Page:History of India Vol 4.djvu/261

Rh tressed and discouraged the men of the garrison, so that men of all ranks and degrees were of one mind and voice in urging Bahadur to capitulate. At their instance he wrote to the emperor offering to surrender, and thus the siege was ended.

When Bahadur came out, the emperor held a grand darbar, at which all the great men were present, and Bahadur was amazed at the splendour and state. Mukarrib Khan and several other of Bahadur's nobles were sent into the fortress in advance of Shaikh Abu-l-fazl to inform the garrison of the surrender and to demand the keys. When they approached, Mukarrib Khan's father mounted the top of the fort and reviled him for having thrown his master into bonds and surrendered the fort. Unable to endure his abuse, the son stabbed himself two or three times in the abdomen, and a few days afterwards he died. On the 17th of Safar the royal forces were admitted and the keys were given up. Khan-khanan, who had come from Ahmadnagar, went into the fortress and placed the royal seal on the treasure and warlike stores, which were then placed in charge of responsible officers.

On the 8th of Sha'ban, the emperor bestowed great honours on Shaikh Abu-l-fazl, including a banner and kettle-drums; and a hundred amirs were placed under his orders to assist in the subjugation of the Deccan. Khan-khanan was sent to Ahmadnagar, and the general conquest of the Deccan was committed to him. The emperor went in and inspected the fortress. All the treasures and effects of Bahadur Khan, which had been