9. Volume 3 — part 9

When Muhammad Azad, with those 400 men, arrived at the deserted fort of the Siyah-poshes, he followed the track of the

enemy towards the mountain. On arriving at the scene of Burhan Aghl^n's defeat and flight, he was assaulted by the infidels, who had defeated Burhan Aghlan, but he fought so gallantly that he routed them with great slaughter, and recovered all the horses and armour which these impious ones had captured from the soldiers of Burlidn Aghlan, besides taking a large booty from them in the way of wealth and property. Marching homeward, he met on that very day Burhdn Aghlan, each of whose soldiers recognized and had restored to him his own horse and arms. On that day they reached a pass {kotal), where Muhammad Az^d proposed to Burhan Aghlan that they should halt, but the cowardice and inefficiency of the latter would hear of no delay, so they went through the pass. Certainly, from the days of Ohangiz Khan to the present time, no man of the uliis has shown such a lack of energy and courage.

When I had despatched Muhammad Azad from Eator, and satisfied myself with the subjugation of that country, I sent forward 'All Sistani and Jalalu-1 IslS,m to discover a road and make clear halting places for me. In obedience to this order they went forward, clearing away the snow and ice in many places from the road. Having made a passage for me they returned. I immediately mounted and set forward, and the nobles and soldiery marched along with me on foot, and so I proceeded in triumph along the track which they had made till I reached Khawak, where I had left the horses in the fort. I had been absent eighteen days on this expedition against the infidels, and the nobles and soldiery, who had hitherto fought on foot, now regained their horses. Leaving a body of men to garrison the fort which I had built, I directed my own course towards the heavy baggage, and arrived at Til4k Ghunan and Diktur, places in that country ; the princes and amirs of the place came out to meet me with congratulations on my victory. Burhdn Aghl4n and Muhammad Azad here joined my victorious camp! I however wave orders that they should refuse admittance to Burhan Aghldn, and on no account allow him to enter my presence,

for it is the decree of Almighty God that if twenty true believers engage boldly and steadily in fight with ten times the number of infidels they shall prevail against them, and yet Burhan Aghldn, with 10,000 men under his command, was routed by and fled from a small number of infidels, ♦exposing Musulmdns to disgrace and death. On the other hand, I loaded with honours and benefits Muhammad Azad, who, with only 400 men, had fought a valiant action against the greatly superior numbers of the unbelievers. I exalted his rank above his fellows, and gave him a regiment ; nor did I omit to shower my princely favours on his companions in victory.

Account of my sending Shah Bukh to the hingdom of Klmrdsdn.

Account of the construction of the Canal of Mahi-gir.

Arrival of Amir Shaikh Nuru-d din from Persia with magnificent

Repairing of the Fort of Triydh. — Punishment of Musa Aghdn.

Audience of the Sergeant of Archers, etc., etc.

• • • When I had arranged the conquest and settlement of the country (of the Aghanis) and the measures for the protec- tion of the roads to my satisfaction, and had exterminated the rebellious predatory tribes of the Aghanis, I mounted my horse and spurred forward in the direction of Hindustan, and on Friday, the 8th of the month, I halted on the bank of the river Indus, in the very place where SultSn Jal41u-d din, of Khwdrizm, had swum the river to escape from Changfz Khdn, and where the latter encamped when he refrained from following. There I pitched my camp, and gave orders to the nobles and soldiery that they should collect boats, planks, etc., and construct a bridge over the Indus. In obedience to my order they all set to work, and in two days had constructed a bridge over this mighty river.

At this time some ambassadors arrived from various quarters of the globe, and the drift of the letters and communications of the Sultans and rulers and chief men of their respective countries and kingdoms was this : " We have placed the collar of obedience and submission, in all sincerity, on the neck of our life, and the saddle of servitude on our back ; we are all anxiously expecting the auspicious arrival of the great king. "When will it be that the prosperous shadow of his umbrella will, by its protection, impart felicity to this kingdom, and when will the honour of kissing the sublime footstool be attainable by us P" I wrote encouraging farmdns, in reply to the representations of the Sultans, and en- trusted them to the ambassadors, whom I dismissed, and such men as Saiyid Muhammad Madani, who came on the part of the chief men of Mecca, the exalted, and Medina, the blest, I treated with great respect and attention, and loaded them with abundant favours before their departure ; I also gave a horse and dress of honour to the envoy of Iskandar Shdh, the ruler of Kashmir, when I dismissed him, and despatched &farmdn to his master to the effect that as soon as my victorious camp arrived at the city of Dibdlpur he should join me with his forces. When I had dismissed the ambassadors I crossed the Indus, on Tuesday, the 12th of Muharram, a.h. 801 (24th Sept., a.d. 1398), and pitched my camp on the opposite bank of the river, and made inquiry about the roads from some zaminddrs of the neigh- bourhood, who had voluntarily submitted and given in their adhesion. They represented that one of the roads lay through a fertile and well-watered district, but was circuitous and lengthy ; and the other road, which was near Mult^n, was a route through the Ohol-jarad^ desert, in which neither water nor pasture were procurable for several days journey. It was by this route, through the Ohol-jarad, that Sultdn Jaldlu-d din of Khwdrizm reached Multan, after crossing the Indus, in his flight from before Changiz Khkn. This desert is hence called Chol-i Jalal. When I heard this account I determined to proceed by the desert 1 [Jarad, an open barren country : Choi, also means desert.]

route, and issued orders that the whole army should carry with them water and provision for several days. I then advanced some days march into the desert. It was now that the princes and Rdjds of the mountainous country of Jud, by way of perfect sincerity, planting their feet in the road of obedience and sub- mission, sought my camp with tribute and presents, when they were honoured by kissing the earth in my presence. Before this, prince Eustam, whom I had sent with Hamza Amir Taghi Bughd, and other amirs, and a numerous army towards Multdn, having entered the desert by the same road, had approached the mountains of Jud, and these princes and Rdjds, owing to their good fortune, had come before him and proffered a suitable sub- mission, and supplied his army with provisions. Ever since then they had worn the yoke of servitude and obedience to my power on the neck of sincerity. I therefore confirmed their kings and dis- missed them with favourable/anwaws, and I then marched forward, and, getting clear of the desert, halted on the bank of the river Jamd ( Jhilam) ; but it was represented to me that in the middle of this stream there was a very strongly fortified island, the ruler of which was called Shah^bu-d din, and that he had collected a very considerable force. When Prince Pir Muhammad Jahangir was marching upon Multan, this Shah4bu-d din, girding up the loins of obedience and submission, presented himself to the prince, and made an external display of the duties of servitude and de- pendance, and ofiered tribute and suitable gifts, besides remaining some time in the prince's presence. When, having received his dismissal, he returned to his home, he became arrogant, seeing the strength and insular position of his fortress and the multitude of his troops, so that he ventured on rebellion and open opposi- tion, and, cutting a canal from the river Jamd, he brought the water of the river to that side of the city on which it was not before, so that on all four sides of his city and fort he had a moat full of water. He had also laid up a stock of provisions and munitions of war. Now when I heard this, I resolved on his entire subjugation.

Capture of the island of Shahdbu-d din. I acted in the following manner. I gave immediate orders to Amir Shaikh Niiru-d din to march with his own tumdns and other commanders of regiments (hushiin) towards this island, and commanded that every soldier should, by the way, take branches of trees, and that with these branches they should fill up the moat which Shahdbu-d din had dug. Having, by pru- dence and stratagem, captured the island, they were to utterly exterminate the enemy. Amir Shaikh Nuru-d din, on that very day, being Wednesday, the 14th of Muharram, set put with his gallant army for the island of Shahabu-d din, which he reached in a short time. He and all his troops dismounted on the brink of the moat, into which they threw the branches of the trees, thereby forming a bridge, which enabled them quickly to cross the water and come to close quarters with the enemy. But a stern resistance here awaited them, and the whole day, from day-break till the time of evening prayer, was spent in furious combat. At night-fall. Amir Shaikh Nuru-d din, with his valiant troops, occupied his own ground, not yielding a single inch, and exercised the utmost vigilance and precaution. All on a sudden, Shah4bu-d din, with 10,000 men, made a night attack on our troops. Amir Shaikh Nuru-d din displayed great valour, and encountered the enemy with unflinching energy, and turned back the tide of the night assault upon Shah4bu-d din's army ; which at length, many of them having been levelled with the dust of destruction, took to flight, and many of the fugitives throwing themselves into the water of the moat became food for fishes. In that night, Manstir and Btiraj Chiira, with his brothers, who were born slaves of my household (khdna-zdd), gave proofs of the most intrepid courage, and were badly wounded. When, in the course of my march, I gained intelligence of Shahaba-d din's behaviour, I led an expedition against him in my own person, and halted on the edge of the moat of his fortress. It was represented to me that Shahabu-d din, in his night attack, had met with a severe repulse, and a great number

of his most serviceable men had been slaughtered ; he had, in consequence, lost hope, and, withdrawing his consideration from his kingdom and wealth, had embarked, broken-hearted and in a helpless condition, on 200 boats, which he had procured for such an emergency as the present, and had kept moored under his own palace. He had thus effected his escape, fleeing down the river towards TJch,

Upon this I issued a fanndn, to the effect that Amir Shaikh Nuru-d din, with his nobles and retainers, should proceed along the bank of the river in pursuit of Shah4bu-d din. He gallantly- pursued with his brave army, and, having come up with the fugitives, engaged them with his archery, and succeeded in making great slaughter of them, and, returning in triumph, obtained the highest rewards. He was admitted to the honour of kissing my footstool, and in guerdon of the gallantry which he had displayed, I loaded him with my princely benefits. The troops also who, in the night attack, had shown such valour, and had received wounds, I distinguished with marks of favour. I ordered Amir Sh^h Malik to lead his troops into every nook and corner of the island, and search all the jungles and forests, so as to get into his power such of the enemy as had taken refuge in them. He, in obedience to my order, instituted a rigorous search through every nook and cranny of the island, and numbers of the enemy and Indians, who had taken refuge in it, fell a prey to his remorseless scymitar, and he returned, bringing as captives their women and children, and with a large booty consisting of their wealth and property, and many boats laden with grain. When I had burnt and overthrown the city and fort of Shah4bu-d din, and levelled it to the ground, I was satisfied, and, departing thence, marched along the banks of the river Jamd (Jhilam). In the meanwhile I heard that Shah^bu-d din's fleet of boats, having arrived in the environs of Multdn, had encountered the troops of Prince Pir Muhammad Jahdngir and those of Amir Sulaimdn Shah (who had the command of Prince Shdh Eukh's army), and that the fleet had been completely destroyed, and that Shahdbu-d

din had drowned himself, after having first thrown his wives and children into the river, which utter annihilation of his family was very pleasing to me.

After five or six days march, on Sunday the 21st of the month, I came to a place in which the rivers Jamd and Ohindd (Chindb) unite, where there was a fort which they have built at the confluence of the two rivers. ' Here I halted and amused myself by beholding the waves and watery conflict at the junction of these great streams, and the sight of His wonders led me to reflect on the power of Almighty God. But it occurred to me that it would be difficult to cross here without constructing a bridge, and when I gave orders to the nobles and soldiery that they should commence building one, some of the zamlnddn and chief men of the country who were present prostrated themselves, and on their knees made representation that it was impossible to build a bridge over such a strong and turbulent stream, for when Turmsharin Khan came to this country, his utmost endeavours were insufficient to bridge the river, and he was finally obliged to cross by means of boats, so now the great king should also trans- port his army across in boats. I told them that I would cross in that manner in case I found myself unable to construct a bridge, and I immediately gave orders that my whole army should set to work to build one. Accordingly, collecting boats and con- necting them together firmly with chains and cables, and driving down beams and piles into the water, they formed a bridge, and all this was completed and made excessively strong in six days, that is to say by Wednesday the 28th of the month. Mount- ing my horse of state, I crossed the river and gave directions that the several divisions of my army should cross in succession, and I halted another day on the bank of that river for the baggage and troops to pass.

When all my troops had crossed in safety I marched forward, and when I arrived at the city of Tulamba I pitched my camp on the bank of the river. Tulamba is about seventy miles from Multan. On the same day the Saiyids, and 'JJlamd, and

Shaikhs, and chief men and rulers of Tulamba came out to meet me, and enjoyed the honour of kissing my stirrup. As sincerity was clearly written on their foreheads, every one of them accord- ing to his rank was distinguished by marks of my princely favour. Marching forward I halted on Saturday, the 1st of the month Safar, in the plain which lies before the fortress of Tulamba. My wazirs had fixed the ransom of the people of the city at two lacs of rupees, and appointed collectors ; but as the Saiyids, who are the family and descendants of our Lord Muhammad the chosen, and the 'Ulamd of Islam, who are the heirs of the prophets (upon him and upon them be blessings and peace), had always in my court been honoured and treated with reverence and respect, I gave orders, now that a ransom was about to be levied from the citizens of Tulamba, that whatever was written against the names of the Baiyids and ' Ulamd, should be struck out of the account, and I sent them away, having filled their hearts with joy and triumph by presents of costly dresses of honour, and Arab horses. A reinforcement of troops arrived about this time, so that my army became more numerous than the tribes of ants and locusts, causing scarcity of provisions, so that there was a dearth of grain in my camp, though the people of the city had quantities. Since a part of the ransom, consisting of coin, had not yet been collected, and since my troops were distressed on account of the scarcity of provisions, I ordered that the citizens should make payment in grain instead of money ; but they per- sisted in storing up their corn, totally regardless of the sufferings of my troops. The hungry Tatars, making a general assault upon them like ants and locusts, plundered an enormous number of granaries, so numerous indeed as to be incalculable, and according to the text, "Verily, kings when they enter a city utterly ruin it," the hungry T^tdrs opened the hands of devas- tation in the city till a rumour of the havoc they were making reached me. I ordered the Siydwals and Tawdehis to expel the troops from the city, and commanded that whatever corn and other property had been plundered should be taken as an equiva-

lent for so much ransom. At this time it was represented to me that some of the chief zaminddrs of the environs of Tulamba, at the time when prince Pir Muhammad was marching on Mult^n, had presented themselves before him, walking in the path of obedience and submission, but when they had received their dis- missal and returned to their own home they planted their feet on the highway of contumacy and rebellion. I immediately gave orders to Amir Shdh Malik, and to Shaikh Muhammad, the son of Aiku Timur, to march with their tumdns and hushims against these rebels, and to inflict condign punishment upon them. Amir Sh^h Malik and Shaikh Muhammad, taking a guide with them, instantly commenced their march, and having arrived at the jungles in which these wretches, forsaken by fortune, had taken refuge, they dismounted, and entering the jungle slew two thousand of these ill fated Indians with their remorseless sabres, carrying off captives their women and children, and returned with a great booty of kine, buffaloes, and other property. When on their victorious return they displayed in my sight the spoils they had won, I ordered them to make a general distribution to the soldiery. When my mind was satisfied with the extermina- tion of these wretches, on Saturday the 7th of Safar I set my foot in the stirrup and marched from Tulamba. I halted at a place called Jal, which is on the bank of the river Biydh, opposite to Shahpiir. It was represented to me that in this country there was a certain zammddr, by name Nusrat, of the tribe of Khokhar, who, having established himself with two thousand bloodthirsty soldiers in a fortress on the bank of a lake, breathed out defiance and rebellion. Leaving a body of men in that place, I imme- diately marched to attack this Nusrat Khokhar.

Account of the utter annihilation of Nusrat Khokhar.

