1. Volume 4 — part 1

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This fourth, volume of the History of India traverses the disordered interval between the irruption of Timur and the culmination of Musulman glory under Akbar ; but the thread of the history is not perfect, as the annals of some of the reigns have to be drawn from later works, and will appear in the succeeding volume. The period is one which has been less illustrated than any other in the seven centuries of Muhammadan rule, for, with the exception of Babar's Memoirs, no work of mark has come down to us, and the authorities within the reach of European students have hitherto been scanty and incomplete.

The Tdrikh-i Mubarak Shdhi now makes its first appearance. It is an exceedingly rare work, and a knowledge of it has long been anxiously desired, for it covers that " hiatus of about sixty years " which Col. Lees thought it would be diflS.cult to fill up from " contemporaneous historians." It is not a work of any literary pretensions, and it can only be regarded as a plain unvarnished chronicle of the period over which it travels. Such as it is, however, it is a contemporary record, and all later writers have been directly or indirectly indebted to it for the history of the troublous times which followed the invasion of Timur. Sir H. Elliot's MS. is incomplete, but as Nizam Ahmad, the author of the Tdbalcdt-i Aklari, made great use of this

work, and often quoted long passages verbatim, the deficiencies of the former have been supplied, by quoting from the latter such passages as were required to com- plete the history of the Saiyid dynasty down to the end of the reign of 'Alau-d din in 1450 a.d.

The Extracts from the MatWu-s BcHdain consist of some short passages relating to Timtir's invasion ; but the major portion are devoted to the events of the author's embassy to the Eaja of Bijanagar, and throw consider- able light upon the condition of India in the fi.fteenth century. 'Abdu-r Eazzak was a florid writer, and relates his travels in the grand style ; but the portions relating to Timur's invasion are written in a plain unpretending narrative remarkable by the contrast. It is hardly credible that both could have come from the same pen. The part relating to Timur was probably copied or trans- lated, but as only some Extracts of the first volume of the MS. have been available, we are in ignorance as to what account 'Abdu-r Eazzak gives of his autho- rities. The style of the portion devoted to the history of Ti'mur is very like that of the Malfuzdt-i Timuri, and so closely follows the details of that work and the Zafar-ndma, that it has been necessary to print only a few lines as specimens.

The Extracts from the Habibu-s Siyar appertain to the history of the Ghaznivides, and so they are supplemental to the accounts given of that dynasty in the second volume, though, from the date of their composition, they appear in this volume. Sir H. Elliot had so fully annotated these passages as to enhance their intrinsic value, and to justify their publication out of their natural order.

To these Extracts are appended Sir H. Elliot's transla- tions from the Odes of 'TJnsuri and the Diwdn of Salman, which appear in the Appendix, and upon which he evidently bestowed considerable labour and attention.

Of the Extracts from the Autobiography of Babar little need be said. These Memoirs are the best memorials of the life and reign of the frank and jovial conqueror; they are ever fresh, and will long continue to be read with interest and pleasure. To have passed these over on the ground of their previous publication would have left a blank in this work which no other writer could supply. Who but himself could have so fully and openly described his aims and feelings, or who could have exhibited that adaptability of character and that ready appreciation of the manners and prejudices of his new subjects? All the important passages relating to India have therefore been extracted from Leyden and Erskine's translation, and they will be the more acceptable since the original work has now become scarce and dear. A new Erench translation by M. Pavet de Courteille from Babar's own Turki version of the Memoirs made its appearance just in time to furnish materials for a few notes and com- parisons; but the differences between the translations from the Persian and Turki versions are not so great as might have been expected.

The Afghan dynasty, which followed that of the Saiyids, has plenty of Chronicles, but no work approach- ing the dignity of a history. The spirit of clanship has always been strong among Afghans, and their writers exhibit a greater affection for personal anecdotes and family feuds than for matters of publie policy. All the

works relating to this dynasty abound witli anecdotes and stories, many of which are trivial and uninteresting. The Tdrikh-i Sher ShdM^ though written in a spirit of eulogy, does not tend to raise the character of Sher Shah, who has enjoyed a reputation apparently above his merits. That he was an able administrator is no doubt true, but the account which this work gives of his regulations and arrangements does not show them to be of a very enlightened order. He was a cautious rather than an enterprising commander, and was more prone to seek success by crafty and crooked courses, than by the exercise of valour and daring. His soldier-like death in the trenches has cast a ray of martial glory upon his memory; but the treacherous betrayal of Bibi Fath Malika of Bengal and the cold-blooded murder of the prisoners of Eai'sin would bedim a much brighter fame than he ever achieved.

The Tdrikh-i Ddudi, another of these Afghan chro- nicles, is of a similar character, and can claim no great literary merit; still the Extracts here printed are the best available authority for the period of which they treat. They enter into details, and furnish many scraps of information hitherto inaccessible, and, in so doing, they afford the means of arriving at a true estimate of the characters of Sultans Sikandar and Islam Shah. The work closes with the death of Daiid Shah and the ex- tinction of the Afghan dynasty.

The Memoirs of Sher Khan, Khawas Khan, and Shuja'at Khan, which appear in the Appendix, are from the pen of Sir H. Elliot. The Extracts from the WdWdt-i MushtdM will show the true value of a work once often

quoted, but now little known. It is a favourable specimen of the anecdotal literature of the age, and though assert- ing no claims to be considered as a consecutive historical record, it contains numerous interesting passages better worthy of attention than many of the stories recorded by the professed historians.

The following is a list of all the articles in this volume, with the names of the writers.

XX.— Tarikh-i Hafiz Abru-Sir H. M. EUiot and tlie Editor. XXI.— Tarikh-iMubarak-Sliahf— Editor. XXn.— Matla'u-s Sa'dain— Probably Mr. C. J. Oldfield, B.C.S. XXIIL— Eauzatu-s Safa— Sir H. M. EUiot. XXIV.— Kbulasatu-1 Akhbar— Sir H. M. Elliot. XXV.— Dasturu-1 Wuzra— Sir H. M. Elliot. XXVI. — Hablbu-s Siyar— Mr. H. Lusbington, B.C.S. XXVII.— Tarikh-i Ibrabimi— Sir H. M. Elliot. XXVIII. — Tuzak-i Babari — Leyden and Erskine's translation. XXIX.— Tabakdt-i Babarf— Editor. XXX.— Lubbu-t Tawarikb— Sir H. M. Elliot. XXXI.— Nusakh-i Jahan-ara— Sir H. M. Elliot. XXXII.— Tarikh-i Sber Sbabi— Mr. E. C. Bayley, B.C.S. XXXni. — Tarikb-i Dandi — " Ensign " Obas. F. Mackenzie.

A. — Notes on Matla'u-s Sa'dain — Col. Yule. B.— Odes of 'TJnsuri- Sir H. M. Elliot. C— Diwan of Salman— Sir H. M. Elliot. D.— Memoir of Mir Ali Sber— Sir H. M. Elliot, E.— Memoir of Khawas Khan— Sir H. M. Elliot. E.— Death of Shuja'at Khan— Sir H. M. Elliot. G. — Waki'at-i Mushtaki — A munsU and Sir H. M. Elliot. H. — Bibliographical Notices — Sir H. M. Elliot. I. — Autobiography of Timur — Editor.

A slight change has been made in the title-page, in

order to make it more accurately descriptive of the altered position of the Editor, who has had to take a larger share of actual authorship than was at first con- templated. To Sir H. M. Elliot belongs the merit of the whole design and plan of the work, and the collection of the mass of the materials ; but a great deal remained to be done in the way of selection and translation at the time of his premature decease. The amount of matter required to carry out his designs has proved to be much greater than was supposed when the publication was commenced, and the Editor has had to trace out and translate all that was necessary to complete the work. He has endeavoured to the best of his judgment and ability to finish each volume according to the plan laid down ; but he is fully conscious of having fallen short of what Sir H. M. Elliot would have accomplished had his life been spared.

XXI. Tdrihh-i Muhdrah SUM, of Tahya bin Ahmad - - 6 XXII. Matla'u-s Sa'dain, of 'Abdu-r Eazzak ... - 89

•^ XXm. Bauzatu-s Safd, of Mirkliond - '- 127

.' XXIV. Khuldsatu-l AMibdr, of Kbondamir - - - - 141

XXVI. Mahlhu-s Siyar, of Khondamir ----- 154

XXVn. Tdrikh-ilbrdhimi; or, Tdrihh-i Humdyuni, oilbraMm.

XXVIII. Tuzak-i Bdbari; or, WdU'dt-i Bdhari: The Auto- biography of Babar - 218

y XXIX. Tabakdt-i Bdhari, of Shaikh Zain 288

XXX. LMu-t Tawdrikh, of Tahya bin 'Abdu-1 Latif- 293

XXXI. Nusakh-i Jahdm-drd, of Kazi Ahmad 298

XXXII. TdrikTi-i Sher SUM; or, TuhfaUi Ahhar SUM, of

A. — Notes on the Matla'u-s Sa'dain - - - - . . . 514

I. — Note on the Autobiography of Timur 559

99, to note 2, add, " and Yule's edition, vol. ii. p. 320.' 109, last line, for " kickU" read " kiehri." 118, 119, for "beams" read '

Nuru-d din bin Lutfu-llah, better known as Hdfiz Abru, was born in the city of Hirat, but passed his infancy and youth in Hamaddn, where he received his education. He attained by his writings a distinguished rank among contemporary authors, and was fortunate enough to secure the esteem of Tiraiir, who gave him numerous proofs of his consideration, admitted him to his intimacy, and sought every occasion of doing him service. After the death of that tyrant, he attended the court of Shah Eukh, and received from the young prince Mirzd Baisanghdr every demonstration of kindness and regard. To him he dedicated his great work, under the name of Zuhdatu-t Tawdrikh Baisan- ghdri, which contains a complete history of the world, and an account of the institutions and religions of different people down to A.H. 829 1 (A.D. 1425). The author died five years afterwards

1 Sir "W. Ouseley, as editor of the " Critical Essay on various Manuscript Works," says that he has examined a copy of this History dated a.h. 817. He also observes that as H&fiz Abrd had travelled in many parts of Asia, his geographical statements, which are numerous, are weU worthy of consideration. The Vienna Jahrbiicher says, the history is carried down to a.h. 826. See S&dik Isfah&ni's Chron. Tab. A. 829. [It could not have been written earlier, for the table of contents shows that it extended beyond 820 h., and it quotes the Zafar-ndma, which was written in 827 h.]

in the city of Zanjdn.' A short notice is given of him in the Tdrikh-i Chaghatdi.

The work is more generally known as Tdrikh-i Sdfiz Ahrii, and under that name it is quoted by Haidar Bazi, Mirkhond, Khondamir, and the Tdrikh-i Alfi, and by Abu-1 Fazl in the Ayin-i Akbari as a fabulist. D'Herbelot refers to it, and Sir W. Ouseley frequently quotes it in his Travels as abounding in geographical details.

