10. Volume 3 — part 10

1 This name is very carefully written in two of the MSS., and they agree with the reading of Petis de la Croix.

of the victory was engraved upon stone, with the date of the month Ramazdn 800 h., together with the date used in the locality. * * *

Timur marched from Band, and on the 8th Muharram he reached the banks of the Indus, at the place where Sultdn Jalalu-d din Khwdrizm Shah flying from Ohangiz Khan cast himself into the river and swam over, Changiz Khdn did not pass the river, but halted there and then returned. Timur gave orders for the construction of a bridge over the river. The work was immediately commenced, and in the course of two days a safe bridge constructed of three-legged trestles (sih-pdyah) and boats was completed. * * *

On Monday, 12th Muharram 801 H. (24th Sept. 1398), crossed the river with his army and encamped on the borders of the Ohol,i which is a large desert, called in books of history the Chbl-i Jalali in consequence of Sultdn Jal^lu-d din's escape thither. The rdis and chiefs of the Jud mountain came respect- fully to pay homage to Timur and make presents. Some time before this Amir Eustam Taghi Buk4 Birlds, under the orders of Timur had marched towards Multan. He passed near the mountain of Jud and remained there some days. The rdis had then carefully attended upon him and had supplied him with provisions. This was the reason why Timiir now treated them with such favour. They returned home happy and full of joy.

Contest with Shahdbu-din Mubarak Shah Tamimi.

Shah^bu-d din was ruler of an island^ on the banks of the river Jamd. He was rich and had numerous followers and soldiers, by means of which he was distinguished above the Rdis of Hind. When the Prince Pir Muhammad Jahangir arrived in the vicinity of Multdn he came in and paid homage. He was

' One MS. says, " at the Jud mountain wliicli is the Choi desert." ' Jazirii,h.t, an island, probably formed by a bend or branch of the river, connected as the text describes with a lake. The Tuzak-i Tlmiiri {suprd p. 410) says, it was " in the middle of the river ; " but the words here used are " bar kindr i db i Jamd."

received among the adherents of the prince and was treated with great kindness. For some time he remained in attendance on the prince, but after a while he obtained leave of absence and returned to his government. He was deluded by the devil, and being puffed up with pride of the strength of his place and the river, he set himself in opposition. When the ariny had crossed and was encamped on the banks of the Jamd, this revolt was communicated to Timur. He then ordered Amir Shaikh Nuru-d din to march with his tirnian against the island, and to extermi- nate the whole band of rebels. When the Amir arrived near the island, he found that Shahabu-d din had dug a deep ditch and had raised high walls as means of defence. There was a large lake there, but the assailants plunged instantly into the water and kindled the flames of war. A fierce conflict followed which lasted till night, and the assailants then retired to take rest. During the night Shahabu-d din fell upon the camp of the besiegers with 10,000 men and a great fight took place. Amir Shaikh Nuru-d din met the attack with a determined resistance, and the assailants being disheartened by this vigour fell back dispirited. Some of them cast themselves into the water and with difficulty brought the ship of life to the shore of safety.

Timur then came up with his army and encamped near the island. Shahabu-d din by a prudent precaution had kept 200 boats ready for such an emergency. When he retreated beaten from his night attack upon the besiegers he embarked with his family and followers in the boats, and proceeded down the Jamd towards Uch, which is one of the towns of Hind. Amir Shaikh Ntiru-d din, under the orders of the emperor, pursued them with his victorious forces along the banks of the river, and killed a good number of them. On his return Timur bestowed rewards and honours upon those who had fought so valiantly and had been wounded in repulsing the night attack. When Shahdbu-d din came near Multdn, the Prince Pir Muhammad and Amir Sulaiman Shdh with their detachment opposed his progress and cut many of the fugitives to pieces. Shahabu-d

din cast his wife and children into the river and -with great difficulty brought them half-dead to land. Timtir sent Shah Malik into the jungles in pursuit of the fugitives. He killed a great many of them and their aUies, and returned laden with booty and with boats full of corn to the royal camp. The Emperor marched from thence, and in five or six days arrived on the banks of the Chinawa^ (ChinSb) where that river unites with the Jamd. He encamped near the fort of Tulambi, and ordered a bridge to be thrown across the river. It was finished in three days.

Timur passed over the bridge with his army and pitched his camp on the bank of the river near the town. The maliks and rdk of the place with the saiyids and learned men came forth to wait upon the emperor. They paid their homage and were well received. On the 1st Safar 801 h. in the plain of Tulambi the officers and ministers being assembled a ransom of two lacs was demanded from the inhabitants of the city, but orders were given that the saiyids and learned Musulmans should be exempted from payment. The collectors busied themselves in the work of collection, but the whole was not realized, when a large division of the army arrived in great want of grain and provisions. The royal order was given that they were to take grain wherever they found it. With savage feelings the soldiers entered the town on the pretext of seeking for grain, and a great calamity fell upon it. They set fire to the houses and plundered whatever they could lay their hands on. The city was pillaged, and no houses escaped excepting those of the saiyids and learned Musulmans.

Timur was now informed that a party of the chiefs of Tulambi who had formerly submitted to Prince Pir Muhammad had broken out into revolt and open violence. This greatly incensed him, and he sent Shah Malik and Shaikh Muhammad Aikii-tamur

with their t&mdns to chastise these revolters. These chiefs ac- cordingly entered the jungles and killed about 2,000 of them. Then they returned laden with booty to the royal camp. On the 8th Safar the army again took to the march and pitched their camp near Jdl, upon the Bydh river, opposite the town of Shdh-nawaz.

While encamped on the river the emperor was informed that Nusrat Kukari, brother of Shaikha Kukarl with 2,000 men had constructed a strong river fortress (r4d-khdna-i'azim) on the banks of the river and was there posted. Timur instantly marched against him with a strong force. The right wing he placed under the command of Amir Shaikh Niiru-d din and Amir Allah-dad; and the left under Amir Shah Malik and Amir Shaikh Muhammad Aiku-tamur. All Sultan Tawachi at the head of the infantry, marched with the centre in battle array. Nusrat Kukari with great presumption and ignorance had col- lected a force of 1,000 Indian warriors, and had drawn them up to meet Timur on the banks of a lake.^ Ali Sultin Tawachi attacked them with his infantry of Khurdsdn, and after several assaults he overthrew them and put them to flight. Shaikh Nuru-d din and Allah-dad pursued the fugitives and slew many of them. He who bore the name of Nusrat (victory) could not save himself from this disaster, but went to hell with many of his followers. The soldiers secured great booty, and they set fire to the houses of the enemy. On the 10th Safar the army marched by a difficult road to Shah-nawdz through mud and dirt. This is a considerable village where large stores of grain were found. The men carried oflf all they could, and under the royal command set fire to what was left, so that it might not benefit the infidels. From thence the army marched to the river Biyah, and encamped opposite to the village of Janjan,* where

1 " Bar Mndr-i db-i hoi" One MS. has " Kunu.'' " Kol " means lake, but here it may possibly be the name of a river. ' Yar. "Manja,n."

the baggage was collected. Here an opportunity of crossing was found, and Timur availing himself of this advantage, ordered his forces to cross the river.

Arrival of Prince Fir Muhammad from Multdn.

It has already been recorded how Prince Pir Muhammad had besieged Multdn, and how his forces were assaulting the place twice daily. The contest had lasted six months. Provisions had become so scarce in the place that not a dog or a cat was left, and the inhabitants being compelled to abandon the place, the prince had obtained possession of the country. He imme- diately sent a despatch of this victory to the royal camp. At this time heavy rains came on and lasted for several days, it being the season which in Hindustan is called the Barsh-Ml. This caused a great mortality among the men and horses of the prince, and so he entered the city with all his forces. The chiefs and rulers of this country of Hind who had made their sub- mission, now conceived ideas of throwing off the yoke. They killed the governors of several places, and the soldiers being dismounted were unable to move against them. This gave the prince great annoyance, and he was a prey to constant anxiety, when the news of the emperor's approach struck dismay into the hearts of the enemy.

The prince being thus delivered from his difficulty proceeded with his officers and followers to the royal camp. On the 14th Safar he reached the camp on the banks of the Biy4h, when the emperor received him honourably and affectionately. » * * On the 15th Safar the emperor crossed the Biyah, and encamped under the fort of Janjdn. There he remained four days. During these days all the men of the army crossed, some in boats and some by swimming, and not one individual was lost. * * * As the soldiers of the prince had lost their horses in the rainy season, and through the hardships of the campaign had been reduced to ride on bullocks and to walk, the emperor presented them with thirty thousand horses. The royal army then marched from

Janjdn to Sahwdl ; on the 21st it proceeded to Asw4n, where it rested one day, and then marched to Jahw&l.

The chiefs of Dibdlpur had previously made their submission to Prince Pir Muhammad, who sent Musdfir Kdbuli, with a thousand men, to act as governor of the place. When the army of the prince was reduced by the efifects of the rainy season, the men of that place, combining with the soldiers of Firoz Shah, put Mus^fir and his thousand men to death. Upon the intelli- gence of the emperor's progress to Multan and Dehli reaching this neighbourhood, all men from the highest to the lowest were in the greatest consternation. Fearing for their lives they abandoned all else, and fled to the fort of Bhatnir. At Jahw41 the emperor left Amir Shah Malik and Daulat Timtir Tawachi with the baggage, with orders to proceed by way of Dib^lptir, and to join him at Sdmana, near Dehli. He set off with 10,000 men, and by forced marches hastened to Ajodhan, which he reached early in the morning of the 24th Safar. Previous to this Shaikh Munawwar and Shaikh Sa'd, both men of evil cha- racter, had seduced the people of this place from their allegiance, and had incited them to leave their country. Some of them went off with Shaikh Sa'd to Bhatnir, and others accompanied Shaikh Munawwar to Dehli. But the Saiyids and learned Musulmdus of the place had heard of the kindness of Timiir, and resolved to remain patiently at home, and await the course of events. As soon as they were informed of his arrival they went to wait upon him, and were received with great favour. Timur appointed Maul4na Ndsiru-d din 'Umar and Muhammad, son of Khwaja Muhammad Shahdb, to be governors of the town, and enjoined them not to allow the saiyids and learned Mu- hammadans to be hurt by the people of the army.

Capture of the city walls {shahr-iand^) and the fort of Bhatnir. Extermination of the inhabitants of that place.

The fort of Bhatnir was extremely strong, and was celebrated as one of the strongest in Hind. It is situated far out of the

' Petis de la Croix took tliis to b.e a proper name, and translated it " the city of Band."

road on the right hand, and it is surrounded by the desert of Choi. For fifty or a hundred hos round there is no water. The inhabitants obtain their water from a large lake at the gate of the city which is filled in the rainy season. No foreign army had ever penetrated thither, nor had any sovereign of India ever led his forces to that place. So the inhabitants of Dibalpur, Ajodhan, and other places fled thither for refuge from the in- vading army, A very large number of people thus assembled there, so much so that the city would not contain them, and carts and vehicles with large quantities of goods and furniture had been left outside in the vicinity of the fort. On the 25th Safar, Timur reached Ajodhan, and paid a visit to the shrine of Shaikh Farid Shakar-ganj. From thence he started for Bhatnir, and crossing the river,^ he arrived at Kh41is-kotali, two hos from Ajodhan, and fifty from Bhatnir. Three kos is equal to one legal /arsflsM or parasang.