Leaving behind the heavy baggage with a select body of men, I commenced my march. I appointed Amir Shaikh Nuru-d din and Amir AUahddd to the command of the right wing of the army, and Amir Shah Malik and Amir Shaikh Muhammad

were the leaders of the left wing, I took up my own position in the centre, placing in my van 'Ali Sultdn with the infantry of Khurasdn. When I arrived at the heavy swampy ground on the bank of the lake, where the God-forsaken Nusrat had taken up his position, I found that he was there with his two thousand men drawn up all ready to receive me. 'Ali Sultdn, with the gallant infantry of Khurasan, immediately entered the marshy ground, and, attacking those unsainted Indians, succeeded in forcing his way half through the difficult ground, and though he and several of his men were severely wounded, kept up a spirited fight. I immediately ordered Amir Shaikh Nuru-d din and Amir Allahd^d with the troops of the right wing to hasten to his support, and as soon as they had succeeded in overcoming the difficulties of the ground, they charged full upon Nusrat and his men, who, already worsted, were totally unable to stand the second attack, and were routed with great slaughter. Nusrat himself fell among the slain, but it was not known how he had been killed, or whether he effected his escape. My victorious troops entered and set fire to the residence of Nusrat Khokhar, and having plundered the wealth and property of those Indians and taking an immense booty of flocks, herds, buffaloes, etc., returned to my presence. I immediately left the place and halted at Sh&h Naw^z, which is a populous village on the bank of the Biydh, where there was a great quantity of grain stored up in magazines and granaries. My soldiers and I carried away as much as ever we were able, and as for what. remained I ordered them to set fire to the granaries, and detached a portion of my gallant army in pursuit of some of Nusrat's followers, who had escaped across the river Biy^h. My troops crossed the stream, overtook the army, slaughtered a great number of them, and re- turned with many prisoners and an immense booty. On Tues- day, the 13th of the month, I set out firom Sh4h Nawdz, on my return to the baggage, and pitched my camp on the bank of the river Bijkh, opposite to Janj^n, in the place where all my heavy baggage and supplies were collected, and gave orders that my

whole army and baggage should cross the river to Janjdn, and that they should set up my tent on a little eminence outside the town, at the foot of which was a verdant garden, and when they had done this I myself crossed and mounted to the top of this little eminence, from whence a green pleasant plain met my view. I returned to my tent in time for mid-day prayer, after which one of prince Shdh Eukh's servants, by name, Pir Malik, brought me letters from the prince in Khur^sdn. These letters I found to contain assurances of his own well-being and that of the country intrusted to his care.

Account of the arrival of the news of the conquest of Multan.

At the same time, intelligence arrived from my prosperous son, Pir Muhammad Jahingir, and the other nobles who were besieging Multan, "that, by the mercy of G-od, and the good fortune of the great king, victory has shown her face, after we have been employed six months in the siege of Mult4n. Strang, the ruler of Multan, with his army and people, were reduced to such straits that nothing eatable, not even a cat or a mouse, remained alive in their city. When Sarang found himself reduced by famine to such extremity, he was forced by sheer weakness and exhaustion to surrender, bargaining only for his life. On this condition being granted, he came out of the city and made it over to us, as has been mentioned before. Now the rainy season had by this time set in, and the rain kept con- tinually falling in torrents, so that most of the horses of my own stable, and those of great numbers of the nobles and soldiery died, and we were obliged, by the heavy rains, to shift our quarters from our camp into the city. When some time had elapsed in this manner, and scarcely a horse remained among us, the neighbouring zaminddrs and chieftains who, by way of obe- dience and submission, had entered the house of subjection, and had all come with offers of service, when they saw our apparent distress, all withdrew their feet from the highway of obedience,

and many of these perfidious chiefs brought death upon them- selves. Now, praise be to God, that at the time when, on ac- count of the mortality among our horses, and the rebellious conduct of the zaminddrs, we were reduced to perplexity and distress, the report has been spread through the country of the arrival of the victorious standards of the great king, infusing joy into the heart of his servants and inspiring the wretched enemy with penitence for their evil deeds. We shall follow close upon our petition to the glorious threshold." On reading these letters from Prince Plr Muhammad Jahangir, I returned thanks to Almighty God, and on the very next day, having received intelligence of the prince's near arrival, I sent out a plentifiil supply of food and provision for each of the princes and nobles ; I further ordered that all the nobles who were attendants on my stirrup should go forth to pay honour to Prince Pir Mu- hammad, and that all the nobles and army, tumdn by tumdn, and kushim by hushiin, should go forth to meet him. This being done, the prince presented himself in my presence. First, I sent for Prince Muhammad Jahangir, and, affectionately em- bracing him, gave him a place before myself. I then ordered the admittance of the nobles, who knelt and saluted me. After this, ordering the attendance of Mushk-hdsMs and Yuz-hdsMs, I saluted them all. I then entered my private tent, taking the prince with me, and stationing the other nobles outside. I alleviated the toils and fatigues which they had undergone in the Multan war, and then, after affable conversation, I dismissed them to their own tents. But keeping with me Prince Pir Muhammad Jahdngir, I. entered into a detailed inquiry of the circumstances of the army, and the behaviour of each of the nobles, and the services which each had rendered, together with any cowardice or short-coming on their part ; to all which ques- tions I received satisfactory answers, and he gave me all the information I required concerning the behaviour of the army, and the conduct of the war, and the particulars of the conquest of the mountain of Sulaimdn, with the plundering of that

country, and the passage of the river Indus, and the conquest of the city TTch, and the details of the siege of Multdn, and the defeat of Sdrang the brother of Mallu Khdn, and various other matters which put me to sleep. I rewarded the prince for the conquest of Multdn with a title and other favours, making him excessively joyful; and I honoured with princely benefits and favours all the nobles who had done good service under him. Some chiefs who, in the expedition against Khwdrizm, had de- serted from Jah^n Shah's army and fled into Hindustan, were now, after committing sundry acts of rebellion, reduced to great distress, and at the time that Prince Pir Muhammad Jahdngir undertook the siege of Multan they presented themselves before him, seeking his protection, which he graciously accorded to them. When the prince came to my camp, he entreated my forgiveness for them, and presented them to me with a petition that their lives might be spared. To gratify him, I agreed to overlook their offences, and ordered that they should be released after the bastinado.

On Saturday, the 15th of the month Safar, I issued orders that my troops and baggage should cross the river Biydh, and then crossing over myself, I halted at Janjdn, which was stated to be eight miles distant from Multan. At this place I halted four days, in order to give my troops time to effect the passage of the river, and here Prince Pir Muhammad Jah^ngir had pre- pared a sumptuous entertainment, and presented me with valuable gifts, such as crowns, inwrought girdles, and money, and priceless jewels, and Arab horses, with housings inlaid with gold and jewels, and various kinds of embroidered cloths, and precious rarities, and specimens of gold and silver work, such as plates and dishes and covers and beautifully wrought urns and ewers, and these in such quantities that all the scribes attached to my retinue were employed two whole days in taking a detailed in- ventory of them. When I had inspected them, I distributed them among the amirs and others who were present at the as- sembly, taking care to include all in the partition. *

Account of my presenting 30,000 horses to the army of Prince Pir Muhammad.

Now since the nobles and the soldiers of Prince Pir Mu- hammad had lost all their horses during the rains, and had undergone much toil and fatigue in their march, and had pre- sented themselves at my camp, some on feot and some riding bullocks, I gave orders to my master of the horse to produce 30,000 chargers, which I presented to Prince Pir Muhammad, thus furnishing his whole army with a remount. When all my troops, some by boats and some by swimming, had effected the passage of the river Biyah, I marched forward from Janjan and arrived at Sahwal. Leaving this place on Friday, the 21st of Safar, I arrived at Aswan, where I halted for one day ; continuing my march on the next I arrived at Jahwdl, where I pitched my camp. It was here brought to my notice that the zaminddrs and nobles of the city of DibAlpur had at first come to Mult^n and tendered their allegiance to prince Pir Muhammad Jahangir, beseeching a governor from him. Yield- ing to their entreaty, he appointed Mus^fir K^buli to be Bdroghd of Dib^lpur, and gave him the command of a thousand men ; but in the rainy season, when the horses of the soldiery were in- capacitated, the people of Dib^lpur entering into a conspiracy with the servants of Firoz Shdh, made a sudden attack upon Musdfir Kabuli, who was unprepared for any such treachery, and put to death both him and the thousand men who were under his command ; but (said my informants) now that the Great King has paid these countries the honour of a visit, these rebels have deserted their city and taken refuge in the fort of Bhatnir, which is one of the most renowned fortresses of India, and the raja of the fort is an important person, famous throughout the whole country.

Account of the capture of the fortress of Bhatnir. On hearing this relation, the fire of my indignation was ex- cited, and I appointed Amir Shah Malik and Daulut Timur

Tawachi to march forward with a large army, by way of Dibdl- pur, towards Dehli, and ordered them to wait for me at Samana, which is a place in the neighbourhood of Dehli. I, myself, in the meanwhile, pushed forward upon Bhatnir with a body of 10,000 picked cavalry. On arriving at Ajodhan, I found that among the shaikhs of this place (who, except the name of shaikh, have nothing of piety or devotion about them) there was a shaikh named Manua, who, seducing some of the in- habitants of this city, had induced them to desert their country and accompany him towards Dehli, while some, tempted by Shaikh Sa'd, his companion, had gone to Bhatnir, and a number of the wise men of religion and the doctors of law of Islam, who always keep the foot of resignation firmly fixed in the road of destiny, had not moved from their places, but remained quietly at home. On my arrival in the neighbourhood of Ajodhan, they all hastened forth to meet me, and were honoured by kissing my footstool, and I dismissed them after treating them with great honour and respect. I appointed my slave, Nasiru-d din, and Shahdb Muhammad to see that no injury was inflicted by my troops on the people of this city. I was informed that the blessed tomb of Hazrat Shaikh Farid Ganj-shakar (whom may God bless) was in this city, upon which I immediately set out on pilgrimage to it. I repeated the Fdtiha, and the other prayers, for assistance, etc., and prayed for victory from his blessed spirit, and distributed large sums in alms and charity among the atten- dants on the holy shrine. I left Ajodhan on Wednesday, the 26th of the month, on my march to Bhatnir, and, passing by Budanah, I halted at Khdlis Kotali, which is a place ten kos distant. At this place I made inquiries concerning the fort Bhatnir. The people of the country informed me that Bhatnir was about fifty kos ofiF, and that it was an extremely strong and well-fortified place, so much so as to be renowned throughout the whole of Hindustan. All the water used by its inhabitants comes from a reservoir, which is filled with rain water during the rainy season, and furnishes a supply for the whole year.i The Choi ' Mr. Chapmaa's translation terminates here.

extends for many kos around, and water is not to be obtained. The people who had fled from Ajodhan had come to Bhatnir, because no hostile army had ever penetrated thither. So a great concourse of people from Dibalpur and Ajodhan, with much property and .valuables, was there assembled. The town and fort were full, many could find no room in the city, and remained outside with their property and goods, so that the roads were choked. Immense numbers of cattle were collected in the neighbourhood.

The raja of that place was called Dul Chain.^ He had as- sembled a body of Bdjputs, a class which supplies the most renowned soldiers of India, and with these he waited ready to do battle. When I had ascertained all about Bhatnir, after noon-day prayer I mounted my horse and rode out from Kh^lis- Kotali. The remainder of that day and all that night I pushed on, taking no rest anywhere until I had passed the Choi, and morning broke out. I had sent on an advance guard, which was attacked several times by the enemy's van. Shaikh Darwesh displayed much bravery, overthrowing and killing two of the enemy's men. Dul Chain's advance guard then retreated. I pursued my journey, and at breakfast time I reached Bhatnir. I gave orders that the drums should be beaten, the instruments sounded, and the war cry raised. Immediately afterwards all the vast quantities of goods and property that were outside the city were plundered by my soldiers. RAo Dul Chain, having secured the fort and walls, prepared for his defence, and I, at the same time, resolved to attack and conquer the place.

When I came to the determination of taking the fort of Bhatnir, I appointed Shaikh Nuru-d din, Amir Sulaim^n, Amir AUdh-dad, and other amirs, to direct the attack upon the right of the fort, and to endeavour to make themselves masters of the

' The Zafwr-ndma calls him "Dfil Chan;" the Chain or Chan being most pro- bably intended for " Chand."

walls. I appointed Prince Khalil Sultdn, Shaikh Muhammad, son of Aiku-timur, and some other commanders of regiments, to make the assault upon the left, and try to take the fort. I, myself, led the centre of my army against the gate. My bfave soldiers stormed the fort and walls in all directions, and at the very first assault the fortifications and walls (Jiisdr wa shahr- hand) were wrested from the hands of the Hindus and the town was taken. Many Rdjpids were put to the sword, and all the enormous wealth and property which was in the city fell as spoil into the hands of my soldiers. My brave men showed much courage and determination in this capture of the fort. Eao Dtil Chain, with his fighting Rdjpiits, drew up at the gate of the fort to dispute the entrance. I then directed the generals of the division of Prince Shah Rukh, Amir Sulaiman Shdh, and Amir Jahdn Malik to fall upon E^o Dul Chain and the men who had rallied round him. They engaged in the conflict, and showed much intrepidity and valour with their flashing swords. Jahan Malik fought like a lion, and Saiyid Khwaja cut down several of the enemy. All my oflS.cers and brave soldiers swarmed round the fort like ants and locusts ; some advanced to the edge of the ditch, and some passed over it. When Rao Dul Chain perceived that his fort was being taken by the valour and prowess of ray men, he raised a cry for quarter, and prayed a cessation of fighting, declaring his determination to come and make his submission to me. He sent a saiyid to intercede for him. When the saiyid came to me and represented the forlorn and miserable state of the Eao Dul Chain, my respect for the gray beard of the intercessor, and the reverence which I have for saiyids in general, led me to give the command for my soldiers to leave off fighting, telling them that the Udo had determined to come and surrender on the following day. In consequence of this order the soldiers withdrew from the fort and took up their quarters outside the town. The night passed with much vigilance and caution on our part. When morning came the Itdo broke his word, and did not come to pay homage to me. I gave the order for again attacking

the fort vigorously, and I directed that every man should strive to mine the wall in front of him, and to make a passage under- neath. In execution of this order, the soldiers pressed forward to make holes under the wall, and a terrible fight ensued. The besieged cast down in showers arrows and stones and fireworks upon the heads of the assailants, but my brave men received these missiles on their heads and shoulders, and, treating them as mere dirt and rubbish, pushed on their work. The enemy found themselves hemmed in on all sides with breaches open, so fear took possession of them, their hearts fell, and they gave up resistance. Edo Diil Chain and his followers {sipdh) came out on the top of the battlements, and with many signs of distress and trouble begged for mercy, promising that if I would graciously pardon their ofiences they would surrender, and faithfully wait upon me to pay their homage. I knew very well their hope- less condition, but I remembered the saying of the wise, that " Clemency is better than victory," so I granted the prayer of the enemy and returned to my camp. In the evening of the same day, Eao Dul Chain sent his son and his deputy to my tent, bringing with them some head of game and some Arab horses as presents. I received the youth with kindness and princely distinction, gave him a robe and a sword with a golden scabbard, and sent him back to his father. I enjoined him to warn his father against giving way to any suggestions of de- ception and false play, but to come in and make a frank sub- mission ; I would then treat him with favour. If, however, he made any delay, he should see what would happen.

The son returned to his father and told him all that he had seen and heard. Rao Diil Chain had. no resource left, so on Friday, the 28th Safar, at breakfast time, he came out of his fort and approached my tent. He brought with him Shaikh 8'ad Ajodhani, and, being introduced by the amirs, he was ad- mitted to the honour of kissing my feet. He presented me with twenty-seven Arab horses with gold-mounted harness, and several sporting hawks, I comforted him, and bestowed on him

a robe of gold brocade, a cap and girdle of gold work, and a gold-mounted sword.

A number of the zaminddrs and chiefs of the surrounding country had put to death the governors, especially the men of Dibdlpiir, who had slain Musdfir Kdbull with a thousand other persons. These men had fled, and had now taken refuge in Bhatnir. I accordingly ordered Amir Sulaiman and Amir AUah-ddd to take their regiments into the town and to bring out all the strangers they could find, with their property and goods. In execution of the order, they went into the town, and, driving out all the refugees, they brought them, with their pro- perty and goods, to my tent. On the 29th Safar I distributed these people in lots among my amirs, and I confiscated all the money and valuables of these daring men for royal uses. Three hundred Arab horses, which had been taken in the fight, I dis- tributed among my soldiers. In retaliation for the murder of Mus4fir Kdbuli and his thousand followers, I ordered 500 men of Dibdlpiir to be brought to punishment {ydsdk), and their wives and children to be made slaves, that this might be a warn- ing to other daring men. The men of Ajodban and other places I punished according to their ofi'ences. Some received chastise- ment [ydsdk), and their wives and children were enslaved, others were set free.