I have never seen the work, nor am I aware that a copy exists in India, but it is frequently quoted as an authority on subjects connected with Indian History. The only copies in Europe which are spoken of are those in the Imperial Library of St. Petersburgh, and in Sir Grore Ouseley's Collection.

[Sir H. Elliot subsequently had access to a copy of this work belonging to Mr. John Bardoe Elliot, and among his MSS. there is a volume containing extracts copied from it by a munshi at Patna. These extracts comprise the introductory part of the work and the portions relating to the history of Kirman. From this volume the following synopsis of the Contents and the Extracts have been translated. A large portion of the work is confessedly borrowed without alteration or addition from older historians, from Tabari, Rashidu-d din, and the Zafar-ndma. The table of Contents gives no clue as to the extent and value of the part devoted to India, but the work is so frequently quoted by later writers that the Indian portion would seem to be original and of some length. The Extract is a specimen of the author's method, and will afford the means of forming a judgment as to his worth as a geographer.]^

' For its position see Index to "WUken's Bistoria Samanidarum, p. 222, v. Zendschan.

2 Compare Coll. Or. Tom I. p. ciii., and II. p. It. WUken, mstor. Ghaznevidarum, pp. xiv., 212, 227, 244. Gesch. d. Gold. Sordt, pp. xvi. and xxii. Wien Jahrh. No. Ixxiii. pp. 21, 25. D'Herbelot, Bill. Or. Tom. III. p. 426. Critical Essay, p. 34. Mirkhond, Rauzatu-s-Safd, Vol. I. p. 8. Fraehn, Indications Bibliographigms, No. 188. aosche's Berlin Extracts from Haidar E&zf. Dorn's Gesehichte Tabaris- tans. Haji Malfa II. 124, III. 635. Journ. des Sav., Jan. 1847.

Form of the earth. — The Creation. — Division into Climes — The equator. — Oceans. — Seas. — Eivers. — Mountains. — Countries of Arabia. — Countries of the West. — Cities of the West. — Distances in the Countries of the West. — Andalusia. — Islands of Rum and the Ocean. — Countries of Egypt. — Holy Temples. — Armenia and Syria. — Frangistan. — Mesopotamia. — 'Irak. — Khtizistan. — Fars and its provinces : Persepolis ; Territories of Ddrabjard, Ardashir, Shahptir, and Kubad. — Islands, Rivers,. Seas, Valleys, Forts, and Distances of Fdrs. — Kings and Rulers of Fdrs, Dilamites, Saljuks, Atdbaks, Nobles of Ohangiz Khan, Rulers after Abu Sa'id. — Kirmdn. — Rulers of Kirmdn. — Abiward. — Countries of Khurdsdn. — Rulers of Khurasan. — The Ummayides.

Volume I. — Preface. — Reasons for writing the history ; Defi- nition of history ; Nature of the science, benefits of history. — List of the subjects treated of in the 469 sections of this work founded on the work of Muhammad bin Tabari, from the Creation down to the Khdlifa Muktafi bi-llah. — The remainder of the 'Abbaside KhAlIfas from the Jdmi'u-t Tawdrikh.

The histories extracted from the Jdmi'u-t Tawdrikh are com- prised in two volumes. The first containing the Tdrikh-i OMzdn is divided into two Babs. The first B4b contains four sections, and the second two sections, comprising the history of the various Turk and Mughal princes, and of Changiz Khan and his successors, down to Fljaitu Sultdn Muhammad Khuda- banda. The second Bab comprises the history of the Ghaznivides, Dilamites, Buwaihides, Saljuks, Khwarizmshdhis, Shalghazis of Fdrs, Ism'aiHs in two chapters, Ughuz and the Turks, Khatai, Children of Israel, Franks, Indians.

History of the kings who reigned in Tabriz, Baghdad, and those parts fi:om the year 705 a.h., which closes the history of Rashidi, as the events are related in the Za/ar-ndma and the

Tdrikh-i Hazrat Saltanat Shi'dri. — TJlj4itu Sultdn and his suc- cessors.— The Kings who reigned in Yazd, Kirman, Shiraz, and Isfahan. — Princes of Hirdt and parts of Khurdsdn. — Princes of Mdzandaran, Sarbadaris of Naishapur and Sabzawar. — Arghun Shah of Tus and Mashhad. — 'Usman, Murdd, and Bayazid of Rum. — Kings of Egypt. — Kings of the Franks.

History of Timur and his successors from the Zafar-ndma to the end of the year 820, to be completed from other sources to the end of the dynasty.]

[River Sind. — This river has its source in the skirts of the mountains of Kashmir, and runs from the western side of those mountains into the country of Mansura. Its course is from north to south, the end turning to the east. In the neighbour- hood of Multan, the river Jamd joins it, and it flows into the Indian sea, which is called the Bahru-1 akhzar.

River Jamd. — The source of this river is also in the mountains of Kashmir, on the south side. — It runs from north to south, and passes into the land of Hind. — Its waters are used for agri- culture and gardening. — Agriculture in these parts is generally dependent on the rain. — In the neighbourhood of Multan it joins the Sind, and falls into the Bahru-1 akhzar.

Biy4h. — This is also a large river which rises to the east of the mountains of Kashmir. — It runs into the country of Lahdwar (Lahore), and to the neighbourhood of U'ch. — It falls into the sea in the country of Kambaya.

Jumna. — This is a large river which has its rise in the Siwdlik hills to the north of Dehli. — It passes to the east of that city and joins the Indian sea near Gujardt. — In the reign of Sultan Firoz Shdh, 760 a.h., the countries (about this river) were very flourishing, for in the Dodb, which is the name given to the country between the Jumna and the Ganges, there were 80,000 villages enrolled as paying revenue to the exchequer. — It

has been said in reply to this statement, that it rests with the author to prove it.

Ganges. — This is a large river in India to the east of the Jumna. — In the Hindi language it is called G4ngu. Its source is on the east of the country of Kanauj. — The longitude of Kanauj is 114 degrees 50 minutes, and the latitude 26 degrees 35 minutes. Where the river passes Kanauj, it is forty para- sangs from that city, this adds two degrees more. When Sahib Kiran, the fire of God (Timur), formed the design of conquering . Hindustan in the year 801 a.h., after capturing Dehli, he crossed the Jumna, and led his forces through this country until he reached the Ganges. Crossing that river, he came to a celebrated place of worship of the Fire- worshippers (gabrdn) of India, where he fought against the infidels and slew many of them. There are other large rivers to the east of this which are mentioned by men who have travelled in India ; but their names, sources, and em- bouchures, have not been accurately stated. So also there are many large rivers in China, but it is not known whether they run to the east or to the west, nor where they rise, nor where they discharge. They are therefore passed over.]

[The author of this work, Yahya bin Ahmad bin 'Abdu-llah Sirhindi, — or Sihrindi, the older form of the name which he uses, — wrote this work, as Tirishta tells us, with the express object of recording the events of the reign of Mubarak Shdh, whose name he has given to the history. The work commences with the reign of Muhammad S4m, the founder of the Ghori dynasty, and the only copy of the MS. available terminates abruptly in the middle of the reign of Sultan Saiyid Muhammad, in 852 A.H. (a.d. 1448) ; how much, if any, later the history ex- tended, we have at present no means of deciding. In his Preface the author informs us that he wrote this work in the hope of pre- senting an acceptable tribute to his sovereign, for "no more worthy offering can be made to a king than a record of the achievements of his predecessors." Up to the time of the accession of Firoz Shah, he acknowledges his obligations to "various histories:" from and after that period he wrote upon " trustworthy infor- mation and personal observation." As to his own position and connexions he is quite silent.

Yahji has no claims to be ranked as an historian, but he is a careful, and apparently an honest chronicler. His work is the source of all our knowledge of the Saiyid dynasty. Nizdmu-d din Ahmad refers to the Tdrihh-i Muhdrak-Shdhi as an autho- rity in his Preface to the Tahakdt-i Akbari, and his whole account of the Saiyid period is a mere reproduction of the statements of that work, very often copied verbatim. Badaiini

acknowledges his obligations to the work, and follows it very closely, but he uses language of his own, and but rarely copies from his predecessor. Firishta twice refers to this history, and he often borrows its very words. So Yahyk is not only a con- temporaneous writer, but the only original authority available upon the times of the Saiyids.

The MS. in Sir H. M. Elliot's library is a copy that was made for him, and bears no statement as to the original from which it was taken. A note of Sir Henry's in another place seems to show that he received a copy of the work from Madras. The MS. is in a fair handwriting, but it is full of errors, the production of a mere scribe, who brought no special knowledge or intelligence to bear upon his work. It is deficient in a few places, but this is probably owing to the original MS. having here and there lost a leaf. As the work is thus defective and ends abruptly a few years before the extinction of the Saiyid dynasty, the Tabakdt-i AJcbari has been called upon to repay a portion of its obligations. The missing pages have been supplied from that work, and from it the translation has also been carried down to the close of the Saiyid rule, completing at once this historical era. The translation is the work of the editor. The MS. is a small octavo consisting of 263 pages of thirteen lines in a page.J

[In the year 753 h. (1362 A.D.), on the 3rd Jumdda-1 awwal, Prince Muhammad Khan was born in the capital (shahr). * * In this same year (the Sultdn) founded the masjid-i jdmi' near the palace, and the college at the top of the hauz-i khdss ; * * and Kiw4mu-1 Mulk Makbul, ndih-wazir, became wazir of the State, and received the title of Khdn-i Jah4n. * *

In the year 755 h. (1354 a.d.), the Sultan marched with an army against Lakhnauti, leaving Kh4n-i Jah^n at the capital in charge of all affairs of State. * * When he reached Kurakhur,

Adi Singh waited upon him, and offering a tribute of twenty lacs of tankas in cash and two elephants, was received into favour. On the 28th Rabi'u-1 awwal, he arrived at the fort of Ikddla, and some hard fighting ensued. The Bengalis were defeated, and many were slain. Saha Deo, their leader, with several others, was killed. On the 29th of the month, the army march- ing from that place, encamped on the banks of the Ganges. Ilyas HAji was shut up in the fort, and on the 5th Rabi'u-1 akhir, he marched out with his countless Bengali followers and forces. The Sultan marshalled his army, and as soon as Ily4s Haji beheld it, he was dismayed and fled. The army (of the Sultan) made the attack ; the canopy and forty elephants were captured, and innumerable horsemen and infantry became food for the sword. For two days after the Sultan remained en- camped, and on the third he marched for Dehli. Some months afterwards he founded the great city Firozabad.

