5. Volume 3 — part 5

' Here the printed text differs from, and is inferior in accuracy to, the MSS. in several particulars.

On one occasion 'Ali Beg and Tart^k^ were the leaders of the Mughal forces, men who had acquired some repute. 'AH Beg was said to be a descendant of Ohangiz Khan, the accursed. With thirty or forty thousand horse they skirted the mountains and advanced into the territory of Amroha. The Sultdn sent against them Malik Nayak Akhur-beg. The opposing forces met in the territory of Amroha, and God gave the victory to the army of Islam. 'All Beg and Tart^k were both taken alive, and many thousand Mughals were put to the sword. The force was entirely routed, and the battle-field was covered with heaps of slain like shocks of corn. Ropes were fastened round the necks of 'All Beg and Tartak, and they were conducted to the Sultan with many other Mughal prisoners. Twenty thousand horses belonging to the slain Mughals were taken into the royal stables. A grand court was held by the Sultan in the Ohautara Subhani. From the court at this place a double row of soldiers was formed as far as Indarpat. Such numbers of men were assembled on that day that a pitcher of water fetched twenty jitak to half a tanka. 'Ali Beg, Tart6,k, and other Mughal prisoners, were brought forward with their accoutrements. The prisoners were cast under the feet of elephants in the presence of the court, and streams of blood flowed.

In another year a battle was fought in Khikar between the army of IsMm and the Mughals, under the accursed Kank. The Mughals were defeated, and Kank was brought prisoner to 'A14u-d din, and thrown under the feet of elephants. On an- other occasion great numbers of Mughals were slain, partly in battle, partly afterwards in the city. A tower was built of their heads in front of the gate of Baddun, and remains to this day a memento of 'Alau-d din. At another time three or four Mughal amirs, commanders of tumdns, with thirty or forty thousand horse, broke into the Siwdlik, and engaged in slaughter and plunder,

' The MSS. have "Tary&k" and " Ziyak." In the text of Firishta he is called "Taryil," but in the translation "Khwaja Tash," which is in accordance with D'Ohsson (Hist, des Mongols, iv. 571). The Tabakdt-i Akbari has " Easm^k."

An army was sent against them with orders to seize upon the road by which the Mughals must return to the river, and there to en- camp, so that when the thirsty Mughals attempted to approach the river they would receive their punishment. These orders were carried out. The Mughals having wasted the Siwdlik, had moved some distance off. When they and their horses returned weary and thirsty to the river, the army of Islam, which had been waiting for them some days, caught them as they expected. They begged for water, and they and all their wives and children were made prisoners. Islam gained a great victory, and brought several thousand prisoners with ropes on their necks to the fort of Ndrdniya. The women and children were taken to Dehli, and were sold as slaves in the market. Malik Khass-hdjib was sent to Nardniya, and there put every Mughal prisoner to the sword. Streams ran with their foul blood.

In another year Ikbdlmanda came with a Mughal army, and the Sultan sent an army against him from Dehli. The army of Islam was again victorious, and Ikbalmanda was slain with many thousands of his followers. The Mughal commanders of thou- sands and hundreds, who were taken prisoners, were brought to Dehli, and thrown under the feet of elephants. On the occa- sion when Ikbalmanda was slain no man returned alive, and the Mughals conceived such a fear and dread of the army of Isldm, that all fancy for coming to Hindustan was washed clean out of their breasts. Till the end of the reign of Kutbu-d din the name of Hindustan was never mentioned among them, nor did they venture to approach it. Fear of the army of IsMm prevented them from attaining their heart's desire, even in their dreams ; for in their sleep they still saw the sword of Tsldm hanging over them. All fear of the Mughals entirely departed from Dehli and the neighbouring provinces. Perfect security was everywhere felt, and the raiyats of those territories, which had been exposed to the inroads of the Mughals, carried on their agriculture in peace.

Ghazi Malik, who afterwards became Sultan Tughlik Shdh,

had obtained great renown in Hindustdn and Khurdsan. He held the territories of Debdlpur and Ldhor, and, until the end of the reign of Kutbu-d din, he proved a barrier to the inroads of the Mughals, occupying, in fact, the position formerly held by Shir Khdn. Every winter he led out a chosen force from Debal- pur, and marching to the frontiers of the Mughals he challenged them to come forth. The Mughals were so dispirited that they dared not even make any military display upon their frontiers. No one now cared about them, or gave them the slightest thought. * * *

Wherever Sultan 'A14u-d din looked around upon his terri- tories, peace and order prevailed. His mind was free from all anxiety. The fort of Siri was finished, and it became a popu- lous and flourishing place. Devoting his attention to political matters, he made ready his army for the destruction of the Mais and zaminddrs of other lands, and for the acquisition of elephants and treasure from the princes of the South. He withdrew several divisions of his army, which had been employed in guarding against the advance of the Mughals, and formed them into an army, which he sent against Deogir, under the command of Malik Ndib Kdfiir Hazar-dindri, accompanied by other maliks and amirs, and the red canopy. He also sent Khw4ja Haji, deputy 'driz-i mamdlik, to attend to the administration of the army, the collection of supplies, and the securing of elephants and the spoil. No army had marched from Dehli to Deogir since the Sultdn himself attacked it before he ascended the throne. Edmdeo had rebelled, and for several years had not sent his tribute to Dehli. Malik Ndlb Kafur reached Deogir and laid the country waste. He niade £,4mdeo and his sons prisoners, and took his treasures, as well as seventeen elephants. Great spoil fell into his hands, * * * and he returned with it triumphant to Dehli, carrying with him Rdmdeo. The Sultdn showed great favour to the Eai, gave him a canopy, and the tiile of Rdi-rdydn (King of kings). He also gave him a lak of fankas, and sent him back in great honour, with his children, wives, and

dependents to Deogii?, which place he confirmed in his possession. The E-cii was ever afterwards obedient, and sent his tribute regu- larly as long as he liv6d.

Next year, in the year 709 h. (1309 a.d.), the Sultdn sent Malik Naib Kdfur with a similar force against Arangal. The Sultdn gave him instructions to do his utmost to capture the fort of Arangal, and to overthrow Eai Laddar Deo.^ If the R4i consented to surrender his treasure and jewels, elephants and horses, and also to send treasure and elephants in the following year, Malik Ndib Kdfur was to accept these terms and not press the Ral too hard. He was to come to an arrangement and retire, without pushing matters too far, lest E4i Laddar Deo should get the better of him. If he could not do this, he was, for the sake of his own name and fame, to bring the R4i with him to Dehlf. * * *

Malik Naib K^fiir and Khwdja Hajl took leave of the Sultan and marched to Kabari, a village in the fief of the Malik. There the army assembled, and marched towards Deogir and Arangal. The maliks and amirs of Hindustan, with their cavalry and infantry, joined at Chanderi, where a review was held. On ap- proaching Deogir, Rai-raydn Ramdeo came forth to meet the army, with respectful offerings to the Sultdn and presents to the generals. While the army was marching through the territories of Deogir, Ramdeo attended every day at head quarters. So long as it remained encamped in the suburbs of the city, he showed every mark of loyalty, and to the best of his ability supplied Ndib Kdfur and his officers with fodder, and the army with matiriel. Every day he and his ofiicers went out to the camp, rendering every assistance. He made the hdzdr people of Deogir attend the array, and gave them strict orders to supply the wants of the • soldiers at cheap rates. The army remained in the suburbs of Deogir for some days, resting from its fatigues. When it marched, Ramdeo sent men forward to all the villages on the route, as far

1 A wtole line is here omitted from the printed text, and there are other minor errors. The date is given as 909 instead of 709.

as the borders of Arangal, with orders for the collection of fodder and provisions for the army, and giving notice that if a bit of rope^ was lost they would have to answer for it. He was as dutiful as any raiyat of Dehli. He sent on all stragglers to rejoin the army, and he added to it a force of Mahrattas, both horse and foot. He himself accompanied the march several stages, and then took leave and returned. All wise and experienced men noticed and applauded his devotion and attention.

When Malik Naib Kdfur arrived in Tilang, he found the towns and villages in his way laid waste. The mukaddims and rais perceived the superiority of the army of IsUm, and so they abandoned their forts and went and took refuge in Arangal.

The fort of Arangal was of mud, and tolerably large. All the active men of the country had assembled there. The HaJi, with the mukaddims and (inferior) rais and connections,^ went with their elephants and treasure into the stone fort. Malik Ndib Kafur invested the mud fort, and there were fights every day between the besiegers and the besieged. The Maghribis (western manjaniks) were played on both sides, and on both sides many were wounded. This went on for some days, till the daring and adventurous men of the army of Isldm planted their scaling ladders and fixed their ropes. Then, like birds, they escaladed the towers of the mud fort, which was stronger than the stone one, and, cutting down the defenders with their swords, spears, and axes, they made themselves masters of the fort. They next invested the stone fort most closely. Laddar Deo perceived that all hope was gone, and that the fort was tottering to its fall. He therefore sent some great brahmans and distinguished basiths,^

' ^jU (tu-ii in tlie printed text. One MS. has for the latter word Jlj, • and the other has ^,lj,

^ The printed text has "bhatdn," but one of the MSS. has hhasitMn, which agrees with Amir Khusrd {supra p. 83). The other MS. omits the word.

with presents to Malik Kdfiir, to beg for quarter, promising to give up all the treasures and elephants and horses, jewels and valuables, that he had, and to send regularly every year a certain amount of treasure and a certain number of elephants to Dehli. Malik Kd.fur agreed to these terms, and raised the siege of the fort. He took from Laddar Deo all the treasure which he had accumulated in the course of many years, — a hundred elephants, seven thousand horse, and large quantities of jewels and valu- ables. He also took from him a writing, engaging to send annually treasure and elephants. In the early part of the year 710 he started to return, loaded with booty, and, passing through Deogir, Dhdr and Jhain, he at length arrived in Dehli. * * *

It was the practice of the Sultan, when he sent an army on an expedition, to establish posts on the road, wherever posts could be maintained, beginning from Tilpat, which is the first stage. At every post relays of horses were stationed, and at every half or quarter hos runners were posted, and in every town or place where horses were posted, officers and report writers were appointed. Every day, or every two or three days, news used to come to the Sultan reporting the progress of the army, and intelligence of the health of the sovereign was carried to the army. False news was thus prevented from being circulated in the city or in the army. The securing of accurate intelli- gence from the court on one side, and the army on the other, was a great public benefit. * * *

Towards the end of the year 710 h. (1310 a.d.) the Sultdn sent an army under Malik JSTdib Kafur against Dhur-samundar and Ma'bar. The Malik, with Khwaja H4ji, Ndib-i 'driz, took leave of the Sultan and proceeded to Rdbari, where the army collected. They then proceeded to Deogir, where they found that Eamdeo was dead, and from Deogir to the confines of Dhiir-samundar. At 'the first onslaught Billdl Eai fell into the hands of the Muhammadans, and Dhur-samundar was captured. Thirty-six elephants, and all the treasures of the

place, fell into the hands of the victors. A despatch of victory was then sent to Dehli, and Malik Ndib Kdfur marched on to Ma'bar, which he also took. He destroyed the golden idol temple {hiit-khdnah-i zarin) of Ma'bar, and the golden idols which for ages (karnha) had been worshipped by the Hindus of that country. The fragments of the golden temple, and of the broken idols of gold and gilt, became the rich spoil of the army. In Ma'bar there were two Eais, but all the elephants and treasure were taken from both, and the army turned home- wards flushed with victory. A despatch of victory was sent to the Sultdn, and in the early part of 711 h. (1311 a.d.) the army reached Dehli, bringing with it six hundred and twelve elephants, ninety-six thousand mans of gold, several boxes of jewels and pearls, and twenty thousand horses. Malik Naib Kafur pre- sented the spoil to the Sultan in the palace at Siri on different occasions, and the Sultan made presents of four mans, or two mans, or one man, or half a man of gold to the maliks and amirs. The old inhabitants of Dehli remarked that so many elephants and so much gold had never before been brought into Dehli. Ko one could remember anything like it, nor was there anything like it recorded in history.

At the end of this same year twenty elephants arrived in Dehli from Laddar Deo Rdi of Tilang, with a letter stating that he was ready to pay at Deogir, to any one whom the Sultan would commission to receive it, the treasure which he had en- gaged to pay, thus fulfilling the terms of the treaty made with Malik Kdfiir.

In the latter part of the reign of 'Alau-d din several important victories were gained, and the affairs of the State went on accord- ing to his heart's desire, but his fortune now became clouded and his prosperity waned. Cares assailed him on many sides. His sons left their places of instruction and fell into bad habits. He drove away his wise and experienced ministers from his presence, and sent his councillors into retirement. He was desirous that all the business of the State should be concentrated in one office,

and under the officers of that office ;i and that the control of all matters, general or special, should be in the charge of men of his own race {zdt). Mistakes were now made in political matters ; the Sultdn had no Aristotle or Buzurjmihr to point out the pros and cons of any question, and to make the true course clear to him.

At the time when the Sult4n so resolutely opposed himself to the inroads of the Mughals, several of the amirs of the " New Musulmans" who had no employ, and whose bread and grants of revenue had been resumed or curtailed by the revenue officers, grumbled, and conceived certain crude ideas. The Sult4n heard that some of the chiefs of the New Musulmans were complaining of their poverty and wretchedness, and were talking about him with ill feeling, saying that he dealt harshly with his people, oppressing them with fines and exactions to fill his own treasury, that he had forbidden the use of wine, beer, and strong drinks, and that he had levied heavy tribute from the country, and reduced the people to distress. They thought, therefore, that if they raised a revolt all the New Musulmdns, their countrymen, would join them, and that the prospect of escaping from the severity and oppression of 'Alau-d din would be pleasing to others as well. There had been no revolt for some time, and so none would be expected. Their plan was to seek an opportunity when the Sultdn went out hawking in a light dress, and when he and his followers were eager in pursuit of the game, with their arms thrown aside. Two or three hundred New Musulmans in one compact band were then to rush upon the SultS.n, and carry off him and his personal attendants. This conspiracy became known to the Sultdn. He was by nature cruel and implacable, and his only care was the welfare of his kingdom. No consideration for religion, no regard for the ties of brotherhood or the filial rela-

1 One MS. here omits about ten lines ; the other differs a little from the printed text, and runs: i,)^ ...ISlXiJ . .1 ij\js^ tl^U.« ^Uj CJ,U1 , _^1

and runs: i,)^ (^jlSlXiJ j j\ ij\js^ tl^U.« ^Uj CJ,U1 lii^f il) •! . It is evident that the SultSn sought to establish a centralizing

tion, no care for the rights of others, ever troubled him. He disregarded the provisions of the law, even in the punishments which he awarded, and was unmoved by paternity or sonship. He now gave his commands that the race of " New Musulmdns," ■who had settled in his territories, should be destroyed, and they were to be so slain that they all perished on the same day, and that not one of the stock should be left alive upon the face of the earth. Upon this command, worthy of a Pharaoh or a Nimrod, twenty or thirty thousand "New Musulmdns" were killed, of whom probably only a few had any knowledge (of the intended revolt). Their houses were plundered, and their wives and chil- dren turned out. In most of the years which have been noticed disturbances (ibdhatiydn) broke out in the city; but by the Sultan's command every rioter was most perseveringly pursued, and put to death with the most severe punishment. Their heads were sawn in two and their bodies divided. After these punish- ments breaches of the peace were never heard of in the city.