When I had inflicted this chastisement on the malefactors, Kam41u-d din,i brother of Edo Dul Chain, and the Rao's son were stricken with dismay. Although Dul Chain was in my camp, they fled into the fort and closed the gates. As soon as I heard of their proceedings, I ordered the Rdo to be placed in confinement, and the flames of my wrath blazed high. I com- manded my officers and men to direct their efforts to the reduc- tion of the fort by breaching and scaling. When the gamson , perceived my men advancing bravely to assault the fort, the Bad's brother and son again raised the cry of alarm and distress,

1 The two MSS. of this work, and the four of the Zafar-ndma all agree in giving this MusulmSn name to the Rdo's brother.

and begged for mercy. They put their swords upon their necks, came into my camp to make excuses for their folly, and presented the keys of the fort to my officers. I spared their lives.

On the 1st Rabi'u-1 awwal I gave instructions to Amir Shaikh Nuru-d din and Amir Allah-ddd for realizing the ransom money, and sent them into the city. The rdis and Bdjpiits and chiefs of the city did not act fairly in paying the ransom money, al- though it was a matter in which honourable dealing was neces- sary. Contention and fighting arose between the collectors and the evil-minded rdis. When intelligence of this reached my ears, I directed my brave fellows to punish the infidels. In obedience to the order, the soldiers pressed towards the fort, and, fixing their scaling ladders and ropes to the battlements, they carried the fort by escalade. The infidels and Musulmans in the fort now found their case desperate. The infidels shut up their wives and children in their houses, to which they set fire, and they and their families were burned altogether ; those who called themselves Musulmans, but who had strayed from the Muham- madan fold, killed their wives and children with the sword, and then boldly facing death rushed together into the fight. My men entered the fort on all sides, and plying their swords and daggers fell upon the foe. The men of the garrison were young and vigorous, active and daring. They fought manfully and a desperate conflict ensued. Some of my renowned and brave men performed prodigies of valour, and received most fi-ightful wounds. The amirs maintained their character with their swords, and fought and strove with manly vigour. Amir Shaikh Nuru-d din maintained, on foot, a fierce conflict with the infidels, and many fell under the blows of his sword. Several of them then joined and made a simultaneous assault upon him. The amir was alone and they were many, so these demons in looks and demons in temper seized him and were endeavouring to take him prisoner. Just at the critical moment Firoz Sist^ni and Auzan Mazid Baghdad! cut their way to the side of Niiru-d din, and after charging the infidels once and again, they forced them to fall

back, and thus they rescued their comrades from the hands of the gabrs. So in all directions the brave warriors of Isl4m at- tacked the infidels with lion-like fury, until at length by the grace of Grod, victory beamed upon the efforts of my soldiers. In a short space of time all the people in the fort were put to the sword, and in the course of one hour the heads of ten thousand infidels were cut off. The sword of Islam was washed in the blood of the infidels, and all the goods and effects, the treasure and the grain which for many a long year had been stored in the fort became the spoil of my soldiers. They set fire to the houses and reduced them to ashes, and they razed the buildings and the fort to the ground. When this victory had been accomplished I returned to my tent. All the princes and amirs waited upon me to congratulate me upon the conquest and upon the enormous booty which had fallen into my hands. It was all brought out and I distributed it among my brave amirs and soldiers ; I bestowed great gifts and rewards on Mazid Baghdad! and on Firoz Sist^ni who had rescued Amir Nuru-d din, and I promoted them to a high rank.

When my heart was satisfied with the overthrow of the rdis and rdjds and turbulent dwellers of these parts, on the 3rd Eabi'u-1 awwal the drums of departure sounded ; I mounted my horse, and, after marching fourteen kos, encamped on the borders of a tank, near which was a jungle full of grass. Next day I again marched, and passing by the fort of Firoz I arrived at a town called Sarsutf.

When I made inquiries about the city of Sarsuti, I was in- formed that the people of the place were strangers to the religion of Islam, and that they kept hogs in their houses and ate the flesh of those animals. When they heard of my arrival, they abandoned their city. I sent my cavalry in pursuit of them, and a great fight ensued. All these infidel Hindus were slain, their wives and children were made prisoners, and their property and

goods became the spoil of the victors. The soldiers then returned, bringing with them several thousand Hindu women and children who became Muhammadans, and repeated the creed. Of all the braves who took part in this action, 'Kdil Bahadur Farrdsh was the only one who fell.

The following day I rested in the town of Sarsuti, and on the next day, the 6th of the month, I marched eighteen kos, and came near to the fort of Fath-dbad, where I encamped. The people of Fath-4b4d also, by the suggestion of Satan, had fled from the town and taken refuge in the deserts and jungles. I despatched some commanders of regiments after them who over- took them and slew great numbers of them. They took all their property and goods, horses and cattle, and returned to camp laden with spoil. Next day I marched from Fath-abad, and passing by the fort of Rajab-pur, I halted in the vicinity of the fort of Ahruni. The people of this town and fort did not come out to meet me and make their submission so as to escape from the rigour of the army of Islam ; so some savage Turks entered the town and began plundering. Some of the inhabitants who resisted they put to death ; the others were made prisoners. The soldiers brought away great quantities of grain, and set fire to the houses and buildings of the town.

On the 8th of the month I marched from Ahruni, through the jungle to a village called Tohana. In answer to the inquiries I made about the inhabitants, I learned that they were a robust race, and were called Jats. They were Musulm4ns only in name and had not their equals in theft and highway robbery. They plundered caravans upon the road, and were a terror to Musul- mdns and travellers. They had now abandoned the village and had fled to the sugar-cane fields, the valleys, and the jungles.^ When these facts reached my ears I prepared a force which I placed under the direction of Tokal Bahadur, son of the

' Price demurs to the sugar-canes, but all the authorities agree. (See Piice iii. 2i8.)

Hindu Karkarra,* and sent it against the Jats. They accordingly- marched into the sugar-canes and jungles. I also sent Maulan^ Nasiru-d din in pursuit of them. When these forces overtook the Jats they put 200 to the sword and made the rest prisoners. A large stock of cattle was captured, and my soldiers returned to camp.

It was again brought to my knowledge that these turbulent Jats were as numerous as ants or locusts, and that no traveler or merchant passed unscathed from their hands. They had now taken flight, and had gone into jungles and deserts hard to penetrate. A few of them had been killed, but it was my fixed determination to clear from thieves and robbers every country that I subdued, so that the servants of Grod, and Musulmans and travelers might be secure from their violence. My great object in invading Hindustd-n had been to wage a religious war against the infidel Hindus, and it now appeared to me that it was necessary for me to put down these Jats and to deliver travelers from their hands. I consequently placed the care of the baggage and of all the plunder which had been gained in my victories in the charge of Amir Sulaiman Shah, to convey it with the heavy baggage to the town of Samdna.

On the 9th of the month I despatched the baggage from Tohdna, and on the same day I marched into the jungles and wilds, and slew 2,000 demon-like Jats. I made their wives and children captives, and plundered their cattle and property. Thus I delivered the country from the terror it had long sufiered at the hands of the marauding Jats. On the same day a party of saiyids, who dwelt in the vicinity, came with courtesy and humility to wait upon me, and were very graciously received. In my reverence for the race of the prophet, I treated their chiefs with great honour. I gave them all valuable robes, and I appointed an officer to go to their abodes and protect them, so that none of my soldiers should do them any injury.

I marched from this place to the banks of the river Khagar,

where I halted, and Amir Sulaimdn Shah arrived there also with the baggage on the 11th of the mouth. S4m5.na was near to this place, and as the heavy baggage had not yet come up, I halted several days. On the 13th I marched again, and halted near the bridge of Kotila,i an ancient structure over the river Khagar. At this stage Sultdn Mahmtid Khdn, Prince Rustam and other commanders of regiments of the left wing, whom I had directed to march to India by way of Edbul, rejoined me. I re- ceived them graciously and enquired about the incidents which had happened on the march, and they informed me that wher- ever the people of any city, or village, or fort, made their submission and offered tribute, they gave them quarter; but whenever any city or fort offered resistance they conquered it, put the inhabitants to death, plundered the goods and property, and divided the spoil among the soldiers. I approved and ap- plauded them.

Next day I crossed over the bridge and halted. Here I was joined by Amir Shah Malik, who brought up the heavy baggage safe by way of Dibdlpur. The following day I remained in the same position, but on the 18th I marched from the bridge of Kotila and the river Khagar and encamped at the end of a march of five kos. Next day I reached the town of Kaithal, which is seventeen kos distant from Sdmana. I had now come near to Dehli, the capital of Hindustan, and began to prepare for its conquest.

For my intended attack upon Dehli I arranged my forces in the following manner : The right wing I placed under the com- mand of Prince Pir Muhammad Jah^ngir, Prince Rustam, Amir Sulaiman Shah, and * * * ; the left I gave to Sultdn Malimud Khan, Prince Khalil Sultan, Prince Sultdn Husain, Amir Jahan Shd,h and * * *. Under my own direction I kept the great tumdns, the tiimdns of San-sir (?) of Amir Allah-d4d, and

1 Distinct ia toth MSS. » ^^ ^L ^^y j ^J^ (J;^^' •

• • • the army, as thus distributed, extended over a distance of twenty hos. Being satisfied as to ray disposition of the forces, I began my march to Dehli. On the 22nd of Eabi'u-1 awwal I arrived and encamped at the fort of the village of Aspandi. In answer to my enquiries about this place 1 found that Saradna was distant seven kos. The people of S4raana, and Kaithal, and Aspandi are all heretics, idolaters, infidels, and misbelievers.' They had now set fire to their houses and had fled with their children, and property, and effects, towards Dehli, so that the whole country was deserted. Next day, the 23rd of the month, I started from the fort of Aspandi, and after marching six kos arrived at the village of Tughlik-pur. I encamped opposite the fort bearing that name. The people of the fort on hearing of the approach of my army, had abandoned it, and had dispersed over the country. From the information supplied to me I learned that these people were called sanawi (fire-worshipers). Many of this perverse creed believe that there are two gods. One is called Yazddn, and whatever they have of good they believe to proceed from him. The other god they call Ahriman, and what- ever sin and wickedness they are guilty of they consider Ahriman to be the author of. These misbelievers do not know that what- soever there is of good or evil comes from God, and that man is the mere instrument of its execution. I ordered the houses of these heretics to be fired, and their fort and buildings to be razed to the ground.

On the following day, the 24th of the month, I marched to Panipat, where I encamped. I there found that in obedience to orders received from the ruler of Dehli the people had deserted all their dwellings and had taken flight. When the, soldiers entered the fort they reported to me that they had found a large store of wheat amounting to some thousand mans. I ordered it to be weighed to ascertain the real weight, and then to be distributed among the soldiers. When it was weighed it was found to amount to 10,000 mans of the great weight {sang-i kaldn),

1 " Kaflrdn tea mmhrik via be-din wa had-kish"

or 160,000 of the legal standard {sang-i ihara'). On the fol- lowing day I marched from Pdnipat six kos, and encamped on the banks of a river which is on the road. I marched from this place on Friday, the 26th of the month, and I gave orders that the officers and soldiers of my army should put on their armour, and that every man should keep in his proper regiment and place in perfect readiness. We reached a village called Kanhf-gazin and there encamped. I issued my commands that on the morrow, the 28th of the month, a force of cavalry should proceed on a plundering excursion against the palace of Jahdn-numd, a fine building erected by Sultan Firoz ShAh on the top of a hill by the banks of the Jumna, which is one of the large rivers of Hindustan. Their orders were to plunder and destroy and to kill every one whom they met. Next day, in obedience to my commands, the division marched and proceeded to the palace of Jahan-numa, which is situated five miles from Dehli. They plundered every village and place they came to, killed the men, and carried off all the valuables and cattle, se- curing a great booty. They then returned, bringing with them a number of Hindu prisoners, both male and female.

On the 29th I again marched and reached the river Jumna. On the other side of the river I descried a fort, and upon making inquiry about it, I was informed that it consisted of a town and fort, called Loni and that it was held by an officer named Mainiun as kotwdl on behalf of Sultan Mahmud. I determined to take that fort at once, and as pasture was scant where I was, on the same day I crossed the river Jumna. I sent Amir Jahdn Shah and Amir Shdh Malik and Amir AUah-ddd to besiege the fort of Loni, and I pitched my camp opposite to the fort. They in- vested the fort which was under the command of the kotwdl named Maimun. He made preparations for resistance. At this time a holy shaikh who dwelt in the town came out very wisely and waited upon me. Although the shaikh was greatly honoured by the people, still, they would not listen to his advice, but determined to fight rather than surrender to me. These people

were Hindus and belonged to the faction of Mallu Khdn, They despised the counsels of the venerable father and resolved to resist. When I was informed of it, I ordered all the amirs and soldiers to assemble and invest the fort. They accordingly gathered with alacrity round the fort, and in the course of one watch of the day they carried the place. It was situated in a dodb between two rivers, one the Jumna, the other the Halin, the latter being a large canal which was cut from the river Kaiini and brought to Firozabdd, and there connected with the Jumna by Sultdn Firoz Shdh. Many of the Rajputs placed their wives and children in their houses and burned them, then they rushed to the battle and were killed. Other men of the srarrison fought and were slain, and a great many were taken prisoners. Next day I gave orders that the Musulman prisoners should be sepa- rated and saved, but that the infidels should all be despatched to hell with the proselyting sword. I also ordered that the houses of the saiyids, shaikhs, and learned Musulmdns should be pre- served, but that all the other houses should be plundered and the fort destroyed. It was done as I directed and a great booty was obtained.

When my heart was satisfied with the conquest of Lonl, I rode away from thence on the 1st Rabi'u-l dkhir to examine the fords of the Jumna, and proceeded along the bank of the river. When I came opposite the palace Jahdn-numd, I found some places where the river was passable. At the time of mid-day prayer, I returned to the camp. I gave orders to the princes and amirs, and then held a council about the attack upon Dehli and the operations against Sultan Mahmud.

After much discussion in the Council of War, where everyone had something to say and an opinion to offer, it appeared that the soldiers of my army had heard tales about the strength and prowess and appearance of the elephants of Hindustan. They had been told that in the fight one would take up a horseman VOL. III. 28

and his horse with his trunk and hurl them in the air. These stories had been met by suitable answers from some of the bold troopers. The Council of War at length agreed that a plentifiil supply of grain must first be secured, and stored in the fort of Loni as a provision for the army. After this was done, we might proceed to the attack of the fort and city of Dehli. When the Council was over, I ordered Amir Jahdn Shah, Amir Sulaiman Shdh, and other amirs to cross over the Jumna and to forage in the environs of Dehli, bringing off all the corn they could find for the use of the army.