In the year 756 h. (1355 a.d.), the Sultan proceeded to Dibdlpur, and conducted a stream {jiii) from the river Satladar (Sutlej), for a distance of forty hos as far as Jhajjar. In the following year he brought the stream of Firozdbad from the mountains of Mandatl {sic) and Sirmor, and having thrown into it seven distinct streams, he conducted it to H4nsi. From thence he led it to Ardman, and there he built a strong fort, which he called Hisar Firozah. Below the palace {kiishk), he dug an extensive tank, and filled it with the waters of that canal. He formed another canal from the Khakhar (Khagar), to the fort of Sarsuti, and from thence to Harbi-khir.^ There he built a

Firishta closely follows our author, and helps us to understand him. There are several inaccuracies in the passage as given in Briggs' translation, so the following is offered as a more correct rendering of the lithographed text. "In the month Sha'ba,n,

756 H. (the Sult&n) went towards Dipalpiir hunting, and haviujj dug a large canal [jui) from the river Sutlej, he conducted it to Jhajhar, forty- eight kos distant. In

757 he cut a canal from the river Jumna, in the hills of Maudawl and Sirmor, and having turned seven other streams into it, he brought it to H&nsl, and from thence to Abasin, where he built a strong fort which he called HisSr Firozah. Below that fort and near the palace, he dug a tank which he filled with the waters of that canal. He formed another canal from the river Khagar, and conducting it by the fort of

fortified place which he called Firoz4bM. He brought another canal from the river Jumna, and threw it into the tank of that city, from whence he carried it on farther.

In the month of Zi-1 hijja, on the day of the 'I'd-i azha, in the year before liamed, a robe of honour and a diploma arrived from the Khalifa al Hakim bi amr-illah Abu al Fath Abii Bakr Abu al Eabi' Sulaiman, the Khalifa of Egypt, confirming on (the Sultdn) the territories of Hindustan. * * *

In the year 759 H. (1358 a.d.) * * * an army of Mughals came into the neighbourhood of Dibdlpiir, and Malik Kabul, Lord of the Bedchamber {sar-l>urdah-ddr\ was sent against them. Before his forces the Mughals retreated to their own country. * * At the end of this year, Taju-d din Betah, with several other amirs, came from Lakhnauti to Court as envoys, bringing with them presents and tribute, and they, received a gracious reception.

In the year 760 h. (1359 a.d.), the Sultan marched with a large army against Lakhnauti, leaving Khan-i Jahan in Dehll and T4tar Kh&n as Shikhddr at Multan, (to guard) the Ghazni frontier. When the Sultan reached Zafarabad, the rains came on, so he halted there. Here he was waited upon by Malik Shaikh- zada Bustami, who had left the country by royal command. He brought a robe of honour from the Khalifa,^ and the Sultan being graciously disposed towards him, granted him the title of 'Azam Khan. Saiyid Rastildar, who had come with the envoys from Lakhnauti, was now sent back thither, and Sultan Sikandar again sent him to Court with five elephants and rich presents. But before he arrived, 'Alam Khdn came to Court from Lakh- nauti, and he was told (by the Sultdn) that Sultdn Sikandar was foolish and inexperienced, and had strayed from the path of

Sarsutf, he brought it to the river Sar-khatrah (^,"-X -r- -ij), where he founded the city of FirozS.b5.d. He also brought another canal from the Jumna, and threw it into the tank of that city." The words " river of Sar-khatrah " are clearly wrong. In the translation, which was made from MSS., the name is given as " Pery Kehra," which is more like the Harbi-khir of our text. The real name is possibly Hari-khira. ' Firishta says " of Egypt."

rectitude. The Sultan at first had no desire to draw the sword . against him ; but as he had not discharged the duties of obedience, he must now understand that the Sultdn was marching against him.

After the rainy season, the Sultan proceeded towards Lakh- nauti, and on the way Prince Fath Khdn received the insignia of royalty, such as elephants. A coin was struck in his name,i and tutors were appointed for him. When the Sultan reached Pandwah, Sultan Sikandar shut himself up in Ikddla, where Sultan Shamsu-d din, his father, had before taken refuge. On the 16th Jumdda-1 awwal, 761 (5th May, 1360), the Sult4n sat down against Ikdala, and passed some days in besieging it. The garrison perceived that they could not withstand the assailants, so they were compelled to capitulate, and seek for peace by sending elephants, treasure, and goods as tribute. On the 20th Jumada-1 awwal, the Sultdn marched from Ikdala on his return, and when he reached Pandwah, Sultan Sikandar sent him thirty- seven elephants and valuable offerings as tribute. By successive marches he reached Jaunpur, and the rains coming on he rested there. After the rains were over, in the month Zi-1 hijja of the same year, he marched with his victorious array by way of Bihdr to Jajnagar. Orders were issued that the baggage animals (lashltar-suHir), women, horses out of condition, and weak men should not proceed.^ Malik Kutbu-d din, brother of Zafar Khan the wazir, was left behind with the elephants and baggage at Karra. The Sultan then marched. "When he reached Sikra,* lie attacked it, and the Rdi, took to flight. There Shakr Kh4- tun, daughter of R4i S^dhan, with Ad^yah,^ was taken prisoner. The Sultan placed her in the palace of his daughters. When he

2 The MS. mites jj'^^ ; but it must mean jjLj .

5 The Tabakdt-i Ahbarl and Firishta have " Sankra," Bad&tinI has " Satghara."

• The Tabakdt-i Akbari gives the name of the Mdi as " Saras," but Firishta

makes it " Sadhan." Shams-i SirSj (see vol. iii., p. 312) calls the 'B.ki of Jijnagar,

advanced farther, he left Malik 'Imadu-1 Mulk one stage behind with the prisoners and baggage. At this place Ahmad Khdn, who had come up from Lakhnauti, joined the Sult4n in the hills of Eanthor,! and was received with honour. The Sult4n then proceeded to the city of B4narasi, which was the residence of the Rdi, Having left the M4h4nadi, the Rdi had fled to Tilang. The Sult&n pursued him for one day's march, but when he found that the Rdi was far in advance, he returned. In this neigh- bourhood he hunted. Rai Bir Bhandeo' sent some persons to sue for peace, that his people might not be killed. The Sult4u, according to his wont, turned aside, and (the Rdi) sent in thirty- three elephants and rich offerings as tribute. From thence the Sultdn fell back and hunted in Padmdvati and the elephant fields, where he killed two elephants. Afterwards he marched on to Karra, and from Karra he proceeded to Dehli, which he reached in Rajab, 762 h. (1361 a.d.), and entered as a conqueror. Some time afterwards he heard that there was in the vicinity of Barddr* a hill of earth, through the midst of which a large river flowed and fell into the Satladar (Sutlej). This river was called Sarsuti. On the hither side of the mountain there was a stream called Salimah. If the mountain of earth were cut through, the waters of the Sarsuti would fall into that stream ; which would flow through Sihrind* (Sirhind) and Mansurpur, and from thence to Sannam, keeping up a perpetual supply. The water was brought, but some time was occupied in cutting through the hill. Sirhind, to as far as within ten kos of Samana, was separated from the shikk of Sdmdna, and given into the charge of Malik Ziau-1 Mulk Shamsu-ji din Abiirjd, to

' This reading of the Tabakdt-i AkbaH seems preferable to that of the MS., " Zinthor."

' Firishta writes the name in the same way, but the translation has " Eljah of Beerbhoom."

• " Sihrind" and " Tabarhindh " are used indifferently throughout as the names of the modern Sirhind. The use of the latter has already been noted (yoI. ii., p. 302). Vara.ha Mitra mentions the Sairindhas, or people of Sirindha, as being in this neighbourhood. See Cunningham's Ancient Geography, p. 145.

bring it into cultivation.^ A fortress was built there, which received the name of Firozpur.

When the Sultan saw that the excavation of the mountain was ^ possible, he left the spot and went to Nagarkot, and after conquering it, he proceeded against Thatta. The Jam and Babiniya were in possession of Thatta. By dint of great exertion the place was invested, and fighting went on for some time, but such a scarcity of provender and grain arose in the Sultan's army, that many men died, so that of necessity, and after a great struggle, he was obliged to retreat into Gujarat.

After the rainy season, he resolved again to march against Thatta. The fief {ikta') of Gujarat was placed under Zafar Khan, instead of Nizamu-1 Mulk, who was dismissed and pro- ceeded with his followers to the capital, where he afterwards became wazir of the State. On the Sultdn's reappearing before Thatta, J4m and Bdbiniya made their submission and waited upon him. They were graciously received, but were carried off with all the chiefs of the country to Dehli. After having for a while shown obedience, the Sultan reinstated the Jam in the fief (iktd') of Thatta, and sent him there in state.

In the year 772 h. (1370-1 A.D.), Khdn-i Jahan died, and his eldest son Jaunan Shah attained the dignity of Khan-i Jahdn. In 773 Zafar Khdn died in Gujarat, and his eldest son succeeded him in the fief. In 776, on the 12th of the month of Safar, Prince Fath Khan died at Kanthtir. The Sultdn was greatly affected by his death, and his constitution received a manifest shock.

In 778 H. (1376-7 a.d.). Shams Ddmaghani offered forty lacs of tankas in excess of the revenue paid for Gujarat, 100 elephants, two hundred Arab horses, and four hundred slaves, children of Hindu chiefs (mukaddam haehagdn), and Abyssinians annually. Malik Ziau-1 Mulk Malik Shamsu-d din Aburjd was

1 This passage is imperfect in the MS., and has been translated with the help of Firishta. ' Here the MS. has a negative, which it is necessary to suppress.

deputy (of the governor) of GujarS,t, and an offer was made to confirm it to him on his consenting; to these enhanced terms. But he knew he could not pay them, and that Shams Dama- ghani had made an extravagant offer, so he refused to accept. Shams D^magh5,ni then received a golden girdle and a silver palankin, and was appointed to Gujarat as deputy of Zafar Khan. When he arrived in Gujarat, wild dreams and fancies entered his brain, and he raised the standard of rebelHon, for he found that he could not raise the increased revenue and tribute which he had undertaken to pay. At length the new amirs {amir-i sadah) of Gujardt, such as Malik Shaikhu-1 Mulk Fakhru-d din, rebelled against Shams Ddmaghdni in the year 778 H., and having slain him they cut off his head, and sent it to Court. His revolt was thus put down. During the prosperous reign of this good and gracious sovereign, his justice and equity had such an effect over every quarter of his territories, that no rebellion had ever broken out, and no one had been able to turn his feet from the path of obedience until the revolt of this Shams Damaghani, and he quickly received the punishment of his perfidy.