The generals and ministers of 'Alau-d din, by their courage, devotion, and ability, had secured the stability of the State during his reign, and had made themselves remarkable and bril- liant in the political and administrative measures of that time, such as * * *.

• • • During the reign of 'Alau-d din, either through his agency or the beneficent ruling of Providence, there were several remarkable events and matters which had never been witnessed or heard of in any age or time, and probably never will again.

1. The cheapness of grain, clothes, and necessaries of life. * * *

2. The constant succession of victories. * * * 3. The destruc- tion and rolling back of the Mughals. * * * 4. The maintenance of a large army at a small cost. * * * 5. The severe punish- ment and repression of rebels, and the general prevalence of loyalty. * * * 6. The safety of the roads in all directions. * * * 7. The honest dealings of the hdzdr people. * * * 8. The erec- tion and repair of mosques, minarets, and forts, and the excava- tion of tanks. * * * 9. That during the last ten years of the

reign the hearts of Musulmans in general were inchned to recti- tude, truth, honesty, justice, and temperance. * * * 10. That without the patronage of the Sultan many learned and great men flourished. * * * _^otiees of some of the most distinguished men; 2Q pages. "]

The prosperity of 'Aldu-d din at length declined. Success no longer attended him. Fortune proved, as usual, fickle, and destiny drew her poniard to destroy him. The overthrow of his throne and family arose from certain acts of his own. First, He was jealous and violent in temper. He removed from his service the administrators of his kingdom, and filled the places of those wise and experienced men with young slaves who were ignorant and thoughtless, and with eunuchs without intelligence. He never reflected that eunuchs and worthless people cannot conduct the business of government. Having set aside his wise and able administrators, he turned his own attention to dis- charging the duties of minister, a business distinct from that of royalty. His dignity and his ordinances hence fell into dis- respect. Secondly, He brought his sons prematurely, before their intelligence was formed, out of their nursery .1 To Khizr Khan he gave a canopy and a separate residence, and he caused a document to be drawn up, appointing Khizr Khan his heir apparent, and he obtained the signatures of the nobles thereto. He did not appoint any wise and experienced governors over him, so the young man gave himself up to pleasure and de- bauchery, and buff'oons and strumpets obtained the mastery over him. In the case of this son, and of his other sons, the Sult4n was precipitate, and they gave entertainments and had uproari- ous parties in his private apartments. Many improper proceed- ings thus became the practice under his rule. Thirdly, He was infatuated with Malik Naib Kdfur, and made him commander of his army and wazir. He distinguished him above all his other helpers and friends, and this eunuch and minion held the chief place in his regards. A deadly enmity arose between this

Malik Ndfb Kdfur and Alp Khan,' the father-in-law and ma- ternal uncle of Khizr Khan. Their feud involved the whole State, and day by day increased. Fourthly, The Eegulations of the government were not enforced. His sons gave themselves up to dissipation and licentious habits. Malik Naib Kdfiir and Alp Khan struggled against each other; and the Sultan was seized with dropsy, that worst of diseases. Day by day his malady grew worse, and his sons plunged still deeper into dissipa- tion. Under his mortal disorder the violence of his temper was increased tenfold. He summoned Malik Naib Kafur from Deogir, and Alp Kh4n from Gujardt. The traitor, Malik Naib Kdfiir, perceived that the feelings of the Sultan were turned against his wife and Khizr Khan. He acted craftily, and induced the Sultan to have Alp Khdn killed, although he had committed no offence and had been guilty of no dishonesty. He caused Khizr Khan to be made prisoner and sent to the fort of Gwalior, and he had the mother of the prince turned out of the Red Palace. On the day that Alp Khdn was slain and Khizr Khan was thrown into bonds, the house of 'A14u-d din fell. A serious revolt broke out in Gujarat, and Kamdlu-d din Garg, who was sent to quell it, was slain by the rebels. Other risings occurred and were spread- ing, and the rule of the Sultdn was tottering when death seized him. Some say that the infamous^ Malik Naib Kdfur helped his disease to a fatal termination. The reins of government fell into the hands of slaves and worthless people ; no wise man re- mained to guide, and each one did as he listed. On the sixth Shawwal, towards morning, the corpse of 'Alau-d din was brought out of the Red Palace of Siri, and was buried in a tomb in front of the Jdrai' Masjid.

On the second day after the death of 'Alau-d din, Malik Ndib

1 Pirishta gives the name as " Ulugh Eh&.ii " (Aluf Kh&.ii in the translation), but Alp Eh8,n is right. See supra, p. 157.

" The author's words are too explicit to he reproduced. The filthy practices al- luded to are everywhere spoken of in plain terms, without the slightest attempt at disguise. They, or rather the perpetrators of them, are condemned, but the many familiar names for them, show that they were but too common.

Kdfiir assembled the principal nobles and officers in the palace, and produced a will of the late Sultdn which he had caused to be executed in favour of Malik Shahabu-d din, removing Khizr Khdn from being heir apparent. With the assent of the nobles he placed Shahabu-d din upon the throne, but as the new sovereign was a child of only five or six years old, he was a mere puppet in the hands of schemers. Malik Ndib KMur himself undertook the conduct of the government. * * * In the earliest days of his power he sent the traitor, Malik Sumbul, to put out the eyes of Khizr Kh4n at Gwalior, and he promoted this villain to be Bdr-hah. He also sent his barber to blind Shadi Khan, full brother of Khizr Khdn, in the palace of Siri, by cutting his eyes from their sockets with a razor, like slices of melon. He took possession of the palace of the heir apparent, Khizr Khan, and sent his mother, the Malika-i Jahan, into miser- able retirement. Then he seized all her gold, silver, jewels and valuables, and exerted himself to put down the partisans of Khizr Khdn, who were rather numerous. He ordered Mubirak Khdn, afterwards Sultan Kutbu-d din, who was of the same a^e as Khizr Khdn, to be confined to his room, and intended to have him blinded. It never occurred to this wretched man, nor did any one point out to him that his setting aside of the queen and princes would alienate all the old supporters of the throne, and that no one would put any trust in him. * * * His great object was to remove all the children and wives of the late_ Sultdn, all the nobles and slaves who had claims upon the throne, and to fill their places with creatures of his own. * * *

While he was thus engaged in endeavouring to remove all the family of the late Sultan, he resolved that when the chief nobles of. the throne came together from different parts of the country, he would seize them in their houses and kill them. But Grod be thanked that it entered into the hearts of some pdiks, slaves of the late king, who had charge of the Hazar-sutun, that they ought to kill this wicked fellow. The officers had observed that every night after the company had retired, and the doors of the

palace were shut, Malik Naib Kafur used to sit up all night, plotting with his creatures the destruction of the late Sultan's family ; they therefore resolved that they would slay the rascal, and thus obtain an honourable name. So one night, when. the people were gone, and the doors were locked, these pdiks went with drawn swords to his sleeping room, and severed his wicked head from his foul body. They also killed all his confederates who were in concert with him. Thus thirty-five days after the death of 'Alau-d din, Malik Naib Kdfur was decapitated, and Khizr Khan and Sh^di Khdn were avenged.

In the morning, when the nobles and officers attended at the palace and learned that the wretch was dead, and saw that he was mere clay, they gave thanks to God, and with a feeling of renewed life congratulated each other. The same pdiks who had done the deed brought forth Mubarak Khan from the chamber in which Malik K4fur had confined him, and had intended to blind him, and placed him in the situation of director (naib) to Shahdbu-d din, instead of Malik Kafur. They thought and boasted to themselves that they could remove and kill one of the two princes, and make the other one Sultan. Mubarak Khan acted as director for Shahabu-d din several months, and managed the government. He was seventeen or eighteen years old, and he made friends of many of the malihs and amirs. He then seated himself upon the throne with the title of Kutbu-d din, and sent Shahabu-d din a prisoner to Grwalior, where he had him deprived of sight. The pdiks who had killed Malik Kafur now talked in vaunting tones at the door of the palace, boasting of having slain the Malik, and of having raised Kutbu-d din to the throne. They claimed to have seats below the maliks and amirs, and to receive robes before them. * * * They collected at the door of the palace, and went in before all to the audience chamber. Sultdn Kutbu-d din, at the very beginning of his reign, was therefore compelled to give orders that these pdiks should be separated, and sent to different places, where they were killed, and an end put to their pretensions. * * »

SULTANU-S ShAHID KuTBU-D DUMYA WATT-D DiN. 't

Sultdn Kutbu-d din, son of Sultan 'Alau-d din, ascended the throne in the year 717^ H. (1317 a.d.). He gave to Malik Dindr, the keeper of the elephants, the title Zafar Khan, tb Muhammad Mauland, his maternal uncle, the title Sher Khdri.

• • • There was a young Parwari, named Hasan, who had beeh brought up by Malik Shd,dl, the Ndib-Mjib. The Sultan took an inordinate liking for this youth. In the very first year of hife reign he raised him to distinction, and gave him the title of Khusru Khan. He was so infatuated and so heedless of conse- quences, that he placed the army of the late Malik Nalb Kafur under this youth, and gave to him the fiefs held by that malik. His passion and temerity carried him so far that he raised the youth to the office of wazir, and he was so doting that he could never endure his absence for a moment. The trouble which had prevailed in the land, from the beginning of the sickness of 'Alau-d din to the death of Malik Naib Kafur, began to abate on the accession of Kutbu-d din. People felt secure, and were relieved from the apprehension of death, and the nobles were released from the dread of death and punishment.

When Kutbu-d din came to the throne he was much given to dissipation and pleasure. Still he was a man of some excellent qualities. When he escaped from the danger of death and blind- ing, and was delivered from evils of many kinds ; when he was relieved from despair of the future and became ruler, on the day of his accession he gave orders that the (political) prisoners and exiles of the late reign, amounting to seventeen or eighteeii thousand in number, should all be released in the city and in all parts of the country. The amnesty was circulated by couriers in every direction, and the miserable captives broke forth in praises of the new sovereign. Six months' pay was given to the army, and the allowances and grants to the nobles were increased.

• • • The Sultan from his^ good nature relieved the people of

' Note in the t&t. Amir Khusr(i, in his Masnawl Nuh sipihr, makes the year to be 716.

the heavy tribute and oppressive demands; and penalties, extor- tion, beating, chains, fetters, and blows were set aside in revenue matters. Through his love of pleasure, and extravagance, and ease,* all the regulations and arrangements of the late reign fell into disuse ; and through his laxity in business matters all men took their ease, 'being saved from the harsh temper, severe treat- ment, and oppressive orders of the late king. Gold and gilt, silver and silver-gilt, again made their appearance indoors and out of doors in the streets. Men were no longer in doubt and fear of hearing, " Do this, but don't do that ; say this, but don't say that ; hide this, but don't hide that ; eat this, but don't eat that ; sell such as this, but don't sell things like that ; act like this, but don't act like that." * * * After the accession of Kutbu-d din all the old Regulations were disregarded, the world went on to the content of men of pleasure, and an entirely new order of things was established ; all fear and awe of the royal authority vanished. * * * The Sultan plunged into sensual indulgences openly and publicly, by night and by day, and the people followed his example. Beauties were not to be obtained. * * * The price of a boy, or handsome eunuch, or beautiful damsel, varied from 500 to 1000 and 2000 tankas.

Of all the Eegulations of the late Sultan, that prohibiting wine was the one maintained by the new sovereign. But such was the disregard of orders and contempt of restrictions that wine- shops were publicly opened, and vessels of wine by hundreds came into the city from the country. The necessaries of life and grain rose in price, the old regulations and tariffs were unheeded, and piece goods were sold at prices fixed by the vendors. The Multanis engaged in their own business, and in every house drums and tabors were beaten, for the hdzdr people rejoiced over the death of 'Alau-d din. They now sold their goods at their own price, and cheated and fleeced people as they listed. They reviled the late Sultin, and lauded the new one. The wages of labourers rose .twenty-five per cent., and servants who had re- ' " Sahal-giri," Mi. taking it easy.

ceived ten or twelve tanhas now got seventy, eighty, and a hundred tankas. The doors of bribery, extortion, and malversa- tion were thrown open, and a good time for the revenue officers came round. Through the diminution of their tribute, the Hindus again found pleasure and happiness, and were beside themselves with joy. They who had plucked the green ears of corn because they could not get bread, who had not a decent garment, and who had been so harassed by corporal punish- ments that they had not even time to scratch their heads, now put on fine apparel, rode on horseback, and shot their arrows. Through all the reign of Kutbu-d din, not one of the old Rules and Regulations remained in force, no order was maintained, new practices sprung up, the doors were kept closed and spies were useless, and no regularity or authority was maintained in the revenue department. The people were delivered from their distress, and every man engaged in pleasure according to the extent of his means. * * *

Through the indolence and liberality of Kutbu-d din, and through the abeyance of the old Regulations, licentiousness spread among the Musulmdns, and disaffection and rebeUion appeared among the Hindus. He plunged deeply into pleasure and de- bauchery ; the world likewise sported in the same. * * * During (his reign of) four years and four months, the Sultan attended to nothing but drinking, listening to music, debauchery and pleasure, scattering gifts, and gratifying his lusts. If the Mughals had come up during his reign ; if a rival had made pretensions to the throne ; if any serious rebellion or sedition had broken out in any quarter, no one can tell what might have happened to Dehli through the Sultan's negligence, heedlessness, and dissipation. But in his reign there was no deficiency in the crops, no alarm from the Mughals, no irreparable calamity from above visited the earth, no revolt or great disturbance arose in any quarter, not a hair of any one was injured, and the name of grief or sorrow never entered the breast, or passed from the tongue of any one. His whole life was passed in extreme dis-

sipation alid utter negligence : debauchery, drunkenness, and shamelessness proved his ruin. * * *

' In the first year of the reign a numerous army was sent to put down the revolt of Alp Khan, who had slain Kam&lu-d din Garg, and had stirred up such a disturbance that Grujarat had shaken off its allegiance. . 'Ainu-1 Mulk Multanl was sent with an army to Grujardt. This officer was a very intelligent, ex- perienced, and practical man. He marched with the army of Dehli and several distinguished amirs to Gujardt, and defeated ike forces of the rovolters. They were entirely subdued, and the maiiag'ement of 'Ainu-1 Mulk, and the valour of the army of Dehli, once more reduced Nahrwala and all the country of Gu- jarat to obedience. This army took the field again, and defeated several of the promoters and leaders of this revolt, who were compelled to flee to Hindus in distant parts.