It now occurred to me that I would cross over the Jumna with a small party of horse to examine the palace of Jahan-numa, and to reconnoitre the ground on which a battle might be fought. So I took an escort of 700 horsemen clad in armour and went off. I sent on 'Ali Sultan Tawachi and Junaid Bur-uldal as an advance guard. Crossing the Jumna I reached Jahan-num4 and inspected the whole building, and I discovered a plain fit for a battle-field. 'Ali Sultdn and Junaid, my advance-guard, each brought in a man belonging to the van-guard of the enemy. 'Ali Sultan's prisoner was named Muhammad Salaf. When I had interrogated him about the matters of Sultdn Mahmud and Mallu Khan, I ordered him to be put to death as an augury of good. My scouts now brought me information that Mallu Khdn with 4,000 horse- men in armour, 5,000 infantry, and twenty-seven fierce war elephants fully accoutred, had come out of the gardens of the city and had drawn up his array. I left Saiyid Khwajah and Mubashar Bahadur with 300 brave Turk horsemen on gray horses (mfaid saicdr i Turk) in the Jah^n-num4 and withdrew towards my camp. Mallu Khan advanced boldly towards Jahdn-numd and Saiyid Khwajah and Mubashar went forth to meet him. A conflict ensued, and my men fought valiantly. Immediately I heard of the action I sent Sunjak Bahadur and Amir AUdh-d^d with two regiments (Jtmhiiri) to their support. As soon as practicable, they assailed the enemy with arrows and then charged them. At the second and third charge the enemy was defeated and fled

towards Dehli in disorder. Many fell under the swords and arrows of my men. When the men fled, an extraordinary in- cident occurred : one of the great war elephants, called Bengdlis, fell down and died. When I heard of it I declared it to be a good omen. My victorious troops pursued the enemy to the vicinity of the city, and then returned to present themselves at my tent. I congratulated them on their victory and praised their conduct. Next day, Friday tlie 3rd of the month, I left the fort of Loni and marched to a position opposite to Jah4n-numa where I en- camped. The officers who had been sent out foraging brought in large quantities of grain and spoil,

Timiir instructs the Princes and Amirs about the conduct of the war. I now held a Court. I issued a summons to the princes, amirs, niiydns, commanders of kushiins, the commanders of tumdns, of thousands and of hundreds, and to the braves of the advance- guard. They all came to my tent. All my soldiers were brave veterans, and had used their swords manfully under my own eyes. But there were none that had seen so many fights and battles as I had seen, and no one of the amirs or braves of the army that could compare with me in the amount of fighting I had gone through, and the experience I had gained. I therefore gave them instructions as to the mode of carrying on war ; on making and meeting attacks ; on arraying their men ; on giving support to each other ; and on all the precautions to be observed in warring with an enemy. I ordered the amirs of the right wing and the left wing, of the van and the centre, to take up their proper positions. Not to be too forward nor too backward, but to act with the utmost prudence and caution in their opera- tions. When I had finished, the amirs and others testified their approbation, and, carefully treasuring up my counsel, they de- parted expressing their blessings and thanks.

Massacre of 100,000 Sindus. At this Court Amir Jahan Shah and Amir Sulaiman Shdh, and other amirs of experience, brought to my notice that, from

the time of entering HindustS.n up to the present time, we had taken more than 100,000 infidels and Hindus prisoners, and that they were all in my camp. On the previous day, when the enemy's forces made the attack upon us, the prisoners, made signs of rejoicing, uttered imprecations against us, and were ready, as soon as they heard of the enemy's success, to form themselves into a body, break their bonds, plunder our tents, and then to go and join the enemy, and so increase his numbers and strength. I asked their advice about the prisoners, and they said that on the great day of battle these 100,000 prisoners could not be left with the baggage, and that it would be entirely opposed to the rules of war to set these idolaters and foes of Islam at liberty. In fact, no other course remained but that of making them all food for the sword. When I heard these words I found them in accordance with the rules of war, and I directly gave my com- mand for the TawdcMs to proclaim throughout the camp that every man who had infidel prisoners was to put them to death, and whoever neglected to do so should himself be executed and his property given to the informer. When this order became known to the ghdzis of Islam, they drew their swords and put their prisoners to death. 100,000 infidels, impious idolaters, were on that day slain. Maul&n4 Ndsiru-d din 'TTmar, a counsellor and man of learning, who, in all his life, had never killed a sparrow, now, in execution of my order, slew with his sword fifteen idolatrous Hindus, who were his captives.

After the whole of the vile idolaters had been sent to hell, I gave orders that one man out of every ten should be told ofi' to guard the property, and cattle and horses,^ which had been captured in the invasion ; all the other soldiers were to march with me. At the time of mid-day prayer the signal was given for the march, and I proceeded to the spot selected for crossing the Jumna, and there encamped. The astrologers who accom- panied the army consulted their books and almanacs as to the time propitious for battle, and they represented that the aspects 1 "JBurdahd, prisoners," but see p. 213 siiprd.

of the stars made a short delay advisable. In all matters, small and great, I placed my reliance on the favour and kindness of God, and I knew that victory and conquest, defeat and flight, are each ordained by Him, so I placed no reliance on the words of the astrologers and star-gazers, but besought the giver of victory to favour my arms.

I did not wish the war to be of long continuance ; so as soon as night was over and morning came, I arose to my devotions. I said the morning prayers in the congregation, and I repeated ray private prayers, then I took the holy book, which I always carried with me, and sought a /aP on the subject of the war. The verse which appeared was one in the chapter of the Bee.^ I immediately sought the interpretation of this verse from those who were present, and they replied that the manifest meaning of it was * * * I received this fdl as a propitious indication, and acted in full reliance on its command and on the favour of God.

On the 5th of Rabru-1 akhir I passed the Jumna by a ford, and pitched my tents on the (other) side of the river. I gave orders to the amirs and other officers to station their men as close as possible round my tent;, and I also directed that the ground round the camp should be parcelled out among them, and that each one should have a deep ditch dug in front of his allotment. All the soldiers, great and small, assembled en masse to dig the ditch. In two watches of the day the ditch round the whole camp was complete. I rode round to inspect it, and I ordered that the trees in the vicinity should be cut down, and brought within the ditch ; that their branches should be formed into a strong abattis, and that in some places planks should be set up.

It had been constantly dinned into the ears of my soldiers that the chief reliance of the armies of Hindustan was on their mighty elephants ; that these animals, in complete armour,

" Sale's Koran, Vol. II., chapter xvi., Terse — " God propounded as a parable, etc. ;" the application of which is not very obvioiis, and required the exercise of some in- genuity on the part of its expounders.

inarched into battle in front of their forces, and that arrows and swords were of no use against them ; that in height and bulk they were like small mountains, and their strength was such that at a given signal they could tear up great trees and knock down strongly built walls ; that in the battle-field they could take up the horse and his rider with their trunks and hurl them into the air. Some of the soldiers, in the doubt natural to man, brought some little of what they had heard to my attention, so when I assigned their respective positions to the princes and amirs of the right and left wing and of the centre, I enquired of the learaed and good men that accompanied my army, such as * * * where they would like to be placed in the day of battle. They had been with me in many campaigns, and had witnessed many a great battle, but the stories about the elephants of India had so affected them that they instantly replied that they would like to be placed with the ladies while the battle was in progress. So to allay the apprehensions of this class of men I gave orders that all the buffalos which had been taken and placed with the baggage should be brought up ; I then had their heads and necks fastened to their legs, and placed the animals inside the dbattis.

Defeat of Sultan Mahmud of Dehll. I gave orders for the camp to be carefully guarded all night to prevent a nocturnal surprise by the enemy, and the night was passed with the caution and care which are necessary in war. When the morn of victory dawned I said my prayers in the con- gregation, and after I had discharged that duty I gave directions for the drums and other warlike instruments to be sounded. The princes, amirs and niiyans, armed themselves completely and marched with their respective forces in regular order. I mounted my horse and rode forth to marshal my array. When I had arranged my right and left wings I placed the right wing under the command of Prince Pir Muhammad Jahangir, Amir Yddgdr Birlas, etc. The left wing I put under the command of Prince Sultan Husain, Prince Khalil Sultdn, Amir Jahdn Shdh, etc.

The advance-guard I placed under Prince Eustam, Amir Shaikh Nuru-d din, etc. I took my own place with the centre. When all the forces were arrayed I ordered the advance-guard to go forward and obtain some knowledge of the enemy. One of the advance-guard captured a man belonging to the enemy's van and brought him in to me. When I enquired about the position of the enemy, he told me that Sultan Mahmud had drawn up his army with the intention of fighting. His right wing was com- manded by Mu'inu-d din, Mahk Hddi, and other officers. His left wing was under Taghi Khan, Mir 'Ali, and others. The Sultcin had taken up his own position with the centre, and had appointed a body of troops to act as rear-guard. His whole force amounted to 10,000 veteran horse, and 40,000 warlike infantry. He had also 125 elephants covered with armour. Most of them carried howdas in which were throwers of grenades (r'ad-andaz), fireworks (dtash bdz), and rockets {takhsh-anddz). Thus they came up to battle.

The enemy's forces now made their appearance, and for better reconnoitering their order I rode to the top of a little hill which was hard by. There I carefully scrutinized their array, and I said to myself that with the favour of God I would defeat them and gain a victory. I alighted from my horse on the top of that hill and performed my devotions. I bowed my head to the ground and besought the Almighty for victory. As I did this I perceived signs that my prayers were heard. When I had finished, I mounted my horse in the full assurance of God's assistance. I returned to the centre and took up my position under the Imperial standard. I then gave orders for 'Ali SultAn Tawachi, Altiin Bakhshi, etc., to march with their regiments to strengthen the right wing. I also commanded the other officers to proceed with their men to the support of the vanguard. It so happened that just at the same time Amir Yadgdr Birlas and Sulaimdn Shah, who were with the right wing, and Amir Shaikh Nuru-d din and Amir Shah Malik, who were with the advance guard, had conceived the idea and had observed to each other

that they should look upon any reinforcement received from the centre as a presage of victory. It was just then that the Almighty put it into my mind to send them assistance.

The two armies now confronted each other, the drums were beaten on both sides, shouts and cries were raised, a trembling fell upon that field, and a great noise was heard. At this time Sunjak Bahadur, Saiyid Khwajd, A114h-dad, and others, separated from the advance-guard, and when they perceived that Sultdn Mahmud's forces had drawn near, they moved oflF to the right, and getting secretly behind the enemy's advance-guard as it came on unsuspecting, they rushed from their ambush, and falling upon them in the rear, sword in hand, they scattered them as hungry lions scatter a flock of sheep, and killed 600 of them in this one charge. Prince Pir Muhammad Jabdngir, who com- manded the right wing, moved forward his own forces, and with Amir Sulaiman Shdh and his regiments of brave cavalry, fell upon the left wing of the enemy and poured down upon it a shower of arrows. They fell boldly upon this division of the enemy, which was commanded by Taghi Khan ; and Prince Pir Muhammad Jahdngir with great courage and determination at- tacked one of the fierce' elephants and cut off its trunk with his sword, so that the severed part fell upon the ground. My brave soldiers pressing like furious elephants upon this wing of the enemy compelled it to take flight.

The left wing of my army, under Prince Sultdn Husain, Amir Jahan Shdh, Amir Ghiyasu-d din, and other amirs, bravely attacked the enemy's right wing, which was commanded by Malik Mu'inu-d din and Malik Hadi. They so pressed it with the trenchant sword and piercing arrows that they compelled the enemy to break and fly. Jah4n Shdh pursued them, and at- tacked them again and again until they reached the gates of the city (of Dehli).

Simultaneously, Sultan Mahmiid, with Mallu Khan and the army of the centre, with its officers and soldiers more numerous than ants or locusts, and with its strong war elephants, made its

attack upon (my centre). Prince Eustam, Amir Shaikh Nuru-d din, etc., met it with a brave and res.olute resistance. While they were thus engaged, Daulat Timur Tawdchi, Mangali Khwaja, and other amirs came up with their respective forces and assaulted the enemy. I now gave the order to a party of brave fellows who were in attendance upon me, and they cut their way to the sides of the amirs, who were fighting in the front of the battle. They brought the elephant drivers to the ground with their arrows and killed them. Then they attacked and wounded the elephants with their swords. The soldiers of Sultdn Mahmud and Mallti Khan showed no lack of courage, but bore themselves manfully in the fight, still they could not withstand the successive assaults of my soldiers. Seeing their own plight and that of the soldiers and elephants around them, their courage fell, and they took to flight. Sultdn Mahmud and Mallti Khan reached the city with a thousand difficulties, and shut themselves up close in the fortifications.

Prince Khalil Sultan captured one of the famous elephants of Sultin Mahmud, having brought down its driver with an arrow. He brought the animal to me, and I embraced the lad, and gave him some fine presents, for he was only fifteen years old though he had exhibited such courage and manliness.

The whole of Sultdn Mahmiid's army was defeated ; part was slain, and part had found refuge in the fort, and I, exalted with victory, marched towards the fort. When I reached its gates I carefully reconnoitred its towers and walls, and then returned to the side of the Sauz-i Mass. This is a reservoir, which was constructed by Sultdn Firoz Shdh, and is faced all round with stone and cement (gach). Each side of that reservoir is more than a bow-shot long, and there are buildings placed around it. This tank is filled by the rains in the rainy season, and it sup- plies the people of the city with water throughout the year. The tomb of Sultan Firoz Shdh stands on its bank. When I had pitched my camp here, the princes and amirs and nutans, and all the generals and officers, came to wait upon me to pay their

respects and offer their congratulations on this great victory. I embraced the princes and amirs, and I praised them all for their exertions and courage which I myself had seen. When I re- counted the favours and mercies I had received from the Al- mighty, my excellent sons, the brave and renowned amirs, who served under me, and the great and glorious victories I had achieved, my heart melted, and the tears burst from eyes. I cast myself upon the ground and poured forth my thanksgivings to the All-beneficent. All who were present raised their voices in prayer, and in wishes for the continuance of my prosperity and the prolongation of my reign.

I called up the heavy baggage and here formed my camp, and I issued orders for my soldiers ^ to be very cautious and watch- ful. Sultan Mahmiid and Mallu Kh^n, after their defeat, had taken refuge in the fort in a wretched state. They now repented of the course they had taken, and regretted that they had not made submission to me, and so avoided the evil which had be- fallen them. They saw that if they stayed in the fort they would be captured and made prisoners, so in the middle of that night, 7th Rabl'u-1 akhir, Sultan Mahmud and Mallu Khan left the fort of Jahdn-pandh and fled towards the mountains and jungles. When I heard of this I immediately sent Amir Sa'id and * * * other officers in pursuit. They followed with all speed, and, coming up with the fugitives, they killed many of them, and obtained great spoil. Malik Sharfu-d din and Malik Khuddi-ddd, sons of Eashid Mallu Khan, were taken prisoners, with many others, and brought back to my camp. On the same right that I heard of the flight of the Sultdn and his generals from Dehli, I sent Amir Allah-ddd and other officers to watch the gate of Hauz-rdni, through which Mahmud had escaped ; and that of Baraka, by which Mallu Khan had gone out. I also sent men to all the other gates, with orders not to let the people escape.

' There is a sentence here which I do not understand : —

I mounted my horse and rode towards the gate of the maiddn. I alighted at the 'id-gdh, a lofty and extensive building, and I gave orders for my quarters to'be moved there, and for my throne to be set up in the 'id-gdh. I took my seat upon the throne and held a Court. The saiyids, the kdzis, the 'ulamd (learned Musul- mans), the shaikhs, and the great men and chiefs of the (Muham- madans of the) city assembled and came out to attend my Court. I had them introduced one by one, and they made their obeisances, and were admitted to the honour of kissing my throne. I re- ceived every one of them with respect and kindness, and directed them to be seated. Fazlu-Uah Balkhi was mkil and ndib of Mallii Kh4n, and he came out to wait upon me and do homage, accompanied by a party of the officials and clerks of the govern- ment of Sultdn Mahmud and Mallu Kh^n. Hereupon all the saiyids, 'ulamd, shaikhs, and other leading Musulm^ns arose, and, making the princes their mediators, they begged that quarter might be given to the people of Dehli, and that their lives might be spared. Out of respect to the saiyids and 'ulamd, whom I had always held in great esteem and honour, I granted quarter to the inhabitants of the city. I then ordered my ensign {tank) and royal standard to be raised, and the drums to be beaten and music played on the tops of the gates of Dehli. Rejoicings for the victory followed. Some of the clever men and poets that accompanied me worked the date of the victory into a verse, which they presented to me. Of all these memorial verses I have introduced (only) this one into my memoirs —

" On "Wednesday, the eighth of EaW the second (17th Dec, 1398),' The Emperor S&,hib-Kir4n took the city of Dehli," etc., etc.