Timur said his mid-day prayers at Khalis-kotali, and then mounting he travelled the remainder of the day and the whole of the night without resting, thus accomplishing this long distance in one march. On the next day, at breakfast time, he was within sight of Bhatnir. The drums were beaten and the shouts of the warriors rent the air. All that was outside of the city was plundered. The prince of that country and city was called Rao Dul Chand,^ Bdo being a Hindi word meaning brave (bahddur). He had a large number of soldiers, and the whole neighbourhood was under his command. He used to levy tolls from travellers, nor could merchants and caravans escape from

' The French vereion says, he " crossed the river of Dena," and there is sufficient warrant for this in the MSS., no two of which agree. The true reading appears to be " az riid guzasMa," " he crossed the river ; " but the word riid (river) is written also "rudad and riidu." Two of the MSS., and both those of the Malfuzdt-i Timiiri, insert the negative, and say az riid nah guzashta, " did not cross the river," which was evidently the reading of Petis de la Croix's MS. ; but this is manifestly wrong, as the Gharra runs between Ajodhan and Kotali. Mr. Chapman, in his translation of the Malfiizdt, (p. 421 sMjirc), read, " az Sudanah guzashta," and translated it, "passing by Eudanah ; " but this may be read " az rud nah guzashta," " not crossing the river," though, as above observed, the negative is certainly wrong.

his exactions. When Timur approached the city the Bdo, con- fident in the strength of his fortress and the number of his followers would not submit. The army was at once brought up, and fiercely attacked the city both on the right and on the left. At the first assault the walls of the city were taken and many Hindus were slain. Great booty fell into the hands of the soldiers. The officers leading on their men with axes and pikes advanced to attack the fort. Rdo Dtil Ohand, with his brave Indian warriors, drew up ready for combat at the gate of the fort. Amir Sulaimdn and other intrepid officers of the tiimdn of Sh4h* Rukh went forward sword in hand and fought most valiantly. The fort was on the point of being taken when fear and despair fell upon the heart of Dul Ohand, and he sent out a saiyid to beg an armistice for that day, promising to come out on the day following and make his submission to Timur. The emperor, relying on the promise brought by the saiyid, a descendant of the Prophet, granted the demand. He withdrew his men from the walls, put a stop to the fighting, and went out to his tents. When the next day came E,4o Dul Ohand failed to keep his promise, and orders were given that each amir should sap the wall in front of his position. They set diligently about the work, and bravely persevered, although fire and stones, and darts and arrows were rained down upon them from the top of the walls. When E4o Diil Ohand and the chiefs of his party beheld these proceedings they were filled with dismay. They came to the tops of the bastions, and with cries and lamenta- tions called aloud for mercy. They acknowledged their fault and admitted they had done wrong in not submitting to the emperor, but they begged his forgiveness. He was graciously pleased to grant their petition. On the same day the Bdo sent out his son and his deputy with splendid presents and valuable ofi"erings. Timur gave the young man a robe of value, a sword- belt, etc., and sent him back to his father. Next day Edo Dtil Ohand, being encouraged by this kindness and generosity of Timur, came out of the fort accompanied by Shaikh Sa'du-d din

Ajodhani, on the 28th Safar, and throwing himself upon the ground before the royal tent, he presented several fine animals and three Arab horses with golden saddles. Timur graciously accepted these presents, and in return gave him gold-embroidered robes, etc. A large body of people from many parts of India, especially from Dlbdlpur and Ajodhan, had taken refuge there from the arms of the conqueror, so Amir Sulaiman Shah and Amir Allah-d4d were careful to guard the gate. On the next day they brought out to the royal camp the strangers who had taken refuge in the town. Five hundred men belonging to Dibdlpiir, who had taken part in the murder of MusdAr Kdbuli and of a thousand other servants of Prince Pir Muhammad, were put to death in retaliation. Their wives and children were made slaves. Several men of Ajodhan also had deserted the standards of Timiir, and had fled for security to Bhatnir. Some of these were brought to punishment, others were made prisoners, and their property was plundered.

Kamdlu-d din,^ brother of Rao Dul Chand, and his son, when they saw Timtir's severity towards the guilty, being filled with terror, lost their judgment. On the 1st Rabi'u-1 awwal, although Diil Chand was in Timtir's camp, they closed the gates of the city, and opened the gates of sorrow and trouble for them- selves. The wrath of Timur was kindled ; he ordered his sol- diers to again invest the place, and to carry on their mining and scaling operations. The men set zealously about the work, and the besieged soon perceived that there was no hope for them, and that it was useless to struggle against their fate. The brother and son of the Rao went forth humbly from the town, and hastened to cast themselves upon the earth before Timur, and implore his mercy. They gave up the keys of the town to the servants of the emperor. On the 2nd of the month Amir Shaikh Nuru-d din and Amir Allah-d4d went into the city to receive the ransom money, but the evil-minded rdis resisted payment of the tribute. There were in the city many gahrs and ' AH the MSS. agree in this Muharamadan name.

bad men who set themselves in opposition and made open resist- ance. When Timur heard of this he issued a stringent order for his men to attack the fort, and put the occupants to the sword. The soldiers accordingly scaled the place by means of ladders and ropes. The gahrs set fire to the place, and cast their wives and children into the fire and consumed them. A party of them who called themselves Musulmdns, cut ofi" the heads of their wives and children like so many sheep. The two parties then joined and prepared for a desperate resistance. They were very numerous, and very resolute and savage. According to com- mand the soldiers entered the city, and shouting their war cry fell upon the defenders. A desperate conflict ensued, and many of the assailants were slain and many wounded. Amir Shaikh Nuru-d din had entered the city on foot, sword in hand, to fight with the infidels. He was surrounded by a number of infidels, and was in imminent danger, when Auz^n Mazid Baghdddi and Firoz Sistani rushed to the rescue, and despatching several of the infidels they rescued him from his peril. Yictory at length favoured our arms. Ten thousand of the infidels were slain, the houses were set on fire, and the whole place was destroyed. Nothing was left but a few heaps of ashes. The gold and silver, and horses and spoil of every sort that fell into the hands of the captors was by order of Timur divided among the soldiers. He solaced the wounded by his royal munificence, and he showed great favour and liberality to Auz&n Mazid and Firoz, who had rescued Amir Nuru-d din at the risk of their own lives.

March of Timiir against other cities of India, and suppression of

After the destruction of the town of Bhatnir the air was polluted by the putrefying bodies of the slain, so on the 4th of the month Timur ordered his army to march against other places of India. Having advanced fourteen kos, it reached a place called Kin6,ra-i-hauz (brink of the reservoir), and there encamped. On the 5th it again marched and came to the fort of Firozah, from

■whence it proceeded on the same day to the town of Sarsuti. The inhabitants of this town were for the most part infidels and kept pigs, whose flesh they ate. On hearing of the approach of Timur they took to flight. A detachment was sent in pursuit, which overtook them and put many of them to the sword, and plundered the property which they had carried off. The detach- ment returned safe to camp with its plunder, all except 'Adil Farrash who was killed in the fight. Timiir rested one day at Sarsuti and on the following day marched eighteen kos to Fath- ahki where he encamped. The inhabitants of this place had also abandoned their homes and fled towards the desert. They were pursued by a party of our men who overtook them, killed many of them, and plundered their goods. On the 7th of the month Timur marched by the fort of Rajab-nur and came to the fort of Ahrtini where he pitched his camp. This place did not contain any men of sufiicient sense and intelligence to come out and secure protection by making their submission, so, some of the inhabitants were killed and others were made prisoners. The soldiers set fire to the fort, plundered the houses, and carried off the grain. Not a house was left standing.

On the following day the army marched into the desert to a village called Tohdna. A body of the people called Jats had made themselves masters of this neighbourhood and for a long time had committed depredations on the roads. They had east aside all the restraints of religion, plundering the caravans and merchants with violence and murder. When they heard of the advance of Timur's victorious host to Hindustan, they fled into the deserts and into jungles filled with sugar-canes (nai-skakar). Orders were issued for pursuing them, and Amir Tokal Hindu Karkarra,^ and Maul4n4 NS,siru-d din were sent in command of the detachment. They penetrated the jungles and killed 200 of them, and having taken many prisoners they returned with the cattle and other spoil to the royal camp.

' The Tuzak-i-Timuri say, "Amir Tokal son of flindli Karkarra," see mprd p. 428.

One of Timiir's chief objects was to break up the bands of robbers and to make the roads secure. On the 9th of the month he left Toh^na, and he sent on Amir Sulaim^n Shah with the baggage and with the plunder that had been collected towards Samdna. On the same day he himself passed the fort of Miing towards Samdna and encamped. From this place he made a rapid march against the retreats of the Jats in the deserts and jungles, and falling upon these wild demon-like men he put 2,000 of them to the sword, their wives and children he took captive, and their cattle and effects he plundered. He thus delivered the country from the fear of these robbers which had so long oppressed it.

In that neighbourhood there was a party of distinguished saiyids who had taken up their abode in a certain village and sustained the honour of their religion. They came full of hope and confidence to wait on Timur who received them kindly and bestowing on them his princely bounty, he gave them a governor to protect them from the violence of soldiers.

On the 10th EabiV-l awwal Amir Sulaiman marched with the baggage from the vicinity of Miing to the neighbourhood of Samdna. He halted for the night and on the 11th reached the river Khagar. Timiir who had made a forced march against the Jats rejoined the army on the banks of the Khagar which is near S4mana. He rested there four days awaiting the arrival of the heavy baggage. On the 15th he marched from thence and halted at the bridge (/jiZ) of Ktibila.^ Here he was joined by the princes and nobles of the left wing of his army whom he had sent by another route through the valley (murgh-zdr) of Kabul by the ordinary road to India. Whenever in their march they came to a hostile town or fort they subdued and plundered it. They now rejoined the imperial standard. On the 16th Timur marched,

' Var. "KupUa," "Kawila." The Jfa^/fe*, (p. 430 sj^rd) says, "Kdtila." Price and Petis de la Croix have Kiibila, though in the latter it is somewhat disguised as " Foulcoubl^."

and crossed the bridge of Kubila. The heavy bagg;age and the remainder of the army coming up from Dlbdlpur under Shah Malik, here joined the main army. On the 17th Timur halted, but on the 18th he marched from the bridge of Kiibila, and having marched five kos, arrived at the bridge of Yakr^n^ where he rested. On the 19th he marched to the town of Kaital. The distance between Kaital and Samana is seventeen kos, i.e., five legal /arsaMs and two miles.^

Array and March of the Army. When the princes and amirs of the army who had under the imperial command marched by different routes, had all joined the imperial standards, every ofiicer of the right and left wing was ordered to his own post. The Princes Pir Muhammad, Eustam, and Sulaiman Shah with several amirs, were placed over the right. Sultan Mahmud Khan, the Princes Khalll Sultan, and Sultdn Husain with amirs were in command of the left. In the centre were the tiimans of Allah-dad, of 'All Sultdn Tawcichi, and of other amirs. A march of six standard /flrsaMs and two miles towards Dehli was made. On the 22nd they arrived at the fort of Asandi, seven kos from Kaital. The inhabitants of S4mana, Kaital, and Asandi who were mostly fire-worshippers, burned their houses and fled to Delhi, so that none of them were met with* On the 23rd they marched from Asandi and arrived at the fort of Tughlikpur, six kos distant. The infidels of this place belonged to the religion of the Magi (sanawiyd) whose eyes had never been enlightened with the rays of the true religion. In the belief of these people there are two gods, one called Yazdan the other Ahriman whom they typify by light and darkness. They suppose all good to proceed from the one and all evil from the other. The people of this place who were also called Sdlim, had left it empty and fled. The soldiers set fire to the place and reduced it to ashes.

^ This stage is not mentioned in the Malfuzdt, neither is it noticed in the reyised MS., No. 985.

On the 24th the army arrived at the town of Panipat, a dis- tance of twelve hos from Tughlikpur. The inhabitants of this place also had taken flight and not a soul was found there. In the fort there was a store of wheat more than 10,000 heavy mans in weight or 160,000 of the legal or standard man. This was given to the soldiers. On the 25th Timur marched six kos from that place and encamped on the river of Panipat. On the 26th the amirs put on their armour ready for battle. On the 27th the order was given for the generals of the right wing to proceed to Jahan-numai, a building erected by FIroz Shah on a hill two farsakhs from Dehli. The river Jumna runs at the foot of this hill. They accordingly ravaged the country from the village of Kanhi-gazin to Jahan-numdi. The people were killed or made prisoners and great booty was carried off to the camp.

