(Call it not waste) to spend your life in water and earth. (i.e. in building),
If perchance a man of mind for a moment makes your house his lodging.
Written by Sháh Budágh Khán in the year a.h. 982–87.[94]
The inscription on the great southern arch of Nílkanth, dated a.d. 1574, runs:
This pleasant building was completed in the reign of the great Sultán, the most munificent and just Khákán, the Lord of the countries of Arabia and Persia,[95] the shadow of God on the two earths, the ruler of the sea and of the land, the exalter of the standards of those who war on the side of God, Abul Fatah Jalál-ud-dín Muhammad Akbar, the warrior king, may his dominion and his kingdom be everlasting.
Written by Farídún Husein, son of Hátim-al-Wardi, in the year a.h. 982.[96]
The inscription on the right wall of Nílkanth, dated a.d. 1591–92, runs:
In the year a.h. 1000, when on his way to the conquest of the Dakhan, the slaves of the Exalted Lord of the Earth, the holder of the sky-like Throne, the shadow of Alláh (the Emperor Akbar), passed by this place.
That time wastes your home cease, Soul, to complain, Who will not scorn a complainer so vain.
From the story of others this wisdom derive, Ere naught of thyself but stories survive.
The inscription on the left wall of Nílkanth, dated a.d. 1600, runs:
The (Lord of the mighty Presence) shadow of Alláh, the Emperor Akbar, after the conquest of the Dakhan and
Appendix II.
The Hill Fort of Mándu.
History
The Mughals, a.d. 1570–1720. Dándes (Khándesh) in the year a.h. 1009 set out for Hind (Northern India).May the name of the writer last for ever!
At dawn and at eve I have watched an owl sitting
On the lofty wall-top of Shirwán Sháh’s Tomb.[97]
The owl’s plaintive hooting convey’d me this warning
“Here pomp, wealth, and greatness lie dumb.”
In a.d. 1573, with the rest of Málwa, Akbar handed Mándu to Muzaffar III. the dethroned ruler of Gujarát. It seems doubtful if Muzaffar ever visited his new territory.[98] On his second defeat in a.d. 1562 Báz Bahádur retired to Gondwána, where he remained, his power gradually waning, till in a.d. 1570 he paid homage to the emperor and received the command of 2000 horse.[99] His decoration of the Rewa Pool, of the palace close by, which though built by Násir-ud-dín Khilji (a.d. 1500–1512) was probably repaired by Báz Bahádur, and of Rúp Mati’s pavilion on the crest of the southern ridge make Báz Bahádur one of the chief beautifiers of Mándu. According to Farishtah (Pers. Text, II. 538–39) in 1562, when Báz Bahádur went out to meet Akbar’s general, Adham Khán Atkah, he placed Rúp Mati and his other singers in Sárangpúr under a party of his men with orders to kill the women in case of a reverse. On hearing of Báz Bahádur’s defeat the soldiers hastily sabred as many of the women as they could and fled. Among the women left for dead was Rúp Mati, who, though dangerously wounded, was not killed. When Adham Atkah entered Sárangpúr his first care was to enquire what had become of Rúp Mati. On hearing of her condition he had her wound attended to by the best surgeons, promising her, as a help to her cure, a speedy union with her beloved. On her recovery Rúp Mati claimed the general’s promise. He prevaricated and pressed his own suit. Rúp Mati temporised. One night the impatient Turk sent her a message asking her to come to him. Rúp Mati to gain time invited him to her own pavilion which she said was specially adorned to be the abode of love. Next night the Atkah went to her house in disguise. Her women directed him to Rúp Mati’s couch. Adham found her robed and garlanded, but cold in death. Rúp Mati was buried on an island in a lake at Ujjain, and there, according to the Áin-i-Akbari, Báz Bahádur when he died was laid beside her.[100]