I rewarded and honourably distinguished the literary men and poets who presented these verses to me.

I sent a party of men into the city to bring out the elephants which Sultdn Mahmud had abandoned when he fled. They

' This agrees with the Sauzatu-s Safd, translated by Price and followed by Elphinstone. Ferishta makes it a month later. — See Price Mahommedan History, III., p. 262; Briggs' Ferishta, I., p. 401.

found 120 enormous elephants and several rhinoceroses, which they brought out to my Court. As the elephants passed by me I was greatly amused to see the tricks which their drivers had taught them. Every elephant, at the sign of the driver, bowed his head to the ground, made his obeisance, and uttered a cry. At the direction of their drivers they picked up any object from the ground with their trunks and placed it in their driver's hands, or put it into their mouths and kept it. When I saw these mighty animals, so well trained and so obedient to weak man, I was greatly astonished, and I ordered that they should be sent to Ttiran and fran, to Fdrs, and Azur, and Rum, so that the princes and nobles throughout my dominions might see these animals. Accordingly I sent five to Samarkand, two to Tabriz, one to Shirdz, five to Hirat, one to Sharw4n, and one to Azurbaijan.

When Friday came, I sent Mauland N4siru-d din 'TJmar, with some other holy and learned men that accompanied my camp to the Masjid-i jdmi', with directions to say the prayers for the Sabbath, and to repeat the hhufba of my reign in the metropolis of Dehll. Accordingly, the hhutha, with my name, was repeated in the pulpits of the mosques in the city of Dehli, and I rewarded the preachers with costly robes and presents.

When the preparations for holding a court in Dehli were com- plete I gave orders for the princes, the amirs, the niiydns, and other of my officers, and the saiyids, the 'ulamd, the shaikhs, and all the principal men of the city to attend my Court. When they had all arrived I entered and took my seat upon the throne. The Turk and Tajik musicians and singers began to play and sing. Wine (shardb) and sharbat, and sweetmeats, and all kinds of bread and meat were served ; I bestowed rich robes, and caps, and girdles, and swords, and daggers, and horses, etc., etc., upon the princes, and amirs and other leading men of my army, especially upon those braves who had distinguished them- selves by deeds of valour under my own observation. To some I gave regiments and raised their dignity. Upon the saiyids and

'ulamd of the city I bestowed robes and presents. I ordered my secretaries to draw up despatches announcing my victories in Hindustan, and to circulate them with all speed throughout my dominions. And I ordered my revenue officers to make pro- vision for collecting the ransom-money assessed upon the city, excepting the saiyids, \lamd, and shaikhs. The collectors pro- ceeded about their work, and I remained in the same quarters for several days, holding courts, giving feasts, and partaking of pleasure and enjoyment.

On the 16th of the month some incidents occurred which led to the sack of the city of Delili, and to the slaughter of many of the infidel inhabitants. One was this. A party of fierce Turk soldiers had assembled at one of the gates of the city to look about them and enjoy themselves, and some of them laid violent hands upon the goods of the inhabitants. When I heard of this violence, I sent some amirs, who were present in the city, to restrain the Turks. A party of soldiers accompanied these amirs into the city. Another reason was that some of the ladies of my harem expressed a wish to go into the city and see the palace of Hazdr-sutun (thousand columns) which Malik Jaund built in the fort called Jahan-pan^h. I granted this request, and I sent a party of soldiers to escort the litters of the ladies. Another reason was that Jal41 Islam and other diwdns had gone into the city with a party of soldiers to collect the contribution laid upon the city. Another reason was that some thousand troopers with orders for grain, oil, sugar, and flour, had gone into the city to collect these supplies. Another reason was that it had come to my knowledge that great numbers of Hindus and gahrs, with their wives and children, and goods, and valuables, had come into the city from all the country round, and consequently I had sent some amirs with their regiments {kushun) into the city and directed them to pay no attention to the remonstrances of the inhabitants, but to seize and bring out these fugitives. For

these several reasons a great number of fierce Turk! soldiers were iu the city. When the soldiers proceeded to apprehend the Hindus and gabrs who had fled to the city, many of them drew their swords and offered resistance. The flames of strife were thus lighted and spread through the whole city from Jah^n- pan4h and Siri to Old Dehli, burning up all it reached. The savage Turks fell to killing and plundering. The Hindus set fire to their houses with their own hands, burned their wives and children in them, and rushed into the fight and were killed. The Hindus and gabrs of the city showed much alacrity and boldness in fighting. The amk-s who were in charge of the gates prevented any more soldiers from going into the place, but the flames of war had risen too high for this precaution to be of any avail in extinguishing them. On that day, Thursday, and all the night of Friday, nearly 15,000 Turks were engaged in slaying, plundering, and destroying. When morning broke on the Friday, all my army, no longer under control, went off to the city and thought of nothing but killing, plundering, and making prisoners. All that day the sack was general. The following day, Saturday, the 17th, all passed in the same way, and the spoil was so great that each man secured from fifty to a hundred prisoners, men, women, and children. There was no man who took less than twenty. The other booty was immense in rubies, diamonds, garnets, pearls, and other gems ; jewels of gold and silver ; ashrafis, tankas of gold and silver of the celebrated 'Alai coinage ; vessels of gold and silver ; and brocades and silks of great value. Gold and silver ornaments of the Hindu women were obtained in such quantities as to exceed all account. Ex- ceptino- the quarter of the saiyids, the 'ulamd, and the other Musulm^ns, the whole city was sacked. The pen of fate had written down this destiny for the people of this city. Although I was desirous of sparing them I could not succeed, for it was the will of Grod that this calamity should fall upon the city.

On the following day, Sunday, it was brought to my know- ledn-e that a great number of infidel Hindus had assembled in

the Masjid-i jdmi' of Old Dehli, carrying with them arms and provisions, and were preparing to defend themselves. Some of my people. who had gone that way on business were wounded by them. I immediately ordered Amir Sh4h Malik and 'All Sultan Tawachf to take a party of men and proceed to clear the house of God from infidels and idolaters. They accordingly attacked these infidels and put them to death. Old Dehli then was plundered.

I ordered that all the artisans and clever mechanics, who were masters of their respective crafts, should be picked out from among the prisoners and set aside, and accordingly some thou- sands of craftsmen were selected to await my command. All these I distributed among the princes and amirs who were present, or who were engaged officially in other parts of my dominions. I had determined to build a Masjid-i jdmi' in Samarkand, the seat of my empire, which should be without a rival in any country; so I ordered that all builders and stone- masons should be set apart for my own especial service.

By the will of Grod, and by no wish or direction of mine, all the three cities of Dehli, by name Siri, Jahan-pandh, and Old Dehli, had been plundered. The khutba of my sovereignty, which is an assurance of safety and protection, had been read in the city. It was therefore my earnest wish that no evil might happen to the people of the place. But it was ordained by God that the city should be ruined. He therefore inspired the infidel inhabitants with a spirit of resistance, so that they brought on themselves that fate which was inevitable.

When my mind was no longer occupied with the destruction of the people of Dehli, I took a ride round the cities. Sirf is a round city (shahr). Its buildings are lofty. They are sur- rounded by fortifications (kala'h), built of stone and brick, and they are very strong. Old Dehli also has a similar strong fort, but it is larger than that of SIri. From the fort of Siri to that of Old Dehli, which is a considerable distance, there runs a strono' wall, built of stone and cement. The part called Jahan-

pan^h is situated in the midst of the inhabited city abdddn). The fortifications of the three cities have thirty gates. Jahan-pandh has thirteen gates, seven on the south side bearing towards the east, and six on the north side bearing towards the west. Sir! has seven gates, four towards the outside and three on the inside towards Jahan-panah. The fortifications of old Dehli have ten gates, some opening to the exterior and some towards the interior of the city. When I was tired of examin- ing the city I went into the Masjid-i j'dmi', where a congregation was assembled of saiyids, lawyers, shaikhs, and other of the principal Musulmans, with the inhabitants of their parts of the city, to whom they had been a protection and defence. I called til em to my presence, consoled them, treated them with every respect, and bestowed upon them many presents and honours. I appointed an officer to protect their quarter of the city, and guard them against annoyance. Then I re-mounted and re- turned to my quarters.

Campaign against the Infidels after the conquest of Dehli.

I had been at Dehli fifteen days, which time I had passed in pleasure and enjoyment, holding royal Courts and giving great feasts. I then reflected that I had come to Hindustan to war against infidels, and my enterprize had been so blessed that wherever I had gone I had been victorious. I had triumphed over my adversaries, I had put to death some lacs of infidels and idolaters, and I had stained my proselyting sword with the blood of the enemies of the faith. Now this crowning victory had been won, and I felt that I ought not to indulge in ease, but rather to exert myself in warring against the infidels of Hindustan.

Having made these reflections on the 22nd of Rabi'u-1 4khir, I again drew my sword to wage a religious war. I started from Dehli and marched three kos to the fcwt of Firoz-dbdd, which stands upon the banks of the Jumna and is one of the edifices erected by Sultdn Firoz Shdh. There I halted and went in to

examine the place. I proceeded to the Masjid-i jdmi\ where I said my prayers and offered up my praises and thanksgivings for the mercies of the Almighty. Afterwards I again mounted, and proceeded to pitch my camp near the palace of Jahdn-num4. On this day Saiyid Shamsu-d din Turmuzi and 'Aldu-d din, ndih-harliarl, whom I had sent on an embassy to Bahadur Nahir at the city of Kutila,^ returned to my camp, and presented to me a letter which Bahddur had most respectfully written to me to the following effect : " I am one of the most insignificant servants of the great amir, and will proceed to his court to wait upon him." The ambassadors informed me that Bahddur Ndhir would arrive at my court on Friday. Bahddur NAhir sent to me as a tribute two white parrots which could talk well and pleasantly. The envoys presented them to me, and told me that these two parrots had belonged to Sultdn Tughlik Sh^h, and that they had lived at the courts of the Sultans ever since. The sight of these parrots and the sound of their voices gave me great satisfaction, so I gave directions that they should be brought before me in their cages every day that I might listen to their talk.

Next day I crossed the Jumna and marched six Iws to the village of Mudula. There I halted and encamped. On the following day, Friday, I again marched, and after going five or six hos, arrived at the village of Katah,^ where I pitched my camp. Bahddur Nahir, with his eldest son, named Kalndsh, * arrived to pay their respects, and I received them with due courtesy. They brought rare and suitable presents from Hindustan, but I looked upon the two parrots as the best of their gifts. After I had ascertained their sincerity from their words and actions, I honoured them with my royal favour and bounty, and having raised their dignity, I removed all doubt and apprehension from their minds. On the following day I marched, and, after going six kos, I arrived at the town

1 See note infrd page 455. * Or " Kanah."

3 The different MSS. of the Zafar-ndma have "Kalt&sh," "Kat&sh," and "Katlaght&sh."

of Baghpat, where I encamped. Next day, Sunday the 26th, I again moved, and, after travelling five hos, arrived at the village of Asar, which is situated in a tract called dodb.

I now learned that there was in the vicinity a city called Mifat, having a very strong fort. The fortress was one of the strongest in Hindustan, and it was under the command of Tlyas Afghan and his son, Maula Ahmad Thanesari. There was also a gabr named Safi, who, with a large body of gdbrs, had gone into the fort to aid in its defence. They had also plenty of the munitions and implements of war. When I heard all this, I instantly sent Prince Eustam, Amir Taghi Bugha, Amir Sh^h Malik, and Amir A114h-d4d against this fort of Mirat, with orders to grant terms to the place if the inhabitants showed due submission and obedience ; but if not, to inform me and proceed to invest the place. These officers marched on the 26th of the month, and, arriving at Mirat, delivered my message, calling upon the inhabitants to capitulate, and to trust their lives, property, and honour to my protection. They replied that Tarmsharin Khdn, with a host beyond all number and compute, had assailed their fort, but had retired from it baffled. My envoys reported to me the defiant answer of the inhabitants, and when I read the insolent reference they made to Tarmsharin Khan, who was a great king, my anger was roused, and I mounted my horse and gave orders for my forces to march against Mirat. On that same day, the 28th of the month, after mid-day prayer, I started with 10,000 picked horsemen. Halting one night upon the road, I accomplished the distance of twenty hos, and arrived at Mirat on the 29th.

In the afternoon I ordered my officers to set the men of their divisions ^ to sap holes under the walls of the fortifications. In execution of this order they set to work, and in the course of one night each party had pushed their mine twelve yards forward under the defences. When the besieged discovered this, they

' The word used is " morchal," which would imply that there was a special party or corps of sappers.

lost all nerve and were quite cast down and bewildered. At this time the devoted regiments {kusMn) of Amir Allah-dad Kuchin assaulted the gate of the fort, rushing against it shouting their war-cry. Sar&i Bahadur, son of Kalandar Bahddur, one of the followers {naukar) of Amir AUdh-d^d, was the first to bring up a scaling ladder, attach it to the walls, and mount to the summit. A number of brave men rallied to support him, and, with the aid of their ladders and ropes, they mounted the walls and entered the fort. They then spread themselves in the interior, and, fighting vigorously and bravely, Rustam Birlds at length encountered Tlyfe Afghan and his son, Mauldna Ahmad Thane- sari. He fought valiantly, and made them both prisoners ; then, binding their hands to their necks, he brought them to my pre- sence. Saf i, who had fought well, was killed. The braves and soldiers of my army spread themselves over every part of the fortifications, and put all the gahrs and people of the place to death. Their wives and children were made prisoners, and all their property was plundered. When my mind was set at rest by this conquest of Mirat, I gave orders that the wood used as props to support the mines under the walls should be set on fire, and that all the towers and walls should be levelled with the ground. The houses of the gabrs were set on fire, and the great buildings were razed. Divine favour had thus enabled me to obtain an easy victory over Mirat, a place which Tarmsharin Khdn, a prince of great dignity and power, had besieged with an enormous army and failed to capture. With a small force I had made a rapid march upon the place, and my brave fellows, by sheer courage and determination, had planted their ladders and scaled the walls in broad daylight, and had carried the place at the point of the sword. For this signal success I offered my devout thanks to the Almighty.