Sultan Kutbu-d din married the daughter of Malik Dinar, to whom he had given the title of Zafar Khdn. The Khan was one of the old servants [handagdn) of 'Alau-d din, an intelligent and prudent man, who had seen changes of fortune, and had drawn experience from them. He was now made governor (ledli) of Gujarat, and proceeded thither with amirs, officers, and a veteran army. In four months he brought the country into such sub- jdction, that the people forgot Alp Khan and his ascendency. All the rdis and mukaddims of the country waited upon hira, much money was acquired, and a select army was maintained always ready for service.

Although the Sultan did not maintain the Eules and E.egu-> lations of the late reign, the old servants of the State continued in their various posts, and retained their great fiefs. Hence all the territories of the State were made secure in the first year of the reign, no sedition or rebellion occurred in any quarter, nor did any distress or anarchy make its appearance. The accession of the new king was universally accepted.

In the year 718 h. (1318 a.d.) the Sultan marched with his maliks and amii-s at the head of an army against Deoglr, which.

upon the death of Malik N4Ib Kafur, had thrown off its subjec- tion, and had been taken possession of by Harpal Deo and Earn Deo. In the heedlessness of youth he- did not nominate a wise and experienced man to act as his vicegerent during his absence ; but he selected a youthful slave, named Shahin, who had been called Barilda during the reign of 'A14u-d din, and whom he now entitled Wafa-e Mulk. In his extreme rashness and utter disregard of appearances, he placed Dehli and the treasures of Dehli under this lad, without giving a moment's thought to dis- turbances or other things that might happen in his absence. On arriving at Deogir, Harpal Deo and the other Hindus who had joined him were unable to withstand the army of Islam, and they and all the mukaddims dispersed, so that the Sultan recovered the fort without fighting and spilling of blood. The Sultan then sent some officers in pursuit of Harpal Deo, who was the leader of the rebels, and had excited the revolt. He was captured, and the Sultan ordered him to be flayed, and his skin to be hung over the gate of Deoorlr. The rains came on and the Sultan remained with the army for a time at Deogir. All the Mahrattas were once more brought into subjection. The Sultan selected as governor of Deogir, Malik Yak Lakhi, an old servant {handd) of 'Alau-d din, who for many years was ndib of the harids (spies) ; and he appointed feudatories, rulers, and revenue-col- lectors over the territories of the Mahrattas.

When Oanopus appeared the Sultan resolved upon returning to Dehli. He then granted a canopy to Khusru Khan, and raised him to a dignity and distinction higher than had ever been attained by Malik Naib Kafur. In fact, his infatuation for this infamous and traitorous Parwdri exceeded that of 'AlAu-d din for Malik Ndib Kdfiir. He sent him at the head of an army with maliks and amirs into Ma'bar ; and as 'Alau-d din gave full powers to Naib Kcifiir, sent him with an army into a distance, and placed in his hands the means of conquest, so, in like manner, Kutbu-d din sent the vile Malik Khusru into Ma'bar. Malik Khusru was a base, designing, treacherous, low-born fellow. * * He rose from

one dignity to another, and received the title of Khusru Kh4n, He was also made commander-in-chief, and all the affairs of the army were in his hands. * * * But the vile wretch had often thought of cutting down the Sultdn with his sword when they were alone together. » * * "When he marched from Deogfr to Ma'bar, he used to hold secret councils at night with some of his fellow Hindus, and with several disaffected adherents of Malik Naib Kafur, whom he had taken as friends, about making a revolt ; and thus intriguing, he arrived in Ma'bar. The Sultan himself returned towards Dehli, drinking and indulging in dissi- pation.

Malik Asadu-d din, son of Malik Yagharsh Khdn, uncle of Sultdn 'Alau-d din, was a brave and renowned warrior. He saw the king given up to debauchery, and utterly regardless of the affairs of his kingdom. Youths of new-made fortunes, without experience, and knowing nothing of the world, were chosen by the Sultan as his advisers, and men of wisdom and counsel were set aside. All alike were heedless, haughty, and unsuspicious. Malik Asad, seeing all this, conspired with some malcontents of Deogir, and formed a plot to seize the Sultan, at Ghati-sakun, when drinking in his harem, unattended by guards. Some horse- men with drawn swords were to rush in and kill him, and after that the royal canopy was to be raised over Malik Asad, as brother and heir of 'A14u-d din. It was presumed that after the death of the Sultan there would be no opposition to Malik Asad's eleva- tion, but that all people would support him. This was the plot which the conspirators had conceived and matured. While on the march they saw that ten or twelve resolute horsemen might enter the harem and kill the Sultdn, but his time was not yet come ; * * * and one evening one of the conspirators came in to the Sultdn and gave full information of the plot. The Sultdn halted at Ghati-sakun, and there arrested Malik Asad and his brothers, with all the party of conspirators who were leagued with them. After some investigation, they were all beheaded in front of the royal tent. Following the custom of his father, the Sultdn, in

his ruthlessness, ordered the arrest at Dehli of twenty-nine indi- viduals, sons of Yagharsh Khdn. These were all of tender years, and had never left their homes. They had no knowledge what- ever of the conspiracy, but they were all seized and slaughtered like sheep. Their wealth, which their father, the uncle of the late Sultan, had amassed in a long course of time, was brought into the royal treasury, and the women and girls of the family were turned into the streets and left homeless.

The Sultdn escaped from this plot by the decree of God ; but he learned no wisdom from it, made no change in his conduct, and gave up none of his dissolute drunken habits. As he pursued his journey homewards, he arrived at Jh^in, from whence he sent Shadi Kath, chief of his guards (silahddr), to the fort of Gwalior, with orders to put to death at one fell swoop Khizr Khdn, Shadi Khdn, and Malik Shahabu-d din, sons of the late 'Aldu-d din, who had been deprived of sight, and were dependent on him for food and raiment. According to his orders Shadi Kath slew the poor blind wretches, and carried their mothers and wives to Dehli. Acts of violence and tyranny like this became the practice. * * * The good qualities which the Sultan had possessed were now all perverted. He gave way to wrath and obscenity, to severity, revenge, and heartlessness. He dipped his hands in innocent blood, and he allowed his tongue to utter disgusting and abusive words to his companions and attendants. * * * After he returned from Deogir, no human being, whether friend or stranger, dared to boldly advise him upon the affairs of his realm. The violent, vindictive spirit which possessed him led him to kill Zafar K'hdn,, the governor of Gujarat, who-had committed no offence; and thus with his own hands to uproot the foundation of his own supremacy. A short time after, he caused to be decapitated Malik Shahin, one of his vile creatures, to whom he had given the title of Wafa-e Mulk, and whom he had once made his vicegerent. * * He cast aside all regard for decency, and presented himself decked out in the trinkets and apparel of a female before his assembled com-

pany. He gave up attendance on public prayer, and publicly broke the fast of the month of Ramazan. Malik 'Ainu-1 Mulk Multani was one of the greatest nobles of the time ; but he caused him and Malik Kardbeg, who held no less than fourteen offices, to be assailed with such filthy and disgusting abuse, by low women, from the roof of the palace of the Hazar-sutun, as the occupants of that palace had never heard before. In his recklessness he made a Gujar^ti, named Tauba, supreme in his palace, and this low-born bhand would call the nobles by the name of wife or mother, would defile and befoul their garments, and sometimes made his appearance in company stark naked, talking obscenity. * * *

After the execution of Zafar Kh^n, he conferred the government of Gujarat upon his favourite Hisamu-d din,i maternal uncle of the traitor Khusru Khan, and sent him to Nahrwdla with amirs, officers, and men of business. All the army and attendants of Zafar Khan were placed under this fellow, an ill-conditioned Parwari slave, whom the Sultan had often thrashed. This base-born upstart proceeded to Gujardt, and collecting his kindred and connections among the Parwaris, he stirred up a revolt. But the nobles of Gujarat collected their forces and adherents, made him prisoner, and sent him to Dehli. The Sultdn, in his' in- fatuation for his brother, gave him a slap on the face, but soon after set him at liberty, and made him one of his personal atten- dants. When the nobles of Gujardt heard of this they were confounded, and felt disgusted with the Sultan. After the re- moval of this brother of Khusru Khdn, the government of Gujarat was given to Malik Wahidu-d din Kuraishi, who, in comparison, was a worthy and fit person ; and he received the title of Sadaru-1 Mulk. * * *

Malik Yak Lakhi, governor of Deoglr, revolted; but when the intelligence reached the Sultdn, he sent a force against him, from Dehli, which made him and his confederates prisoners. When they were brought to the Sultin, he had the ears and nose of Yak

' Here he ia called " barddar i mddar," elsewliere " barddar," of Khusrfl.

Lakhi cut off, and publicly disgraced him. His confederates also received punishment. Malik 'Ainu-1 Mulk, Taju-1 Mulk, and Yamkhiru-1 Mulk were sent as governor and assistants to Deogir, and these being good men, their appointments excited surprise. They soon settled the district, regulated the forces, and made arrangements for the payment of the tribute. * * *

When Khusru Khdn marched from Deogir to Ma'bar, it was seen that he acted in the same way as Malik Naib Kdfur had done. The Edis of Ma'bar fled with their treasures and valu- ables ; but about a hundred elephants, which had been left in two cities, fell into the hands of Khusru Khan. On his arriving in Ma'bar the rains came on, and he was compelled to remain. There was in Ma'bar a merchant, named Taki Kh4n, a Sunni by profession, who had acquired great wealth, which he had purified by paying the alms prescribed by his religion. Relying on the fact of the invading army being Musulmdn, he did not flee. Khusru Khdn, who had nothing in his heart but rapacity and villany, seized this Musulman, took his money from him by force, and put him to death, declaring the money to belong to the treasury. Whilst he remained in Ma'bar he did nothing but plot with his confidants as to the best means of seizing and putting to death those nobles who supported the reign- ing dynasty ; and he consulted with them as to the course he should pursue, whom of the army he should make his friends, and whom he should get rid of. He fixed his attention upon certain of the old Maliks, such as Malik Tamar of Chanderi, Malik Afghan, and Malik Talbagha Yaghda of Karra, who had . considerable forces at their command, and he made some ad- vances to them. His treacherous designs and rebellious inten- tions reached the ears of the old nobles, and they perceived, from many other signs and appearances, that the flames of rebellion were about to break forth. So the loyal nobles Malik Tamar and Malik Talbagha Yaghda sent to tell him that they had heard of his doing his utmost to get up a rebellion, and that he wished to remain where he was, and not return to Dehli ; but

they added that they would not allow him to remain, and that he had better make up his mind to return whilst there remained a show of amity between them, and without their having to seize him. By many devices and menaces they induced him to return, and did all they could think of and contrive to bring him and his army to Dehli. Their expectation was that the Sultan, on learning the facts, would show them great favour, and would punish Khusrii Kh4n and his fellow-conspirators. The Sultan was so infatuated, and so strongly desired the presence of Khusru Khdn, that he sent relays of bearers with a litter to bring him with all haste from Deogir in the course of seven or eight days. * * * Khusrti Khan told the Sultan that some maliks, who were his enemies, had charged him with treason, and were weaving a tissue of lies against him. Then he insinuated some counter-charges into the ears of the Sultan, who was so deluded as to believe what he represented. * * * The army afterwards arrived, and Malik Tamar and Malik Talbagha made a report of the designs of the Khan. * * * Fate blinded the Sultan, and he would not believe. * * * He grew angry with the accusers. He ordered Malik Tamar to be degraded, and not to be allowed to enter (the palace) ; and he took from him the territory of Ohanderi, and gave it to the Parwdri boy. Malik Talbagha Yaghda, who had spoken more plainly about the plans of the traitor, was deprived of sight, beaten on the mouth, stripped of his offices, territories, and retainers, and put in prison. Whoever spoke of their fidelity, or testified to the treachery of Khusrd Khdn, received condign punishment, and was imprisoned or banished. All the atten- dants of the court plainly perceived that to speak against him would be to court the same chastisement. The wise men of the court and city saw that the Sultdn's end was approaching. * * * After Khusru Kh4n had crushed his accusers, he prosecuted his schemes with all his energy. The Sultdn had quarrelled with Bah4u-d din, his secretary, about a woman, and this man, eager for revenge, was won over by the traitor. Before proceeding fur-

ther with his designs, Khusru represented to the SultS,n that he had been made a great man by his Majesty's favour, and had been sent on an important command into a distant country. The maliks and amirs had their relations and friends and adherents around them, but he had none ; he therefore begged that he might be allowed to send unto Bahlawdl and the country of Grujardt for some of his own connections. The Sultan, in his doting and heedlessness, gave the permission. Khusru then brought some Gujardtis, called Parwaris,'^ and, pretending they were his kinsfolk, kept them near him, giving them horses and clothes, and entertaining them in grand state. The villain, in prosecution of his designs, used to call the chiefs of these Par- waris and some other conspirators round him every night, in the rooms of Malik Ndib Kafur, to plot with him, and each of them used to propose the plan which his malignity suggested for killino; the Sultdn. Just at this time the Sultan went on a hunting excursion to Sarsawa, and the Parwaris proposed to execute their design in the field; but some of their leaders op- posed this, arguing that if they slew the Sultan in the field, all his armed followers would collect and destroy the assassins. * * It seemed preferable to accomplish their purpose in the palace, and make that building their protection. They might then, after the deed was done, call the maliks and amirs together and make them accomplices, or kill them on their refusal. * * *

After the Sultdn returned from his excursion, the favourite made another request. He said that when he returned home from the palace at early dawn, the doors were locked, and those kinsfolk who had come from Gujarat to enjoy his society could not then see him. If some of his men were entrusted with the key of the postern gate, (dar-i chdk), he might bring his friends into the lower apartments and hold converse with them. The Sultdn, in his infatuation, did not perceive the design, and the keys were given over. Every night, after the first or second watch, armed Parwaris, to the number of 300, used to enter by the postern, and

' Barddrdn in the print, but JBardwdn and Bardwan in the MSS.

assemble in the lower apartments. The guards of the palace saw the entry of armed men, and had their suspicions ; and men of sense all perceived that this entry of the Parwaris boded evil.