On the 29th Timur passed the Jumna near the village of Palla and marched towards the fort of Loni which is in a great pasture country. This fort is situated in the doab between the rivers Jumna and Halin. The latter is a large canal which Sultdn Shah brought from the river K^lini, and it joins the river Jumna near FirozS,bad. Amir Jahdn Shah, Amir Sh^h Malik, and Amir Allah-dad under Timtir's orders, advanced to the foot of the hill of Jahan-num4. Maimun Maishum the commandant of the fort, unmindful of Timtir's strength, would not capitulate, but prepared to offer resistance. As soon as Timur approached, a wise and venerable old man came out and surrendered, but the other inhabitants who were gabrs and servants of Mallu Khdn in their folly and presumption resolved to defend the place. The soldiers were immediately ordered to invest the fort and to take it by mining the walls. They accordingly commenced sapping in various places, and towards evening they took it. The gabrs had previously set fire to their houses in the fort and had burnt them with their wives and children. Timur remained outside of the fort that night. On the last day of Eabful-awwal he gave orders that such of the servants of Naukar Khdn and of the inhabitants of the place as were Muhammadans should be set

aside, and that all the rest, gdbrs and infidels, should be passed under the sword of Isl^m. All the inhabitants of the place were plundered except the saiyids who had been glorified with the light of the faith. The fort was burnt and laid waste.

On the 1st Rabi'u-1 akhir, Timiir mounted his horse and leaving the fort of Loni he went forth to reconnoitre. He pro- ceeded to the river Jumna near Jahan-numdi, and carefiiUy examined the fords. He then returned to the camp, and as Dehli was near he held a council with the princes and nobles as to the manner of besieging it. The decision arrived at was that plenty of grain and fodder should first be provided for the supply of the army and that then the siege should be entered upon. In pursuance of this plan Amir Sulaimdn Shah, Amir Jahan Shah, and others were sent out to plunder the environs of Dehli and bring in corn. On the following day he determined to pay a visit to the palace of Jahdn-numdi. He set out with 700 men clad in armour, and passing the river Jumna he carefully examined the palace. Firoz Shah had given to the place the name of Jahan-numai by inspiration as it was to become illus- trious by the visit of the Sovereign of the world.

After inspecting the place he looked around to discover the ground most suitable for a battle-field. 'All Sultan Tawdchi and Junaid Bur-uldai who had marched with the advance-guard now returned; the former brought in Muhammad Salaf, and the latter another person as prisoners. After questioning them Muhammad Salaf was put to death. At this juncture Mallu Khan was descried with 4,000 horse, 5,000 infantry, and twenty- seven elephants issuing from the groves near the city. They drew near, and Timur passed over the river to his camp. The advance-guard of the army, 300 men, under the command of Saiyid Khwaja and Mubdshar met and attacked them, leading them to the side of the river where a warm conflict took place. Timur ordered Sunjak Bahadur and A114h-d4d to support Saiyid Khwdja. They crossed the river with the utmost celerity, and joining their comrades they attacked the enemy with showers

of arrows. When the enemy saw the boldness and vigour of their assailants, they could not hold their ground, but broke and fled at the first charge. Saiyid Khw4ja pursued and killed many of them. In the flight a war elephant fell down and died ; an incident from which wise men drew an augury of victory.

March to the east of Loni — Massacre of Hindu prisoners.

On the 3rd Eabi'u-s sani Timur marched from Jahdn-numai, and pitched his camp to the eastward of Loni. All the princes and amirs who had been engaged in different expeditions assem- bled here under the royal banner [_and Timur harangued them on the operations of war"].

On the same day Amir Jahdn Shdh and other amirs repre- sented to Timur that from the time he crossed the Indus a hundred thousand Hindu prisoners, more or less, had been taken, and that these gabrs and idol-worshippers were kept in the camp. It was to be feared that in the day of battle with the forces of Dehli they might join the enemy. This opinion was confirmed by the joy which the prisoners had exhibited when Mallu Khan marched against the imperial forces at Jahdn-numai. Timur considered the point, and deeming the advice of his ofiicers to be wise, he gave orders for all the Hindu prisoners to be put to death. Every one who neglected to comply with this command was to be executed, and his wives, children, and goods were to become the property of the informer. In pursuance of this order 100,000 infidel Hindus were put to the sword. Mauland Nasiru-d din, a most distinguished ecclesiastic, had fifteen Hindus in his train, and he who had never caused a sheep to be slaughtered was obliged to have these fifteen Hindus killed. Timur also issued an order that one man out of every ten should be left in camp to guard the wives and children of the prisoners, and the captured cattle.

On the same day Timur resolved upon marching to Dehli, and setting off after mid-day prayer he encamped on the banks of the Jumna. The astrologers and soothsayers disputed with

each other as to whether the stars and presages were favourable. Timiir placed no reliance on their predictions, but put his trust in God, without whose pleasure nothing happens. Next morn- ing, after prayers, he took the holy book and opened it for a fU. The verse which came out was favourable to his enterprize. Trusting in this omen he crossed the river Jumna, and encamped on the other side on the 5th Eabi'n-s sdni. The soldiers by way of precaution intrenched their camp, which was near a little hill called Pushta-bihdli, and they fenced it in with branches of trees and palisades. In front of the ditch they fastened buflfalos together by their feet and necks, and inside the fence they raised pent-houses {khamha).

On the 7th Eabi'u-s sdni Timur settled the array of his army. Prince Pir Muhammad Jahdngir, Amir Y4dg4r Birlas, and others, were placed over the right wing. Prince Sultan Husain, Prince Khalil Sultan, Amir Jahan Shdh, and others, had com- mand of the left wing. The van-guard was placed under the command of Prince Rustam, Amir Shaikh Nuru-d din, and others. Timur himself commanded the centre. In this order, full of spirits and courage, the soldiers marched to the battle field.

The enemy also came out in battle array^ The centre was under Sultan Mahmiid, grandson of Sultan Firoz Shah, and Mallu Khdn. The right was commanded by Taghi Khan, Mir All Hauja, and others, and the left by Malik Mu'inu-d din, Malik Hani, and others. The enemy's army consisted of 12,000 veteran horsemen and 40,000 infantry, with all the appliances of war. Thus they advanced to the field of battle. The enemy's great reliance was on his enormous war elephants, 120 in number. They were covered with armour, and on their backs was a kind of litter or cage, in which cross-bow men and discus throwers were concealed. Sharp ;poisoned points were fastened firmly to their tusks. Eocket-men {takhsh-afgan) and grenade- throwers {ra'd-anddz) marched by their sides.

Although the army of Timur was weak compared with this Indian army, still his soldiers did not rate their enemy very highly. But although they had fought in many a hattle, and overthrown many an enemy, they had never before encountered elephants. They had heard by report that the bodies of these elephants were so hard that no weapon would pierce them ; that they could tear up strong trees with the wind (bad) of their trunks ; that they could knock down strong houses with the pressure of their sides ; and that in battle they could lift horse and horseman from the ground with their dragon-like trunk and raise them in the air. Exaggerations like these had raised ap- prehensions in the hearts of the soldiers. When Timtir pro- ceeded to appoint the places for the various officers of the Court, h«, in his princely kindness, asked the learned doctors of the Law who accompanied the army in this invasion where he should place them. They, terrified with the stories they had heard of the elephants, answered : " In. the same place as the ladies and women."

When Timur perceived this terror and alarm of his followers, to allay their fears he directed that they should fix palisades, and dig a trench in front of the army. In front of these he ordered buffalos to be placed side by side, and fastened firmly together by the neck and feet with leather thongs. He had strong iron claws made and given to the infantry, who were ordered to throw them on the ground in front of the elephants. .Mauldnd Shah4bu-d din Jami has celebrated these devices in one of his odes. Heaven was always favourable to Timur, and now gave him success without using any of these stratagems. He had on horseback ascended an eminence between the two armies, and examined all around. When he saw the opposing forces he alighted from his horse, and turning the face of sup- plication to heaven he offered his prayers, and begged for victory over his enemy. It was not long before a sign was given of the acceptance of this prayer. While Timur was offering his prayer to heaven, it came into the minds of Amir Shaikh Niiru-d din,

and the other officers in command of the van-guard, that if Timur sent a reinforcement to the right -wing and to the advance guard it would be a sure presage of victory. When Timur had finished his prayer, he sent Sultdn 'Ali Taw^chi and others from the centre to the support of the right wing, and another party to the support of the van-guard. These movements cheered up the spirits and strengthened the courage of the men. Th^ drew their sw«rds and rushed fearlessly on the lenemy. The elephants of mighty form and craven spirit ran off, and Timur thus ob- tained the victory.

The van-guard under Stinjak Bahidur and other officers, when they saw the enemy advancing against the right wing, placed themselves in -ambush, and when the advance-guard of the enemy had passed by, they rushed out in their rear with swords drawn and arms uplifted, and in one charge killed more than 500 of them. On the right wing the Prince Pir Muham- mad having advanced his men charged the enemy. He was supported by Amir Sulaim^n Shdh, and aided by fortune he used his swords upon the elephants.^ The men of the right wing with one accord advanced against the left of the enemy, which placed its reliance on the bravery of Taghi Kh4n, and drove it back as far as the Hauz-i Khdss, which is a wide and deep well, one of the works of Firoz Shdh. The left wing, under Prince Sultan Husain and others, charged with such force and bravery the enemy's right wing under Malik Mu'inu-d din, that it was broken, and Amir Jahan Sh^h pursued its scattered fugitives to. the very gates of Dehli. The centre of the enemy supported by the elephants advanced to attack in good order, but Prince Rustam and his coadjutors met them and made a stout resis- tance. The various officers brought their men into action and cut their way to the elephants. They killed the drivers, wounded the trunks of the animals with swords and arrows, and despatched them.

' Petis de la Croix here describes the defeat of the elephants, but his account is not to be found in any one of the four MSS. I have used.

The soldiers of India fought bravely for their lives, but the frail insect cannot contend with the raging wind, nor the feeble deer against the fierce lion, so they were compelled to take to flight. Sultdn Mahrnud Khdn, Mallu KJi^n, and those who fled with them, entered the city and closed the gates. Prince Khalil Sultdn, of the right wing, notwithstanding his youth, attacked one of the monster elephants, cut down his driver, and led the animal, as a husbandman drives a buffalo in the plough, to Timur.

When by the favour of God the enemy was defeated and put to flight, Timur advanced to the gate of DehH. He carefully examined the walls and bastions of that noble city, and then returned to the Hauz-i Khass. This is a reservoir constructed by Sultdn Firoz Shah, so large that an arrow cannot be shot from one side to the other. It is filled by the rain in the rainy season, and the people of Dehli obtain water from it all the year round. The tomb of Firoa Shdh is by its side. Timur encamped there and the princes and nobles and officers waited upon him and offered, congratulations- upon the victory. They then praised the bravery and reported, the valiant exploits performed by the princes and officers. Timur on hearing these reports was moved to tears, and gave thanks to God who had distinguished him above other monarchs by granting him such valiant sons and such faithful servants. * * *

Flight of SuUdn MahmM and Mallu Khan. Capture of Behli. After their defeat, Sultan Mahmud and Mallu Kh^ went to Dehli and repented of the course they had pursued and of the rash- ness they had displayed. But repentance after a disaster is of no avail. No resource but flight was left. So in the darkness of the night Sultan Mahmud left the city by the gate of Hauzr-rdni and Mallu Kh4n by the Baraka gate, both of which are to the south of the Jahan-pan4h. They fled into the desert. When Timtir was informed of their flight he sent Amir Sa'id and other officers in pursuit of them. These officers captured many fugi- tives and secured a large booty. They also made prisoners of

Mallu Khdn's sons, Saif Kh4n entitled Malik Sharfu-d din, and Khuda-ddd. On the same evening orders were given to Allah- dad and other officers to take possession of the gates of the city and to prevent the escape of any one.