On the' 1st Jumada-1 awwal I placed the left wing of the army under the command of Amir Jahan Shah, with orders to march

up the Jumna, to take every fort and town and village he came, to, and to put all the infidels of the country to the sword. The amir led off his army to execute my commands. I ordered Amir Shaikh Nuru-d din to take charge of the heavy baggage, and convey it to the banks of the river Kard-sii.^ I, myself, de- termined upon directing my arms against the infidels on the Ganges. I accordingly marched towards that river, which is fourteen kos from Mirat. Amir Sulaimdn Sh4h, whom I had left with the baggage, came up according to order, and joined me on the march with his division. The first day I marched six kos, and halted for the night at the village of Mansura. Next day, the 2nd of the month, I arrived early in the morning at Piroz-ptir, and then I proceeded for two or three kos along the bank of the river in search of a ford. At breakfast time I reached the place of transit, but found no ford. A party of my men entered the river on their horses and crossed by swim- ming. I also was about to guide my horse into the water to cross in the same way, when the amirs and niiydns cast them- selves upon their knees, and represented that Prince Pir Mu- hammad and Amir Jahdn Sh^h, with the right wing of the army, had crossed the river near Piroz-pur, and that it was advisable for me not to cross over that day. I assented to their representation, and encamped on the bank of the river, but I ordered Amir Jahan Malik, and others belonging to the division of Prince Sh4h Eukh, to cross over and pass the night there. On the following day, the 3rd of the month, I marched up the river for a distance of fifteen kos, towards Tughlikpur, and that place was five kos distant, when I heard that a large body of infidel Hindus had collected at the fords of the river. I immediately ordered Mubdshar Bahddur and 'All Sultdn Tawdchi to proceed with 5,000 horse to chastise these infidels, and I proceeded on my way to Tughlikpur. As I went on, the air and the wind affected me, and I felt a pain in my right arm, which every moment increased. It caused me much suffering, and sundry

' "Black-river;" a translation of the Hindu Kdlini.

hot applications ^ were applied. I was now informed that there was a force of Hindus coming down the river in forty-eight boats with the intention of fighting. This intelligence acted as a cure for my pain, and eagerness for the fight made me forget my suffering. I mounted my horse, and, taking with me 1,000 troopers, who were at hand, we struck our heels into the flanks of our horses and hastened to the side of the river. As soon as my braves saw the boats, some of them rode their horses into the river and swam to the vessels ; then, seizing fast hold of the sides, they defeated all the efforts of the Hindus to shake them off. They forced their way into some of the boats, put the infidels to the sword, and threw their bodies into the river ; thus sending them through water to the fires of hell. Some of my men dismounted, and, proceeding to the ford, assailed the enemy with arrows. The occupants of the boats returned the arrows, but the vessels were at length wrested from their posses- sion, and were brought with their contents to my presence. The enemy had lashed ten of their boats together with chains and strong ropes, and these vessels maintained the fight. My men plied them with arrows till they slew many of them ; they then swam off, and, boarding the boats, put every living soul to the sword, sending them through water to the fires of hell.^

When I was at leisure, after this affair with the boats, I, on the same day, marched on to Tughlikpur, and there encamped. I sent on Amir AUah-d^d, B&yazid Kuchin, and Altun Bakhshi with a force as an advance-guard to cross the river and to obtain information for me of the whereabouts of the enemy. After their departure, when three watches of the night had passed, two horsemen came in from All^-dad to report that the re- connoitring party had discovered a ford by which they had passed the river, and had found on the other side a large body of infidel Hindus, with a great amount of property and goods,

1 " Garm-ddri,," explained as "hot spices, cloves, etc," Tfmrir was probably suffering from rheumatism. ^ Timlir was evidently proud of this savage jest.

under the command of a man named Mubdrak Kh^n. Confident in their numbers, they were ready to fight. As soon as I learned this, I ordered my forces to be drawn out, and I mounted my horse and started off greatly incensed. Before morning broke I passed the Ganges with 1,000 horsemen fiiUy equipped for service. After proceeding a hos, the time for morning prayer arrived, so I alighted from my horse in the plain, paid my de- votions, and offered my praises. I then again mounted, in full assurance of the favour of the Almighty, and went on towards the enemy. Mubdrak Khan was informed of my approach, and stood, with 10,000 fighting men, in battle array, prepared to fight.

Three great victories in one day. Attended by my escort, I was carefully examining and scruti- nising the enemy, and the whole of my 1,000 horsemen had not come up. The great bulk of the army was engaged in plunder- ing expeditions at a distance. I had but 1,000 men, and the enemy numbered 10,000, still I put my trust in God and prayed to Him for victory. By a wonderful coincidence, just at this juncture, Saiyid Khwdja and Jahdn Malik with 5,000 horse, whom I had sent on a plundering excursion, having made a sweep, came up in my rear just in the nick of time. If it had not been so I might here have said farewell, for I could hardly have escaped, I deemed their arrival a most fortunate omen, offered my thanks to God and faced the foe. I ordered Amir Allah-dM and Amir Shdh Malik to make a charge upon the enemy with the thousand horsemen of my escort, and not to be dismayed by the numbers of their antagonists. When, in obedi- ence to my command, they dashed forward, the enemy did not await their charge, but wavered and turned and fled. My brave fellows pursued and killed many of them, made their wives and children prisoners, plundered their property and goods, and secured a vast number of cows and buffalos. When, by the favour of God, I had secured this victory, I got off my horse and prostrated myself on the ground to pay my thanks.

While the soldiers were occupied in securing the spoil, I sat down to take a little rest, but some of the reconnoitring party came in with the information that there was a large number of Hindus assembled in the valley of Kutila,^ on the side of the Granges, having made that valley a place of reftige. I instantly mounted, and leaving the greater part {tamami) of my force to secure the spoil, I started off for the valley of Kutila with only five hundred horsemen. When I reached the place I found an immense number of gabrs assembled in the darra. Instantly I ordered Amir ShS,h Malik and 'Ali Sultdn Taw&chi to charge the enemy without paying the slightest heed to their numbers, although they were twenty to one. Spurring their horses, shouting their war-cry, and brandishing their swords, they fell upon the forces {afwaj) of the enemy like hungry lions upon a flock of sheep. At the first charge the ranks of the enemy were broken, and many of their men fell under the blows of the sword. Grod thus gave me victory with such a small band of followers over such a numerous host of the enemy. After many of them had been slain, those who escaped kept in the thickets and defiles (darrahd), skulking like foxes and jackals. An immense booty was left, and my braves were busy in securing it. Only one hundred men remained with me as a guard, the other four hundred were engaged in collecting the plunder. At this con- juncture Malik Shaikha, commander of the infidels, with ^ve hundred horse and a large force of foot, knitting their brows with hatred, advanced against me. I perceived this force coming to attack me, and my warlike spirit was roused, so, with the hundred men who supported me, I spurred on to meet the foe. When about the distance of a bow-shot remained between us, one of the horsemen, who was in advance of me, turned round and told me that it was a force belonging to Shaikh Kukar, one

' In the two MSS. of this work this name is written ^^ and djij^, hut the MSS. of the Zafa/r-nama generally have i^ Si Kiipila, which is an old name of

Hardw&r, and the description of the place in page 458 imfrd, leaves no doubt of its being Hardwar. Petis de la Croii and Price also both have Kiipila.

of my dependents and servants, who was coming to join my camp. These words, so far from the truth, reached my ears, and I was satisfied and turned back. But Malik Shaikha drew his sword, and came dashing on with his men against my fol- lowers, of whom several received wounds. When I ascertained the fact that these were foes, and not the people of Shaikh Kukar, I turned rein, and charging the enemy despatched many of them at the first attack. Malik Shaikha received a spear thrust in his stomach, and a sword cut on the head. He fell from his horse, and my men made him prisoner. They bound his hands to his neck and brought him to my presence. Many of the gabrs were killed and wounded ; a few escaped half dead (with fright). Malik Shaikha, a very large and powerful man, was brought before me, wounded as he was. The awe of my presence added to his wounds, took such an effect upon him that when I asked him a question, he surrendered his soul to the Lord of Hell before he could answer me. God thus granted me two great victories in one day, and I ofiered my thanksgivings for his favour.

Again I mounted my steed, and as I did so intelligence was brought to me that in the valley {darra) of Ktitila, two kos distant, a large number of infidels and gahrs had collected with their wives and children, and with property, goods, and cattle beyond all estimate. The road thither was arduous, through jungles and thickets. When I heard this my first thought was that I had been awake since midnight, I had travelled a long distance without any halt, and had surmounted many difficulties, I had won two splendid victories with a few brave soldiers, and I was very tired, I would therefore stop and take rest. But then I remembered that I had drawn my sword, and had come to Hind with the resolution of waging a holy war against its in- fidels, and so long as it was possible to fight with them, rest was unlawful for me. Although I had only a few amirs and a few soldiers with me, I placed my trust in God, and determined to attack the enemy. Spurring my horse, I started, and when I

had gone a little way, I remembered how three days before I had sent Prince Pir Muhammad and Amir Sulaimdn Shah across the river from the village of Pirozpur, and I thought how opportune it would be if they were now to join me. But then I said how can they know that I have crossed the river, or how can they conceive that I am engaged in this distant place' in action with the infidels. I was going along with my head bent down, en- gaged in these reflections, when suddenly a large body of men came to view in the distance, and every man had something to say about them. I sent forward some scouts to ascertain what force it was, and as they drew near they discovered that it was the division of Prince Pir Muhammad Jah^ngir and Amir Sulaimdn Shah. The scouts immediately proceeded to the prince and told him of the state of afiairs, how I had already won two great victories that day, and that for the third time I was marching against a numerous body of gahrs collected at Kutila. The prince and his men had previously heard nothing of me, and now, on getting this timely information, they were very glad, and turned to wait upon me. The scouts whom I had sent to reconnoitre returned, and told me that the prince with his division in martial array was coming up. They added that the prince knew nothing about me until they informed him of the euterprize I had in hand, and that he was now on the way to meet me. This information, so in accordance with my wishes, rejoiced me greatly. It was quite beyond my expecta- tions, for I had no idea of the prince being near ; so I was glad, and prostrated myself on the earth in thanks to God for having granted me what my heart desired. It was now the time of afternoon {asr) prayer, and it was the fourth of the month. The prince and Amir Sulaimdn Shah came up with their numerous force, and were honoured with an interview. Pressing on with all haste I passed the jungles and thickets, and arrived in front of the infidels. After a slight resistance the enemy took to flight, but many of them fell under the swords of my soldiers.

All the wives and children of the infidels were made prisoners, and their property and goods, gold, money and grain, horses, camels (shutur), cows and buffalos in countless numbers, fell as spoil into the hands of my soldiers. Satisfied with this rout of the enemy, I said the afternoon prayers in public in that desert, and I returned thanks to God for that I had fought three times with enemies outnumbering my men by ten and twenty to one, and that in each battle I had gained a signal victory.

The day now drew to a close and night came on, but in that desert there was no place for me to alight and pitch my camp, so I turned back with my enormous booty, and encamped in the field where I had won the second victory. There I passed the night in repose.

At this place information was brought to me that fifteen kos off, up the river, and near the mountains, there was a place in which there was the image of a cow, carved out of stone, and that the river (ah) ran from its mouth. In the belief of the people of Hindustdn the source of the river Ganges was in this same mountain. The Hindu infidels worship the Ganges, and once every year they come on pilgrimage to this place,'^ which they consider the source of the river, to bathe and to have their heads and beards shaved. They believe these acts to be the means of obtaining salvation and securing future reward. They dispense large sums in charity among those who wear the Brah- manical thread, and they throw money into the river. When infidels die in distant parts, their bodies are burned, and the ashes are brought to this river and are thrown into it. This they look upon as a means of sanctification. When I learned these fects, I resolved to war against the infidels of this place, so that I might obtain the merit of overthrowing them.

Information was also brought to me that all the men whom I had defeated in the valley of Kutila, before coming hither, had not been killed. The day having drawn to a close, many had escaped and were hiding in the thickets and broken ground.

Neither had all their property been plundered. So I resolved to go again next day to that valley, and to put all the surviving infidels to death. At dawn on the 5th Jum4da-1 awwal I said my morning prayer, and started with a suitable force for the valley of Ktitila, which lies at the foot of a lofty mountain and on the banks of the Ganges. During the night all the gabrs who had been scattered reassembled under their chiefs, and as they had no place of refuge more secure, they resolved that if the Musulmans returned, they would fight till they died. So they were prepared for battle. When I approached the darra, I made the following disposition of my forces for conquering the infidels. I placed my right wing under Prince Pir Muham- mad Jahangir and Amir Sulaimdn Sh5,h. The left wing I gave into the charge of several amirs of tumdns. I gave the command of the advance to Amir Shdh Malik, and I kept the centre under my own orders. Upon entering the valley the infidels at first, having drawn up their forces, put on a bold appearance and advanced to the attack. I restrained the braves of my advance- guard, and of the right and left wings, and, having massed them together, charged the enemy, shouting aloud our war-cry until the hills and valleys resounded. The sounds of the kettle- drums and other warlike instruments fell upon the battle field, and at the first and second charge dismay seized upon the enemy, and they took to flight. My brave men displayed great courage and daring; they made their swords their banners, and exerted themselves in slaying the foe. They slaughtered many of the infidels, and pursued those who fled to the mountains. So many of them were killed that their blood ran down the mountains and the plain, and thus (nearly) all were sent to hell. The few who escaped, wounded, weary, and half dead, sought refuge in the defiles of the hills. Their property and goods, which exceeded all computation, and their countless cows and buflalos, fell as spoil into the hands of my victorious soldiers.

When I was satisfied with the destruction I had dealt out to the infidels, and the land was cleansed from the pollution of

their existence, I turned back victorious and triumphant, laden with spoil. On that same day I crossed the Ganges, and said my mid-day prayers in the congregation, on the bank of that river. I prostrated myself in humble thanks to God, and after- wards again mounting my horse, marched five miles down the river and then encamped. It now occurred to my mind that I had marched as a conqueror from the river Sind to Dehli, the capital of the kings of India. I had put the infidels to the edge of the sword on both sides of my route, and had scoured the land ; I had seized upon the throne of the kings of India ; I had defeated Sultan Mahmnd, the king of Dehli, and triumphed over him; I had crossed the rivers Ganges and Jumna, and I had sent many of the abominable infidels to hell, and had purified the land from their foul existence. I rendered thanks to Al- mighty God that I had accomplished my undertaking, and had waged against the infidels that holy war I had resolved upon : then I determined to turn my course towards Samarkand, my capital and paradise. On the 6th of the month I mounted and proceeded towards the heavy baggage, and, having travelled several kos, I encamped, and sent some yiirutcMs (quarter- masters) to go and bring up the baggage.

On Tuesday I marched six kos, and the heavy baggage was now four kos distant. I now learned that an immense number of infidels had collected in the Siwalik hills. Upon inquiring into the nature of these hills, I was informed that the people of Hindustan compute this mountain region at one lac and the fourth part of a lac} It has narrow and strong valleys {darra), in which the infidels had assembled. When I received this in- formation I immediately ordered the troops, with the baggage, to march towards the Siwdlik hills, and I, myself, proceeded in

that direction. Marching in the evening and into, the night, I accomplished five hos, and then encamped in the hills. At this halt Prince Khalil Sultan and Amir Shaikh Niiru-d din, who had been with the baggage, and to whom I had issued my order, came up. When I was seated on my cushion of royalty, with all the princes and amirs around me. Amir Sulaimdn Sh4h, Amir Shdh Malik, Amir Shaikh Nuru-d din, and other amirs, rose from their places, and, coming forward, bowed their knees before me and said : " So long as we, your servants, are able to move hand and foot, we will execute your orders, but what necessity is there for our great amir to take all this toil and hardship upon himself, and that he should now order us to march against the infidels of the Siwalik, and to rout and destroy them ? " I replied : " My principal object in coming to Hindus- tdn, and in undergoing all this toil and hardship, has been to accomplish two things. The first was to war with the infidels, the enemies of the Muhammadan religion; and by this religious warfare to acquire some claim to reward in the life to come. The other was a worldly object ; that the army of Isldm might gain something by plundering the wealth and valuables of the infidels : plunder in war is as lawful as their mothers' milk to Musulmd,ns who war for their faith, and the consuming of that which is lawful is a means of grace." When the amirs received this answer, they maintained silence. I now despatched some horsemen with all speed to Amir Jahdn Shah, whom I had sent off a week before to plunder the forts and towns on the Jumna, ordering him to rejoin me with all speed, that he and his men might also share in the merit of fighting against the infidels. The amir came in directly and joined me. Then, placing my trust in God, I mounted my charger, and, on the 10th of the month, marched towards the Siwdlik hills.

In a valley {darra) of these hills there was a rdi named Bahrtiz, the number of whose forces, and whose lofty, rugged, narrow, and strong position, made him superior to all the chiefs of the hills, and, indeed, of most of Hindustan. At the present time es-

pecially, he, having heard of my approach, had done his best to strengthen his position, and all the malignant rdis of the country had gathered round him. Proud of the number of his men and soldiers, the height of his darra and abode, he stood firm, resolved upon fighting. On the other hand, I resolved upon attacking Bahruz and conquering the Siwdlik hills.