• • • But no human beino- dared to utter a word to the Sultdn, even to save his life. * * * Kazi Ziau-d din, generally called Kdzi Khan, * * venturing his life, spoke to the Sultan [aeqiiainting him with the facts, and urging Mm to make an investigation']. The Sultan was incensed at the words of the Kdzi, grossly abused him, and spurned his honest counsels. Just then Khusrii came in, and the Sultdn [told him what the Kdzt had said]. The in- famous wretch then began to weep and lament, saying, that the great kindness and distinction which the Sultan had bestowed upon him had made all the nobles and attendants of the Court his enemies, and they were eager to take his life. The Sultan

• • • said that if all the world were turned upside down, and if all his companions were of one voice in accusing Khusru, he would sacrifice them all for one hair of his head. * * * When a fourth of the night was past and the first watch had struck, * * Randhol, the maternal uncle {niyd) of Khusru, and several Parwaris, entered the Hazdr-sutun with their swords, which they hid under a sheet.

• • • A Parwdri named Jahariya, who had been appointed to kill the Sultan, approached Kazi Ziau-d din, and pierced him with a spear, which he drew from under the sheet. * * An out- cry arose in the palace, and Jahariya hastened, with some other armed Parwaris, to the upper rooms. The whole palace was filled with Parwdris, and the uproar increased. The Sultan heard it, and asked Khusru what it was. * * He went and looked, and told the Sultdn that his horses had broken loose, and were running about in the court-yard, where men were en- gaged in catching them. Just at this time Jahariya, with his followers, came to the upper story, and despatched the ofiicers and door-keepers. The violent uproar convinced the Sultan that treason was at work, so he put on his slippers and ran towards the harem. The traitor saw that if the Sultdn escaped to the women's apartments, it would be difficult to consummate the plot.

Prompt in his villany, he rushed after the Sultan and seized him behind by the hair, which he twisted tightly round his hand. The Sultan threw him down and got upon his breast, but the rascal would not release his hold. They were in this position when Jahariyd entered at the head of the conspirators. Khusru called out to him to be careful. The assassin stuck the Sultan in the breast with a spear, dragged him off Khusru, dashed him to the ground, and cut off his head. All persons that were in the palace or upon the roof were slain by the Parwaris, who filled all the upper story. The watchmen fled and hid themselves. The Parwaris lighted torches ; they then cast the headless trunk of the Sultan into the court-yard. The people saw it, and knew what had happened. Every one retired to his home in fear. Randhol, Jahariyd, and other of the assassins, proceeded to the harem. They killed the widow of 'Alau-d din, mother of Farid Khan and 'Umar Khdn, and committed atrocities which had never been paralleled among infidels and heathens. * * * After killing all there were to kill, the whole palace was in the hands of the Parwdris. Lamps and torches were lighted in great numbers, and a Court was held. Though it was midnight, Malik 'Ainu-d din Multani, Malik Wahidu-d din Kuraishi, Malik ' Fakhru-d din Juna afterwards Sultan Muhammad Tughlik, and other nobles and great men were sent for, and were brought into the palace and made accomplices in what passed. When day broke the palace was full inside and out with Parwdris and Hindus. Khusru Khan had. prevailed, the face of the world assumed a new complexion, a new order of things sprung up, and the basis of the dynasty of 'Alau-d din was utterly razed. * * *

As morning broke, Khusru, in the presence of those nobles whom he had brought into the palace, mounted the throne under the title of Sultan Nasiru-d din. * * * He had no sooner begun to reign, than he ordered all the personal attendants of the late Sultan, many of whom were of high rank, to be slain. Some were despatched in their houses, others were brought to the palace and were beheaded in private. Their wives, women, childreii,

and handmaids were all given to the Parwaris and Hindus. The house of Kazi Zidu-d din, with all that it contained, was given to Randhol, the maternal uncle of Khusru. The wife and chil- dren of the Kazi had fled in the early part of the night. The brother of Khusru received the title of Kh4n-i Khdndn, Eandhol was made Rai-r^yan, * * * and Bah4u-d din received the title of 'Azamu-1 Mulk. To keep up a delusive show, and to implicate the great men of the preceding reigns, 'Ainu-1 Mulk Multdni, who had no kind of connection with the usurper, was entitled 'Alam Khan ; the office of diwdn was conferred on T4ju-1 Mulk. * * * In the course of four or five days preparations were made for idol worship in the palace. Jdhariya, the murderer of Kutbu-d din was decked out in jewels and pearls ; and horrid Parwdris sported in the royal harem. Khusru married the wife of the late Sultan Kutbu-d din ; and the Parwaris, having gained the upper hand, took to themselves the wives and handmaids of the nobles and great men. The flames of violence and cruelty reached to the skies. Copies of the Holy Book were used as seats, and idols were set up in the pulpits of the mosques. * * * It was Khusru's design to increase the power and importance of the Parwaris and Hindus, and that their party should grow ; he therefore opened the treasury and scattered money about. * * * Calling himself Sultan Nasiru-d din, the base-born slave had his title repeated in the khutba, and impressed upon coins. For the few months (that he reigned) he and his satellites thought only of overthrowing the adherents of the late Sultdns, and they, had no awe of any malik or amir except of Ghdzi Malik, afterwards Sultdn Ghiyasu-d din Tughlik Shah.

This nobleman held the territory of Deobalpur, and dwelt there in his palace. When he heard of the overthrow of the dynasty of 'Alau-d din, he writhed like a snake. To induce him to come into the city and into their toils, they tried every art with his son (Muhammad Fakhru-d din Jun4, afterwards) Sultan Muhammad Tughlik. They made Juna master of the horse, and gave him in'dms and robes • of honour. But he

had been a friend of the late Sultdn, and was deeply wounded by his death. He was also sorely annoyed by the ascendancy of the Parwdris, and by having to meet Hindus who patron- ized him. But he could do nothing, for Khusru had deluded the people, and had made them his own by scattering his gold. Ghiydsu-d din in Deobdlpur * * * deplored the fate of the sons and ladies of his patron, 'A14u-d din, and pondered night and day over the means of exacting vengeance from the Parwdris and Hindus. But he was afraid of the Hindus hurting his son Fakhru-d din Jund, and so could not move out of Deobdlptir to destroy them. In those dreadful days the infidel rites of the Hindus were highly exalted, the dignity and the importance of the Parwaris were increased, and through all the territory of Isldm the Hindus rejoiced greatly, boasting that Dehli had once more come under Hindu rule, and that the Musulmdns had been driven away and dispersed. * * *

When more than two months had passed after the. overthrovsr of the house of 'A14u-d din, and the degradation of all its con- nections and dependents before the eyes of several of its great nobles, Malik Fakhru-d din began to take heart, and courage- ously to resolve upon exacting vengeance. One afternoon he mounted his horse, and, with a few slaves, confiding himself to God, he fled from Khusru. * * * At evening his flight became known, * * * and filled Khusru and his followers with dismay. * * * A body of horse was sent after him, but Fakhru-d din, the hero of trin and Turan, reached Sarsuti, and his pursuers, not being able to overtake him, returned dispirited to Dehli. Before he reached Sarsuti,^ his father, Ghazi Malik (afterwards Sultdn Ghiyasu-d din), sent Muhammad Sartaba with two hundred horse, and he had taken possession of the fort of Sarsuti. With these horsemen Fakhru-d din proceeded to his father, whom, to his great joy, he reached in safety at Deo- bdlpur. Malik Ghdzi's hands were now free to wreak vengeance on the Parwdris and Hindus for the murder of his patron, and 1 " SarbarMudh" in one MS., " N'arainah" in the other — perhaps for Taharhindh. VOL. III. 15

he immediately prepared to march against the enemy. Khusru appointed his brother, whom he had made JDi&n-i Kh4n4n, and Yusuf Sufi, now Yusuf Kh4n, to command his ar;ny. He gave his brother a royal canopy, and sent them with elephants and treasure towards Deobalpur. So these two foolish ignorant lads went forth, like newly-hatched chickens just beginning to fly, to fight with a veteran warrior like Malik Ghdzi, whose sword had made Khurasan and the land of the Mughals to tremble. * * * They reached Sarsuti ; but such was their inexperience and want of energy, that they could not drive out Malik Crhazi's horse. So they turned their backs upon the place, and in their folly,

• • • marched to encounter the hero, who twenty times had routed the Mughals. Like children in their parents' laps, they went on helplessly all in confusion. * * *

On the other hand, Grhazi Malik had called in the assistance of Malik Bahram Abiya of Uch, one of the faithful, and he arrived at Deobalpur with his horse and foot, and joined Ghazi. When intelligence of the enemy's march from Sarsuti reached them,

• • • G-hdzi drew his forces out of Deobalpur, and passing the town of Daliya,^ he left the river behind, and came face to face with the enemy. Next day he gave battle. * * * The enemy broke at the first charge, and was thrown into utter confusion. The canopy and baton of Khusru's brother, and. the elephants and horses and treasure, fell into the hands of the victors. Many chiefs and ofB.cers were killed, and many were wounded and made prisoners. The two lads who called themselves Khins

• • • fled, without stopping, to Khusru. This defeat so terrified Khusru and his followers that hardly any life was left in their bodies. * * *

For a week after the victory Malik Ghazi remained on the field of victory, and after collecting the spoils and arranging his forces, he proceeded towards Dehli. * * * Khusru Khan and his followers, in dismay, left Siri, and marched out into the field to the Hauz-i 'Alki, where he posted himself op- 1 " Dalili " in tie print.

posite Lahrdwat, with gardens in front and the citadel in his rear. He brought &ut all the royal treasures from Kilu- gharl and Dehli, making a clean sweep of the whole, like one spurned bj fortune or worsted in gambling. The records and accounts he caused to be burned, * * * and everything in the public treasury he distributed as pay or gifts to his forces. Furious at the thought of anything- valuable falling into the hands of the chief ol Islam, he did not leave a ddngi or diram behind. * * * The soldiers, who were faithful to their creed, and had no thought of drawing a sword against Malik Ghazi and the army of Isldm, took the money of the wretched fellow, heaped hundreds of curses upon him, and then went to their homes. * * * GhAzi Malik, with his army and friends, arrived near Dehli, and encamped in the suburb of Indarpat. On the mght preceding the expected battle, 'Ainu-1 Mulk Multani deserted Khusru Khdn, and went towards TJjjain and Dh4r. This defection quite broke down the spirits of Khusru and his followers.

On Friday, a day of joy and victory to the Musulmdns, but of woe to the Hindus and infidels, Ghazi Malik led forth his forces from Indarpat against the foe. Khusru, on the other side, sent forward his elephants, and, with his Parwaris, Hindus, and the Musulmans who stood by him, advanced to the plain of Lahrawat, where both armies drew up in order of. battle. Skirmishes en- sued, in which the side of Ghazi Malik had the advantage. Malik Talbagha N4gorl, who had attached himself heart and soul to Khusru Khdn, and drew his sword against the army of Isldm, was overthrown, and his severed head was brought to Ghazi Malik. Shdyista Kh4n, formerly known as the son of Karrat Kimar, and now ''ariz-i mamalik, seeing all was over, led away his force towards the desert, but plundered the baggage of Ghazi Malik at Indarpat as he pursued his flight. The main armies still confronted each other, but in the affcernoan * * * Ghdzi Malik advanced against the centre of Khusru's force. The eiFeminate wretch could not bear the attack of men. He

fled, and, leaving his army, he took the road to Tilpat. * * * His Parwdris were separated from him, and not one remained with him when he reached that place. He fell back from thence and concealed himself for the night in a garden which formerly belonged to Malik Shadi, his patron. After the defeat and dispersion of the Parwaris and Hindus, they were cut down wherever they were found, and their arms and horses were seized. Those who, in parties of three or four, fled from the city towards Gujarat, Wiere likewise slain and plundered. On the day after the battle Khusru was brought out of the garden of Malik iShddi and was beheaded.

That night, while Grhazi Malik was at Indarpat, most of the nobles and chief men and officers came forth from the city to pay their respects, and the keys of the palace and of the city gates were brought to him. On the second day after the battle he proceeded with a great following from Indarpat to the palace of Siri. He seated himself in the Hazdr-sutun, and, in the presence of the assembled nobles, wept over the unhappy fate which had be- fallen Kutbu-d din and the other sons of 'Aldu-d din, his patron, * * and gave thanks to God for the victory he had gained. Then he cried with a loud voice, " 1 am one of those who have been brought up under 'Alau=-d din and Kutbu-d din, and the loyalty of my nature has roused me up against their enemies and de- stroyers. I have drawn my sword, and have taken revenge to the best of my power. Ye are the nobles of the State ! If ye know of any son of our patron's blood, bring him forth imme- diately, and I will seat him on the throne, and will be the first to tender him njy service and devotion. If the whole stock has been clean cut off, then do ye bring forward some worthy and proper person and raise him to the throne ; I will pay my allegi- ance to him. I have drawn my sword to avenge my patrons, not to gain power and ascend a throne." * * * The assembled nobles unanimously replied that the usurpers had left no scion of the royal stock in existence. The murder of Kutbu-d din and the supremacy of Khusru and the Parwdris had caused disturbances,

and had stirred up rebels in every direction. Affairs were all in confusion. They then added, " Thou, 0 Ghazi Malik, hast claims upon us. For many years thou hast been a barrier to the Mughals and hast prevented their coming into Hindustan. Now thou hast done a faithful work, which will be recorded in history; thou hast delivered the Musulmdiis from the yoke of Hindus and Parwdris ; thou hast avenged our benefactors, and hast laid every one, rich and poor, under obligation. * * * All we who are here present know no one besides thee who is worthy of royalty and fit to rule." All who were present agreed with one acclaim, and, taking him by the hand, they conducted him to the throne. He then took the title of Sultan Grhiydsu-d din, * * * and every one paid him due homage. * * *

SULTANU-L GhaZI GhIYASU'D DTJNYA WAU-D DIN TuGHLIK

Sult4n Ghiy4su-d din Tughlik Sh^h ascended the throne in the palace of Siri in the year 720 h. (1320 a.d.) * * * In the course of one week the business of the State was brought into order, and the disorders and evils occasioned by Khusrti and his unholy followers were remedied. * * * The people in all parts of the country were delighted at his accession. Rebellion and dis- affection ceased, peace and obedience prevailed. * * * On the day of his accession, he ordered all the surviving relatives of 'Aldu-d din and Kutbu-d din to be sought out, and he treated these ladies with all due respect and honour. The daughters of 'A14u-d din he married into suitable families. He severely punished the men who unlawfully married Khusru to the widow of Kutbu-d din three days after her husband's murder. The maliks, amirs, and other officers of his predecessors, he confirmed in their possessions and appointments. When he attained the throne, his nobleness and generosity of character made him dis- tinsuish and reward all those whom he had known and been con- nected with, and all those who in former days had showed him

kindness or rendered him a service. No act of kindness was passed over. * * * His eldest son^ showed great elevation of character. To him he gave the title of Ulugh Khan, with a royal canopy, and he declared him his heir apparent. To his four other sons he gave the titles respectively of Bahram Khan, Zafar Khdn, Mahmud Khan, and Nusrat Khan. Bahrdm Abiya he honoured with the name of brother, and the title Kishlu Khan. To him also he entrusted Multdn and Sindh. Malik Asadu-d din, his brother's son, he made Naib Bdrbak, and Malik Bahau-d din, his sister's son, he made 'ariz-i mamdlik (muster-, master), with the territory of S^raana. * * * The excellence of his government is said to have inspired this verse of Amir Khusru's —

" He never did anything that was not replete with wisdom and sense. He might be said to wear a hundred doctors' hoods under his crown."