On the 8th Eabi'u-s skni, Timtir hoisted his victorious flag on the walls of Dehlf. He then went to the gate of the maiddrir and took his seat in the Tdgdh. This gate is one of the gates of Jah4n-pau4h and opens towards the Sauz-i Khdss. There he held his court ; and the saiyids, the Mzis, the nobles and the great men who were in the city, hastened to pay their homage to him. Fazlu-Uah Balkhi, deputy of Mallu Khan, with all the officers of the diwdn, proceeded to make their submission. The saiyids, the ""ulamd, and .the shaikhs sought for protection through the inter- vention of the princes and officers. Prince Pir Muhammad, Amir Sulaim^n Shdh, Amir Jahan ShS,h, and others interceded for them in due season, and gained their object. The standard of victory was raised and drums were beaten and music played to proclaim the conquest to the skies. A poet also wrote some lines containing the date of the victory, — 8th Eabi'u-s sani, 801 <Dec. 17th, 1398).

The elephants and rhinoceroses were brought forth with their trappings and paraded before the emperor. The elephants all in token of submission bowed their heads to the ground and raised a cry altogether as if they were asking for quarter. There were 120 war elephants captured, and on the return home of the army some were sent to different parts of the empire for the use of the princes, and the others were sent to Samarkand. * * * Maulana Nasiru-d din was ordered to go with other learned doctors and great men into the mosque on the Sabbath, and proclaim the name of the Sdhib-kir^n Amir Timur G-ufg^n in the khutba, in the same way as the name of Firoz Sh^h and other Sult&ns had been proclaimed. * * *

On the 16th of the month a number of soldiers collected at the gate of Dehli and derided the inhabitants. When Timtir heard of this he directed some of the amirs to put a stop to it. But it

was the divine pleasure to ruin the city and to punish the inhabit- ants, and that was brought about in this way. The wife of Jahdn Malik 'AghS, and other ladies went into the city to see the palace of the Thousand Columns (Bazar-sMfjiw), which Malik Jauni had built in the Jahdn^'pandh. The officers of the Treasury had also gone there to collect the ransom money. Several thousand soldiers, with orders for grain and sugar; had proceeded to the city. An order had been issued for the officers to. arrest every nobleman who had fought against Timur and had fled to the city, and in execution of this order they were scattered about the city. When parties and bands of soldiers were going about the city, numbers of Hindus and gabrs in the cities of Dehli, Siri, Jahdn-pandh, and Old Dehli, seeing the violence of the soldiers,^ took up arms and assaulted them. Many of the infidels set fire to their goods and effects, and threw themselves, their wives and children, into the flames. The soldiers grew more eager for plunder and de- struction. Notwithstanding the boldness and the struggles of the Hindus, the officers in charge kept the gates closed, and would not allow any more soldiers to enter the city, lest it should be sacked. But on that Friday night there were about 15,000 men in the city who were engaged from early eve till morning in plundering and burning the houses. In many places the impure infidel gabrs made resistance. In the morning the soldiers who were outside, being unable to control themselves, went to the city and raised a great disturbanee. On that Sunday, the 17th of the month, the whole placed was pillaged, and several palaces in JahS,n-pan&h and Siri were destroyed. On the 18th the like plundering went on. Every soldier obtained more than twenty persons as slaves, and some brought as many as fifty or a hundred men, women, and children as slaves out of the city. The other plunder and spoils were immense, gems and jewels of all sorts, rubies, diamondsj stufis and fabrics of all kinds, vases and vessels of gold and silver, sums of money in ""aMi tankas, and other coins beyond aill computation. Most of the women who ^ This sentence is found only in one copy.

were made prisoners wore bracelets of gold or silver on their wrists and legs and valuable rings upon their toes. Medicines and perfumes and unguents, and the like, of these no one took any notice. On the 19th of the month Old Dehli was thought of, for many infidel Hindus had fled thither and taken refuge in the great mosque, where they prepared to defend themselves. Amir Shah Malik and 'Ali Sultan Tawachi, with 500 trusty men, proceeded against them, and falling upon them with the sword despatched them to hell. High towers were built with the heads of the Hindus, and their bodies became the food of ravenous beasts and birds. On the same day all Old Dehli was plundered. Such of the inhabitants as had escaped alive were made prisoners. For several days in succession the prisoners were brought out of the city, and every amir of a tumdn or kushiin took a party of them under his command. Several thousand craftsmen and mechanics were brought out of the city, and under the command of Timur some were divided among the princes, amirs, and dghds who had assisted in the conquest, and some were reserved for those who were maintaining the royal authority in other parts. Timur had formed the design of building a Masjid-i jamV in Samarkand, his capital, and he now gave orders that all the stone- masons should be reserved for that pious work. * * *

The three cities mentioned are thus described — Siri is sur- rounded by a round wall. Old Dehli by a similar wall, but larger. From the wall of Siri on the north-east to the wall of Old Dehli on the south-west, a wall has been erected on both sides, and the space between is called Jahan-panah. It is larger than Old Dehli. Three gates of Siri open towards Jah4n- panah and four towards the open country. Of Old Dehli five gates open into Jahan-panah and thirteen^ to the outside. Jahan- pan^h has thirteen gates, six to the north-east and seven to the south-west, making in all thirty gates to these three cities known by the common name of Dehli.

Sio. in two MSS., but the number of the gates of Old Dehli is not given in the other two. According to the Malfiadt, page 448 sttprd, the gates of Old Dehli were ten in number, and this makes the total (30) of the three cities complete.

TimUr marches from Dehli to other places in Hindustdn.

Timur remained at Dehli fifteen days, and then marched out to conquer other places in India, and to put down idolaters and rebels. When he was about to depart he directed that all the saiyids and kdzis, and doctors and shaikhs, should assemble in the great mosque of Jah^n-pan&h, and he appointed one of his own officers to be their keeper and prevent their being molested by the soldiers of the army. On the 22nd Eabi'u-1 akhir, 801, in the morning, Timur began his march and proceeded three kos to Firozabad. He halted there for an hour to view the beauties of the place. He then went to the mosque of Firozabad, which is built of hewn stone, on the banks of the Jusmna, and there per- formed his devotions, after which he mounted his horse and went outside of the town.

Saiyid Shamsu-d din Turmuzl and 'Alau-d din, deputy of

Shaikh Kukari, whom he sent as envoys to the city of Kiipila,

now returned, and reported that the prince of that place,

Bahadur Nihar, had made his submission, and would come in

on the Friday to pay his respects. Timur encamped beyond

Jah^n-numdi, near Wazirabdd. There his envoys presented to

him two white parrots, which had been sent by Bahadur Nihdr.

These two parrots survived from the time of Sultan Tughlik

Shah, and had often exhibited their powers of speech in the

assemblies of kings. Timur considered this offering as very

auspicious, and graciously accepted it. The distance from Dehli

to Wazirdbad is six kos. On the 23rd he marched from Wazir-

4bdd, and, crossing the Jumna, he proceeded six kos to the village

of Mudula. On the 24th he marched six kos, and encamped at

Katah. Here Bahadur Nihdr and his son, Kaltash,i arrived with

tribute and presents. They were admitted to an audience when

they paid their homage, and were treated with favour. On the

25th he made a day's march to Bdghpat, six kos distant. On

the next day he proceeded to the village of Asdr, which is situated

1 This is the reading of one MS. The others haye " Kalyash " and " Kat4sh," and one " Katlagh t&sh." See swpcd p. 449.

Capture of the Fort of Mirat. The fort of MIrat was one of the most famous in India. On the 26th Eabi'u-1 S,khir Timur sent Rustam Taghl Bfighd, Amir Shah Malik, and Allah-d4d from Asdr to the gates of that fort. On the 27th those officers reported that t\yks Agh&ni and his son, Maul4n4 Ahmad' ThEinesari, with a,ffahr named Safi^ and a body of gahrs, had fortified themselves in the place and had raised the standard of resistance, boasting that Tarmsharin Khan had attacked the fort, but was unable to take it. This defiance greatly incensed Timtir, especially the reference to the failure of Tarmsharin Ehan. On the same day, after mid-day prayer, he mounted his horsey and, taking with him 10,000 men, he marched rapidly to Mirat. That night he halted midway, and on the following day, the 29th, in the afternoon, he arrived at Mirat. He immediately issued orders to the commanders of regiments that each should begin mining the wall in front of his position, and when night came on it was found that an extent of ten to fifteen gaz had been sapped under each bastion and wall. The gahrs perceived this, and were so frightened that they lost all courage and ceased to defend themselves. Next day Amir Allah-dad, with his regiment of KucMns,^ called " the faithful," advanced to the gate of the fort, shouting the cry of victory. One of his followers, named Sar&i, son of Kalandar, a brave young fellow, first raised a scaling ladder against the battlements and mounted the wall. Other brave men followed him. They soon took Ilyas Agh4ni and his son Thdnesari, the commanders of the fort, and, putting ropes round their necks, brought them to Timur. Safi, the gabr, one of the chiefs of the fort, was killed in the engagement, and was punished by the fire he in error adored.^ Next day, the remaining gabrs were brought out

' Sir H. Elliot, in his Glossary, Vol. I., p. 119, quotes a passage from tlie Saiibu-a siyar as proving, beyond dispute, that this man was a fire-worshipper. That passage is derived directly or indirectly from the one before us, and there is no mistaking its words. Timiir, in his autobiography, however, simply calls the man "a gabr" which, as Sir H. Elliot says, has come to mean " an infidel in general." The words

and put to the sword. Their wives and children were made slaves. By the imperial order fire was then placed in the mines and the bastions, and the walls were thrown down and levelled with the ground. * * * Thus the fort which Tarmsharin Khan had failed to capture had been taken by a detachment of the im- perial army at the first assault. * * *

Timur having reduced the fort of Mirat on the 1st Jum^da-1 awwal, gave orders for Amir Jahdn Shdh to march with the left wing of the army against the upper parts of the river Jumna, to plunder the country and vex the infidels. He accordingly set off with all speed, and his baggage was sent after him, under Amir Shaikh Nuru-d din, with orders to proceed along the river Kar4-su. Timur himself marched towards the Ganges, fourteen hos distant from Mirat. On his march he was joined by Amir Sulaimdn ShSh. Resolved upon carrying the war against the gahrs of those parts, he proceeded six hos, and rested for the night at a village called Mansura. Early in the morning of the 2nd, he again set off towards the Ganges, and at sunrise reached a village called Pirozpur. He marched three kos along the bank, seeking a place to cross. At breakfest time the place of transit was found, but there was no ford offering an easy passage. Some horsemen passed over by swimming. Timur was about to cross in the same way, but the amirs who were present fell upon their knees and represented that Prince Pir Muhammad and Amir Sulaimdn Shah had passed the river with the right wing

of Sharafii-d din then ought only be tegarded as a rhetorical flourish, and although subsequent writers hawe copied them in earnest, they are too vague to be depended on. In Tlmtir's Memoirs, however [mprd ^. 431), there is a much more precise statement, where the infidels are not only called fire-worshippers, but their tenets are described; and this passage is reproduced in the Zafar-ndma, (page 494, «<pj-d). But, for all this, I am sceptical as to there being fire- worshippers in this part of India in TimiSr's days. Gabrs were infidels, and so, Musulmin intolerance and contempt made all infidels gahrs. Thus it was easy for one man to call the Hindu infidel by the opprobrious term gair or aemavii in a loose general way, meaning nothing more than anti-Musulml.n, and for another to understand those terms in their true literal meanrng.

of the army near Pirozpur. It would therefore be better for his majesty to remain for a day on that side of the river. Timur consented to this proposal, but gave orders that some brave men should cross. Saiyid Khw4ja, and several other bold men be- longing to the division of Prince Shih Rukh, accordingly crossed. Tiratir then marched two kos on the bank of the river and en- camped. On the 3rd he marched towards Tughlikpiir, which is situated on the upper part of the Ganges, at twenty kos distance. When he had made fifteen kos a report was brought in that there was a Hindu force assembled by the side of the river. He then directed Amir Mubashir, 'AH Sultan, and other chiefs to march against them with 5,000 horse, while he went on to Tughlikpur. As he proceeded he was taken ill suddenly, and a swelling rose in his arm. The doctors and attendants exerted themselves to alleviate the malady.

