counsel, and left the matter at this : That this year the army must move in some direction ; that 'Askari should go in advance towards the East, be joined by the sultans and amirs from beyond Gang (Ganges), and march in whatever direction favoured fortune. These particulars having been written down, Ghlasu'd-dln the armourer was given rendezvous for 16 days,1 and sent galloping off, on Saturday the 22nd of the month, to the amirs of the East headed by SI. Junaid Bar/as. His word-of-mouth message was, that 'Askari was being sent on before the fighting apparatus, culverin, cart and matchlock, was ready ; that it was the royal order for the sultans and amirs of the far side of Gang to muster in 'Askarl's presence, and, after consultation with well-wishers on that side, to move in whatever direction, God willing ! might favour fortune ; that if there should be work needing me, please God ! I would get to horse as soon as the person gone with the (16 days) tryst {mTdd) had returned ; that explicit representation should be made as to whether the Bengali (Nasrat Shah) were friendly and single-minded ; that, if nothing needed my presence in those parts, I should not make stay, but should move elsewhere at once ;z and that after consulting with well-wishers, they were to take 'Askari with them, and, God willing ! settle matters on that side.
{Here the record of 5 days is wanting?)
{z, 'A skari receives the insignia and rank of a royal commander.)
{Dec. 12th) On Saturday the 29th of the first Rabf, 'Askari was made to put on a jewelled dagger and belt, and a royal dress of honour, was presented with flag, horse-tail standard, drum, a set (6-8) of tipuchdq (horses), 10 elephants, a string of camels, one of mules, royal plenishing, and royal utensils. Moreover he was ordered to take his seat at the head of a Diwan. On his mulla and two guardians were bestowed jackets having buttons 3 ; on his other servants, three sets of nine coats.
1 aun altigunluk m:ljar blla, as on f. 354*, and with exchange of T. m:ljar for P. ml'ad, f. 355*.
2 Probably into Rajput lands, notably into those of Salahu'd-din.
3 tukhmaliq chakmanl&r; as tukhma means both button and gold-embroidery, it may be right, especially of Hindustan articles, to translate sometimes in the second sense. >_.