The frontiers (sarhadd) of the empire were secured by placing them under the charge of great and trusty amirs. Thus on the side of Hindustdn, on the Bengal frontier, the fief [iktd') of Karra and Mahoba, and the shikk of Dalamau, were placed under the charge of Maliku-s Shark (Prince of the East) Marddn Uaulat, who received the title of Nasiru-I Mulk. The fief (iktd') of Oudh and Sandila,i and the shikk of Kol were placed under Malik Hisamu-1 Mulk and Hisdmu-d din Nawa. The fief of Jaunptir and Zafarabdd was given to Malik Bahriiz Sultani. The fief of Bihar to Malik Bir Afghan. These nobles showed no laxity in putting down the plots of the infidels, and in making their territories secure. Thus the Sultan had no anxiety about the safety of these parts of his dominions ; but on the side of Khurasdn there was no amir capable of withstanding 1 The MS. lias " Sadid," but Firishta gives the right reading, see post p. 29.

the attacks of the Mughals, He was therefore compelled to summon Maliku-s Shark Nasiru-1 Mulk from Karra and Mahoba, and to send him to Multan, in order to put down and punish the assaults of these accursed foes. The fiefs (iktd's) of this quarter were conferred upon him, and the fief of Hindustan, that is to say Karra and Mahoba, was also ordered to be confirmed to Maliku-s Shark Shamsu-d din Sulaiman, son of Malik Marddn Daulat. After the murder of Damagh4ni, the fief of Gujar&t was granted to Malik Mufarrih Sultdni, who received the title of Farhatu-1 Mulk. * * *

In the year 781 h. (1379 a.d.), the Sultan made a progress towards S4m4na, and when he arrived there, Malik Kabul Kuran Khwan, amir of the privy council and chief of Samana, presented his tribute, and the Sultdn showed him great favour. Passing from thence through Ambala and Sh&hdbdd, the Sultdn entered the hills of Saharanpur, and after taking tribute from the Itdis of Sirmor and the hills, he returned to his capital. Just at this time information came of the rebellion of Khargii, the Hindu chief (mukaddam) of Katehr.^ This Khargd had invited Saiyid Muhammad, who held the fief of Badaun, and his brother Saiyid 'Alau-d din, to a feast at his house, and had then basely murdered them. In 782 H. (1380 a.d.), the Sultdn proceeded there to avenge this murder, and ravaged the district of Katehr. Khargu fled, and took refuge in the- mountains of Kamaun, in the country of the Mahtas.^ The Sultan also attacked them. * * Every year he used to proceed to Katehr, ostensibly to hunt, and that country became so devastated that nothing but game lived there.

In 784 H. (1382 a.d ), he built a fortress at Beoli, seven kos from Badaun, and called it Firozpur, but the people named it Fur-i dkhirin (the last town). The Sultd.n now grew old and feeble, for his age was nearly ninety years, and Khan-i Jahdn, the wazir, exercised unbounded authority. All the aflairs of the

State were in his hands, and the maliks and amirs were entirely subservient to him. If any one opposed him, he got him removed from the presence of the Sultan in any way he could. Some he killed, others he put in confinement. At length it came to this, that whatever Kh4n-i Jahan said the Sultan used to do. So the affairs of the kingdom fell into disorder, and every day some loss occurred. One day Khan-i Jahdn repre- sented to the Sultdn that Prince Muhammad Khan had allied himself to certain nobles such as Dary4 Khan, son of Zafar Khdn, amir of Gujardt, Malik Ya'kub Muhammad H^ji, master of the horse {etc., etc.], and was on the point of raising a rebellion. As the Sultan had given over everything to the charge of the Kh4n, he, without thought or consideration, gave the order that they should be taken into custody. When the prince heard this, he did not come to the palace for several days, and although Khdn-i Jahan sent for him, he made excuses. Then the Khan, upon the pretext of a balance of accounts, kept Darya Khdn, son of Zafar Khdn, amir of Mahoba, confined in his house. This alarmed the prince still more, and he made a statement of his position to his father. The Sultdn gave orders for the dismissal of Khan-i Jah^n, and for the release of Darya Khdn. The prince having done this, Malik Ya'kub Beg, master of the horse, brought out all the royal horses, and Malik Kutbu-d din Faramurz, keeper of the elephants, brought out the elephants with their howdas and armour, and took them to the prince. The slaves of Sultan Firoz, the amirs, and other people of the city, also joined the prince.

In the month of Eajab, 789 (July, Aug., 1387 a.d.), being fully prepared, the prince proceeded late one night, with a large body of men, to the house of Khan-i Jahan. When the Kh4n heard of their approach, he took Darya Khan, son of Zafar Khdn, out of prison and put him to death. Then he came out with a few chosen followers, and was attacked by the prince. Being defeated, he fled to his house, and received a wound as he was entering. Unable to make further resistance, he again left his

house with a few followers and fled into Mewat, where he sought refuge with Koka Ohauhan, at Mahdri. The prince plundered Kh4n-i Jahdn's house of all its gold and wealth, and arms, horses and effects ; he then returned with his followers to the palace. Next he caused Malik Bihzdd Fath Khdn, [and several otlier adherents of] Kh4n-i Jahin, to be brought to the palace and to be beheaded. When these proceedings were reported to the Sultdn, he gave over his authority to Prince Muhammad Khdn, and the maliks and amirs and slaves of Sultdn Firoz, and the people in general, rallied round the prince. The Sultan was old and feeble, so of necessity he gave over to the prince the reins of government, with all the horses and elephants, wealth and state. He conferred upon him the title Nasiru-d din Muhammad Shah, and then he retired to his house to serve his G-od. In all the chief mosques throughout the dominions the khutha was repeated in the names of the two sovereigns, and in the month of Sha''ban of the same year Muhammad Khan took his seat upon the throne in the palace of Jah4n-numa. The titles and offices, fiefs, and allowances, pensions and gifts, and whatsoever had been enjoyed by any one during the late reign, were confirmed. Malik Ta'kub, master of the horse, was made Sikandar Khdn, and received the fief of G-ujarat. * * He was then sent with an army to Mahari against Khan-i Jahan. When this force reached Mahdri, the accursed Koka seized Khan-i Jahan and sent him prisoner to Sikandar Khdn, who killed him, and carried his head to Court. Sikandar Khdn then departed to his fief of Grujarat, and the prince devoted himself to the duties of government.

In the month of Zi-1 ka'da of the same year, he went to the mountains of Sirmor, and there spent two months in hunting the rhinoceros and elk.^ While thus engaged, information was brought to him of the death of Sikandar Khan, whom Malik Mufarrih, amir of Kambay, and the new amirs of Gujarat, had risen against and slain. The retinue that had marched with

him from Court, some of them wounded and some of them despoiled, returned home with Saiyid S&\kr. When Prince Muhammad Kh4n heard this intelligence, he became thoughtfial and anxious, and returned to his capital. But he was young and inexperienced, and he gave himself up to pleasure. For five months longer the old rules and arrangements kept the affairs of the kingdom in order, but at length great irregularities arose. The slaves of the late Government of Firoz Shkh, of whom there were about a lac in Dehli and FirozAbad, stirred up by the opposition shown by Malik Samdu-d din and Malik Kamalu-d din, abandoned the prince, and joined themselves to the late sovereign ; hence arose contention and strife. When the prince became aware of the facts, he sent Malik Zahiru-d din Lohari to parley with the insurgents, who had assembled in the maiddn; but they pelted him with bricks and stones, and after wounding him they made a display of their force and rejected all propositions for peace. Zahiru-d din returned wounded to the prince, who was ready for action. He pro- ceeded with all his force of horse and foot, and elephants, to the maiddn against the rebels ; and when he attacked them, they fled to the palace and sought refuge with the old Sultan. Fight- ing went on for two days, and on the third the prince was prepared to renew the struggle, when the insurgents brought out the old Sultan from the palace. The soldiers and elephant- drivers, directly they saw the face of their Sultan, deserted the side of the prince and joined themselves to their old master. Finding that he could no longer maintain the struggle, the prince turned and fled with a small band of followers to the mountains of Sirmor. The insurgents plundered his house, and those of his adherents. That day tranquillity was restored, and the people were satisfied. The Sultdn then appointed Prince Tuo-hlik Sh^h, his grandson, son of Fath Khdn, to be his heir, and delivered over all the affairs of Government to him. Amir Husain Ahmad Ikbdl, son-in-law of the Sultan, who had separated from the party of the prince, was made prisoner, and

the prince had him beheaded before the entrance of the palace. Orders were also sent to the new amirs of Sdmdna directing them to seize 'Ali Khan, the amir, and bring him to Court. When he was brought in, the prince sent him away to Bihdr, and granted the fief of S4md,na to Malik Sultdn Shah.

On the 18th Eamazdn, 790 h. (26th September, 1388 a.d.), Sultan Flroz died, worn out with weakness. Veracious historians and truthful chroniclers of venerable age have recorded that since the days of Ndsiru-d din, son of Shamsu-d din Altamsh, who was a second Naushirwdn, there has been no king in Dehli so just and merciful, so kind and religious, or such a builder. His justice won for him the hearts of his subjects. If any poor traveller, by the visitation of God, fell in the road and died, the feudal chiefs, the officers, and the mukaddams having called together the kdzis and all Musulm^ns, they examined the body, and drew up a report under the seal of the hdzl, certifying that no mark of a wound was discernible upon the body, and after that they buried it. Thus by inquiries of the hdzis, all the injunctions of the law were fulfilled, and it was in no way possible that during the reign of this Sovereign, any strong man could tyrannize over the weak. God Almighty took this gentle, beneficent, and just king to his ever- lasting rest, after a reign of thirty-seven years and nine months.^

Reign of Tughlik Shah, son of Fath Khan, son of Firoz Shah, the late Sultan. This Sultan, with the concurrence of several of the amirs and maUks and servants of the late Sultdn, took his seat upon the

' He was ninety years of age. " He was buried by the side of the Sauz-i khdss; a splendid dome [gumbad) was erected over bis grave, and it has become famous." — Badduni. The Tabakdt-i Akhari gires a summary of his public works, which Firishta has adopted, with some alterations. It is as follows :— " 5 Canals {bcmd-i jut), [Firishta says " 60 "] ; 4 Mosques [Firishta says " 40 "] ; 30 Colleges ; 20 Monasteries {ihdnkdh) ; 100 Palaces [kushk) ; 200 Caravanserais [rabdt) ; 300 Towns ; 6 Tanks {hauz) ; 5 Hospitals ; 100 Mausolea ; 10 Baths ; 10 Monumental Pillars [mindra); 150 Wells; 100 Bridges; and gardens beyond number." The text of Firishta omits the " 300 towns," but the translation states them as " 200." With the exceptions noted, the two lists agree ; but there are some discrepancies between the text of Firishta and Briggs's translation.

throne in the palace at Firozdbdd, on the day of his predecessor's death, and took the title of Sultan Ghiydsu-d din. Malik-z^da Firoz,! son of Malik Tdju-d din, was made teazir, and was honoured with the title Khan-i Jahdn. Khud4wand-zada Ghiydsu-d din Turmuzi was placed over the armoury. Firoz 'Ali was taken out of prison, and his father's office of sar-janddr was conferred upon him. The fief of Gujarat was granted to Malik Mufarrih Sultdni, who held it under the late Sultan. The various other fiefs and appointments were confirmed to the holders. Malik Firoz 'Ali and Bahddur Nahir were sent with a considerable force against Prince Muhammad Kh^n. The amirs of the fiefs (iMd's), such as Sultan Amir Shah of Samdna, E.4i Kamalu-d din and others, were sent along with them. In the month of Shawwdl the army entered the mountains of Sirmor, and Prince Muhammad Khan retired to the top of the mountains by hostile roads, till he reached the fort of Baknari.^ The royal army also entered the mountains, and when it reached the valley (darrd) of Baknari, some little fighting followed, but the place being strong, the prince was not subdued. From thence he ascended the mountains and went towards Sakhet. (The royal army) ^ then marched from Baknari to the town of Arii, and encamped in the darra of Arti, near to the station {chautara) of Kimdr. The prince then left Sakhet, and went to the fort of Nagarkot. The royal forces followed to the confines of Gwaliyar in pursuit, but they met with opposition on the way, so Malik Firoz 'All and the other amirs gave up the pursuit, and returned. The prince secured himself in Nagarkot.