While he was in this condition intelligence was brought that a large body of gahrs was coming on the river in forty-eight boats. When he heard this, the prospect of fighting against the infidels made him forget his malady. He mounted his horse, and, with a thousand of his guards, went to the bank of the river. When they caught sight of the enemy some of Timur's brave followers, heedless of their own safety, threw themselves into the river and swam to engage the enemy. Others kept up a discharge of arrows against the enemy from the banks of the river, who, in their ignorance, did nothing but put up their shields over their heads and discharge arrows in return. The body of men who had entered the river on horseback and swam off to the boats now reached them, and grappling the sides with their hands they boarded them. Having thus taken most of the boats they put the men to the sword, and made prisoners of the women and children. With the captured boats they made the best of their way to the remaining boats, ten^ in number. These the enemy lashed together in the middle of the river, and prepared for resistance. But our men engaged them, and de- spatched all the infidels either with their arrows or their swords. 1 One copy says " two " only.

Timber makes three Attacks upon the Enemy in one Bay. As soon as Timur had defeated these boats on the Ganges, he left the river and marched to Tughlikpur, where he encamped. On the same night, the 4th of the month of Jum4da-1 awwal, two persons arrived from Amir AUah-ddd, BAyizid Kuchin and Altun Bakshi, commanders of the advance-guard, bringing intelligence that they had found a good ford and had crossed the Ganges. There they had found a large body of the enemy, confident in numbers, and prepared to fight, under the command of a leader named Mubdrak KhS,n. As soon as Timur heard this, he resolved to march against the. infidels, and, before break of day, he mounted his horse, and crossed the river with a thousand horsemen. After marching a kos he halted for the morning prayer, and his men harnessed on their cuirasses, in readiness to encounter the enemy. As they ap- proached, they found Muhammad Khan, with 10,000 men, horse and foot, drawn up in battle array, ready for the fight, with drums beating and banners flying.

Timur perceived that the foe, the enemies of religion, were numerous and bold, while his own followers were few. The two wings of the army were far away, and there was no help for it but to put his trust in God and fight bravely. While he was thus in anxiety, 5,000 horse belonging to the tiimdns of Prince Shah Eukh, who had crossed the river with Saiyid Khwaja and Jah^n Malik, now came up and joined him, as if by ar- rangement. Such was the special mercy of God. Timur first ofiered his thanksgivings. Then he ordered Amir Shdh Malik and Amir Allah-dad to attack the enemy with a thousand horse- men of his guard, and to do so without any fear of their number and strength. These amirs, without hesitation, drawing their swords and placing themselves at the head of their thousand men, rushed towards the enemy. This bold charge filled Mubdrak Kh4n and the enemy with fear, so that they turned and fled without waiting for the attack. They made for the jungle, but our men pursued them and killed a great number, and brought

in their wives and children as prisoners, as well as vast spoil in cattle.

Timur halted there for a little while, but intelligence was soon brought to him that there was a large body of gahrs assembled in the valley of Kupila,^ on the banks of the Ganges, He set off thither immediately with 500 men, leaving the rest of the army occupied in securing the spoil. When they approached the valley of Kupila, they perceived a large body of the enemy. Amir Shdh Malik and 'Ali Sultan Tawdchi, notwithstanding their scanty followers, charged the enemy boldly sword in hand and cut many of them down, so that, notwithstanding the superior numbers of the enemy, they were defeated and put to flight, and large booty was found. While the men were engaged in securing the spoil? Timur was left with only a hundred of his guards, when an officer of the gabrs, by name Malik Shaikha, with a hundred^ men, horse and foot, made a charge upon him. Timur faced his assailant and hastened to meet him, but when they were about an arrow's flight apart, one of the soldiers, without having well ascertained what he asserted, told Timiir that it was Shaikh Kukari, one of his faithful adherents, who was advancing to meet him. Timur consequently turned back towards the hill. The gabr Shaikha then cut down several of the soldiers, and Timur, perceiving this, turned against his enemy. Shaikha was wounded in the belly with an arrow and cut down with a sword. He was then bound with a cord and brought into the presence of Timur, who wished to interrogate him, but he died before he could reply.

Intelligence was now brought that about two kos distant, in the valley of Kupila, there was a large body of infidel Hindus as- sembled. The way thither lay through a jungle which was thick with trees and hard to traverse, such as the morning breeze could hardly penetrate. Timiir had already undergone the toil of fighting twice before that day and wanted a little rest, but by the

' Here one MS,, and that tte most sober one, magnifies the assailants into "several thousand desperate men sword in hand."

will of God, being thus again summoned, he set off with a party of guards and several commanders of regiments, and marched against the enemy in fiiU reliance upon Divine support. The road to the valley was diflScult, the enemy numerous, and his followers few. Eeviewing these circumstances, Timur could not help thinking how fortunate it would be if his son Pir Muhammad and Amir Sulaimdn Sh4h should come up. Three days before Timur had detached them to ravage the country and plunder the infidels and fire-worshippers. They had crossed the Ganges at Pirozpur, and had no knowledge of Timur having also crossed and being near them. But soon after afternoon prayer the wish which Timiir had conceived was realized, and the prince came up with his detachment and joined his father. They advanced together against the gabrs, assailing them with arrows and the sword. They killed a great many of them and secured a large booty, including a vast number of camels and cattle. In that one day Timtir had fought in three different engagements. When the day drew to a close he found himself victorious and the infidels discomfited, but there was no place in the jungle where he could encamp, so he returned with his spoil to the place where he had won his second victory.

Destruction of Gabrs in the Valley of Kivpila. — Account of a Stone Cow worshipped hy the Gabrs.

The valley of Kupila is situated at the foot of a mountain by which the river Ganges passes. Fifteen hos higher up there is a atone in the form of a cow, and the water of the river flows out of the mouth of that cow. The infidels of India worship this cow, and come hither from all quarters, fi'om distances even of a year's journey, to visit it. They bring here and cast into the river the ashes of their dead whose corpses have been burned, believing this to be the means of salvation. They throw gold and silver into the river ; they go down alive into the river, bathe their feet, sprinkle water on their heads, and have their heads and beards shaved. This they consider to be an act of devotion, just as

the Muhammadans consider the pilgrimage to Mecca a pious work.'

In this valley there was a large concourse of Hindus, having great riches in cattle and movables, so Timiir resolved to attack them. On the 6th Jum^da-1 awwal he set his army in motion towards Kupila. It was the will of Heaven that these infidels should perish, so in the pride of their numbers and strength they awaited his approach, and had the temerity to resolve upon resis- tance. At the rising of the sun our army reached the valley. The right wing was under the command of Prince Pir Muham- mad and Amir Sulaimdn Shah, and the left under some renowned leaders. Amir Shah Mahk and other officers with the centre began the attack. When the cries of our men and the noise- of our drums reached them, the courage of the infidels failed. In their terror they fled for refuge to the mountains, but they were pursued and many were slain. A few who, half-dead, escaped the slaughter, were scattered abroad. All their property and goods became the spoil of the victors.

The country having thus been cleansed from the pollution of infidels, the army returned back on the same day and recrossed the Ganges. Then Timur returned thanks for his victories, after which he mounted his horse and marched five kos down the river and there encamped.

Timiir' s resolution to retire from Hindustan. When Dehli and its territories had been purged from the foul pollution of gabrs and idolaters, Timur formed the resolve of returning home. On the 6th Jumdda-1 awwal, 801 H., he de- parted from the banks of the Ganges. Orders were issued for the march, and for the tawdcMs to bring up the heavy baggage. On the 6th a march of six kos was made, and then a halt was called ; the baggage in this march being four kos in the rear. At this sta^e Timur learned that in the valleys of the Siwdlik mountains

1 Two of the MSS. here refer to 'UtM for a short notice of MahmUd's conquests, which the other two manuscripts omit.

there was collected a large number of Hindus ready for battle. Timur then gave orders that the troops in charge of the baggage should inarch to these mountains. He himself having marched rapidly thither, encamped in the hills of Siw^lik. In this march Prince Khalil Sultdn and Amir Shaikh Nuru-d din came up from the baggage and joined Timur. * * * On the same day an order was issued that Amir Jahdn Sh^h, one of the officers of the left wing, who had been absent for a week in a raid upon the upper parts of the Jumna, should come in and take part in the operations against the infidels. In compliance with this order he hastened to the royal camp.

Raid into the Siwdlik Mils. On the 10th Jum4da-1 awwal Timur marched to attack the Siwilik hills. In that mountain valley there was a rdi named Bahruz. He had collected a great number of people around him, and had formed a numerous army. Relying besides upon the strength of the position which he occupied, he was bold and resolved upon resistance. Timur appointed Prince Pir Muham- mad and several amirs of the right wing, and Prince Sultdn Husain and sundry officers of the left wing, to march and attack the infidels. Amir Shaikh Nuru-d din led the advance-guard of the centre. Thus they marched against the enemy, while Timtir halted at the mouth of the valley. The soldiers fought most valiantly and made dreadful slaughter of the enemy. They obtained a decisive victory, and acquired a great booty in valuables, slaves and cattle. With the desire of doing justice, Timur ordered that the strong men of the force, who had secured as their share of the spoil three or four hundred head of cattle each, should give up part of them to the weaker men, so that all might obtain a share in the fruits of the victory, and no man remain empty-handed. This decision gave great satisfaction. The victorious force marched and joined the royal camp at the village of Bahrah, a dependency of BakrI, well known as the VOL. III. 33

country of Miydpur.i On the 12th he marched four kos from Bahrah and encamped at the village of Shikk-Sdrs&wa. In conse- quence of the immense booty which the army had gained, it was impossible to march more than four kos per day. On the 13th he marched and encamped at Kandar, a distance of nearly four kos.

Raid into other parts of the Siwdlik hills. On the 14th Jumada-1 awwal Timiir passed the Jumna and proceeded to another part of the Siwalik hills. There he heard that one of the rdis of Hind, called Eatan, had assembled a great number of Hindus, and had taken post on the lofty heights in the thick forests. The hills were so high that no eye could see from the bottom to the top, and the trees so dense that the rays of the sun and moon could not reach the ground. It was impos- sible to make a passage without cutting down the trees. But for all this Timur did not hesitate, and without even waiting; for the night to pass, he, on the 15th,^ gave his order for the advance. The troops accordingly marched on by the light of torches, and employed themselves in cutting down the trees and clearing a way. In that night they made a progress of twelve kos, and in the morning of the 15th they penetrated between the Siwdlik mountain and the Kuka mountain. Here Eai Ratan had taken up his position, with his forces drawn up in regular battle array, with right wing and left wing, and centre and supports.' But when the noise of our music and the cries of our soldiers reached the ears of the Hindus, they wavered and fled without waiting for the attack. Our ojBficers and men pursued them, and put many of them to the sword. All their property in movables and cattle fell into the hands of the victors. Every soldier obtained a hundred to two hundred head of cattle and from ten to twenty slaves.

■ ' It must be remembered that the Muhammadan day begins at sunset.