On the 10th Jumdda-1 awwal I mounted my horse and drew my sword, determined on fighting the infidels of the Siwalik. First I attended to the disposition of my forces. I gave the command of the right wing to Prince Pir Muhammad Jahangir and Amir Sulaimdn ShAh ; and I placed the left wing under Prince Sultan Husain and Amir Jahan Sh^h. I sent forward Shaikh Nuru-d din and Amir Shah Malik in command of the advance-guard of the centre. When my arrangements were complete, we marched, and on approaching the valley, I ordered the drums to be beaten, the instruments to be sounded, and the war-cry to be raised, until the hills and valleys echoed with their sounds. I proceeded to the mouth of the darra, where I alighted from my horse, and sent forward my amirs and soldiers. They all dismounted, and, girding up their loins, marched forward to the conflict, full of resolution and courage. The demon-like Hindus were lurking in places of ambush, and attacked my sol- diers, but these retaliated with showers of arrows, and falling upon them with the sword forced their way into the valley. There they closed with them, and fighting most bravely they slaughtered the enemy with sword, knife, and dagger. So many fell that the blood ran down in streams. The infidel galrs were dismayed at the sight, and took to flight. The holy warriors pursued them, and made heaps of slain. A few Hindus, in a wretched plight, wounded and half dead, escaped, and hid them- selves in holes and caves. An immense spoil, beyond all com- pute, in money, goods and articles, cows and buflfalos, fell into the hands of my soldiers. All the Hindu women and children

in the valley were made prisoners. When I was fiilly satisfied with the defeat of the insolent infidels of the Siwdlik, and with the victory I had gained, I returned triumphant, and encamped in the same place. This night I passed as a guest in the tents of Prince Pir Muhammad Jah&ngir.

When morning came I ordered all the plunder that had fallen into the hands of my men to be collected, for I understood that some had obtained much and others little, and I had it all fairly divided. On that day, the 11th of the month, I marched and joined the heavy baggage. I encamped at the village of Bahrah, in the country of Miyapur. Next day I again marched, and accomplishing four kos, halted at the village of Shikk Sdr. An enormous quantity of plunder, goods and articles, prisoners and cattle, was now collected together with the heavy baggage, and the people of the army were very heavily laden ; consequently it was difficult to march more than four or five hos in a day. On the 13th I encamped at the village of Kandar.

On the following day, the 14th Jumada-1 awwal, I crossed the river Jumna with the baggage, and encamped in another part of the Siwahk hills. Here I learned that in this part of the Siwdlik there was a rajah of great rank and power, by name Ratan Sen. His valley [darra) was more lofty and more narrow, and his forces more numerous than those of R4ja Bahruz. The mountains around are exceedingly lofty, and the jungles and woods remarkably thick, so that access to the valley was im- possible, except by cutting through the jungle. When I under- stood these facts about Katan Sen, I felt my responsibilities as a warrior of the Faith, and I was unwilling that the night should pass in ease ; so I issued a summons for the attendance of the amirs and other officers. When they were all present, I directed them to prepare their men for battle, and that they should carry hatchets and bills, etc., for clearing away the jungle. I directed some thousands of torches to be lighted, and the drums of de- parture to be sounded. So at night I mounted my horse, and when I reached the jungle, I ordered my warriors to cut away

the jungle, and make a way through. They proceeded to execute my order, and all night long they were occupied in clearing a passage. I went on to the front, and as morning broke I had traversed twelve hos by the way that had been pierced through the jungle. When I emerged from the jungle, the dawn ap- peared, and I alighted from my horse and said my morning prayers. Then I again mounted, and on the morning of the 15th, I found myself between two mountains, one the Siwalik mountain, the other the Kuka mountain. This was the valley {darra), and it was exceedingly strong. The hills on both sides raised their heads to the clouds. In the front of this valley Raja Ratan Sen had drawn out his forces, as numerous as ants or locusts. There he had taken his stand, prepared for battle with an advance-guard, a right wing and left wing, in regular martial array.

As soon as my eye fell upon the dispositions of Raja Ratan Sen, I ordered my warriors to shout their battle-cry aloud, and the drums and other instruments to be sounded. The noise reverberated through the hills, and filled the hearts of the infidels with dismay and trembling, so that they wavered. At this moment I ordered my forces to make one grand charge upon the infidels. At the first onset, the Hindus broke and fled, and my victorious soldiers pursued, slashing their swords, killing many of the fugitives, and sending them to hell. Only a few of them escaped, wounded and dispirited, and hiding themselves like foxes in the woods, thus saved their lives. When the soldiers gave up killing the infidels, they secured great plunder in goods and valuables, prisoners and cattle. No one of them had less than one or two hundred cows, and ten or twenty slaves — the other plunder exceeded all calculation. On this day, Prince Pir Muhammad Jah4ngir and Amir Sulaim^n Shdh, with the right wing of the army, and Prince Sultan Husain and Amir Jahan Sh^h, with the left wing, returned and joined me. By my orders they had parted from me, and had penetrated the valleys on my right and left. They had encountered and routed many

infidels, and had slain great numbers of thetn, but they had not gained so much spoil (as my division). I was satisfied with the victory I had won over Ratan Sen and his forces, and all that he possessed had fallen into the hands of my soldiers. Day came to a close, and I encamped between the two mountains. The princes and amirs of the right and left wing, whose way had lain through other valleys, came in to me in the evening, which was the evening of Friday, the IGth,"^ and reported to me their en- gagements with the enemy, and the men who had distinguished themselves by feats of valour. After a night's rest, on the morning of Friday, I arose, and after saying my prayers I mounted and rode towards the valley of those two mountains, intent upon the conquest of the Siwalik hills.

When I entered the valley on that side of the Siwalik, infor- mation was brought to rae about the town (shahr) of Nagarkot, which is a large and important town of Hindustan, and situated in these mountains. The distance was thirty kos, but the road thither lay through jungles, and over lofty and rugged hills. Every rdi and rdja who dwelt in these hills had a large number of retainers. As soon as I learned these facts about Nagarkot and the country round, my whole heart was intent upon carrying the war against the infidel Hindus of that place, and upon sub- duing the territory. So I set spurs to my horse, and wended my way thither.

The left wing of my army, commanded by Amir Jah4n Shdh, had obtained no booty on the previous day, so I ordered his division to the front to battle with the infidels, and to capture spoil to compensate them for the deficiency of the previous day. I sent Sain Timur with a party of soldiers forward as an advance-guard, and then I followed. At breakfast time Sain Timur, the commander of the vanguard, sent to inform me that there was a very large force of infidels in front drawn up in order

1 It must be bome in mind that tbe Muhammadan day begins at sunset, vol. III. 30

of battle. I instantly ordered Amir JaMn Shah, whom I had sent to the front with the forces of the left wing and the army of Khurasdn, to attack the enemy. The amir, in obedience to ray order, advanced and charged the enemy. At the very first charge the infidels were defeated and put to flight. The holy warriors, sword in hand, dashed among the fugitives, and made heaps of corpses. Great numbers were slain, and a vast booty in goods and valuables, and prisoners and cattle in countless num- bers, fell into the hands of the victors, who returned triumphant and loaded vrith spoil.

A horseman belonging to the kushun of Amir Shaikh Nuru-d din and 'Ali Sultan Tawdchi now came galloping in to inform me that upon my left there was a valley in which an immense number of Hindus and gabrs had collected, and were crying out for battle. Vast herds of cattle and bufialos were grazing around them, in numbers beyond the reach of the imagination. As soon as I heard this, I proceeded to the place, and having said my mid-day prayers with the congregation on the way, I joined Amir Shaikh Nuru-d din, and I ordered him, with 'Ali Sultan Tawachi, to march with their forces against the enemy. In compliance with this order they went boldly forward, and by a rapid march came in sight of the infidels. Like a pack of hungry sharp-clawed wolves, they fell upon the flock of fox-hke infidels, and dyed their swords and weapons in the blood of those wretches till streams of blood ran down the valley. I went to the front from the rear, and found the enemy flying on all sides, and my braves splashing their blood upon the ground. A party of the Hindus fled towards the mountain, and I taking a body of soldiers pursued them up that lofty mountain, and put them to the sword. After mounting to the summit I halted. Finding the spot verdant and the air pleasant, I sat myself down and watched the fighting and the valiant deeds my men were per- forming. I observed their conduct with my own eyes, and how they put the infidel Hindus to the sword. The soldiers engaged in collecting the booty, and cattle, and prisoners. This exceeded

all calculation, and they returned victorious and triumphant. The princes and amirs and other officers came up the mountain to meet me, and to congratulate me on the victory. I had seen splendid deeds of valour, and I now promoted the performers and rewarded them with princely gifts. The enormous numbers of cows and buiFalos that had been taken were brought forward, and I directed that those who had captured many should give a few to those soldiers who had got no share. Through this order, every man, small and great, strong and feeble, obtained a share of the spoil. I remained till evening on the mountain, and after saying evening prayer I came down. I encamped in the valley where there were running streams. Several times when I en- camped in these mountains great numbers of monkeys came into the camp from the jungles and woods, both by night and day, and laid their claws upon whatever they could find to eat, and carried it off before the faces of the men. At night they stole their little articles and curiosities.

Since the 14th Jumada-1 awwal, when I entered the Siwalik hills, I had fought the enemy several times, I had gained vic- tories and captured forts. From that time to the 17th Jumada-1 akhir, one month and two days, I had been engaged in fighting, slaying, and plundering the miscreant Hindus of those hills, until I arrived at the fort of Jammu. I reckoned that during those thirty-two days I had twenty conflicts with the enemy, and gained as many victories. I captured seven strong celebrated forts belonging to the infidels, which were situated two or three kos distance apart, and were the jewels and beauties of that region. The people of these forts and countries had formerly paid the j'izi/a (poll-tax) to the Sultan of Hindustan ; but for a long time past they had grown strong, and casting off their allegiance to those sovereigns, they no longer paid the Jizi/a, but indulged in all sorts of opposition.

One of these eight forts belonged to a chief named Shaikha, a relation of Malik Shaikh Kukar. The people of the fort made some Musulmdns who were dwelling amongst them their media-

tors, and sent oflfers of submission and service. But I saw looks of deception and treachery in the faces of the people of the fort. When my ministers had settled the amount of the ransom money, and the officers proceeded to collect it, these bad people evaded payment. On being informed of this, I gave orders that all kinds of articles should be taken at a good price instead of money and specie (jins). When this was understood, they brought forth all sorts of things and gave them over at a high valuation, so it came to pass that all the bows and arrows and swords that they possessed were surrendered instead of money. I now issued an order that forty of the Hindus of the fort should come out to serve Hindu Shah, my treasurer. Being of a dis- obedient rebellious spirit they resisted, paid no respect to my order, and even killed some of the Musulmans who were in the fort. Directly I heard this, I gave orders for the amirs with their respective forces to advance boldly against the fort. In execution of this order all my forces assembled en masse to storm the place. They assailed it on every side, and fixing their scaling-ladders they mounted the walls and penetrated to the interior. The men of the garrison having been guilty of conduct worthy of death, were killed. Two thousand thus perished and were sent to hell. The women and children were made prisoners, and the buildings were levelled with the ground. By the favour and grace of God my heart had thus been gratified with the over- throw of the vile infidels of the Siwdlik. I had subdued their strongholds, and there remained no other contumacious rdi or rdja to conquer. I inquired of the people who were acquainted with this region if there were any more infidels in the vicinity against whom I could carry the scourge of holy warfare.

In answer to my inquiry I was informed that the castle of Jammti was near, that it was connected with the Siwalik and Kuka mountains, and that the inhabitants were not submissive and obedient to the Sultans of Hindustdn. These facts being

made known to me, I on the 16tli Jumdda-1 dkhir 803, marched from the village of Mansdr determined to carry my arms against the infidels of Jammu. After marching six kos I encamped at the village of Bdila, in the- territory of Jammu. I sent Amir Shaikh Muhammad, son of Amir Aiku-timur, and some other ofiScers, at the head of a body of horse against the village of Bciila. The people in that village confident in their numbers, in the density of the jungle, and in the altitude of the position, had placed themselves in ambush in many places along the borders of the jungle prepared to give battle and ofier resistance. The amirs who had gone on in advance reported these facts to me, and asked for permission to attack and defeat the enemy. I returned answer that I myself was desirous of sharing in the merit of the holy fight, and, therefore, the battle must be deferred till the morrow until I should arrive. When my orders reached them they postponed operations for that day. On the next day, the 17th, I marched towards B4Ila. When the eyes of the enemy fell upon my royal banners, and the cries of my warriors sounded in their ears, they wavered and fled, seeking refuge in the dense jungles and thickets. I directed the amirs in the front to advance and seize the mouths of the jungle and woods so that the troops might enter the village of Baila and plunder it in security. No man was to enter the jungle and woods. The amirs carried out these orders and the soldiers obtained great quantities of grain, sugar, and oil. After that they set fire to the houses and destroyed the buildings.

The same day I advanced four kos and then encamped. Uljah Timur Tiinkat^r, Ful4d Bahadur, and Zainu-d din whom I had sent as ambassadors from Dehli to Shkh. Iskandar, king of Kash- mir, now returned to me with the Shdh's envoys, bearing a letter from him. I read the letter from beginning to end. It was couched in the most respectful terms, the king declaring himself to be my humble servant, and stating his intention to follow his letters and to be honoured by waiting upon me. The Shdh's ambassadors bent the knee, and after olFering their benedictions,

informed me that their master had come as far as the village of Jahan to m«et me.

I was now informed that Mull& Niiru-d din, the ambassador of Shah Iskandar, who had been in attendance upon me, had returned without leave to his master at the village of Jabhin, to inform him that my ministers of finance had determined that when he should arrive at my court there should be demanded from him a contribution of 30,000 horses and a lac of silver tanltas, each tanka weighing two and a half miskdls. Shah Iskandar, in order to provide for this payment, had returned from Jabhan to Kashmir. When I heard this I called for my financial officers and told them that they had put too heavy a burden on the neck of Shdh Iskandar, that the tax and tribute to be demanded of every country ought to be in proportion to its income and cultiva- tion, and that they had exhibited their own ignorance in making such a demand. I immediately reassured the ambassador of the Shdh, gave him a robe and presents, and sent him with Mu'ata- mad Zainu-d din to his master with a message that he was not to consider himself bound by the demand made by my ofiicers, but to trust in my royal favour and to return without fear. It was then the 17th of the month, and when twenty-eight days had passed, on the 15th of the month of Rajab, he must come to my camp upon the banks of the Indus.

At the foot of a mountain in the vicinity of my camp there was a flourishing village, and I sent a force to plunder it. When they reached it, the Hindus of the place who were numerous, assembled to resist, but on the approach of my men fear fell upon their hearts, and they set fire to their houses and fled to the mountains. My victorious soldiers pursued them and slew many of them. A large booty in grain and property fell into our hands. There were two other large villages in the vicinity of this village. These also were plundered and a large amount of spoil was secured. On this day Ed-timtir was wounded.

On the 19th I again marched, and came up opposite to the city of Jammu, and there encamped, my royal tents and canopies being set up. The five or six Jcos which I traversed in this day's march was entirely through a cultivated country ; nowhere did I see any dry [khushk) or waste (Mali) land, and so in the place where I encamped there was no necessity for any man to go out into the fields in search of fodder for his horse or camel, for there was grain and grass enough between the tents to feed the animals. On the next day, the 20th, after resting for the night, I again moved with the intention of attacking the town of Jammu. I came into the valley where the source of the river of Jammu is situated, and there I pitched my tents ; but I sent my army over the river to the foot of a mountain, on the left of the town, and to the village of Manii on the right. When my forces had secured these positions, the demon-spirited Hindus sent off their wives and children from their villages to the tops of the mountains, and they fortified themselves in their village. Their raja, with his warlike gabrs and athletic Hindus, took his post in the vaUey, where they howled like so many jackals. I com- manded that not a soldier should go towards the mountain, or have anything to do with these gabrs, but that they should attack and plunder the town of Jammii and the village of Manu. Accordingly my forces fell to plundering, and secured an enor- mous booty in grain, goods of all kinds, and cattle. I returned victorious to the baggage, where I entered my tents, and passed the night in pleasure and rest.