Tughlik Sh4h was young and inexperienced. He knew nothing of politics, and had seen none of the wiles of fickle fortune. So he gave himself up to wine and pleasure. The business of government was entirely neglected,, and the officers of the late Sultdn asserted so fearlessly their power, that all

1 The text has " Plroz Sh&h." * Tabakdt-i AUari, " Bakt&ri."

3 The introduction of this nominative seems necessary to the sense.

control of the State was lost. The Sultdn imprisoned his brother Sal4r Shah without any reason. Abu Bakr Shah, son of Zafar Khdn, having fled for refuge, Malik Ruknu-d din Janda, deputy wazir, and several other amirs and slaves ^ of the late Sultan, made common cause with him, and raised a revolt. They despatched with the sword Malik Mubarak Kabiri, in the palace at Firoz^bad, as he was retreating through the door. A great outcry thereupon arose in the palace, and the Sultan hearing it, escaped through the door opening on the Jumna. Malik Firoz, the wazir, was with him ; but the traitor, Rukn Janda, being apprised of his escape, followed him with his own adherents, and with a party of the late Sultan's slaves. When they reached the ford of the Jumna, they killed Sultan Tughlik Shd,h and the prince Firoz. Then they cut off their heads, and threw them down in front of the palace. This happened on the 21st Safar, 791 h. (19th February, 1389 a.d.)

After this they brought Abii Bakr Shah out from his dwelling, and seating him upon an elephant, with a canopy over his head, they proclaimed him under the title of Sultdn Abu Bakr. Rukn Janda was made tcazir. After a few days, Rukn Janda conspired with several slaves of the late Sultan Firoz, with the intention of slaying Abti Bakr, and of making himself king. But certain others, who were unfriendly to him, anticipating his action, killed hira, and put his confederates to the sword. Abu Bakr was in possession of Dehli, the royal elephants and treasure were in his hands, and his power was day by day increasing. Just at this juncture the new amirs of Sdmdna treacherously slew Malik Sultan Shdh Khush-dil, with their swords and daggers, at the tank of Sannam, on the 4th Safar. Then, taking possession of Samdna, they plundered the houses of Malik Sultdn Shdh and slew all his dependents. They cut off the head of Malik Sultan, and sent it to Nagarkot, to Prince Muhammad Khdn, with offers

1 The word so translated is " laniagdn," literally bondsmen or slaTes. It makes its appearance frequently in these pages.

of assistance. The length of the reign of Sultdn Tughlik Shdh was six months and eighteen days.

Sultan Muhammad Shah, younger son of the late SuUdn Firoz Shah.

When the intelligence of the death of Malik Sultan Sh4h reached Muhammad Khdn at Nagarkot, he marched thence to the town of Jdlandhar, and so into the district of Sdmdna. There, on the 6th of the month of Rabi'u-1 dkhir, of the year above named, he, for the second time, mounted the throne of the empire. The new amirs of Saraana, and the mukaddams of that district and of the hills, all joined him, and renewed their vows of allegiance. Several amirs and maliks also of Dehli deserted Abu Bakr Sh5;h, and came to join him. So there assembled round him in S4rn4na about twenty thousand horse, and an in- numerable host of foot. From Samdna he marched to Dehli ; and by the time he reached its neighbourhood, the horse had in- creased to about fifty thousand. Abti Bakr Sh4h was informed of his approach, and the slaves of Sultdn Firoz, having before opposed the new Sultan, now allied themselves with Abu Bakr.

On the 25th Eabi'u-1 akhir, 791 (23rd April, 1389), Sultdn Muhammad took up his position at the palace of Jah4n-numa, and Abu Bakr also, with his adherents and forces, was at Firoz- abad. On the 2nd Jumada-1 awwal, the adherents of Abu Bakr, having taken the streets and walls of Firozabad, gave battle to the forces of the new Sultan. Ou that very day Bahadur Nahir^ came into the city with a party of his followers ; and Abti Bakr Sh4h, being emboldened by his arrival, marched on the following day into* Flroz&bad with his horse and foot. The battle began, and by the decree of God, Sultdn Muhammad was defeated. He fled towards his own territories. With a party of about two thousand horse, he crossed the Jumna, and penetrated into the Do4b, From thence he sent his second^ son. Prince Humdyun

'' Firishta says " out of," and the T. Baddlmi says " into the maiddn of Ffroz&,b6.d."

Khan, to Samdna, to assemble his forces ; and he sent with him Malik Ziau-d din Aburja, Rdi Kamalu-d din Main,^ and Eai Khul Chain^ Bhatti, whose fiefs were in that quarter. The Sultan himself took up his position at the village of Jalesar,* on the banks of the Ganges. The a?nirs of Hindustd.n, sueh as Malik Sarwar, governor of the city {shahna-i shahr), Maliku-sh Shark Nasiru-1 Mulk the holder of Mult4n, Khawassu-1 Mulk the holder of Bihdr [and others'] ; and Eai Sarvar* and other rdis and rdnas, making in all about fifty thousand horse, with an in- numerable force of foot, joined the Sultan. Malik Sarwar re- ceived the title of Khwdja-i Jahdn, and was made wazir. Malik Nasiru-1 Mulk became Khizr KhS,n,s Khawdssu-1 Mulk was made Khaw§,ss Khan, and Saifu-d din became Saif Kh^n.

In Sha'ban of the same year Sultdn Muhammad again marched against Dehli. Abu Bakr Shah came forth to meet him, and encountered him at the village of Kundali. Both sides arrayed their forces, and a battle ensued. By the will of God, the army of Sultan Muhammad was defeated, and Abu Bakr was victorious. His camp equipage and baggage fell into the hands of the victors, who kept up the pursuit for three kos. Sultan Muhammad then returned, and took up his abode at Jalesar. Abu Bakr Shah went back to Dehli.

On the 19th Eamaz^n the slaves of the late SultS,n Firoz who were living in the various districts and cities, as at Mult^n, Lcihor,^ Samana, and Hisar, and the fort of Hansi, were unjustly put to death in one day by the chiefs and people of the difierent places, under the orders of Sultan Muhammad. In consequence of the contention among the Musulmdns for the throne, the Hindu infidels gathered strength, and gave up paying the poll-tax and tribute. They moreover threatened the Muhammadan towns.

3 The Texttias " Jaser" and "Jater," and Bad&fini makes makes it "Chetar," but the Tabaledt-i Akbari and Firishta agree in reading "Jalesar." %eepost, p. 26. * The text has " Sabir," but Firishta says " Sarvar." See post, p. 26. f The translation of Firishta errs in making this title " Khovv&s KhAn." ^ Invariably called " Lohor."

In the month of Muharram, 792 h. (January, 1390 a.d ), Prince Humdyun Khan, having collected the various maliks and amirs who had been appointed to act under him, such as Ghalib Khan, amir of S^mdna [efc., etc.'], pitched his camp at Panipat, and plundered the environs of Dehli. When Abu Bakr Shah was informed of this, he sent Malik Sh^hin 'Imadu-1 Mulk, with four thousand horse and guards and many foot soldiers, towards Pani- pat ; and the two forces drew up in battle array at the village of Basina, near Panipat. The Almighty gave the victory to Abu Bakr Shah, and the army of the prince being defeated fled back towards Samdna. His camp and baggage and equipments, all became the spoil of the victors. The forces of Dehli, under the grace of God, being thus everywhere victorious. Sultan Muham- mad and his army could no longer resist the enemy, and he be- came very much depressed in spirit. Still the maliks and the soldiers and the people of the capital were entirely on the side of the Sultan, and Abu Bakr dared not leave the city to pursue his defeated enemy.

In the month Jumada-1 awwal of the same year Abu Bakr Shah collected his army and marched towards Jalesar. He en- camped about twenty kos from Dehli, and Sultan Muhammad, being informed of this, left his army and baggage at Jalesar, and started off with four thousand light horse for Dehli. Some guards who had been left in charge of the city shut themselves up at the Badaun gate, and made some show of resistance ; but the assailants set fire to the gate, and the defenders fled. Sultan Muhammad entered the city through this gate, and took up his quarters at the Hum4yun palace. All the people of the city, high and low, and the bazar people, joined him. When intelli- gence of this reached Abu Bakr, he set oflf early on the same day with a party of his followers, and entered the city by the same gate, and Malik Bahau-d din, who had been left in charge of the gate by Sultan Muhammad, was killed on the spot. The Sultan was in the palace, unaware of what had happened ; but when Abu Bakr drew near, and he was apprised of the fact, he escaped with

a small party of followers through a back door of the palace, and making his way out of the city by the gate of the Hauz-i Mass, he returned to Jalesar, to his army and baggage. The amirs and maliks and soldiers who were unable to escape out of the city with the Sultan were, some of them taken prisoners, and some killed ; Khalil Khan ndib-bdrbak and Malik Isma'il, son of the daughter of Sultdn Firoz Shah, were taken alive, and were put to death.