On the same day Prince Pir Muhammad and Amir Shah Malik, in command of the right wing, went to another valley, where he destroyed many Hindus and obtained great spoil. The left wing, also under Prince Jahan Sh^h, attacked and destroyed a body of Hindus in another direction, but they did not obtain so large a booty. On the night of the 16th both wings came up and joined the main body. In the morning Timur left the valley between the two mountains and returned to the Siwalik mountain. From this encampment to the country of Nagarkot there was a distance of fifteen parasangs. In this valley there are many dense jungles, and the mountains are high and difficult of asceM. Timur heard that there were great numbers of infidels in the mountains, and he determined to disperse and destroy them. The men of the left wing under Amir Jah4n Shah, and the army of Khurdsan, had acquired but little spoil, so he sent them out to make a raid and collect plunder. Early on that day Sain Tamur,^ commander of the advance-guard, came in to report that the number of Hindus in front exceeded all calculation. Timur therefore held his ground while the left wing was absent, engaged in its work of plunder. The men of this force put a great many infidels to death, and acquired great spoil in wealth and cattle. On the same day, at noon, news came from the reoriment of Amir Shaikh Nuru-d din and 'Ali Sultan Tawachi that there was, upon the left, a valley in which many Hindus had gathered, having with them much wealth and cattle. Timur immediately proceeded thither, and ordered the two officers who had made the report to attack the infidels. They accordingly fell upon the enemy and put many to the sword, and while they did so Timur stood upon the summit of a hill watching them and encouraging them with his presence. Many of the infidels were killed and wounded, and those who were able fled, leaving a great booty behind, which the victors brought into the presence of Timur, who warmly praised their bravery. Vast quantities

^ The printer of the French translation has converted this name into "Sainte Maura ! "

of cattle were taken, and Timur stayed upon the mountain until evening, in order that the booty might be fairly distributed, and each man get his share. Every man got as much as he could take care of. That night they encamped in the valley. In the jungles there were many monkeys, and when night came on they entered the camp and carried oflf the things of the soldiers. In the course of one month, from the 16th of Jumd,da-1 awwal, when Timur was between the mountains Siwdlik and Kuka, to the 16th of Jumada-s skni, when he arrived at Jammu, he had twenty conflicts with the infidels and took seven fortresses, each of them a Khaibar in strength. These forts were situated one or two parasangs apart, and their occupants were all at war with each other. In the days of the old Sultdns they had paid the jizya, but they had broken away from their allegiance to the sovereigns of IsMm, and would not now pay the tax, so the slaughter and plunder of them was lawful and laudable. One of these fortresses belonged to Shaikhu, a relation of Malik Shaikh Kukar,^ and he, by means of a few Musulmans who dwelt there, had induced the inhabitants to make submission to Timur, and outwardly to admit their subjection. But proofs of their aversion and hatred soon become apparent, for when the ransom money was assessed upon them, they made all sorts of excuses and evasions. One of Timiir's of&cers thereupon resorted to a clever stratagem. He gave orders that cast-off clothes and old bows should be accepted in payment of the ransom, and as he offered a good pripe for these things of little value, they brought forth their damaged weapons of all descrip- tions and sold them for a high price. By this sharp device they were led to strip themselves of their arras, so that they had no weapons left. After this an imperial order was issued that forty persons should be sent in to be the servants (khuddm) of Hindu Shah, the treasurer, one of his majesty's courtiers. The infidels resisted this order, and killed some Musulmdns. It thus became necessary for the soldiers of the Faith to exact vengeance. They ' Or " Shaikha Krikari."

assaulted the fort and took it. 2,000 infidels were put to the sword, and the smoke of their consuming goods rose from their roofs to the sky.i

Of these forts, the fort of Deo Eaj and five others were all taken ; and in a short time the country was cleansed from the wickedness of the idolaters and infidels. The foundations of idolatry were uprooted, and the basis of the true religion and law was firmly laid.

When Timur had completed his campaign in the Siwdlik, he resolved to march against the country of Jammu. On the 16th Jumada-1 dkhir he left the village of Mansar. After a march of six kos, he arrived and encamped near the village of B^ila, in the Jammu territory. On the same day he sent Amir Shaikh Mu- hammad Aikutmur and other oflicers against that village. The men of B4ila were very brave, and they had some strong jungles. They placed palisades (chapar) along the edges, and then stood ready to fight and slay. The brave warriors of Islam were about to attack them without hesitation, when an order arrived from TImur ordering the assault to be postponed till the morrow, as he himself intended to be present.

On the 17th Jumada-1 dkhir, Timur mounted his horse and arranged his forces in order of battle, with right wing, left wing, and centre. The soldiers raised their war-cry, which resounded to the sky, and the infidels on hearing it were filled with terror and fled to the woods, abandoning their village. Thither the soldiers pursued them, and pulling up the palisades they took their post on the border of the jungle, while other soldiers plundered the village in safety. Great quantities of grain and fodder were secured, sufficient to supply the wants of the army.

1 The editor of the revised MS. here adds : " The writer of these sheets considers that, although historians have credited the story of the people of the fort haying brought out all their arms and sold them to pay the ransom, still it does not appear to he so probable as they represent it. There were quite sufficient proofs of the malice, had faith, and rebellious spirit of the infidels. God tnows the truth."

On the same day the army marched four kos and encamped. It was then joined by U'ljah Tamur Tunkatar, and Fuldd, and by Prince Rustam's confidant Zainu-d din, who had been sent as ambassadors on the part of Timtir from Dehli to Kashmir. They brought with them letters to Timur from Iskandar Shah, king of Kashmir, and were attended by ambassadors from him. The letters were presented, and Timur was informed that the king made his submission and had come as far as the village of Jahdn.^ At this stage Maulana Nuru-d din, the ambassador, represented to his majesty that the officers of the Exchequer had called upon his master for a contribution of 30,000 horses and 100,000 durusts of gold, each durust weighing two and a half miskdis. He (the Sh4h) had therefore gone to Kashmir to endeavour to provide for this demand, and would return when ready to discharge it. When Timur heard of this, he disap- proved of the demand made by his revenue officers, saying that they had pressed too heavily on Sh4h Iskandar, and had demanded more than the country of Kashmir could furnish. It was unjust and improper to demand from any country more than its extent and resources could pay. The ambassadors represented the ready submission of Shah Iskandar, and Timur was pleased to act liberally towards him. He ordered the ambassadors to return to their master, and tell him on no account to fail in obey- ing the orders he should receive. On the following day, 18th Jumada-1 akhir, the ambassadors were sent back, with the faithfiil Zainu-d din, with directions that in twenty-eight days from that date he should come and wait upon Timur on the banks of the Indus. Near this camp there was a village, at the foot of a mountain, in whicli were many people. The soldiers attacked it, put the Hindus to the sword, and set fire to the village. They carried off plenty of grain and fodder. On the same day, in the after- noon, they attacked two other villages which were near, and again found abundance of provisions, which they carried off. In this

' Variants, "J'ah^n," " Chahkn," "Jfriy6ii." The real name appears to be Jabhta. See pp. 470, 476, and 621.

march Ara-tamtir, one of the emperor's officers, was wounded with an arrow. On the 19th, Timur marched again a distance of four or five parasangs through a well-cultivated country, where plenty of pasture was found for the horses. On the 20th, the army marched towards the town of Jammu, which is situated in a valley where the river Jammu rises. The army passed the river several times, and encamped at the foot of a mountain on the left of the town of Jammu. On the right was the village of Manu. These places where inhabited by robust, tall, and power- fiil Hindus ; brave but ignorant. They considered their moun- tains and jungles to be so strong and secure that they could not be penetrated, and they sent off their wives and children thither. The rdi, with a force of bold and fearless men, had taken his stand in a strong position on the mountain,where they discharged their arrows and kept on shouting like dogs baying the moon. Timur resolved to proceed against them by stratagem, so he gave orders that they should be left alone, and that the village of Manti should be attacked. The soldiers accordingly plundered that village, and as they were returning they entered the town of Jammu, and carried off a large quantity of grain and provisions. Timiir then ordered several regiments of active men to place themselves in ambush in the groves, and to remain there while he marched away with the (rest of the) army. On the 21st he passed the river of Jammu, and marching four kos through culti- vated lands, he encamped in a pasturage on the banks of the river Ohindwa.^ When he had left the valley of Jammu and Manu, the Hindus, like foxes, thinking that the mighty lion had left the field, came out of their holes in the jungle, quite unaware of the ambuscade prepared for them. They were suddenly assailed by the concealed troops, who put numbers of them to the sword. Daulat-tamur Tawachi and Husain Malik Kuchin made the rdi of Jammii prisoner, with fifty of his infidels, and brought them to Timur _who praised his officers and gave thanks to God.'\ These men were put in chains and bonds, but the rdi, who was wounded, ' a, lip- See p. 472, supri.

was carefully tended, for the sake of getting the ransom-money. By hopes, fears, and threats, he was brought to see the beauty of Isldm. He repeated the creed, and ate the flesh of the cow, which is an abomination among his compatriots. This obtained for him great honour, and he was taken under the protection of the emperor. On the 21st the army halted, waiting for the arrival of the division which had marched aisainst Ldhor.

Proceedings at Ldhor^ with Shaikha Kiikar.

At this place intelligence arrived that the princes and officers who had been sent against L^hor had taken possession of that city, and were engaged in realizing the ransom-money. They had also taken prisoner Shaikha Kukar, who had not been true to his professions. * * The history of this is, that Shaikha Kukar, brother of Nusrat Kukar, of whom mention has been made in the early part of the history of this invasion, had been taken into honour by Timur, and had been marked with great favour, so that wherever in Hindustan any people were found who declared themselves to be his subjects and dependents, they were exempted from pillage and from being made prisoners. In the Doab, between the rivers Ganges and Jumna, he sought permission to return home, for the purpose of raising his contribution and tribute, promising to rejoin the camp of Timur on the river Biydh, which is also called the river of Labor. When he obtained permission and returned home, he forgot his promise, and gave himself up to pleasure and dissipation. He allowed the ap- pointed time to pass by, regardless of his oaths and promises, and he entirely neglected to show any attention and honour to several of Timur's officers who passed through Ldhor on their way to join their master. In consequence of this conduct, Timur gave orders for ravaging his country and making him prisoner.

On the 24th of the month the army crossed the Chinawa, and encamped after a march of five hos. * * On the 25th, several of the sick soldiers i^zdifdn) were drowned in the river. Timur was ' The name is still written "LaliS.war,"

sorry for the poor men, and ordered that his own horses and oamels should be used to carry the survivors over. On the 26th, Titnur left the shores of the Ohindwa, and after a march of six kos encamped in a desert. * * He here determined to cross the river Dandana before his army, and started oflF in advance. On the 27th he v\ras carried in a litter for six kos, and encamped on the edge of a jungle. In the course of this day a tiger {sher) was seen and was hunted. It was killed by Shaikh Ndru-d din. Prince Pir Muhammad and Prince Eustam, accompanied by the Amirs Sulaim^n Sh^h and Jah4n Shdh, arrived from Labor. They had slain many infidel Hindus, had gained a large booty, and now returned to the imperial presence to oiFer their spoil. * * On the same day an order was issued that the amirs of the left wing and the amirs of regiments should all proceed to their homes by certain settled routes. The princes, the nunidns, the amirs of tumdns, of thousands and of regiments, all received robes and gifts according to their merits. Prince Pir Muhammad Jahangir received a jewelled girdle and diadem. The Indian chiefs and all the officers and attendants and saiyids who had accompanied him received princely gifts and permission to return home. Khizr Kh4n, whom Sdrang had taken and confined in a fort, and who, having made his escape, fled to Baydna, a depen- dency of Dehli, to Ahodan, the Musulmdn governor, and who there came in and made his submission to Timur, was appointed governor of Multdn.

[A. great hunt in which many rhinoceroses were kiUed.l On the 28th Jumada-1 akhir, after the hunt was over, the army marched eight kos, to a place called Jabhd,n, on the frontier of Kashmir, a very lovely and pleasant spot.