• • • In the generosity of his nature, he ordered that the land revenues of the country should be settled upon just principles with reference to the produce. * * * The officers of the Exchequer were ordered not to assess more than one in ten, or one in eleven upon the iktd's, and other lands, either by guess or computation, whether upon the reports of informers or the statements of valuers. They were to be careful that cultivation increased year by year. Something was to be left over and above the tribute, so that the country might not be ruined by the weight of taxa- tion, and the way to improvement be barred. The revenue was to be collected in such a way that the raiyats should increase their cultivation ; that the lands already in cultivation might be kept so, and some little be added to them every year. So much was not to be exacted at once that the cultivation should fall off, and no increase be made in future. Countries are ruined and are kept in povert}"^ by excessive taxation and the exorbitant demands of kings. The Hindus were to be taxed so that they might not be blinded with wealth, and so become discontented

' Barni follows the general practice of using the regal title by anticipation.

and rebellious ; nor, on the other hand, be so reduced to poverty and destitution as to be unable to pursue their husbandry.^ * * *

In the year 721 h. (1321 a.d.) the Sultdn sent his eldest son, Ulugh^ Khdn, with a canopy and an army against Arangal and Tilang. Several of the nobles and officers, both of the old and new dynasty, were sent with him. The prince set out with great pomp, and when he arrived in Deogir, the officers and forces of that place joined, and marched with him to Tilang. Awe of the majesty of the Sultaii, and fear of Ulugh Khdn, drove Laddar Deo and all the rdis and mukaddims to seek shelter in the fortresses ; they never dreamed of opposing the Kh4n (in the field). He arrived at Arangal, and invested the mud fort. He then sent some of his officers to spoil the land of Tilang, to collect plunder, and bring in forage. They brought in spoil and fodder in abundance, and the army pushed on the siege in full confidence. The mud fort and the stone fort of Arangal were both garrisoned with numerous Hindus, who had gathered in muniments from all quarters. Maghribis, ^arddas, and manjaniks were brought into use. Sharp conflicts daily oc- curred. Fire was discharged^ from the fort, and many were killed on both sides ; but the army of Isldm had the advantage, the garrison was reduced to distress, and the mud fort was on the point of being taken. They resolved to surrender, and Laddar Deo the Rai, with mukaddims, sent hasiths to Ulugh Khdn to make terms. They offered treasure and elephants and jewels and valuables, and begged that the Khdn would accept these with tribute, as Malik Naib Kafur had done in the reign of 'Alau-d din, and would then retire. The Khdn would grant no terms, but resolutely determined to reduce the fort and capture the R4i. So the basifhs returned disappointed and dejected.

When the besieged were thus reduced to extremities, and

' Many pages follow in enlogy of the character and government of Ghiyasu-d din, but these are expressed in such general terms as not to be of much interest.

• The printed text and one of the two MSS. here fall into the error of writing this title, " Alaf Khan," as it always appears in Briggs and Elphinstone.

were suing for peace, very nearly a month had passed since any couriers had arrived from the Sult§,n, although the Kh4n had previously received two or three letters every week. This want of intelligence from ■ the court caused some uneasiness in the minds of the Kh4n a,nd his officers ; they imagined that some of the posts on the road had been destroyed, and that conse- quently the couriers had been unable to prosecute their journeys with the news. It also caused apprehension and misgivings to spread among the troops, and stories were carried from one to another. 'Ubaid the poet, and Shaikh Zdda-i Dimashki, two evil-disposed, turbulent fellows, who by some means had been introduced to the Khan, fanned the strife, and spread false re- ports among the soldiers, to the effect that the Sultdn was dead, that the government had been overthrown, that a new prince now sat upon the throne of Dehli, and that the way was quite closed against all couriers and messengers. So every man took his own course. These two malicious men trumped up another false story. They went to Malik Tamar, Malik Tigin, Malik Mall Afghan, and Malik Kafur, keeper of the seal, and told these nobles that Ulugh Khdn looked upon them with envy and suspicion, as generals and nobles of the reign of Al4u-d din, and as obstacles to his attaining the throne ; that their names were written down in a list as men to be disposed of, and that they would be all seized at once and beheaded. These nobles were aware that these two treacherous men were con- stantly about Ulugh Khan, and so they credited their statements. They therefore agreed to take flight, and, joining together their followers, they left the camp. Through this defection a panic fell upon the army, trouble and tumult arose, and no man thought of another. This event was very opportune for the besieged Hindus, and saved them. They sallied forth and plundered the baggage of the army, and Ulugh Khan with his immediate followers re- treated to Deogir. The soldiers were worn out, and fell in all directions. As they retreated, couriers arrived from the court, bringing news of the health and safety of the Sultan.

Differences arose among those "AUi nobles who had fled from the army, each of them pursued his own course. Their soldiers and servants perished, and their horses and arms fell into the hands of the Hindus. Ulugh Kh4n reached Deogir in safety. Malik Tamar, with a few horsemen, plunged into the Hindu territories, and there perished. Malik Tigin of Oudh was killed by the Hindus, and his skin was sent to Ulugh Khdn at Deogir. Malik Mall Afghan, 'Ubaid the poet, and other revolters, were made prisoners, and were also sent to Deogir. The prince sent them on alive to his father. The wives and children of the revolters had been already seized. The Sultdn held a public darbdr in the plain of Siri, when 'TJbaid, the poet, and Kafur, the seal-keeper, and other rebels, were impaled alive j^ some of the others, with their wives and children, were thrown under the feet of elephants. Such a terrible punishment was inflicted as long inspired terror in the breasts of the beholders. All the city trembled at the vengeance taken by the Sultan.

Four months afterwards the Sultdn sent strong reinforcements to the prince, and directed him to march against Arangal once more. He accordingly entered the country of Tilang, took the fort of Bidr, and made its chief prisoner. From thence he pro- ceeded to Arangal for the second time. He invested the mud fort, and after plying it for a few days with arrows from the ndwaks, and stones fi-om the maghribis, he captured the whole place. R4i Laddar Deo, with all his rdis and mukaddims, their wives and children, elephants and horses, fell into the hands of the victors. A despatch of victory was sent to Dehli, and at Tughlikdb^d and Siri there were great rejoicings. The prince sent Laddar Deo Edi, of Arangal, with his elephants and treasures, relations and dependents, to the Sultan, under the charge of Malik Beddr, who had been created Kadar Khdn, and Khwdja Hdji, ndib of the 'ariz-i mamdlik. The name of Arangal was changed to Sultdnpur, and all the country of Tilang was conquered. Officers

' Zindah harddr Jcardand, — that is, crucified or impaled alive. Firishta says they were buried alive.

were appointed to manage the country, and one year's tribute was taken. The prince then marched towards Jdjnagar,^ and there took forty elephants, with which he returned to Tilang. These he sent on to his father.

At the time when Arangal was taken, and the elephants arrived from Jajnagar, several Mughal armies attacked the frontiers, but the armies of Islam defeated them and sent their two generals as prisoners to the court. The Sultdn had made Tughlikdbad his capital, and the nobles and officials, with their wives and families, had taken up their abode there, and had built houses.

About this time certain noblemen came from Lakhnauti, com- plaining of the oppressive laws under which they were suffering, and informing the 8ult4n of the distress and tyranny under which they and other Musulmdns laboured. So the Sultdn resolved to march against Lakhnauti, and he sent couriers to summon TJlugh Khdn from Arangal. He made him his vice- gerent, and placed all the affairs of the kingdom under his management during his own absence. He then marched to Lakhnauti, and so conducted his forces through the deep waters and mire and dirt, on this distant march, that not a hair of any man's head was hurt. Fear and respect for the Sultan had spread through Khurasan and Hindustan, and all the countries of Hind and Sindh, and the chiefs and generals of east and west, had trembled in fear of him for many a year {karn). When the Sultan reached Tirhut, the ruler of Lakhnauti, Sultan N^siru-d din, came forth with great respect to pay homage to the Sultan ; and without the sword being called into requisi- tion, all the rdis and rdnas of the country made their submission. Tdtdr Khdn, foster-son (pisar i khtvdnda) of the Sultdn, held the territory of Zafarabdd ; and a force having been assigned to him, he brought the whole country under the imperial rule. BahMur Sh4h, the ruler of Sundr-ganw made some resistance ; but a cord was thrown upon his neck, and he was conducted to the Sultdn. ' The JSjuagar on the Mahanadi in Cutback referred to hy Briggs, Firishta, I., 260.

All the elephants of the country were sent to the royal stables, and the army acquired great spoil in the campaign. Sultdn Nasiru-d din had shown .great respect and submission, so the Sultdn gave him a canopy and a baton, sent him back, and placed Lakhnauti under his rule. Bahadur Shdh, the ruler of Sunar-g4nw, Was sent to Dehli with a rope round his neck, and the Sultdn returned towards his capital triumphant. * * *

When Ulugh Khan received information of the Sultan's hastening homewards to Tughlikdbad, he ordered a temporary erection to be raised at Afghdnpur, about three or four kos from the city, where the Sultdn might stay for the night and take rest, before marching on the following day into the city with pomp and triumph. * * * Sultdn Tughlik Shdh arrived in the afternoon and stopped. Ulugh Khan, and all the great nobles and officers, had gone forth to meet him, and had con- ducted him thither with great ceremony. The Sultdn's table had been spread, and he took food ; the nobles came out to wash their hands. A thunderbolt from the sky descended upon the earth, and the roof under which the Sultdn was seated fell down, crushing him and five or six other persons, so that they died.^

SULTANU-L MUJAHID AbU-L FaTH MuHAMMAD ShaH IBN

Sultan Muhammad bin Tughlik Shah, the heir apparent, suc- ceeded his father, and ascended the throne at Tughlikdbad in the year 725 H. (1325 a.d.). On the fortieth day after, he proceeded from Tughlikdbdd to Dehli, and there in the. ancient palace took his seat upon the throne of the old Sultdns. * * * 2

In the caligraphy of books and letters Sultan Muhammad abashed the most accomplished scribes , The excellence of his hand-writing, the ease of his composition, the sublimity of his

' The reticence of Barni upon this catastroplie favours the suspicion that it was the work of design ; not an accident. Firishta, however, notices this siispiciou, but to discredit it.

• A long strain of eulogy follows, from which one or two passages have been selected.

style, and the play of his fancy, left the most accomplished teachers and professors far behind. He was an adept in the use of metaphor. If any teacher of composition had sought to rival him, he would have failed. He knew by heart a good deal of Persian poetry, and understood it well. In his epistles he showed himself skilled in metaphor, and frequently quoted Persian verse. He was well acquainted with the Sikandar ndma, and also with the Birni-i mlim Ndmah and the Tdrikh-i Mah- miidL * * * No learned or scientific man, or scribe, or poet, or wit, or physician, could have had the presumption to argue with him about his own special pursuit, nor would he have been able to maintain his position against the throttling arguments of the SultAn. * * *

The dogmas of philosophers, which are productive of in- difference and hardness of heart, had a powerful influence over him. But the declarations of the holy books, and the utterances of the Prophets, which inculcate benevolence and humility, and hold out the prospect of future punishment, were not deemed worthy of attention. The punishment of Musulmdns, and the execution of true believers, with him became a practice and a passion. Numbers of doctors, and elders, and saiyids, and siifis, and kalandars, and clerks, and soldiers, received punishment by his order. Not a day or week passed without the spilling of much Musulman blood, and the running of streams of gore before the entrance of his palace. * * *

In the course of twenty-seven years, a complete karn, the King of Kings and Lord of Lords made him to prevail over the dominions of several kings, and brought the people of many coun- tries under his rule in Hindustan, Gujarat, Mdlwa, the Mahratta (country), Tilang, Kampila, Dhur-samuudar, Ma'bar, Lakhnauti, Sat-g4nw (Chittagong), Sun4r-gd.nw, and Tirhut. If I were to write a full account of all the afi'airs of his reign, and of all that passed, with his faults and shortcomings, I should fill many volumes. In this history I have recorded all the great and im- portant matters of his reign, and the beginning and the end of

every conquest ; but the rise and termination of every mutiny, and of events (of minor importance), I have passed over. * * *

Sultan Muhammad planned in his own breast three or four projects by which the whole of the habitable world was to be brought under the rule of his servants, but he never talked over these projects with any of his councillors and friends. Whatever he conceived he considered to be good, but in promulgating and enforcing his schemes he lost his hold upon the territories he possessed, disgusted his people, and emptied his treasury. Em- barrassment followed embarrassment, and confusion became worse confounded. The ill feeling of the people gave rise to outbreaks and revolts. The rules for enforcing the royal schemes became daily more oppressive to the people. More and more the people became disaffected, more and more the mind of the king was set against them, and the numbers of those brought to punishment increased. The tribute of most of the distant countries and districts was lost, and many of the soldiers and servants were scattered and left in distant lands. Deficiencies appeared in the treasury. The mind of the Sultan lost its equilibrium. In the extreme weakness and harshness ^ of his temper he gave himself up to severity. Grujardt and Deogir were the only (distant) possessions that remained. In the old territories, dependent on Dehli, the capital, disaffection and rebellion sprung up. By the will of fate many different projects occurred to the mind of the Sultdn, which appeared to him moderate and suit- able, and were enforced for several years, but the people could not endure them.^ These schemes effected the ruin of the Sultdn's empire, and the decay of the people. Every one of them that was enforced wrought some wrong and mischief, and the minds of all men, high and low, were disgusted with their ruler. Territories and districts which had been securely settled

' The two MSS. differ slightly from each other, but both contain many words not in the printed text. I have taken what appears to be the general sense of what was evidently deemed an obscure and doubtful passage.

were lost. When the Sultdn found that his orders did not work so well as he desired, he became still more embittered against his people. He cut them down like weeds and punished them. So many wretches were ready to slaughter true and orthodox Musul- mdns as had never before been created, from the days of Adam. * * * If the twenty prophets had been given into the hands of these minions, I verily believe that they would not have allowed them to live one night. * * *

The first project which the Sultan formed, and which operated to the ruin of the country and the decay of the people, was that he thought he ought to get ten or five per cent, more tribute from the lands in the Dodb. To accomplish this he invented some oppressive dbwabs^ (cesses), and made stoppages from the land- revenues until the backs of the raiyats were broken. The cesses were collected so rigorously that the raiyats were impoverished and reduced to beggary. Those who were rich and had property became rebels ; the lands were ruined, and cultivation was entirely arrested. When the raiyats in distant countries heard of the distress and ruin of the raiyats in the Dodb, through fear of the same evil befalling them, they threw off their allegiance and betook themselves to the jungles. The decline of cultiva- tion, and the distress of the raiyats in the Doab, and the failure of convoys of corn from Hindustan, produced a fatal famine in Dehli and its environs, and throughout the Doab. Grain became dear. There was a deficiency of rain, so the famine became general. It continued for some years, and thousands upon thousands of people perished of want. Communities were re- duced to distress, and families were broken up. The glory of the State, and the power of the government of Sultan Muham- mad, from this time withered and decayed.