As soon as morning broke the drums sounded. I selected certain kushims which I placed under the command of experienced veteran amirs, and I intrusted them to go and conceal themselves in the jungle, while I marched away with drums playing. The Hindus and gabrs, who had fled to the hills in alarm at my approach, would then come down from the mountains in fancied security, and my troops in ambush might fall upon the infidels and cut them to pieces. In execution of this order the troops went and concealed themselves, and I mounting my horse crossed

the river of Jammu, and marclied four hos. All this distance was through arable land, and a green and fertile country. I encamped on the banks of the Ohindwa^ on a piece of cultivated ground, and set up my tents with all the baggage around. Some horsemen now arrived in haste from the amirs, whom 1 had left in ambush, to inform me that, after I had marched away, the Raja of Jammu and other devilish gdbrs came down confidently from the tops of the hills. When they reached the plain the amirs rushed suddenly from their ambush upon the infidels, and killed a great number of them. A few of them, worn out and wounded, had escaped to the jungle and woods. The Eaja of Jammu, who was ruler of the country, with fifty Rdos and Rdjpiits had been made prisoners by Daulat Timur Tawachi Husain Malik Kuchin and others belonofins; to the tumdn of Amir Shaikh Nuru-d din, and the whole force was coming up with the prisoners. I gave thanks to Almighty God that the enemies of the Muhammadan religion had been smitten down by the men of the faith, or had been made prisoners. The day before, proud of their numbers and confident in the density of the jungle and the altitude of the hills, they had raised their cries of defiance, and now, by the grace of God, they were prisoners in my hands. I immediately gave orders that the fifty prisoners should be put in bonds and chains. When my eyes fell upon the E,4ja of Jammu, who was wounded and a prisoner, fear took possession of his heart, and he agreed to pay certain sums of money and to become a Musulmdn if I would spare his life. I instantly ordered him to be taught the creed, and he repeated it and became a Muhammadan. Among these infidels there is no greater crime and abomination than eating the flesh of a cow or killing a cow, but he ate the flesh in the company of Musulmans. When he had thus been received into the fold of the faithful, I ordered my surgeons to attend to his wounds, and 1 honoured him with a robe and royal favours.

' The Chinab. The spelling in page 413 was Chindd. It is now Ckindwa, and the Zafar-ndma favours this orthography.

On the 23rd Juuiada-l d.khir I remained stationary, and messengers arrived from Prince PIr Muhammad and Prince Rustam and Amir Jahan Shdh, whom I had sent some days before with a force to L4hor. They brought me the information that the princes and amirs had arrived at Labor upon the busi- ness on which I had sent them. Malik Shaikha Kokhar was brother of Nusrat Kokhar, who was formerly governor of Ldhor on the part of Sultdn Mahmud of Uehli. After I had defeated his brother Nusrat Shaikha Kokhar, he had been the first of all the mminddrs and governors of Hindustan to wait upon me and make his submission. From my capture of the city of Dehli till my passage of the Jumna he remained in attendance on me. In the middle of the Dokh he asked permission to return home to Labor. I had always perceived the signs of hypocrisy upon his countenance, and I knew well that he had submitted from neces- sity and was false in his professions. Still he was the first to yield, and I was very considerate for his subjects, and whenever any zaminddr of that country represented himself to be a depen- dant of Shaikha Kokhar, I protected him from the assaults of ray followers, and from pillage and plunder. When I gave him permission to leave he proceeded to Labor, and there forgot his protestations of service and devotion, and the duties imposed upon him by my favour and kindness. He kept not the pro- mises he made when he waited upon me, but when a party of my followers, such as Mauldna 'Abdu-llah, etc., passed through Labor on their way from Samarkand to join me, he showed them no attention, and never asked them why are you come ? where do you come from ? or, where are you going to ? The defection of Shaikha Kokhar had become clear to me, and I had sent the princes and amirs to take that ungrateful man prisoner, and to levy a ransom from the city of Ldhor.

When I read the letters from the princes and amirs, I found that in execution of my orders they had gone to Ldhor, and had fixed the amount of ransom to be levied from the inhabitants. They had found Shaikha Kokhar remiss and negligent in raising

the contribution, and so in compliance with my order they had made him prisoner. They had collected the whole of the ransom and were coming up to join me. In reply to their report I wrote that as Shaikha had proved false to his engagement and had acted inimically, his country was to be plundered and he himself should be sent in chains to my presence. This order I sent off by the hands of messengers.

Next day the 24th of the month, I crossed the river Chind,^ and after a march of four or five Itos, I encamped in a verdant plain. Some messengers now arrived from Prince Mirdn Shah in Kzax- baijAn [reporting all was well.'] On the 25th I again marched. There was a river in the way, which I crossed over and en- camped. On this day some of the sick men {za'ifdn) were drowned in crossing the river, so I directed that all my own horses and camels should be used for carrying the sick and feeble over. On that day all my camp crossed the river, and on the same day messengers arrived from Persia. * * I sent my treasurer Hindu Shah to Samarkand to announce my return home, and I also issued a notification to the princes and amirs of the army, recounting how I had achieved great victories in Hindustan ; how I had taken Dehli the capital of the Sultans, and other cities, towns and renowned fortresses ; how by the grace of God I had overrun the country and the hills, and how my men had secured an immense booty in money and gold, jewels and stufis, high-hred horses and elephants, and cattle in countless numbers. We had returned thus far, and I had sent off messengers to all parts of my dominions to announce my return home, so that the princes' might come out to receive me as quickly as possible. I now thought it would have been better not to have sent the messengers, and that, having left the bag- gage behind, I should go on in advance. Accordingly, mounting my horse I crossed the river which lay in my route. On the 27th I travelled six hos and encamped on the edge of a jungle. The men of my advance-guard brought me information that there

was a brake near at hand in which there was a large tiger. When I arrived there my daring fellows surrounded the brake on all sides, and Amir Shaikh Nuru-d din quickly sprang forward and attacked the beast with his sword and slew it. I loudly praised the prowess of that brave man.

When I returned from the hunt Prince Pir Muhammad Jahdngir, Prince Eustam, Amir Sulaiman, and Amir Jahdn Shdh returned from L4hor with much wealth and property and were received with all honour. The plunder which they had obtained at Labor in money, goods, and horses they presented to me, and I divided and gave all the goods and effects among the amirs and councillors who were in attendance at the court. * * *

Tim-kr holds a Court. On the same day I ordered preparations to be made for holding a splendid court. * * * After bestowing many rewards, robes and girdles, swords and quivers upon the amirs and others, I ordered that the right and left wings of the army should march towards home by certain prescribed routes. The saiyids, and ''ulamd, and zaminddrs, and gentlemen, natives of Hindustdn who had joined and accompanied my camp, all received presents and tasted of my royal bounty. I then issued orders for them all to return home. Khizr Khdn, who was one of the principal men of Hindustan, had been made prisoner by Sarang, the governor of Multdn, and kept in confinement. But he escaped from prison and took refuge with Ahodan, governor of BayS,na, who was a Musulman and an honest man. When I was marching victorious through Hindustan, Khizr Kh4n hastened from Bayana to wait upon me, and I received him with honour and kindness and took him into my suite. I now appointed him governor of Mult4n. _and after bestotnng the usual marks of honour'] I sent him thither.

• • • On Friday the 26th of the month I again marched, and after accomplishing eight kos, arrived at the village of Jabh&n, in the territories of Kashmir.

At this stage I made inquiries about the country and city of Kashmir from men who were acquainted with it, and from them I learned that * * Kashmir is an incomparable country. * * * In the midst of that country there is a very large and populous city called Naghaz. The rulers of the country dwell there. The buildings of the city are very large and are all of wood, and they are four or five stories high. They are very strong and will stand for 500 or 700 years. A large river runs through the middle of this city, as large as the Tigris at Baghdad, and the city is built upon both sides of it. The source of this river is within the limits of Kashmir in a large lake, some parasangs in length and breadth, which is called Vir-nak. The inhabitants have cast bridges over the river in nearly thirty places. These are constructed of wood, stone, or boats ; seven of the largest are within the city, and the rest in the environs. When this river passes out of the confines of Kashmir, it is named after each city by which it passes ; as the river of Dandana, the river of Jamd. The river passes on and joins the Chindb above Multan. The united waters pass below Multdn and then join the Rdwi. The river Biy4h comes down through another part and joins them, and the three united rivers fall into the Sind or Indus in the neighbourhood of Uch. All these (united) rivers are called the Sind or the Panjdb, and this river falls into the Persian Gulf near Thatta. * * *

On the 29th Jumdda-1 dkhir, I started from Jabhan and marched five hos and encamped on the banks of the Dandana. There I ordered a number of boats to be collected and a bridge to be formed. I ordered Amir Sh4h Malik and Jal&lu-l Islam to take their post at the head of the bridge and careftiUy superin- tend the passage of the army. When all the soldiers and bag- gage had crossed in safety, I also passed over and encamped. Next day, the 1st Eajab, I placed the heavy baggage in charge of certain amirs, who were to follow in the rear. Then I started for the seat of my empire, intending to travel rapidly. That day

I accomplished twenty Iws, and rested at the village of Sambast, in the Jtid mountains. On the 2nd I again started, and travel- ling one and a half watch of the day, I reached the vicinity of the fort of Baruja, where I halted for an hour, and after saying noon- day prayers, I again started, and entering the Ohol-i Jalali, I continued my course until, at the time of evening prayer, I emerged from the desert, and encamped on the margin of a lake which had been filled by the rains of the rainy season. On the 3rd I again set off, and at breakfast time reached the banks of the Indus. I had sent orders to Pir 'Ali Salandoz, and other amirs who had charge of this territory, to construct a strong bridge of timber and boats over the river. They had executed my orders, and I passed over the bridge immediately. I ordered Amir Allah-d4d to guard the bridge for the transit of the forces and baggage which were coming up. I halted by the river till noon- day prayer, which I said in public; then I again started, and travelled ten kos rapre before halting for the night. On the 3rd I marched again, and, travelling rapidly, I reached the fort of Bdnii, and there encamped. * * *

"The Book of Victory" by Mauldn^ Sharafii-d din 'Ali Yazdi, who died a.d. 1446. This work, which Mirkhond declares to surpass everything that had up to his time enhghtened the world in the department of history, is a very partial biography of Timtir, written a.d. 1424. It is interspersed with fables, and is well known to the Orientalists of Europe by the accurate French translation of M. Petis de la Oroix {Histoire de Timiir Bee, Paris, 1722, 4 vols. 12mo.), which is one of Gibbon's chief sources respecting this hero.

The translation of M. Petis de la Croix does not contain the second and third parts of the Zafar-ndma, nor does it contain the supplement of the original written by T4ju-d din Salm^ni, who continued the history to the time of Shah Eukh, a.d. 1410 ; and as the Zafar-ndma does not commence till the twenty-fifth year of Timur's age, the translation is by no means to be con- sidered a complete biography, more especially as it is an abridged rather than a full version of the original. The French version was translated into English by J. Darby in 1723. There is also an Italian translation by Bradutti.

[As stated in the foregoing notice of the Malflizdt-i Timuri, the Zafar-ndma is based upon that autobiography, and so far as the expedition to India is concerned, it is merely a polished re- production of that work. This fact may be seen on a comparison of the following Extracts with those which precede this from the Malfuzdt-i TimiirL So identical are they that the Extracts

which follow might be dispensed with. But the Zafar-ndma enjoys such a high reputation, and has been so largely used and quoted as an authority by writers, both in the East and in Europe, that it cannot be passed over in a comprehensive work like the present.

[The translation has been made by the editor, and he has had the use of four MSS. belonging to the Library of the India Office. In one of these (No. 985), the work has been stripped of much of its florid and redundant ornament — in fact, it has been subjected to a treatment closely resembling that which Petis de la Croix found to be necessary in making his French translation. This abridged MS. does not appear to give any account of the writer by whom it was prepared, but the following extract of a letter to Sir H. Elliot from the late Professor Duncan Forbes in all pro- bability refers to this same work. "Another curiosity (in the British Museum) connected with Timtir is a very plain and sensible paraphrase of the Zafar-nama, done, by command of Jahdngir, by 'Abdu-s Sattar Kasim in the city of Ajmir, A.h. 1024 (1617 A.D.). The doer of the thing says very sensibly in his introduction that Yazdi's book is very flowery and pedantic, written in the 'ibdrat-i munshiydna, which we may felicitously translate the Jedediah Cleishbotham style, which he, 'Abdu-s Sattdr aforesaid, improves marvellously by leaving out all Arabic and Persian verses that are not to the point, and enriching the narrative from other sources." The editor has, in general followed this MS., but he has constantly referred to the other copies, and has occasionally introduced from them names and passages which seemed worthy of notice.] ^

Timur, the invincible and world-conquering, had given to Prince Pir Muhammad Jah^ngir the provinces of Kunduz,

" A translation of part of the Zafar-ndma, by Major HoUings, waa published in the Dehli Archaologioal Journal, 1862, but I have not seen it. — ^Ed.

BakalS,n, Kdbul, Grhazni, and Kandahar, with all their depen- dencies as far as the confines of India. The prince accordingly took possession of these territories, and ruled with justice and liberality. Under the orders of the Emperor he collected the troops of his provinces, and marched forth to conquer other countries with a large army and valiant chiefe. * * * He plun- dered the Aghanis of the Koh-i Sulaimdn, and crossing the river Indus he took the town of TJch by storm. From thence he marched to Multan and laid siege to it, Multdn at that time was governed by SArang, elder brother of Mallu Xhan. After the death of Sultan Firoz Shah these two brothers raised his grandson Sultan Mahmud to the throne, and seized upon the government of Hindustan. Mallu remained at Dehli in attend- ance on the Sult6.n, and Strang had taken possession of Multan. The prince's forces having invested Multdn, they every day made two vigorous assaults. The intelligence of these proceedings being carried to TImur was the cause of his going to Hindustan. Just at that time he had resolved to assemble forces from all his dominions, and to march against China,^ with the intent of de- stroying the idol temples, and of raising mosques in their places. He had previously heard that the standards of the faith of Islam had been raised in Dehli and other places, and that its profession of faith was impressed upon the coins, but that the country in general was polluted by the inhabitants being infidels and idolaters. Impelled by the desire of waging a religious war, he resolved to march against Multdn and Uehli. He consulted with his nobles and chiefs, and they concurred in the propriety of making the invasion.

In the month of Rajab, 800 h. (March 1398 a.d.), nearly cor- responding to the year of the Leopard, he began his march towards Hindustan, with an army as numerous as the leaves of the trees. * * * When he arrived at Indarab, the chiefs of that country came and cast themselves at his feet, saying that they were Musulmdns, and that the infidel Kators and Siyah-poshes exacted sums of

money every year as tribute from them ; and in default of pay- ment, the infidels slew the men, and made their women and children prisoners. Their statements kindled the anger of the emperor, and he resolved to suppress these infidels. * * * He arrived at Khdwak, and ordered the fort of that place, which was in ruins, to be repaired. The soldiers and many of the amirs left their horses there, and ascended the mountain of Kator on foot. * * * The infidels of this country are tall, stout, and vigorous. They generally go about naked. Their chiefs are called 'Udd and 'Uddshu.i They have a very peculiar language, di£Ferent from Persian, Turki, and Hindi. Most of them know no language but their own. If men of the neighbourhood had not mixed with them, and learned their language so as to be able to interpret, no one would know anything about this lan- guage. * * * After three days' continuous fighting Timur's troops prevailed, and the enemy sued for quarter. Timur sent to them Kh Sultdn, proposing that if they would surrender and become Musulmans, he would spare their lives and property, and confirm them in the possession of their country. When they were informed of these terms by means of interpreters they, on the fourth day, hastened with Kk Sultdn to the court of Timur, made their profession of the faith, and with tears ofi'ered excuses for their conduct. They declared themselves to be his slaves, and ready to obey his commands. Timur, in his kingly gene- rosity, gave them robes and dismissed them. When night came on, these black-hearted renegades made an attack upon Amir Sh&h Malik. Some few of them, wounded and maimed, escaped, but 150 of them were taken prisoners, and were despatched to hell with the sword. The whole army of Islim then ascended the mountain and put all the men to the sword, and carried oS the women and children. On the summit of the mountain pyramids were built with the heads of these infidels, who had never bowed their heads in adoration of God. An account