[^Description of Kashmir.'] There is a city named Naghaz, which is the residence of the rulers Qiukkdm) of the country. Like Baghddd, the city has a large river running through it, but the waters of this river exceed those of the Tigris. It is

extraordinary that the waters of so great a river all spring from one source, which source is situated in this country itself, and is called Yir. * * * This river, after passing from the confines of Kashmir, is known by different names in different places. First it is called Dandana, then Jamd. Above Mult4n it joins the Chindwa, and the two flow together past that city, and below it join the river E^vi, which passes on the other side of the city. Afterwards the river Biyah joins them, and the united streams pass by TJch and join the Sind or Indus. * * * On the 29th Timur marched fi-om Jabhan, a distance of four kos, and then encamped on the banks of the Dandana. He ordered a bridge to be thrown over the river, which was a great relief to the infantry, both Turks and Tdjiks. * * *

On the last day of Jum^da-1 dkhir, Timur set out in advance of his army towards Samarkand. He marched twenty kos down the river Danddna to the village of Sambast, belonging to the Jud mountains. On the 1st Eajab he proceeded to the vicinity of the fort of Baruja, and there halted; but on the same day, in the afternoon, he mounted his horse and entered the desert called Ohol-i Jalali. Making all possible speed, he came out of the desert in the evening, and encamped by the side of a pool (magkdk) which still retained some of the waters of the rainy season. This place is three kos distant from Baruja. On the 2nd Eajab, at breakfast time, he reached the river Sind. The officers who had been appointed to guard the way from Naghaz to Bdnu had built a bridge with tripod trestles over the river. Timur passed over this bridge, and rested on the bank of the river till noon. Amir AUah-ddd was left in charge of the bridge, to keep it for the transit of the baggage and the army coming up behind. In the afternoon Timtir marched ten kos, and then encamped, and marching again on the 4th he made a day's journey to Banu.

[The following analyses of some of the poetical works of Amir Khusru, with the copious extracts, are all the work of Sir H. Elliot. Mr. Bloohmann, the present learned and active secretary of the Asiatic Society of Bengal, has just declared that "it would be of interest to examine Khusru's KJiazdinu-l futuh and the Kirdnu-s Sa'dain from a historical point of view." ' That examination Sir H. Elliot made twenty-five years ago, nor did he confine his investi- gations to these two works of the great poet. He carefully perused other poems of this most copious writer. By his brief abstracts he has given a general notion of the character and contents of each work, and he has translated those passages which have an historical interest.

In the notice preceding the extracts from the Tdrikh-i 'Aldi (swprd, p. 67), he has given a short account of the author, and of that prose work, which after all is more of a poem than a history. Amir Khusru, the "Parrot of Hind," whose name was Yaminu-d din Muhammad Hasan, was one of the most prolific poets that the world has ever produced, for he is said to have left behind him "some half million of verses." ^ Without answering for the accuracy of this prodigious number, a mere glance at the list of his productions, or a perusal of the following extracts, wUl establish the boundless fertility of his muse. He was born in 651 a.h. (1253 a.d.), and died in 725 h. (1325 a.d.). His father was a military chief, and he himself was attached to the Court. " He lived in a stirring time," when the Mughals were making reiterated efforts to work their way into India. He fell a prisoner into their hands, as we have been told by Bami (swprd, p. 122), and the frequent references made to him by that author prove the esteem and honour in which he was held.]

1 Journal, No. 1. 1870. ^ Cowell, Joum. As. Soc. Beng., xxix. p. 225.

[" The Conjunotion of the Two Auspicious Planets," the poem in ■which Khusrii celebrates the meeting of Sultan Kai-kub^d, with his father, Nasiru-d din, Sultan of Bengal. This poem was completed in Eamazan 688 h. (September, 1289 A.D.). Professor Cowell has given an account of it, with some specimens, in the Journal of the Asiatic Society of Bengal for 1860, and from that article the fol- lowing criticisms are quoted: "The style of the poem (as of all Khusru's works) is fuU of exaggeration and metaphorical descrip- tion, but the facts of the history are generally given with tolerable fidelity. In fact, few historical poems in any language adhere more closely to the actual order and character of the events ; and when we compare Ferishta's account with the poetical version, we are struck by their great agreement in the main points." "Every now and then, at the end of many of the chapters, there is given a ghazal, which is supposed to express the poet's feelings contemporary with that part of the story which has just been described, something like the songs introduced between the parts of Tennyson's Princess. These ghazals are ia various metres, and serve admirably to diversify the poem, while at the same time they form a running commentary, like the choruses of a Greek play, on the progress of the action, and the hopes and fears which it may be supposed to excite in the minds of the spectators. The poet, having actually been present through- out the campaign, is in this way enabled to throw himself into the scene, and we have thus an interesting mixture of the epic and lyric elements, each portion of the action being represented from an objective and subjective point of view."]

Praise of God and the Prophet, and panegyric upon Mu'izzu-d din Kai-kubad, king by virtue of three descents : the first from Sultan Shamsu-d din Altamsh, the grandfather of his grandmother ; the second from Nasiru-d din Mahmud Shah, the father of his grand- mother ; the third from Ghiyasu-d din Balban, his grandfather. Praise of the city of Dehli, which has three large forts and thirteen gates ; of the Masjid-i Jdma' and its lofty minaret, buUt by Shamsu-d

•din ; of tlie Hauz-i Shamsi, the terrace and dome wMch are in tte centre of the Sauz. Praise of Hindustan, and the iahabitants of Dehli, its learned doctors, poets, singers, and chiefs.

"When Sultan Kai-kubad succeeded his grandfather Balban on the throne in h. 686, there were nearly five thousand nobles in attend- ance upon him, -with an army of one hundred thousand men. His kingdom extended from the borders of Bengal to the river Sind. Upon receiving the news of his accession, his father, Baghrd Khan, the son of Balban, advanced from his capital, Lakhnautf, to Oudh, with a powerful army, had the hhuiba read in his name, and pro- claimed himself king under the title of Nasiru-d dfn Sultan.'

Kai-kubad, on receiving intelligence of his father's having marched to Oudh, ordered his officers to collect an army, which amounted to one hundred thousand horsemen. "He despatched his orders to every country, he summoned a chief from every city. The nobles of the land were assembled together; Malilcs, Klidns, Princes, and Kings ; all the swordsmen of the country of Hind, all the spear- men of tho province of Sind. The horsemen were so many that Ehaspas were of no consideration, and FAiks and Afghans were without number."

" On the forenoon of Monday, at the close of the month Zi-1 hij, the victorious banners were displayed, and the moon-standard was exalted to the heavens. The king rode out from his fortunate palace, preceded by the star-banner and the cow-tail." His right wing was at Tilpat, his left wing at Indaipat, and the Pdigdh-i Mds at Sirri, and his elephants occupied a breadth of thi-ee miles at Hapur. The king mounted his horse and went to Kilokhari to hunt. Praise of the new palace which he built there on the bank of the Jumna, and a description of the festivities he enjoyed there, and the charms of the season of autumn.

"The king was thus enjoying himself at this season, when the report of a Mughal invasion fell upon the earth. Several messengers

1 About this period the title of " Defender of the Faith" appears to have been a favourite with Kings. We find Khusrti in the Diwdn called Wastu-l haydt, speak- ing of Balban as Nasiru-d din, which was the distinctive title of his predecessor.

arrived swift as an arrow from a bow, and kissed the gromid like a barb, reporting that the Mughals had arrived from beyond the border, with an army as dense as the sands of the desert, and tumul- tuous as boiling water in a cauldron ; the people of that country were ground down to the dust, and slaughter accompanied the devas- tators wherever they went. The impetuous torrent of invasion swept on, and the inhabitants of Lahniir (Lahore) fled to Multan."

" When the king learnt from his messengers the disobedience of those wretches, he laughed bitterly like a lion in anger, and ex- claimed, ' This is indeed ridiculous that, during my reign, foreigners should dare to make a commotion in my cradle. If my holy warriors should not be able to protect me, infidels may well commit their ravages in my country. Dominion over all the world is miae, why should I feel any anxiety about the designs of others ? What wUl the people of every kingdom say ? I am king, and destroy the forts of enemies. How can the owl dare with long talons to snatch prey from the nest of the falcon ? A dog may be very bold after a deer, but how can he contend with a lion ? It is I who take every year from the rdis of Hind tribute in elephants and money. Sometimes I pay my army by assignments upon Gujarat, sometimes upon Deogir.^ All my swift horses I obtain from Tilang, all my vigorous elephants from Bengal. Treasures of mine are deposited in Malwa and Jajnagar. My tunics are obtained from Khita, the borders of Chin are tied in my waistband. Shall I take the cotton from my ears and attend to this perfidious tribe with their quilted dresses ? The bones of their army will I pound into flocks of cotton. Though their hordes be like ants and locusts, I shall tread them under foot like insects on the road. My heart disposes me to leap from my throne and lay the head of Kara Khan beneath my feet ; but again I should feel foul scorn that my sword should be tarnished with the blood of a dog. No one would condescend to shoot an arrow at a dead body ; it is only a pellet-ball that is fit for such vile game as this.'

"When he had finished these words, the wise 'A'riz summoned the army. The king said, ' I desire that thirty thousand serviceable

' This is also so spelt by Badr-Chioh, and is the usual mode adopted by Khusrii and other writers of this period. It is also authorized by coins.

cavalry may be told off for the pursuit of tlie Muglials. At the head of them set the swordsman, Barbak Khan-i Jahan, the active def eater of armies.' Then the wise 'A'riz, by order of the Shdh, detached the army in pursuit of the enemy. The Bdrhak took post in the centre, and prepared for fight, and a hundred chiefs of lofty stature were under his orders. * * * They proceeded from place to place with such expedition that they outstripped the morning breeze. In that country not a name or vestige remained of any building where the vile feet of the Mughals had trod. From the boundary of Samana as far as Lahnur (Lahore), not a house was left standing except at Kasur."

" When the army of Islam reached its destination, it was as a river watering a thirsty soil, for the deserted country was again inhabited, and when the ungodly infidels heard of its arrival, they fled swifter than an arrow from a bow. They turned away from their plunder to flight, and thought themselves fortunate in escaping with their lives. Notwithstanding that Tamur exhibited activity and strength, he became soft as wax, though as firm as steel.' Sarmak, Kill, Khajlak, and Baidii, fled away hastily and shamelessly all of them, as if a stone had fallen among a brood of chickens. The whole tribe turned up their garments and fled to the foot of the hills in all directions. The Mughals turned their backs to the ad- vancing army, and when their faces were seen they were black and harsh. Barbak was behind them with relentless revenge, putting all to the sword who fell in his way. * * * Their cheeks were as broad as an inverted bowl, and their eyes and heads looked as if they had been bathed in gore. ** * * The army of Islam in pur- suit dyed the hills like tulips with their blood. Some few of these ass-bodied fools managed to effect their escape, but the rest, both old and young, were put to the sword, or taken captive. Khan-i Jahan returned happy and triumphant. He bound the Mughal captives in a string, and led them camel-hearted like a drove of those quadrupeds. Not one of those marauding Turks was slain until the skin had been flayed from his head."

' In allusion to the name of TamUr, whicli in Turki means iron.

"When the world had derived benefit from this victory, the leader of the army indulged in wine. He convened an assembly, after the manner of the Kaianians, and the golden goblets circulated freely. A drop of fragrant wine was first poured on the earth. The barbat and the timbrel resounded. Many presents were given to his friends and to the soldiers, and many excuses were offered on their part. Every one arose from that assembly happy and rejoiced, and took the way to their own homes. When the guests had all departed, the master of the revels sat down to drink wine. A few of his intimate friends were invited to this private feast. The wine, which quivered in the cup like the heart of an infidel, was drunk off in the name of the King of Islam."

In celebration of Spring. — The festival of the new year. — The five royal umbrellas, black, red, white, green, and rose colour.

The king set out for his Eastern expedition in the middle of Eabi'u-1 awwal, 687 h. The first march was made from the New City to the borders of Tilpat and Afghanpur. On the army's return from the expedition against the Mughals, the booty and captives were presented before the Sultan, Tatari horses, and other rarities.