The second project of Sultan Muhammad, which was ruinous to the capital of the empire, and distressing to the chief men of the country, was that of making Deogir his capital, under the

' This is the first time that this word, since so well known, has come under my ohservation in these histories.

title of Daulatab&d. This place held a central situation : Dehli, Grujardt, Lakhnauti, Sat-ganw, Sun4r-ganw, Tilang, Ma'bar, Dhur-samundar, and Kampila were about equi-distant from thence, there being but a slight difference in the distances. Without any consultation, and without carefully looking into the advantages and disadvantages on every side, he brought ruin upon Dehli, that city which, for 170 or 180 years, had grown in prosperity, and rivalled Baghdad and Cairo. The city, with its sdrdis, and its suburbs and villages, spread over four or five kos. All was destroyed. So complete was the ruin, that not a cat or a dog was left among the buildings of the city, in its palaces or in its suburbs. Troops of the natives, with their families and dependents, wives and children, men-servants and maid-servants, were forced to remove. The people, who for many years and for generations had been natives and inhabitants of the land, were broken-hearted. Many, from the toils of the long journey, perished on the road, and those who arrived at Deogir could not endure the pain of exile. In despondency they pined to death. All around Deogir, which is an infidel land, there sprung up graveyards of Musulmans. The Sultcin was bounteous in his liberality and favours to the emi- grants, both on their journey and on their arrival ; but they were tender, and they could not endure the exile and suffering. They laid down their heads in that heathen land, and of all the multitudes of emigrants, few only survived to return to their home. Thus this city, the envy of the cities of the inhabited world, was reduced to ruin. The Sultdn brought learned men and gentlemen, tradesmen and landholders, into the city (Dehli) from certain towns in his territory, and made them reside there. But this importation of strangers did not populate the city; many of them died there, and more returned to their native homes. These changes and alterations were the cause of great injury to the country.

The third project also did great harm to the country. It increased the daring and arrogance of the disaffected in Hin-

dustdn, and augmented the pride and prosperity of all the Hindus. This was the issue of copper money.^ The Sultdn, in his lofty ambition, had conceived it to be his work to subdue the whole habitable world and bring it under his rule. To accomplish this impossible design, an army of countless numbers was necessary, and this could not be obtained without plenty of money. The Sultdn's bounty and munificence had caused a great deficiency in the treasury, so he introduced his copper money, and gave orders that it should be used in buying and selling, and should pass current, just as the gold and silver coins had passed. The promulgation of this edict turned the house of every Hindu into a mint, and the Hindus of the various pro- vinces coined krors and lacs of copper coins. With these they paid their tribute, and with these they purchased horses, arms, and fine things of all kinds. The rdis, the village headmen and landowners, grew rich and strong upon these copper coins, but the State was impoverished. No long lime passed before distant countries would take the copper tanka only as copper. In those places where fear of the Saltan's edict prevailed, the gold tanka rose to be worth a hundred of (the copper) tankas. Every gold- smith struck copper coins in his workshop, and the treasury was filled with these copper coins. So low did they fall that they were not valued more than pebbles or potsherds. The old coin, from its great scarcity, rose four-fold and five-fold in value. When trade was interrupted on every side, and when the copper tankas had become more worthless than clods, and of no use, the Sultan repealed his edict, and in great wrath he proclaimed that whoever possessed copper coins should bring them to the treasury, and receive the old gold coins in exchange. Thousands of men from various quarters, who possessed thousands of these copper coins, and caring nothing for them, had flung them into corners along with their copper pots, now brought them to- the treasury, and received in exchange gold tankas and silver tankas, shash-gdnis

' The printed text adds, "his interference mth buying and selling," bnt this is not to be fonnd in either of my MSS., and is certainly superfluous.

and du-gdnis, which they carried to their homes. So many of these copper tankas were brought to the treasury, that heaps of them rose up in Tughlikab&d like mountains. Great sums went out of the treasury in exchange for the copper, and a great deficiency was caused. When the SultS.n found that his pro- ject had failed, and that great loss had been entailed upon the treasury through his copper coins, he more than ever turned against his subjects.

The fourth project which diminished his treasure, and so brought distress upon the country, was his design of conquering Khurasdn and 'Irak. In pursuance of this object, vast sums were lavished upon the officials and leading men of those countries. These great men came to him with insinuating proposals and deceitful representations, and as far as they knew how, or were able, they robbed the throne of its wealth. The coveted countries were not acquired, but those which he possessed were lost ; and his treasure, which is the true source of political power, was expended.

The fifth project * * * was the raising of an immense army for the campaign against Khurasdn. * * * In that year three hundred and seventy thousand horse were enrolled in the muster- master's office. For a whole year these were supported and paid; but as they were not employed in war and conquest and enabled to maintain themselves on plunder, when the next year came round, there was not sufficient in the treasury or in the feudal estates {iM£) to support them. The army broke up; each man took his own course and engaged in his own occupations. But lacs and hrors had been expended by the treasury.

The sixth project, which inflicted a heavy loss upon the army, was the design which he formed of capturing the mountain of Kard-jal.^ His conception was that, as he had undertaken the conquest of Khur&sdn, he would (first) bring under the dominion of Isldm this mountain, which lies between the territories of

1 The printed text has " FarSjal," and this is favoured to some extent by one MS., but the other is consistent in reading Kara-jal. See stqird, Vol. I., p. 46, note 2.

Hind and those of China, so that the passage for horses and soldiers and the march of the array might be rendered easy. To efifect this object a large force, under distinguished amkrs and generals, was sent to the mountain of Kara-jal, with orders to subdue the whole mountain. In obedience to orders, it marched into the mountains and encamped in various places, but the Hindus closed the passes and cut off its retreat. The whole force was thus destroyed at one stroke, and out of all this chosen body of men only ten horsemen returned to Dehli to spread the news of its discomfiture. * * *

Revolts. — * * The first revolt was that of Eahram Abiya at Mult4n. This broke out while the Sultdn was at Deogir. As soon as he heard of it he hastened back to his capital, and collecting an army he marched against Multdn. When the opposing forces met, Bahram Abiya was defeated. His head was cut off and was brought to the Sultan, and his army was cut to pieces and dis- persed. * * * The Sultdn returned victorious to Dehli, where he stayed for two years. He did not proceed to Deogir, whither the citizens and their families had removed. Whilst he re- mained at Dehli the nobles and soldiers continued with him, but their wives and children were at Deogir. At this time the country of the Doab was brought to ruin by the heavy taxation and the numerous cesses. The Hindus burnt their corn stacks and turned their cattle out to roam at large. Under the orders of the Sultan, the collectors and magistrates laid waste the country, and they killed some landholders and village chiefs and blinded others. Such of these unhappy inhabitants as escaped formed themselves into bands and took refuge in the jungles. So the country was ruined. The Sultan then proceeded on a hunting excursion to Baran, where, under his directions, the whole of that country was plundered and laid waste, and the heads of the Hindus were brought in and hung upon the ramparts of the fort of Baran.

About this time the rebellion of Fakhra broke out in Bengal, after the death of Bahr4m Waka. (Governor of Sunar-gdnw).

Fakhra and his Bengali forces killed Kadar Khan (Governor of Lakhnauti), and cut his wives and family and dependents to pieces. He then plundered the treasuBes of Lakhnauti, and secured possession of that place, and of Sat-ganw and Sunar- ganw. These places were thus lost to the imperial throne, and, falling into the hands of Fakhr4 and other rebels, were not recovered. At the same period the Sultdn led forth his army to ravage Hindustan. He laid the country waste from Xanauj to Dalamu, and every person that fell into his hands he slew. Many of the inhabitants fled and took refuge in the jungles, but the Sultan had the jungles surrounded, and every individual that was captured was killed.

While he was engaged in the neighboarhood of Kanauj a third revolt broke out. Saiyid Hasan, father of Ibrahim, the purse- bearer, hroke out into rebellion in Ma'bar, killed the nobles, and seized upon the government. The army sent from Dehli to recover Ma'bar, remained there. When the Sultan heard of the revolt he seized Ibrahim and all his relations. He then returned to Dehli for reinforcements, and started from thence to Deoo-ir, in order to prepare for a campaign against Ma'bar. He had only marched three or four stages from Dehli when the price of grain rose, and famine began to be felt. Highway robberies also became frequent in the neighbourhood. When the Sultan arrived at Deogir he made heavy demands upon the Musulm4n chiefs and collectors of the Mahratta country, and his oppressive exactions drove many persons to kill themselves. Heavy abwdbs also were imposed on the country, and persons were specially ap- pointed to. levy them. After a short time he sent Ahmad Ayyaz (as lieutenant) to Dehli, and he marched to Tilang. When Ayydz arrived in Dehli he found that a disturbance had broken out in Labor, but he suppressed it. The Sultdn arrived at Arangal, where cholera (.wabd) was prevalent. Several nobles and many other persons died of it The Sultan also was at- tacked. He then appointed Malik Kabul, the ndib-wazir, to be ruler over Tilang, and himself returned homewards with all

speed. He was ill when he reached Deoglr, and remained there some days under treatment. He there gave Shahab Sultdni the title of Nusrat Kh^n, and made him governor of Bidar and the neighbourhood, with a fief of a lac of tanlms. The Mahratta country was entrusted to Katlagh Khan. The Sultan, still ill, then set off for Dehli, and on his way he gave general permission for the return home of those people whom he had removed from Dehli to Deogir. Two or three caravans were formed which returned to Dehli, but those with whom the Mahratta country agreed remained at Deogir with their wives and children.

The Sultan proceeded to Dhdr, and being still indisposed, he rested a few days, and then pursued his journey through M41wa. Famine prevailed there, the posts were all gone off the road, and distress and anarchy reigned in all the country and towns along the route. When the Sultan reached Dehli, not a thousandth part of the population remained. He found the country desolate, a deadly famine raging, and all cultivation abandoned. He employed himself some time in restoring cultivation and agriculture, but the rains fell short that year, and no success followed. At length no horses or cattle were left ; grain rose to 16 or 17 jitals a sir, and the people starved. The Sultan advanced loans from the treasury to promote cultivation, but men had been brought to a state of helplessness and weakness. Want of rain prevented cultivation, and the people perished. The Sultdn soon recovered his health at Dehli.

Whilst the SultS.n was thus engaged in endeavouring to restore cultivation, the news was brought that Shdhu Afghan had re- belled in Multdn, and had killed BihzS,d, the ndih. Malik Nawa fled from Multdn to Dehli. Shahu had collected a party of Afghans, and had taken possession of the city. The Sultan pre- pared his forces and marched towards Multdn, but he had made only a few marches when Makhduma-i Jah^n, his mother, died in Dehli. * * The Sultdn was much grieved. * * He pursued his march, and when he was only a few marches from Multdn, Shdhu

submitted, and sent to say that he repented of what he had done. He fled with his Afghans to Afghanistan, and the Sultan pro- ceeded to Sanndm. From thence he went to Agroha, where he rested awhile, and afterwards to Dehli, where the famine was very severe, and man was devouring man. The Sultan strove to restore cultivation, and had wells dug, but the people could do nothing. No word issued from their mouths, and they continued inactive and negligent. This brought many of them to punishment.

The Sultau again marched to Sannam and Sdm4na, to put down the rebels, who had formed mandak (strongholds ?), with- held the tribute, created disturbances, and plundered on the roads. The Sultdn destroyed their mandals, dispersed their fol- lowers, and carried their chiefs prisoners to Dehli. Many of them became Musulmans, and some of them were placed in the service of noblemen, and, with their wives and children, became residents of the eity.^ They were torn from their old lands, the troubles they had caused were stopped, and travellers could pro- ceed without fear of robbery.

While this was going on a revolt broke out among the Hindus at Arangal. Kanya N4ik had gathered strength in the country. Malik Makbul, the ndib-wazir, fled to Dehli, and the Hindus took possession of Arangal, which was thus entirely lost. About the same time one of the relations of Kanya Naik, whom the Sultan had sent to Kambala,^ apostatized from Islam and stirred

' The work is not divided into chapters, or other divisions, systematically, in a way useful for reference, so the occasional headings have not been given in the translation. But the heading of the section in which this passage occurs is more explicit than the narrative ; it says — " Campaign of Sult&n Muhammad in Sann&m, Sam&na, Kaithal and Kuhram, and devastation of those countries which had all become rebellious. Departure of the Sult&n to the hiUs ; subjugation of the rdnas of the hills ; the carrying away of the village chiefs and head men, Bir&has, Mand&- hars, Jats, Bhats, and Manhis to Dehli. Their conversion to Isl4m, and their being placed in the charge of the nobles in the capital."

" Kampala is the name given in the print, but both MSS. read " Kambala," making it identical with the place mentioned directly afterwards. I have not been able to discover the place. The author probably took the name to be identical with that of Eampila in the Do^b.

up a revolt. The land of Kambala also was thus lost, and fell into the hands of the Hindus. Deogir and Gujarat alone re- mained secure. Disaffection and disturbances arose on every side, and as they gathered strength the Sultan became more ex- asperated and more severe with his subjects. But his severities only increased the disgust and distress of the people. He stayed for some time in Dehli, making loans and encouraging cultiva- tion ; but the rain did not fall, and the raiyats did not apply themselves to work, so prices rose yet higher, and men and beasts died of starvation. * * * Through the famine no business of the State could go on to the Sultan's satisfaction.

