before Mirza Haidar, and who enjoyed almost equal kindness at the Emperor's hands. This was Sa'íd Khán, son of Ahmad Khán, Bábar's Mongolian uncle. He, too, fled from Shaibáni's wrath, and reaching Kábul towards the close of 1508, was at once welcomed with every mark of honour. He used to say in after years: 'Those days that I spent in Kábul were the freest from care or sorrow of any that I have ever experienced, or ever shall experience. I spent two years and a half at the court of this excellent prince, in a continual succession of enjoyments, and in the most complete abandonment to pleasure and absence of preoccupation. I was on friendly terms with all, and made welcome by all. I never suffered even a headache, unless from the effects of wine; and never felt distressed or sad, except on account of the ringlets of some beloved one.' 'There existed,' adds Haidar, 'between these two great princes, perfect accord and love and trust[1].' Said Khán possessed high rank and great influence, and, as events proved, might become a powerful rival; but there was no trace of jealousy or suspicion in the Emperor's treatment of his guest. He was indeed a perfect host and an incomparable friend.
Two or three years passed by: tranquillity reigned undisturbed at Kábul, whilst wars shook Persia and the Oxus regions almost to ruin. The cousin, Khán Mirza, who like others had once usurped Bábar's throne and been deposed and forgiven, took himself off to found a viceroyalty in Badakhshán, and, doubt-
- ↑ Taríkh-i-Rashídi, 226.