In the month of Ramazan of the same year Mubashir Hajib^ SultAni, who had the title Isl4m Khan, with several old slaves (handagdn) of Sultan Firoz, without any reason, turned against Abu Bakr Sh5,h, and opened communications with Sultan Mu- hammad. When this fact became known, Abu Bakr Shdh was unable to overcome them, so he left Dehli, accompanied by some of his most devoted followers, such as Malik Shdhin 'Imadu-1 Mulk, MalikBahri, and Safdar Khan Sult4ni, and proceeded to the hutila^ of Bahadur Nahir. On the 17th of the month Rama- zan, Mubashir Hdjib and the old Firoz Shdhi men sent letters to Sult&n Muhammad, informing him of the facts, and of the flight of Abu Bakr Shah. They placed Khd.n-i Kh^n^n, the youngest son of the Sultdn, on an elephant, and, raising a canopy over his head, they conducted him to Jalesar, On the third day, the 19th Ramazdn, the Suit An started from Jalesar, and entering the city he took his seat on the throne in the palace of FirozAbad. Mubashir Hdjib received the office of wazir, and the title of Islam Khan was confirmed to him. The old guards of Firoz Shah and the people of the capital joined the Snltdn. After a few days, he left Firoz- ab^d, and went into the fort {hisdr) of Jahdn-panah to the Humayun palace. He took the elephants from the charge of the Firoz Shdhi slaves, and placed them under the old elephant-

' This is according to Firishfca, but the text has " Jab," the Tahahdt-i Ahbari " Hat," and Badduni " Chap."

' The TTord seems to be used here- as a common noun, not a proper name. It is invariably kutila, not kiipila. See note in vol. iii., p, 455.

keepers.! This excited great discontent among them ; but as the Sultan was strong, and the elephants had all been taken into the charge of his servants, they could not withstand him ; so they fled in the night, with their wives and children, and joined Abu Bakr Shdh at the Mtila of Bahadur Ndhir. Such of these old slaves as remained in the city next morning received notice that they must quit it within three days, so the city was cleared of them. The amirs and maliks of the various parts of the kingdom (haldd-i mamdlik) now came to Court, and the Sultdn's power and dignity increased. Prince Humdyun Khdn, with Isldm Khan [and others'], was sent with a powerful army to suppress Abu Bakr Shdh and the old Firoz Shdhi slaves. They had reached the town of Mahindwari ; and in the month of Muharram, 793 (Dec. 1390 A.D.), Abii Bakr Sh4h, Bahddur Ndhir, and the old Firoz Shdhi slaves, having assembled, made a sudden attack upon the royal forces early in the morning, and killed several men. But Isldm Khdn made ready his division, and fell upon the assailants ; the prince also mounted his horse, with his followers, and defeated the enemy at the first charge. The royal army pursued, and the bulk of the defeated forces took refuge in the fort of Kutila, but some were killed, and some were taken prisoners. When the news of the victory reached the Sultdn, he started off for the scene of the conflict ; and arriving at Kutila, he encamped on the banks of the Dahand. Abu Bakr Shdh and Bahadur Nahir begged for mercy, and came to meet the Sult4n. Bahd.dur Ndhir received a robe, and was sent back. Abu Bakr Sh4h was carried away by the Sultdn as far as Khandi, from whence he was sent to be kept a prisoner at Mirat, and there he died. The Sult4n proceeded to Etdwa, and there he was waited upon by Nar Singh,^

1 Filbdndn-i Icadim. Taken literally this is unintelligible, for the officials of an older standing than the reign of Firoz must have been very few in number. It must mean that Sultan Muhammad reinstated those officers who held charge when he was before on the throne in his father's days. See Firishta.

2 The MS. and the Tabakdt-i Akhari agree in calling him " Bar Sing," vfhich is an improbable name. Firishta calls him Nar Singh, which is perhaps right, though Har Singh is possible.

who received a robe, and was sent back. Proceeding along the bank of the Jumna, the Sultdn arrived at Dehli.

In 794 H. (1392 a.d.), Nar Singh above mentioned, and Sar- vddharau^ and Bir Bahan, broke out in rebellion. The Sultan sent Isl4m Khan against Nar Singh, and he himself marched to Etawa against Sarvadharan and the other infidels. The ac- cursed Nar Singh encountered the forces of Islam Khan, and, by God's grace, was defeated and put to flight. The victors pursued, sending many infidels to hell, and laying waste their .country. Nar Singh at length sued for mercy, and came to wait on Islam Kh4n, who carried him to Dehli. Sarvadharan at- tacked the town of Bal4ram,^ but when the Sultan reached the banks of the Biy^h^ (sic), the infidels fled and shut themselves up in Et4wa. The Sultan continued his march thither, and on the first day of his arrival some little fighting took place. In the night the rebels abandoned the fort of Etawa and fled, and next day the Sultan destroyed it. From thence he marched towards Kanauj, and crossing the Ganges, he punished the infidels of Kanauj and Dalamau, and returning went to Jalesar, where he built a fortress which he called Muhammaddbad.

In the month of Rajab, a letter arrived from Khwaja-i Jahan, who was the Sultan's locum tenens in Dehli, bringing the in- formation that Islam Khan was about to depart for Multan and Ldhor, with the object of stirring up a rebellion. The Sultan immediately left Jalesar, and proceeded to Dehli, where he held a Court, and questioned Islam Khdn about the intentions im- puted to him. He denied them. But an infidel named Jdju,* his brother's son, a bad fellow who had a spite against him, gave

' This is the reading of the TalaMt-i Ahbari, and seems probahle. Our text has "Sahir wa Adharan," two names, saying, " Sabir the accursed, and Adharan." Firishta's text has " Sarv&dhan Eahtor ; " and the translation " Sirvodhun."

'^ This is the name as given by our text, and by BadifinI and Firishta ; but the TabaMt-i Akbarl and the translation of Firishta make it Balgr&m or " Bilgirim." See Elliot's Glossary, ii., 290.

3 For "the bants of the Biy&h" the Tabakdt-i Akbarl has "Etiwa."

• The text has " Jijan," but the Tabakdt-i Akbari says JSjii, which is confirmed by Firishta, who has H&jd ; the A of which is a clear mistake.

false evidence, and Isldm Kh^n was unjustly condemned to death. Khwaja-i Jahdn was made wa%ir, and Malik Mukarrabu-1 Mulk was sent to MuhammadS.b4d in Jalesar, with an army.

In the year 795 h. (1393 a.d.), Sarvadharan and Jit Singh Rahtor, and Bir BahS,n mukaddam, of Bhanu-gdnw, and Abhai Chand mukaddam, of Chandu, broke out in rebellion.^ " The " Sultdn sent Mukarrabu-1 Mulk to put down this out- " break. When the two parties came in sight of each other, " Mukarrabu-l Mulk adopted a conciliatory course, and by " promises and engagements, induced the rdis to submit. " He carried them with him to Kanauj, and there treacher- " ously had them put to death ; but E^i Sar[vadharan] " escaped, and entered Et^wa. Malik Mukarrab then " returned to Muhammad^bad. In the month of Shawwdl, " the Sultan attacked and ravaged Mewat. Having gone " from Muhammaddbdd to Jalesar, he there fell sick. Just " at that time intelligence reached him that Bahadur Ndhir " had attacked and plundered several villages in the vicinity " of Dehli. Notwithstanding his weakness, the Sultan " proceeded to Mewat, and on reaching Kutila, Bahadur " Ndhir came out to fight; but he was defeated, and took " refuge in Kutila. Unable to remain there, he fled and " hid in Jhar. After this, the Sultan proceeded to Muham- " madabad, in order to inspect the buildings which he had " there begun. His sickness grew worse. In the month " Rabfu-l awwal, 796 H., he appointed Prince Humdyun to " march against Shaikha Khokar, who had rebelled, and had " got possession of L4hor. Just as the prince was about " to march, he received intelligence of the death of the " Sultdn on the I7tk Eabi'u-1 awwal (15th Jan. 1394 a.d.); " so he remained at the capital. Sultan Muhammad Shdh " reigned six years and seven months.

' Here the MS. is faulty. Probably a leaf has been lost or passed over. What follows is quoted from the Tabakdi-i AMari, which is generally in close accord with this work.

" The late Sultan's second son, Humdyun Kh4n, remained " for three days engaged in the duties of mourning ; but " on the 19th Eabi'u-1 awwal, he ascended the throne, " with the approbation of the amirs and maliks, the saiyids " and hdzis^ and all the great men of Dehli. Khwdja-i " Jahan was made wazir, and the various other officers were " confirmed in their appointments. On the 5th Jumada-1 " awwal, he fell sick and died, after a reign of one month " and sixteen days.

" Sultan Mahmiid Shdh, youngest son of Muhammad Shah.

" On the death of Sultan 'A14u-d din, otherwise known

" as Hum^yun Khdn, several of the nobles, such as Ghdlib

" Khan of S4m4na, Edi Kamdl Main, Mubarak Khan,

" Malajun (?) Khawdss Kh4n governor of Indri and

" Kamal, were about to leave the city and proceed to their

" respective territories, without taking leave of [Prince]

" Mahmud Shah, But Khan-i Jahin heard of their inten-

" tion, and encouraged them to return to the city. On the

" 20th Jumdda-l awwal, by the efforts of the amirs and ■

" maliks, and great men. Prince Mahmud was placed upon

" the throne in the Hum^yun palace," and the title Sultan

Nasiru-d din Mahmud Shah was given to him. The office of

wazir was confirmed to Khwdja-i Jahan, Mukarrabu-1 Mulk

became Mukarrab Khdn, and was named heir-apparent of the

Sult&n.i 'Abdu-r Eashid Sultani was entitled Sa'dat Khdn, and

received the office of Bdrhak. Malik Strang was created Sarang

Kh4n, and received the fief of Dibalpiir. Malik Daulat Y4r,

the daUr (secretary), was created Daulat Khan, and received the

office of ''imddu-l mulk and 'driz of the State. Through the

turbulence of the base infidels, the affairs of the fiefs of Hindus-

1 The Tabakdi-i Akbari and Saddunl agree in this, but FirisWa says he was made " Vakilu-s saltanat and Amlru-l umard."

tan had fallen into confusion, so Khwaja-i Jahdn received the title of Maliku-sh Shark (King of the East) ; and the administra- tion of all Hindustan, from Kanauj to Bihdr, was placed in his charge. In the month of Eajab, 796 h., he proceeded to Hindus- tan with twenty elephants ; and after chastising the rebels of Etdwa, Kol, Kahura-kanil, and the environs of Kanauj, he went to Jaunpur. By degrees he got the fiefs of Kanauj, Karra, Oudh, Shadfdahji Dalamau, Bahr^ich, Bihdr, and Tirhut, into his own possession. He put down many of the infidels, and restored the forts which they had destroyed. God Almighty blessed the arms of Islam with power and victory. The E.4i of Jajnagar and the King of Lakhnauti now began to send to Khw4ja-i Jahan the elephants which they used to send [as tribute] to Dehli.^

About the same time, Strang Khan was sent to Dibdlptir, to get possession of the fiefs, and to suppress the rebellion of Shaikha Khokhar. In the month of Sha'ban, he proceeded to Dibalptir, where he recruited and disciplined the soldiers and officers, and got possession of the fief (iktd'). In Zi-1 ka'da, 796 H., having taken with him EAi Khul Chain Bhatti and Rai Ddud Kam^l Main, and the army of Multdn, he crossed the Satladar (Sutlej) near the town of Tirhdrah, and the Biydh, near Duhali, and came into the country of L4hor. When Shaikha Khokhar heard of Sarang Khan's advance, he also collected his forces, and attacked the neighbourhood of Dibdlpur, and laid siege to Ajodhan; but on being informed that Strang Khdn had passed Hindupat, and had sat down [against Ldhor], he left Ajodhan in the night, and proceeded to Labor. On the next day the hostile forces prepared for battle, and placed them- selves in array at Samuthalla, twelve kos irom Labor. Sirang Khan obtained the victory, and Shaikha Khokhar went into Labor. In the night, however, he collected his wives and children, and fled to the Jiid mountains. On the following day,

• This was the beginning of the Sharki dynasty of Jaunptlr,

Sarang Khan obtained possession of the fort of Ldhor, and giving his brother Malik Kandhu the title of 'iidil Kh^n, Le left him there, and himself returned to Dibdlpur.