The Sultdn perceived that there was no means of providing against the scarcity of grain and fodder in the capital, and no possibility of restoring cultivation without the fall of rain. He saw also that the inhabitants were daily becoming more wretched ; so he allowed the people to pass the gates of the city and to remove with their families towards Hindustan, * * * so many proceeded thither. The Sultan also left the city, and, passing by Pattidli and Kampila,! he halted a little beyond the town of Khor, on the banks of the Ganges, where he remained for a while with his army. The men built thatched huts, and took up their abode near the cultivated land. The place was called Sarg- dwari (Heaven's gate). Grain was brought thither from Karra and Oudh, and, compared with the price at Dehli, it was cheap. While the Sultan was staying at this place 'Ainu-I Mulk held the territory of Oudh and Zafarabad. His brothers had fought against and put down the rebels, thus securing these territories, * * and the Malik and his brothers sent to Sarg- dwari and to Dehli money, grain and goods, to the value of from seventy to eighty lacs of tankas. This greatly increased the Sultan's confidence in 'Ainu-1 Mulk, and confirmed his opinion of his ability. The Sultan had just before been apprized that the officials of Katlagh Khdn at Deogir had, by their rapacity, re- duced the revenues ; he therefore proposed to make 'Ainu-1 Mulk 1 Towns in Farrukli&b&d.

governor of Deogir, and to send him there with his brothers and all their wives and families, and to recall Katlagh Khan with his adherents. When 'Ainu-1 Mulk and his brothers heard of this design, they were filled with apprehension, and attributed it to the treachery of the Sultdn. They had held their present territories for many years, and many nobles and officials of Dehli, through fear of the Sultan's severity, had left the city, alleging the dearness of grain as the reason, and had come to Oudh and Zafarabdd, with their wives and families. Some of them became connected with the Malik and his brothers, and some of them received villages. * * The Sultan was repeatedly informed of this, and it made him very angry, but he kept this feeling to himself, until one day, while at Sarg-dw4ri, he sent a message to 'Ainu-1 Mulk, order- ing that all the people of note and ability, and all those who had fled from Dehli to escape punishment, should be arrested and sent bound to Dehli. * * * This message, so characteristic of the Sultan's cruelty, enhanced the fears of the Malik and his brothers, and they felt assured that the Sultan's intention was to send them to Deogir and there perfidiously destroy them. They were filled with abhorrence, and began to organize a revolt.

About this time, during the Sult&n's stay at Dehli and his temporary residence at Sarg-dwari, four revolts were quickly re- pressed. First. That of Niz4m Ma-in at Karra. * * * 'Ainu-l Mulk and his brothers marched against this rebel, and having put down the revolt and made him prisoner, they flayed him and sent his skin to Dehli. Second. That of Shahab Sultdni, or Nusrat Khdn, at Bidar. * * * In the course of three years he had misappropriated about a kror of tankas from the revenue. * * The news of the Sultdn's vengeance reached him and he rebelled, but he was besieged in the fort of Bidar, * * * which was captured, and he was sent prisoner to Dehli. Third. That of 'Alisha, nephew of Zafar Khdn, which broke out a few months afterwards in the same district. * * * He had been sent from Deogir to Kulbarga to collect the revenues, but finding the country without soldiers and without any great men, he and his

brothers rebelled, treacherously killed Bhairan, chief of Kulbarga, and plundered his treasures. He iihen proceeded to Bidar and killed the ndib, after which he held both Bidar and Kulbarga, and pushed his revolt. The Sultan sent Katlagh Khan against him * * * from Deogir, and the rebel met him and was de- feated. * * * He then fled to Bidar, where he was besieged and captured. He and his brothers were sent to the Sultan, * * * who ordered them to Ghazni. They returned from thence, and the two brothers received punishment. Fourth. The revolt of 'Ainu-1 Mulk and his brothers at Sarg-dwdri. The Malik was an old courtier and associate of the Sultdn, so he feared the weakness of his character and the ferocity of his temper. Con- sidering himself on the verge of destruction, he, by per- mission of the Sultdn, brought his brothers and the armies of Oudh and Zafarabdd with him when he went to Sarg- dwdri, and they remained a few kos distant. One night he suddenly left Sarg-dwari and joined them. His brothers then passed over the river with three or four hundred horse, and, pro- ceeding towards Sarg-dwdri, they seized the elephants and horses which were grazing there, and carried them off. A serious revolt thus arose at Sarg-dwdri. The Sultan summoned forces from Sdmana, Amroha, Baran, and Kol, and a force came in from Ahmaddbad. He remained a while at Sarg-dwari to arrange his forces, and then marched to Kanauj and encamped in its suburbs. 'Ainu-1 Mulk and his brothers knew nothing of war and fighting, and had no courage and experience. They were opposed by Sultan Muhammad, * * * who had been victorious in twenty battles with the Mughals. In their extreme ignorance and folly they crossed the Ganges below Bangarmu, * * * and thinking that the Sultdn's severity would cause many to desert him, they drew near to offer battle. * * * In the morning one division of the Sultan's forces charged and defeated them at the first attack. 'Ainu-I Mulk was taken prisoner, and the routed forces were pur- sued for twelve or thirteen kos with great loss. The Malik's two brothers, who were the commanders, were killed in the fight.

Many of the fugitives, in their panic, cast themselves into the river and were drowned. The pursuers obtained great booty. Those who escaped from the river fell into the hands of the Hindus in the Mawds and lost their horses and arms. The Sultan did not punish 'Ainu-l Mulk, for he thought that he was not wilfully rebellious, but had acted through mistake. * * * After a while he sent for him, treated him kindly, gave him a robe, promoted him to high employment, and showed him great indulgence. His children and all his family were restored to him.

After the suppression of this revolt, the Sultan resolved on going to Hindustan, and proceeded to Bahrdich, where he paid a visit, and devoutly made offerings to the shrine of the martyr Sipdh-salar Mas'iid,! one of the heroes of Sultan Mahmud Subuk- tigfn. * * *

When the Sultdn returned to Dehli, it occurred to his mind that no king or prince could exercise regal power without con- firmation by the Khalifa of the race of 'Abbas, and that every king who had, or should hereafter reign, without such confirma- tion, had been or would be overpowered. The Sultdn made diligent inquiries from many travellers about the Khalifas of the line of 'Abbds, and he learned that the representatives of the line of 'Abbds were the Khalifas of Egypt. So he and his ministers and advisers came to an understanding with the Khalifa that was in Egypt, and while the Sultan was at Sarg-dw^ri he sent despatches to Egypt about many things. When he returned to the city he stopped^ the prayers of the Sabbath and the 'I'ds. He had his own name and style removed from his coins, and that of the Khalifa substituted ; and his flatteries of the Khalifa were so fulsome that they cannot be reduced to writing. In the year 744 H. (1343 A.D.) H4ji Sa'id Sarsari came to Dehli, from Egypt, bringing to the Sultan honours and a robe from the Khalifa.

' The tomb of Mas'ud had thus become a place of sanctity at this time. See Vol. II. App., pp. 513, 649.

2 Dor tawaTckvf ddsht, probably meaning that he substituted the name of the Khalifa of Egypt for that of the Khalifa of Baghdad.

The Sultan, with all his nobles and saiyids and * * *, went forth to meet the Haji with great ceremony, * * * and he walked before him barefoot for the distance of some long bow-shotg. * * * From that date permission was given, that out of respect the Khalifa's name should be repeated in the prayers for Sabbaths and holydays, * * * and it was also ordered that in mentioning the names of the kings in the lihutba, they should be declared to have reigned under the authority and confirmation of the 'Abbdsi Khalifas. The names of those kings who had not received such confirmation were to be removed from the hhufba, and the kings were to be declared to be superseded {mutaghallab). * * * The name of the Khalifa was ordered to be inscribed on lofty build- ings, and no other name besides. * * * The Sultdn directed that a letter acknowledging his subordination to the Khalifa should be sent by the hands of Hdji Rajab Barka'i, * * * and after two years of correspondence the Hdji returned from Egypt, bringing a diploma in the name of the Sultan, as deputy of the Khalifa} * * After the Sultan returned from Sarg-dwari, he remained for three or four years at Dehli, where he devoted himself to sundry matters which he considered to be for the good of the State. Firstly. He did his best for the promotion of agriculture, and for the encouragement of building. * * * The officers entrusted with the distribution of the loans from the public treasury took care of themselves', and appropriated the money to their own wants and necessities. Much of the pasture land being unfit for cultivation remained uncultivated, and the superintendents were in dread of punishment. In the course of two years about seventy lacs oitankas had been issued from the treasury to the superinten- dents of the cultivation of waste lands, and not one hundredth or a thousandth part of what was disbursed was reproduced in agriculture. If the Sultan had returned from his campaign against Thatta, not one of these superintendents and managers

' In the translation of Firishta it ia made to appear that it was the Khalifa of Arabia who was thus recognized : the text, however, says correctly that it was he of Egjpt.

would have remained alive. Secondly. The Sultan supported and patronized the Mughals. Every year at the approach of winter, the amirs of tumans (of men) and of thousands etc., etc., received krors and lacs, and robes, and horses, and pearls. During the whole period of two or three years, the , Sultan was intent upon patronizing and favouring the Mughals. Thirdly. * * * He was diligently engaged in drawing out plans and schemes for increasing his revenue and army, and for pro- moting agriculture. Fourthly. He applied himself excessively to the business of punishment, and this was the cause of many of the acquired territories slipping from his grasp, and of troubles and disturbances in those which remained in his power. * * * The more severe the punishments that were inflicted in the city, the more disgusted were the people in the neighbourhood, insur- rections spread, and the loss and injury to the State increased. Every one that was punished spoke evil of him. * * * Fifthly. The exertions which he made in the latter part of these years to promote the settlement and prosperity of Deogir and the country of the Mahrattas. The Sult4n and the evil counsellors who found favour in his sijjht came to the conclusion that vast sums of the revenues of Deogir were lost through the peculations of Katlagh Khan's officials. * * * He divided the Mahratta country into four provinces (shikh). * * * The oiBcers who were sent thither received orders to exterminate all those who had revolted or were inimical to the Sultan's rule. * * * Towards the end of the year Katlagh Khan, with his family and suite, were recalled to Dehli, and 'Aziz Himdr, a low fellow, depraved and foolish, was sent to Dhar, and made governor of all Malwa. The recall of Katlagh Khdn quite disheartened the people of Deogir, and they saw themselves upon the very brink of ruin. They had enjoyed tranquility under the just and benevolent rule of that nobleman, and they had looked to him as their defence against the cruel punishments of the Sultan. The accounts which they heard of his severity had disgusted all the people of Deogir, both Hindus and Musulmans, and many of them broke out into rebellion. * * * Mauland

Nizarau-d din, a simple inexperienced man, and brother of Kat- lagli Kh4n, was sent from Bahruj (Broach) to succeed him.

• • • The cash raised from the revenues under Katlagh Kh4n had been accumulated at Dedgir, for it was not possible to convey it to Dehli in consequence of the badness of the roads, the dis- tress in Malwa, and the disaffection of the village chiefs. Orders were therefore given to secure it in Dharagir, a strong fort. * * *

The Sultdn having thus appointed the base-bom 'Aziz Himar to Dhdr and Malwa, gave him several lacs of tanhas on his departure, in order that he might proceed thither with befitting state and dignity. * * * He said to him, " Thou seest how that revolts and disturbances are breaking out on every side, and I am told that whoever creates a disturbance does so with the aid of the foreign amirs.^ * * * Revolts are possible, because these amirs are ready to join any one for the sake of disturbance and plunder. If you find at Dhdr any of these amirs, who are dis- affected and ready to rebel, you must get rid of them in the best way you can." 'Aziz arrived at Dhdr, and in all his native ignorance applied himself to business. The vile whoreson one day got together about eighty of the foreign amirs and chiefs of the soldiery, and, upbraiding them with having been the cause of every misfortune and disturbance, he had them all beheaded in front of the palace. * * * This slaughter of the foreign amirs of Dh4r, on the mere ground of their being foreigners, caused those of Deogir, and Gujarat, and every other place to unite and to break out into insurrection. * * * When the Sultan was informed of this punishment, he sent 'Aziz a robe of honour and a complimentary letter. * * *

I, the author of this work, have been for seventeen years and three months at the court of Sultdn Muhammad, and have re-

' The printed text, the MSS., and the text of Firishta all agree in this word

• Ju> jf^\ , ™ tlie plural ,l^jua -«.«1 . It is the Mughal title for a centurion or commander of a hundred. Briggs converts it into "Amir Judeeda," and trans- lates it "foreign chiefs." He is probahly not far wrong in the popular meaning he has assigned to it, but he is not justified in his alteration of the original word.

ceived many favours and gifts from him, * * * and I have often heard him speak with contempt of low-born, mean men. * * * Now when I see him promoting and honouring low and unworthy persons, I am lost in amazement. * * *

About the time when this horrid tragedy was perpetrated by 'Aziz Himar, the ndib-wazir of Gujardt, Mukbil by name, having with him the treasure and horses which had been procured in Gujarat for the royal stables, was proceeding by way of Dihui and Baroda to the presence of the Sultan. When he came near Dihui and Baroda, the foreign amirs of those places, who, alarmed, by the act of 'Aziz, had been impelled into rebellion, attacked Mukbil, and carried off all the horses and treasure. They also destroyed all the goods and stuffs which the merchants of G-ujardt were carrying under his convoy. Mukbil returned to Nahrwala, and his party was dispersed. The amirs having ac- quired so many horses and so much property grew in power and importance. Stirring up the flames of insurrection, they gathered together a force and proceeded to Kanhdyat (Oambay). The news of their revolt spread throughout Gujardt, and the whole country was falling into utter confusion. At the end of the month of Ramazan, 745 h. (Feb. 1345), the intelligence of this revolt and of the defeat and plunder of Mukbil was brought to the Sultdn. It caused him much anxiety, and he determined to proceed to Gujarat in person to repress the revolt.

