carry it away. Making another exertion, however, with much difficulty, they contrived to throw him upon a horse, which they led along, and so brought him off. |