APPENDIX I AKBAE'S CAPTUEE OF FORT ASIR FKOM THE AKBAK-NAMAH OF ILLAHBAD FAIZI OF SIKHIND (An Extract translated from the Persian by Dowson in Elliot's History of India) The extract here presented is from an abridged account of certain important events in the reign of Akbar the Great compiled by Shaikh Ulahbad Faizi of Sirhind from the fuller and more important TabaJcat4 Akban of Nizam-ad-din and the well-known Akbar Ndmah of Abu-1-Fazl. The chronicler, after giving an account of the rebellions raised against the rule of Akbar by the Mirzas of Surat in 1572 (see p. 13), draws a graphic picture of the great emperor's campaigns in the Deccan, and especially of the storming, in 1600, of the fortress of Asir, the most im- pregnable fortress in Khandesh, a district now comprised in the Bombay Presidency (see p. 49). EDITOR. Emperor Akbar had subjected to his rule the -i- whole wide expanse of Hindustan, with the excep- tion of a portion of the Deccan, the rulers of which had, nevertheless, in former years sent representatives and presents to the Imperial throne. Some of these rulers, however, had since failed in duly discharging their obli- gations and had thus wounded the pride of the emperor. Prince Shah Murad, Khan-khanan, and other amirs had been sent to effect the conquest of the country. The prince went to that country and distinguished himself by his services. Other amirs were afterwards sent, who 193