In the month of Sha'bdn, the Sultan, taking with him Sa'dat Khan, went on an excursion to Bayana, leaving Mukarrab Khan at the capital, in charge of the elephants and royal family. When the Sultdn approached Grwaliyar (G-w^lior), Malik 'Alau-d din Dharwdl, Mubarak Khdn son of Mahk Eaju, and Mallii Khan brother of Sarang Khdn, formed a conspiracy against the latter ; but he got information of it, and seizing Malik 'Alau-d din and Mubdrak Khdn, he put them to death. Mallu Khdn fled, and took refuge with Mukarrab Khan in Dehli. The Sultan re- turning from his journey, encamped near the city, and Mukarrab Khdn came forth to meet him. He received the honour of an interview, but fear and apprehension filled his heart, so he went back into the city and made ready for war. Next day the Sul- t4n, having placed Sa'dat Khan over all the amirs, maliks, and elephants, approached the maiddn gate in battle array. Mu- karrab Khdn shut himself up, and the fight began. For three months the war continued, till at length some of the Sultan's friends took him into the city, in the month of Muharram, 797 h. (November, 1394 a.d.). But then the elephants and royal horses, and all the paraphernalia of government, were left in the hands of Sa'dat Khdn. The position of Mukarrab Khan was strengthened by the presence of the Sultdn, and next day he assembled the soldiers and hdzdr people, and led them out in a sortie against the investing forces. Sa'dat Khan got timely notice of the sortie, and drew up his men in the maiddn. Sharp fighting followed, but Mukarrab Khan was worsted, and obliged to retreat into the city, with his men, greatly disheartened. Still Sa'dat Khdn could not take the fort, and fell back. He en- camped near the hauz-i khdss ; and finding the fortifications of Dehli impregnable, and the rainy season coming on, he raised the siege, and marched to Firozdbdd. He conspired with the amirs, who supported him, to raise some one of the sons of the

late Sultan Firoz Shdh to the sovereignty, and place him on the throne in FirozdbM. Nusrat Khd,n, son of Fath Khan, son of Sultan Firoz Shdh, was in Mewdt. They brought him forward, and in the month Rabi'u-1 awwal raised him to the throne, in the palace of Firoz^bad, under the title of Nasiru-d din Nusrat Shdh. But he was a mere puppet, and all the direction of affairs was in the hands of Sa'dat Khdn. Only a few days had passed, when some of the old Firoz Shahi slaves, and some of the elephant-keepers, attached themselves to Nasiru-d din, and while Sa'dat Khan was unsuspicious of danger, they placed Nasiru-d din upon an elephant, and suddenly attacked him, before he could gather his friends around him. Unable to resist, he escaped from the palace by the door of the harem. Some of his soldiers joined him, and with them he fled to Dehli, and presented himself to Mukarrab Khdn, by whom, a few days afterwards, he was treacherously seized and killed.

The atnirs and maliks who remained in Firozabad, such as Muhammad Muzaffar, wazir; Shahab Nahir, Malik Fazlu-llah Balkhi, and the old Firoz Shihi slaves, all joined Sultan N4- siru-d din [Nusrat Khan], and pledged their faith to him. Muhammad Muzaffar was made wazir, and received the title of Tdtdr Khdn, Shahab Nahir became Shahab Khdn, and Fazlu- llah became Katlagh Khdn, and Malik Almas Sultdni received the command of the royal slaves. He became sovereign in Dehli and Firozabad.i

Mukarrab Khan had secured Bahadur N4hir and his adherents, and had placed him in charge of the fortress of Old Dehh. Mallu was entitled Ikbdl Khdn, and received charge of the fortress of Siri. At length fights came to be daily occurrences between Dehli and Firozdbdd, Musulmans shed the blood of each other, and neither party could obtain the mastery. The districts ishikk) in the Doab, and the fiefs (iJctd's) of Sambhal, Panipat, Jhajhar, and Ruhtak, were in the possession of Sultan Nasiru-d

• There is clearly an error here. The true version is no doubt that given in the Tabakdt-i Akbarl, " In Dehli and Firoz§i,had there were two kings."

din [Nusrat Khdn], while Sultdn Mahmud held no place except the forts above named. The amirs and maliks of the outlying territories {haldd-i mamdlik) set themselves up as rulers, at their own pleasure, and kept all the wealth and revenue in their own hands. Things went on thus for three years. Deadly contests were of daily occurrence between Dehli and Firozdbad, and of varying results. Sometimes the men of Dehli had to throw themselves into their fortress, sometimes they drove their adver- saries into the fort of Firozabid.

In the year 798 h. (1396 A.d.), Strang Khan quarrelled with Khizr Khan, amir of Multan, and much fighting went on be- tween them. At length some of the people (ghuldm) of Malik Mardan Bhatti joined Sarang Khan, and with their assistance he got possession of the district (shikk) of Multdn. Having assembled a considerable force, he in the month of Ramazan, 799 (May, 1397 a.d.), marched against Samana, and besieged the amir Ghalib Khan. When he was no longer able to hold out, Ghalib Khan fled, with a small party of horse and foot, to P4nipat, to join Tatar Khdn. As soon as Sultan Nasir Shkh (Nusrat Kh4n) heard of this, he sent Malik Alm4s, commander of the slaves, with ten elephants and a small army, to Tdtar KhS.n, with orders to march against Samana, expel Sarang Khdn, and to reinstate Ghalib Khdn. On the 15th Muharram, 800 h. (9th October, 1397 a.d.), a battle was fought at the village of Ku.tila,i and T4tar Khan gained the victory. Strang Khan fled towards Mult An, and Tatar Khan pursued him as far as Tal- wandi, when he sent Rai KamAlu-d din Main in pursuit, and retutned.

In the month of Rabi'u-1 awwal, 800 (November-December 1397), Pir Muhammad, grandson of Amir Timur, King of Khurasan, crossed the river Sind with a numerous army, and laid siege to Uch. 'Ali Malik, who held Uch for Strang Khdn, sustained the siege for about a month, when Sarang Khan sent his ndib Malik T4ju-d din, and some other amirs with 4,000 ' See suprd, p. 25.

horse, to his assistance. Pir Muhammad, on hearing of their approach, left Uch, and fell upon this force at the village of Tamtama, on the banks of the Biydh. The attack was un- expected, and resistance was unavailing ; many perished by the sword, and many threw themselves into the river and wele drowned. T4ju-d din fled, with a small party of horse, to Mult^n. Plr Muhammad pursued him, and Strang Khan, being unable to oppose him in the field, was obliged to shut himself up in the fortress. The siege went on for six months, and then want of forage and provisions compelled Sarang Khdn to surrender in the month of Ramazan, 800. Pir Muhammad made Sarang Khan and his family and dependents, and all the people of the city, prisoners. He also took possession of the fortress, and encamped his army there.

In the month of Shawwdl, Ikbal Kh4n joined himself to Sult&n Nasiru-d din [Nusrat Khan], and a compact was made between them at the tomb of the Shaikhu-1 mashaikh Nizamu-1 hakk wau-s shard [Kutbu-d din Bakhtiydr Kaki]. He placed the Sultan [Nusrat Khdn] upon an elephant, and conducted him into the Jahdn-pandh. Sultan Mahmud, Mukarrab Khan, and Bahadur Ndhir, were shut up in Old Dehli. On the third day, Ikbal Khan treacherously attacked Sultin Nasiru-d din [Nusrat Kh4n], who, being unable to resist, fled, with a small party of men and elephants, to Firozabad. Ikbal Khan pursued with his forces, and all the elephants fell into his hands. The prince escaping to Firozabad, fled from thence with his family and dependents, crossed the Jumna, and went to Tdtar Khan. Firozabad then came into the possession of Ikbal Khan. After this, fio-hting went on daily for two months -between Mukarrab Khdn and Ikbal Khan ; but at length some amirs interfered, and made peace between them. Mukarrab Khdn then entered V ■ Jahan-panah with Sultdn Mahmud, and Ikbal Khan stayed in \ Siri. Suddenly Ikbdl Khan proceeded with a party of his followers to the house of Mukarrab Khdn, took him, and slew "^ him without mercy. He then kept Sultan Mahmud in his

power as a puppet, and himself directed all matters of govern- ment.

In the month of Zi-1 ka'da, Ikb^l Khdn marched against Tatar Khdn at Pdnipat. When information of this reached the latter, he left his baggage and materials of war in Panipat, and marched with a strong force against Dehli. Ikbal Khan in- vested Pdnipat, and captured the place in three days. Tatar Kh4n also attacked Dehli, but notwithstanding his efforts, he could not take it. When he heard of the fall of Panipat, he gave up the siege, and fled with his army to his father in Grujarat. Ikbal Khdn took the elephants, horses, etc., from Panipat, and returned to Dehli. Malik Nasiru-1 Mulk, relation {karib) of Tatar Khan, joined the victor, and received from him the title of 'i^dil Khan, and a fief in the Doab.^ Ikbal Khdn then devoted himself to affairs of State.