Katlagh Khan, who had been his preceptor, sent a communi- cation to the Sultan by Zia Barni, the author of this history, saying, "What are these amirs of Dihui and Baroda, and in what position are they that the Sultdn should proceed in person against them?" * * "If permission is granted I am willing to raise an army from the resources which I have received through the Sultdn's bounty, and to march to Gujardt, to repress this revolt." * * * The author of this work delivered the letter, * * * but it did not meet with the Sultan's approval, and he vouchsafed no answer. He gave orders, however, for pressing on the prepara- tions for his campaign. Before the news of the revolt arrived,

he had appointed Shaikh Mu'izzu-d din, son of Shaikh 'A14u-d din Ajodhani, to be ndib of Gujarat. He now ordered three lacs of tankas to be given to the Shaikh for enabling him to raise in two or three days a thousand horse to accompany the royal army. He appointed Flroz, afterwards Sultdn, Mahk Kabir, and Ahmad Ayydz to be vicegerents in the capital during his absence. He commenced his march and proceeded to SultAnpiir, about fifteen kos from Dehli, where he remained a short time. This was just at the end of Ramazdn. Here a letter reached him from Dhdr from 'Aziz Him4r, stating that * * * as he was nearer to the rebels, and was ready with the forces of Dhdr, he had marched against them. The Sultan was not very pleased with this movement, and became very anxious, for 'Aziz knew nothing of warfare, and the Sultdn feared that he might be cut up by the rebels. This letter was followed immediately by the news that 'Aziz had engaged the enemy, and, having lost his head during the battle, he had fallen from liis horse, and being senseless and helpless he had been taken by the rebels and put to an ignominious death.

Insurrection followed upon insurrection. During the four or five days of Ramazan that the Sultdn halted at Sultanpiir, late one evening he sent for the author of this work, Zia Barni. When he arrived the Sultan said, " Thou seest how many revolts spring up. I have no pleasure in them, although men will say that they have all been caused by my excessive severity. But I am not to be turned aside from punishment by observations and by revolts. You have read many histories ; hast thou found that kings inflict punishments under certain circum- stances?" I replied, "I have read in royal histories that a king cannot carry on his government without punishments, for if he were not an avenger God knows what evils would arise from the insurrections of the disaffected, and how many thousand crimes would be committed by his subjects. Jam- sliid was asked under what circumstances punishment^ is ap-

' " Siydsat." Capital punishment is evidently meant, in a limited sense of the word.

proved. He replied, 'under seven circumstances, and what- ever goes beyond or in excess of these causes, produces dis- turbances, trouble, and insurrection, and inflicts injury on the country : 1. Apostasy from the true religion, and persistence therein ; 2. Wilful murder ; 3. Adultery of a married man with another's wife ; 4. Conspiracy against the king ; 5. Head- ing a revolt, or assisting rebels ; 6. Joining the enemies or rivals of the king, conveying news to them, or aiding and abet-* ting them in any way ; 7. Disobedience, productive of injury to the State. But for no other disobedience, as detriment to the realm is an essential. The servants of God are disobedi- ent to him when they are disobedient to the king, who is his vicegerent ; and the State would go to ruin, if the king were to refrain from inflicting punishment in such cases of disobedience as are injurious to the realm.'" The Sultan then asked me if the Prophet had said anything about these seven off"ences in respect of their punishment by kings. I replied " that the Prophet had declared his opinion upon three ofiences out of these seven — viz., apostasy, murder of a Musulmdn, and adultery with a married woman. The punishment of the other four offences is a matter rather of policy and good government. Eeferring to the benefits derivable from the punishments prescribed by Jamshid, it has been remarked that kings appoint wazirs, advance them to high dignity, and place the management of their kingdoms in their hands in order that these wazirs may frame regulations and keep the country in such good order that the king may be saved from having to stain himself with the blood of any mortal." The Sultan replied, " Those punishments which Jamshid prescribed were suited to the early ages of the world, but in these days many wicked and turbulent men are to be found. I visit them with chastisement upon the suspicion or presumption of their rebellious and treacherous designs, and I punish the most trifling act of contumacy with death. This I will do until I die, or until the people act honestly, and give up rebellion and contumacy. I have no such wazir as will make rules to obviate my shedding

blood. I punish the people because they have all at once become my enemies and opponents. I have dispensed great wealth among them, but they have not become friendly and loyal. Their temper is well known to me, and I see that they are dis- affected and inimical to me."

The Sultan marched from Sultdnpur towards Gujarat, and when he arrived at Nahrwdla he sent Shaikh Mu'izzu-d din, with •some officials, into the city, whilst he, leaving it on the left, proceeded into the mountains of Abhu,^ to which Dihui and Baroda were near. The Sultan then sent an oflScer with a force against the rebels, and these being unable to cope with the royal army, were defeated. Many of their horsemen were killed, the rest were dispersed, and with their wives and chil- dren fled to Deogir. The Sultdn then proceeded from the mountains of Abhu to Broach, from whence he sent Malik Makbul,^ ndib-wazir-i mamdlik, with some of the soldiers from Dehli, some of the foreign amirs of Broach, and the soldiers of Broach, in pursuit of the fugitives. Malik Makbul ac- cordingly followed the fugitives as far as the Nerbudda, where he attacked and utterly routed them. Most of them were killed, and their wives, children, and goods fell into the hands of the victors. Some of the most noted of the rebels fled upon bare-backed horses to Mdn Deo, chief of the mountains of S41ir and Mallr. Man Deo made them prisoners, and plundered them of all the valuables they possessed. Their evil influence in Gujarat was thus put an end to. Malik Makbul remained for some days on the banks of the Nerbudda, and under royal commands he seized most of the foreign amirs of Broach who had been sent to him, and put them to death. Of those who escaped the sword, some fled to Deogir, others to the chiefs {mukaddims) of Gujarat.

The Sultdn remained for some time at Broach, busily engaged in collecting the dues of Broach, Kanhdyat (Oambay), and

1 Mount AbCi. Print J ^\ , MS. 1. caret; 2. Oo.-il . Firishta, Abdogur. ^ He is called Kabiil in page 243 and Mukbil in page 263.

Gujardt, which were several years in arrear. He appointed sharp collectors, and rigorously exacted large sums. At this period his anger was still more inflamed against the people, and revenge filled his bosom. Those persons at Broach arid Oambay, who had disputed with Malik Makbul, or had in any way encouraged insurrection, were seized and consigned to punishment. Many persons of all descriptions thus met their ends.

While the Sultdn was at Broach he appointed Zin-banda and the middle son of Eukn Thdnesari, two men who were leaders in iniquity and the most depraved men in the world, to inquire into the matters of the disaffected at Deogir. Pisar Thanesari, the vilest of men, went to Deogir; and Zin-banda, a wicked iniquitous character, who was called Majdu-1 Mulk, was on the road thither. A murmuring arose among the Musulmdns at Deogir that two vile odious men had been deputed to investi- gate the disaffection, and to bring its movers to destruction. One of them was before their eyes, and they heard that the other had arrived at Dhar. It so happened that just about the same time the Sultdn sent two well-known noblemen to Deogir with an order to the brother of Katlagh Khan, directing him to send to Broach fifteen hundred horsemen from Deogir with the most noted of the "foreign amirs." They accordingly proceeded to Deogir, and presented the order to Nizamu-d din, brother of Katlagh Khan. In accordance therewith, he commissioned fifteen hundred horse, and despatched with them the chief foreign amirs under the conduct of the two nobles who had been sent for them- They marched toward Broach, but at the end of the first stage the foreign amirs, who were attended by their own horsemen, con- sidered that they had been summoned to Broach in order to be executed, and if they proceeded thither not one would return. So they consulted together and broke out into open resistance, and the two nobles who had been sent for them were killed in that first march. They then turned back with loud clamour and entered the royal palace, where they seized Mauldnd Nizamu-d din, the governor, and put him in confinement. The officials, who had

been sent by the Sultan to Deoglr, were taken and beheaded. They cut Pisar Th^nesari to pieces, and brought down the trea- sure from (the fort of) Dh6,r4gir. Then they made Makh Afghan, brother of Malik Yak Afghan, one of the foreign amirs, their leader, and placed him on the throne. The money and treasure were distributed among the soldiers. The Mahratta country was apportioned among these foreign amirs, and several disaffected persons joined the Afghans. The foreign amirs of Dihui and Baroda left M4n Deo and proceeded to Deogir, where the revolt had increased and had become established. The people of the country joined them.

The Sultan, on hearing of this revolt, made ready a large force and arrived at Deogir, where the rebels and traitors confronted him. He attacked them and defeated them. Most of the horsemen were slain in the action. Makh Afghan, their com- mander, who had received a royal canopy, and had called himself Sultan, escaped, with his confederates and his wives and children, to the fort of DharAglr, and there took refuge. Hasan K&ngu, and the rebels of Bidar, and the brethren of Makh Afghan, fled before the royal forces to their own countries. The inhabitants of Deogir, Hindus and Musulmdns, traders and soldiers, were plundered. 'Imddu-l Mulk, Sar-tez i Sultdni, with several other amirs, was sent by the Sultan to Kulbarga, with instructions to occupy that place and to secure the neighbouring country. He was also directed to hunt up the fugitives who had fled before the royal forces, and to put a stop to their machinations. The Sultan stayed for a while at Deogir, in the royal palace, and on New Year's Day all the Musulmans in the place went to wait upon him. * * *

While the Sultdn was engaged at Deogir in settling the affairs of that place and in providing for the settlement of the Mahratta country, and before he had finished the business of the amirs and the army, news arrived of the revolt, excited by the traitor Taghi, in Gujarat. This man was a cobbler, and had been a slave of the general, Malik Sultdni. He had

won over the foreign amirs of Gujarat, and had broken out into- rebellion. Many of the mukaddirm of Gujarat joined him. He marched to Nahrw&la, killed Malik MuzafFar, the assistant of Shaikh Mu'izzu-d din (the governor), and ma,de the latter and his officers prisoners. Taghi then proceeded, at the head of his rebels, to Oambay, and, after plundering that place, he proceeded with a body of Hindus and Musulmans to the fort of Broach. They attacked the fort, and every day had conflictis with the defenders. The Sultan, upon receiving intelligence of this rising, left the affairs of Deoglr half settled, and placing certain officers in charge, departed with all speed towards Broach to m-eet the rebels. All the Musulmans of that place who had remained in Deogir, high and low, marched' with the royal army to- Broach. Grain was very dear, and the army suffered great privations. I, 7A.k Barni, the author of this history, just at this time joined the Sultan, after he had made one or two marches from Ghati-saktin towards Broach. I had been sent from the capital by the present Sultan (Firoz), Malik Kabir, and Ahmad Ayyaz, with letters of congratulation on the con- quest of Deogir. The Sultan received me with great favour. One day, as I was riding in his suite, the Sultan conversed with me, and the conversation turned upon rebellion. He then said, " Thou seest what troubles these traitorous foreign amirs have excited on every side. When I collect my forces and put them down in one direction, they excite disturbances in some other quarter. If I had at the first given orders for the de- struction of all the foreign amirs of Deogir, Gujardt, and Broach, I s-hould not have been so troubled by them. This rebel, Taghi, is my slave ; if I had executed him or had sent him as a memorial to the King of Eden, this revolt would never have broken out." I could not help feeling a desire to tell the Sultdn that the troubles and revolts which were breaking out on every side, and this general disaffection, all arose from the excessive severity of his Majesty, and that if punishments were suspended for a while, a better feeling might spring up, and mistrust be removed from

the hearts of the people. But I dreaded the temper of the king, and could not say what I desired, so I said to myself. What is the good of pointing out to the Sultan the causes of the troubles and disturbances in his country, for it will have no eflfect upon him ?

The Sultan arrived at Broach, and encamped on the banks of the Nerbadda, which flows by the town. When the rebel Taghi was apprized of the approach of the Sultan, he abandoned the town, with a party of his adherents not numbering more than three hundred horse. The Sultan then placed Malik Yusuf Baghra in command of two thousand horse, and sent him with some other amirs to Oambay. In four or five days he drew near to that place and encountered Taghi, when he and several other ttnnrs were slain, and the army being routed, fled to Broach, Instantly upon hearing this, the Sultan crossed the river, and re- mained two or three days in Broach. Although he made every exertion to get to Cambay, Taghi heard of his advance and fled from that place to As&wal.'^ Thither the Sultdn pursued him, but the rebel again fled and went to Nahrwala. Before the Sultan left Broach, Taghi had executed Shaikh Mu'izzu-d din and several other officials whom he had made prisoners. * * *

The Sultan arrived at Asdwal and had to stay there about a month, on account of the ill-condition of his horses and the fall of rain. While the rains were still prevailing, news came from Nahrwala that Taghi had marched from thence with a party of horse towards Asawal and had arrived at the town of Karra. The Sultdn marched from Asawal in the very height of the rains, and on the third or fourth day reached Karra. Next day he drew out his forces and attacked the rebel. Taghi, on seeing the approach of the royal force, plied his men with wine and made them drunk. The foreign horsemen {sawdri sadi) then made an impetuous and reckless charge with their drawn swords on the royal forces, but they were encountered by the elephants and overthrown. They then ran among the trees, dispersed and fled towards Nahrwdla. Several were made prisoners, and all the

baggage fell into the hands of the victors. Four or five hundred men, combatants and non-combatants,i were taken with the bag- gage, and were all put to the sword. The Sultan then placed the son of Malik Yiisuf Baghra at the head of a force, and sent him in pursuit of the fugitives, but night came on, so he and his troops halted to rest. Taghi, with his remaining horse- men, reached Nahrwdla; there he collected all his family and dependents, and proceeded to Kant-bardhi,^ where he stayed some days. From thence he wrote to the Rai of Karnal, im- ploring assistance in his flight, and proceeded to Karndl. Then he went to Thatta and Damrlla, where he found refuge.

Two or three days after, the Sultan arrived at Nahrwdla, and alighted .at the garden of the reservoir of Sahsilang. There he applied himself to settling the affairs of Gujarat. The mukaddims, the rdnas, and the mahants of Gujarat, came in and paid their homage, and received robes and rewards. In a short time the inhabitants who had been scattered abroad returned to their homes and were delivered from the ravages of the rebels. Several of Taghl's chief supporters left him and went to the Eana of Mandal and Teri,' but that chief slew them and sent their heads to the Sultdn. He also seized upon all their wives and children. For this service he received robes and rewards, and being so fe/voured he came to the Court.

While the Sultan was engaged in settling the aifairs of the country, and was about to enter Nahrwala, news came from Deogir that Hasan Kdngu and other rebels, who had fled before the royal army in the day of battle, had since attacked 'Imadu-I Mulk, and had slain him and scattered his army. Kiwamu-d din and other nobles left Deogir and went towards Dhkr. Hasan Kangu then proceeded to Deogir and assumed royal dignity. Those rebels who had fled before the Sultan's army to the summit of Dhdragir, now came down, and a revolution was

" So the print. One MS. has " Katah and Bar&l," the other " Kanhan and Bara,M."

3 So the print. One MS. says " Mandal Tabri," the other " Mandal Pari,"