" Barbak advanced straight to the place of salutation, and bowing his body, brought his forehead to the earth. From the common soldier to the lord of tymbals, all obtained the honour of kissing hands, and received royal rewards without measure for their ser- vices,— standards of golden cloth, horses, and other rarities. There were more than a thousand Tatar infidels and warriors of other tribes, riding on camels, great commanders ia battle, all with steel- like bodies clothed in cotton; with faces like fire, with caps of sheep-skin, with their heads shorn. Their eyes were so narrow and piercing that they might have bored a hole in a brazen vessel. Their stink was more horrible than their colour. Their faces were set on their bodies as if they had no neck. Their cheeks resembled soft leathern bottles, full of wrinkles and knots. Their noses ex- tended from cheek to cheek, and their mouths from cheek-bone to cheek-bone. Their nostrils resembled rotten graves, and from them the hair descended as far as the lips. Their moustaches were of

extravagant length. They had but scanty beards about their chins. Their chests, of a colour half black, half white, were so covered with lice, that they looked like sesame growing on a bad soil. Their whole body, indeed, was covered with these insects, and their skin as rough-grained as chagreen leather, fit only to be converted into shoes. They devoured dogs and pigs with their nasty teeth."

" I have heard another story about them, that what one man vomits another eats, but this is no great wonder, for they are Turks of Kai.' Their origin is derived from dogs, but they have larger bones. The king marvelled at their beastly countenances, and said, that God had created them out of hell-fire. They looked like so many white demons, and the people fled from them everywhere in afiright."

When they were carried out from the royal presence they were put to the slaughter. "Spears without number bore their heads aloft, and looked denser than a forest of bamboos ; " others were trodden to death by elephants. After several had been slaughtered in this manner, " the remnant were reserved to be paraded about from city to city ; sometimes they had respite, at others punish- ment." The king then called for wine, and devoted himself, as iisual, to pleasure and revelry.

The armies of Dehli and Bengal advance to the Qhagra.

"The country-conquering army advanced, and heaven and earth became as one through the dust which arose.'' After two marches the Jumna was crossed at Jewar, " which place, from the encamp- ing of the army, was denuded of corn and grass." Barbak was appointed to the command, and he arrived with the army on the banks of the Saru (Sarju). He was joined by Chhajju, the Khan of Karra, at the head of several thousand horsemen, and by the Khan of Oudh and his party.

When Nasiru-d din, the King of the East, who was encamped on the other side of the river, heard of his arrival, he sent Shamsu-d

1 Meaning both " vomit" and " a tribe of Mughals." In the next line, " doge " bears the same equivocal meaning, there being also a Mughal tribe of Sag. It seems strange that the author should sometimes confound the Turks and Mughals. In some passages he discriminates very accurately between them.

din Dabu with a message inviting to peace, but he returned without effecting anything. Description of the hot season.

Mu'izzu-d din Kai-kubad, on his arriYal from Dehli, pitched his camp at Oudh (Ajudhya), on the bank of the Ghagra. Nasiru-d din, from the opposite side, sent his chamberlain to deliver a mes- sage to Kai-kubad, who, by way of intimidation, himself discharged an arrow at him, which induced him to return to his master with- out crossing the river, at which the King of the East was much grieved and angered.

Next day the King of the East sent another ofiScer to convey a threatening message, mentioning, amongst other things, the number and power of his elephants. He was answered by the son in a similar spirit.

He then tried the effect of sending a message of reconciliation, and requesting an interview, which was acceded to. The King of the East sent his youngest son, Kai-kaus, to Kai-kubad, with jewels and elephants. In return, Kai-kubad sent his own son, Kaiomars, accompanied by the 'Ariz, with some rare presents.

Each is invited by the other to ascend the throne. The son said to the father, " Here is the throne, it is thy seat, I am a slave ready to obey orders." The father said to the son, " This is a mistake, it is of you that this honour is worthy." Again, the son said to the father, " Advance and ascend, for the throne will be exalted by thy presence." Again, the father said to the son, " Oh, thou that wearest a crown, my empire will be established through the credit of thy name."

" Long they continued in this gentle altercation, and no one could see the step of either advance. And when the father saw that the respect of his son exceeded all bounds, he said, ' I have one desire near to my heart, and, thanks be to God, that it now approaches fulfilment, and that is, oh, fortunate one, that I may place thee on the throne with my own hand ; because thou didst ascend the throne in my absence, and I was not there to take thy hand, though, it is true, thou hadst no need of my aid, for by thy own power didst thou establish thyself in the kingdom."

" He then seized his son's hand, and seated him bn the throne, and when he had descended again from it, he stood ■with his hands joined, and all were astonished at the scene. The son sat but a short time on the throne, when he descended, and approached his father. The officers of state stood on each side, holding trays of jewels in their hands, which they poured upon the heads of the two kings, and the ground before them was strewed with rubies, pearls, silver, and gold."

When the father had confirmed the possession of his son upon the throne, he exclaimed with a loud voice before the assembled throng, " This day enough has been accomplished, to-morrow we will con- vene another assembly. Thanks be to God, that I have attained my wishes, and I have seen the desire of my heart accomplished ! " He then kissed his son's head, and returned in his boat to th& other side of the river, and again the son filled his own boat with a flood (of wine). A torrent flowed from the ocean of wine, and all immersed themselves in it till they became drunk, and lost all respect for their king, as well as their ovra senses.

Next day, the Sultan selected some horses, and sent them as a present to his son, and at night the King of the Bast again em- barked on a boat, and visited Kai-kubad. A full description of the festivities on the occasion. The father gave the son a valuable Bengal elephant, " a jewelled crown, lofty on all sides," and " a throne made of wood, but covered with gold, standing on four feet, with supports for the arms of the king." The crown was placed upon the son's head, and they sat together upon the throne.

The father requested from his son the ^ft of a white canopy and black cap, both of which had been used by BaOban. These were promised to him, and he retired, declaring his intention of returning the next day. The Sultan then returned to his usual enjoyments.

Next morning, the Sultan sent the white canopy and black cap to his father, and the bearer was rewarded with a robe of honour and presents.

In the evening, the father again embarked on a boat, to have an interview with his son, when he took occasion to instil into his ears good advice respecting the future management of his country, and returned at midnight to his own camp.

The next day, both armies prepared to return to their respective countries. " The army of lie east, towards the east, the army of the west, marched towards the west." An affectionate interview first took place between the two kings, and they finally parted from each other. No one else was allowed to be present. A bridge was made over the river, to facilitate communication between the two armies. Deep grief was expressed on both sides, on taking leave, and, locked in each other's arms, the father reiterated the advice he had before given. On the departure of his father, the son solaced his woes by drinking wine.

As the rainy season had commenced, and the river Ghagra began to rise, the Sultan's army moved from the bank of the river towards Oudh, and encamped at Kautpur. Khan-i Jahan was appelated to the government of Oudh, and directed to remain there.

" I, who had been in the service of Khan-i Jahan, previous to this, received from him now greater kindness than ever. He took me to Oudh with him, and treated me with such consideration, that I forgot my own country. There I remained with him two years, and knew no sorrow or want. I left my famUy, to attach myself to him. My mother, who was old, and always telling her beads, remained at Dehli, distressed at my absence. Night and day she was sorrowful that this worthless person was not near her, and used always to write letters inviting me to return. Though my heart was wounded at her grief, I did not like to ask her to come to me, When I was deeply grieved at these perpetual remonstrances, and my heart was greatly unsettled, I mentioned the circumstances to my master, and showed him my mother's letters. He, with his usual greatness, granted my request, and allowed me leave to return to my home, and sent me two trays of gold to enable me to proceed on my journey, which I prosecuted with the rapidity of an arrow, as my mother's grief had filled my heart with anxiety."

" I had travelled a whole month, without drawing rein, and ar- rived in the month of Zi'1-Ka'da at the city. Smiling like a flower in a garden, I visited my friends, and thus fulfilled my heart's desire, and was restored to life after death. I placed my head at

the feet of my mother, who, when she saw me, embraced me with tears in her eyes, and when relieved from her solicitude, fulfilled the vows which she had made, in consideration of my safe return."

" Two days after, the news of my arrival was conveyed to the king, and the chamberlain came to call me to his presence. I went and placed my face upon the earth, while my heart was in trepidation. I drew out from my waistband the panegyric I had written, and read it out with a loud voice. The king was greatly pleased at my verses, and honoured me in the eyes of my companions. He treated me with great kindness, and gave me a dress of honour of his own wearing, and two bags of dirhama, and enrolled me amongst his special attendants. My heart was replete with joy, and my poor house was filled with gold. His majesty said, 'Oh, most perfect of poets, whose very crumbs other poets are glad to pick up, if you will, the wish of my heart can be accomplished. I will give you as much as you like, and no desire of yours shall be left ungratified.' I bowed to the ground, and replied, ' Oh, king, what am I capable of, but writing a few laudatory verses, that I should be treated with such condescension ? Tour majesty bestows everything upon the needy ; what need then can you have of such poor services as mine ? My imagination is not lively, and I have no accomplishment, but that of being able to write some indifferent Persian. If the wish of his majesty can be gratified by such poor attainments, I am ready to be honoured with his commands.' "

" When I had thus offered my excuses to the king, he thus ad- dressed me : ' It is my desire, that you should undertake the trouble of writing in verse an account of the interview between the two kings, namely, my honoured father and myself.' When he had said this, he pointed to the treasure before him, and told me to take it away, bestowing upon me at the same time a dress of honour."

He determined to effect what the king desired, and after giving the subject much consideration, and secluding himself from all society, and trusting in God, after revolving the subject in his mind for three months, he completed the poem in six months, in 3&44: verses, in the month of Eamazan, 688 a.h. (September, 1289 a.d.), and in the 36th year of his age.

Verses upon his pen, inkstand, and paper. Entry of the king into

city of DeUi. Conclusion, in which lie expresses a hope that his errors may be leniently dealt with.

The Ohurratu-l-kamdl is the third and longest of the four Biwdns of Amir Khusru. The Miftdhu-l futuV is a Masnavi included in the Biwdn, but most commonly considered to be a separate poem, in consequence of the extreme rarity of such an arrangement. I have seen respectable copies of the Ohurratu-l-kamdl, in which this poem is included, as well as other Masnavis, from one of which the second extract which follows is taken ; but in a very beautiful old copy of all the Biwdns, in the possession of Nawab Ziau-d dm Khan of Dehli, and which bears the seal of the Tarkhan prince, Jftni Beg, being, therefore, about one hundred and fifty years old, neither this nor any other Masnavi is included. The first Biwdn of Amir Khusru is the Tuhfcbtu-s sighar, "the present of youth," containing the poems which he wrote from the 16th to the 19th year of his age. These were written in the time of Sultan Balban, and contain several panegyrics addressed to him. In compliment to his sovereign title, he here frequently assumes to himself the poetical designation of Sultdni. Thus, in one passage he says : —

Most of the hasidas in this Biwdn, which are not devoted to the Sultan, were written in celebration of new year festivals and the 'Ids, or addressed to the king's eldest son, Nusratu-d din Sultan Muhammad Kaan, known better as Khan-i Shahid, or the Martyr Khan, and to contemporary ministers and nobles. The Tarjis are addressed to the author's spiritual teacher, Nizamu-d din Aulya, Sultan Balban, and his son above named. It includes also a poem in praise of Malik Ikhtiyaru-d din, the 'A'riz.

The second Biwdn is the Wastu-l-haydl, "the middle of life," containing the poems written from the 24:th to the 32nd year of his life. These are in praise chiefly of Nizamu-d din Aulya, and the

' There is a work of this name on morals, by Shaikh 'Ahdu-1 Hakk of Dehli.

prince above named, then Governor of the Panjab and Multan, who was slain in an action with the Mughals at Depalpur, at the close of the year 683 h. The poet was in his service. One panegyric is addressed to Sultan Mu'izzu-d din Kai-kubad, and another to Ikhtiyaru-d-daula Ohhajju Khan-i mu'azzam, the son of Kishlu Khdn, nephew of Sultan Balban, and Governor of Karra Manikpur. Others are addressed to the 'Ariz Taju-d-din, Tathu-l mulk Sharfu-d-din, Alp Khan Ghazi son of Azhdar Malik, Naib Shah Malik Ikhtiyaru-d din 'All bin Aibak, and other nobles.