In the month of Safar, 801 h. (October, 1398 a.d.), intelli- gence came that Amir Timur, King of Khurasan, had attacked Talina,^ and was staying at Multdn, and that he had put to the sword all the soldiers of SArang Khan, who had been taken prisoners by PIr Muhammad. This intelligence filled Ikbal Khan with dread and anxiety. Amir Timur continuino- his march, besieged Bhatnir, took the rdi Khul Chain prisoner, and put the garrison to the sword. From thence he marched to Samana, and many inhabitants of Dibdlpur, Ajodhan, and Sarsuti, fled in terror to Dehli. Many prisoners were taken, and most of these received the glory of martyrdom. Then he cl'ossed over the Jumna into the Do4b, and ravaged the greater part of the country. He made a halt at the town of Loni and there he put to the sword all the prisoners whom he had taken between the rivers Sind and Granges, in all 50,000 men, more or less : God knows the truth. Such was the terror inspired by him, that Musulmans and Hindus fled before him, some to the

' The Tabakdt-i Akhari says, " S&m&na as far as the middle of the Doih." 2 This name is so giTen also in the Taiakdt-i Akbari, and in Bad&iini.

mountains, some to the deserts, some to the waves of the rivers, and some to Dehli. In Jum4da-1 awwal, having crossed the Jumna, he halted at Firozabad, and next day he took up his position at the top of the Hauz-i Mass. Ikbal Khan came out with his elephants, and gave battle to Amir Timiir in the maiddn. At the first charge, he was defeated by the warriors of Timur, and escaped through a thousand difficulties with his elephants into the city. But as they retreated into the city, many men were crushed under foot and died, and heaps of dead were left. When night came on, Ikbil Kh4n and Sultdn Mahmud, leaving their wives and children behind, came out of the city. The Sultan fled to Gujarat, and Ikbal Kh&n crossed the river Jumna and went to Baran. Next day Amir Timur granted quarter to the city, and took the ransom money from the inhabitants. On the fourth day he gave orders that all the people in the city should be made prisoners, and this was done.'

Some days afterwards, Khizr Khan, who had fled in fear of Timur to the mountains of Mewat, Bahddur Nahir, Mubarak Kh4n, and Zirak Khan, by the favour of Amir Timur, were admitted to an interview, but, with the exception of Khizr Khan,^ they were all put into prison. From Dehli, Timur returned by the skirts of the hills, and made prisoners of those people who had remained in the hills. When he arrived at Labor, he plundered the city, and he made Shaikha Khokhar prisoner, with his wives and children, and all those who had taken refuge with him. This Shaikha Khokhar, through enmity to Sdrang Kh&n, had early joined Timur, and had acted as his guide, in return for which he had received mercy and favour. Timur

1 N'izS.mu-d din Ahmad, who is quoted by Firishta, is more explicit in his TabaMt-i Akbarl. He says : " Timdr granted quarter to the people of the city, andi appointed a number of persons to collect the ransom-money. Some of the citizens, incensed by the harshness of the collectors, resisted and killed several of them. This daring incited the anger of Timdr, and he gave orders to kill or make prisoners the people of the city. On that day many were captured or slain, hut at length Timtir was moved to pity and issued an edict of mercy."

2 " Whom Timiir knew to be a saiyid and a good man." — TabaTcdl-i Aklarl.

granted the fiefs of Multdn and DIbalpur to Khizr Kh4n, and sent him thither. Then he marched through Kabul to his own territories, and arrived at his capital, Samarkand.

After the departure of Timur, the neighbourhood of Dehli, and all those territories over which his armies had passed, were visited with pestilence (wabd) and famine. Many died of the sickness, and many perished with hunger, and for two months Dehli was desolate. In the month of Rajab, 801 (March, 1399 A.D.), Sultan Nasiru-d din I^usrat Shah, who had fled from the malevolence of Ikbdl Khdn into the Doab, advanced with a small force to Mirat, where he was joined by 'Adil Kh^n, who brought four elephants. By craft he (Nusrat Khan) got him into his power, and took possession of the elephants.^ The people of the Doab, who had obtained deliverance from the hands of the Mughals, began to rally, and he entered Firozdb^d with about 2,000 horse. Dehli, although ruined, came into his power. Shah^b Khan came from Mewat, with ten elephants and his adherents; Malik Almas also joined him from the Doab. When a large force had collected round him, he sent Shahdb Khan to Baran to overpower Ikbal Khan. On his way, a party of Hindu footmen fell upon him in the night and killed him. His fol- lowers dispersed, and the elephants were abandoned. Directly Ikbal Khan heard of this, he hastened to the spot, and got possession of the elephants. His power and dignity increased daily, and forces gathered round him, while Sultan Nasiru-d din [Nusrat Kh^n] grew weaker and weaker.

In the month of Rabful-l awwal, Ikbal Khan left Baran, and proceeded with his army to Dehli ; the Sultdn [Nusrat Khan] then left Firozabad, and went into Mewdt. Dehli fell into the power of Ikbal Khan, and he took up his abode in the fort of SIri. Some of the people of the city who had escaped the Mughals, came back and resumed their habitations. In a short

■ This is not mentioned in the TahaMt-i Ahhari, or by BadWni. Firishta con- firms it, but the fact does not appear in the translation.

time the fortress of Sir! became populated. The districts {shikJi) in the Doab, and the fiefs in the neighbourhood of the capital, came into the possession of Ikbal Ehan ; but the territories in general remained in the power of the amirs and maliks who held them. Thus Gujardt, and all its districts and dependencies, was held by Zafar Kh4n Wajibu-1 Mulk ; the shikh of Multan, Dibdlpuv and parts of Sind, by Khizr Khan ; the shikk of Mahoba and Kalpi, by Mahmud Khdn, son of Malik-zdda Firoz ; the fiefs (ikta's) on the side of Hindustan, such as Kanauj, Oudh, Karra, Dalamau, Sandlla, Bahrdich, Bihar, and Jaunpur, were held by Khwdja-i Jahan ; the shikk of Dhar, by Dilawar Kh4n ; the shikk of Samana, by Ghalib Khan ; and the shikk of Baydna, by Shams Khan — into so many portions were the territories of Dehli divided.

In the month of E.abi'u-1 awwal, Ikb41 Khdn marched towards Bayana against Shams Khan, who was at the town of Nuh o Batal."^ A battle followed, and fortune (ikbdl) favoured Ikb^l Khan. Shams Khan fled into Bayana, leaving two elephants in the hands of the victor. Then Ikbal Khdn marched against Katehr, and after exacting money and tribute from Rai Singh, he returned to Dehli. In the same year, Khwaja-i Jahan died at Jaunpur, and his adopted son, Malik Mubarak, became king in his stead, assuming the title of Mubdrak Shah, and taking- possession of all the fiefs (iktd's).

In Jumada-1 awwal, 803 (December^ 1400), Ikbal Khan again marched towards HindustAn, and was waited upon by Shams KhAn, of Baydna, and Mubarak Khan, [son of] Bahddur Nahir. He carried them with him, and in the same month he reached Pattiali, on the banks of the black river.^ Here he encountered Rdi Sir* and other infidels, with a numerous army. On the

A.'i.) ■ S J Bad6.iinl confirma-feis, tut writes Patal, instead of Batal.

' " A'b-i siydh," or the " Kdld-pdni." Bad&,tini and Firishta agree in saying "the Ganges."

3 Firishta agrees with the other authorities in this name, but the translation says, "the Bay of Sirinugur, (the ancient name of Bilgar&m, which was at that time a principality)." But see mprd, notes 1 and 2, p. 26.

following day a battle took place, and God, who defends the Muhammadan religion, gave the victory to Ikbal Khan. The infidels fled, and he pursued them to the confines of Etdwa, killing many, and making many prisoners. From thence he proceeded to the district (Ithittd) of Kanauj, and Sultdnu-sh Shark Mubarak Shah came up from Hindustan. The river Granojes flowed between the two armies, and neither was able to cross. This state of afluirs continued for two months, when each party retired to his own home. On his journey, Ikbal Khan became suspicious of [Mubarak Khan and] Shams Khan, and having got them into his power [he put them to death] .^

In this year Taghi Khan Turkchi Sult§,ni, son-in-law of Grhalib Khan, armr of Samdna, assembling a considerable force, marched towards Dibalpur, against Khizr Khan. When intelli- gence of this was brought to Khizr Khdn, he prepared for the attack, and marched with a large force into the khitta of Ajodhan. A battle was fought there on the 9th Rajab, on the banks of the Dahanda. Khizr Khan was victorious, and Taghi Khan fled to the town of Asahuhar.^ Crhalib Kh^n, and other amirs who were with him, then treacherously killed him.

In the year 804 h. (1401), Sultan Mahmud left the khitta of Dhar, and proceeded to Dehli. Ikbal Khan came forth to give him a formal reception, and the Sult&n went to the Humayiin palace in Jahdn-panah. But the reins of government were in the hands of Ikbal Khdn, and so hatred sprang up be- tween him and the Sultan. Ikbal Khdn again went to Kanauj, and took the Sult&n with him. In this year Sultan Mubarak Shah (of Jaunpiir) died, and his brother, Ibrdhim Sh4h, succeeded him as king, under the title of Sultan Ibrahim. On hearing of the approach of Sultan Mahmud and Ikbal Khan, he marched out to meet them with a large force. When the two armies were near to each other, and the battle was imminent. Sultan

' The necessary words in brackets are from tlie Tahakdt-i Akbari.

^ So in the MS., but the Tabahat-i A/cbari'hsis " Bahais.!," andBad&iini"Bahuhar."

Mahmiid left the army of Ikbdl Khdn, on the pretence of hunt- ing, and went to join Sultan Ibrdhim, but Ibrahim paid him not the slightest attention, so he departed, and went into the khitta of Kanauj. There he expelled Malik-zdda Harbui, who had held the place for Mubarak Shdh, and installed himself in his place. Ikbal KhAn returned to Dehli, and Ibrahim Shdh went to Jaunpur. At Kanauj all ranks of people joined the Sultan, and the scattered guards and dependents rallied round him. The Sultdn himself was content with this iktd' of Kanauj.

In Jumada-1 awwal, 805 h. (Dec. 1402), Ikbal Khdn marched against Crwaliyar (Gw41ior), the fort of which place had been treacherously wrested from the hands of the Musulmdns during the Mughal invasion by the accursed Nar Singh. When Nar Singh died, his son, Biram ^ Deo, succeeded him in the possession of the fort. It was very strong, and it was impossible to t.akp it by assault ; so Ikbdl Khan returned, after plundering the country, to Dehli. Next year he again marched against it. The son of Biram Deo advanced to meet Ikbal Khan, and fought with him at the fort of Dholpur, but he was defeated, and driven into the fort. Many of the infidels were slain, and during the night he evacuated the fort, and went off to Gwdlior. Ikbal Khdn pursued him to Grwdlior, and after plundering the open country, he returned to Dehli. In the year 806 h. (1403-4) Tatcir Khdn, son of Zafar Khin, amir of Gujarat, basely seized his own father, and sent him prisoner to Asdwal (Ahmaddbdd). He then made himself king with the title of Sultan Nasiru-d din Muhammad Shdh. He collected a large army, with the object of stacking Dehli. On his march thither he was poisoned by Shams Khan and died. His father Zafar Khan was brought from Asdwal by night, and the whole army submitted to him.

In 807 H, (1404 A.D.), Ikbal Kh4n,. marched against Etawa. Eai Sarwar,^ the Bdi of Gwalior, the Bdi of Jalhar, and other

1 Probably Brabma Deo, as in the translation of Firisbta. In the text of Firishta it is "Baram." * §ee s-u^rd, p, 26.