9. Volume 4 — part 9

and night to Almighty God that while life lasts no hostility may befall between the Emperor and myself, for I am his dependent and servant."

Three days after this despatch the envoy of Sult&n Mahmud, the ruler of Bengal, came into the presence of the Emperor Humdyun, and made the following communication : " The Afghans have seized the fort of Gaur, but most of the country is yet in my possession ; let not Your Majesty trust to Sher Khan's promises, but march towards these parts, and before they have established and strengthened themselves, expel them from the country, and altogether suppress this revolt. I also will join you, and they are not powerful enough to oppose you." As soon as he heard this request of Sultdn Mahmud, the Emperor ordered his victorious standards to be set in motion towards Bengal; and afterwards he ordered the Khdn-khdndn Yusuf-khail, the Birlds chiefs, and some other nobles, to go on in advance, and with their force in battle array to move towards the hills of Bahrkunda, where Sher Khan was. Mirzd Hind4I also was ordered to cross the Ganges with his division, and to move on Hdjipiir. The Emperor himself went towards Bengal.

When Sher Kh4n heard this intelligence, he entirely gave up all trust in the promises and faith of Humdyiin, and said to the envoy : " I have observed all loyalty to the Emperor, and have committed no offence against him, and have not encroached upon his boundaries. When I got Bihdr from the Loh5,nis, and the King of Bengal formed a design to seize that country, I besought him most submissively to leave me as I was, and not to attempt to deprive me of Bihar. By reason of his large army and forces be would not attend to me, and since he thus oppressed me, the Almighty gave me the victory ; and as he coveted the kingdom of Bihar, God wrested away from him also the king- dom of Bengal. The Emperor has only considered the word of the ruler of Bengal, and has overlooked the service I have rendered, and all the force of Afghans which I have assembled for his service, and has marched against Bengal. When the Emperor

besieged Chunir, the Afghans urged me to oppose him, but I restrained them from declaring war, and said, ' The Emperor is powerful ; you should not fight with him for the sake of a fort, for he is my lord and patron, and when he perceives that, in spite of my powerful forces, I pay respect to him, he will understand that I am his loyal servant, and will give me a kingdom to maintain this large army. The Emperor desired the kingdom of Bihar, and I was willing to surrender it. But it is not the right way to govern a kingdom to separate so large a force from his service, and in order to please their enemies, to ruin and slay the Afghans.' But since the Emperor takes no heed of all this good service, and has violated his promise, I have now no hope or means of restraining the AfghS,ns from opposing him. You will hear what deeds the Afghans will do, and the march to Bengal will end in repentance and regret, for now the Afghans are united, and have laid aside their mutual quarrels and envyings. The country which the Mughals have taken from the Afghdns, they got through the internal dissensions among the latter." So saying, he gave him a parting present, and dismissed him. The force he had with him Sher Kh^ sent to Eohtds, and he him- self with a few horsemen, in order that he might not be traced, set off from that place towards Gaur secretly. From thence he proceeded, unknown to any one, to the hills, and lay hid there, and sent spies into the camp of the Emperor in order ta discover his intentions. Humayun was told, after he had made two marches, that Sher Khan had gone to the hills. He, therefore, returned ; and the Khan-khdnan Ytisuf-khail and Barri Birlas, who had been sent against Sher Khdn, were halted in the pargana of Munir Shaikh Tahyd, where they heard that Sultan Mahmiid Barri, the King of Gaur, was come. Birlas went out to meet him. They had not yet escorted him to his encamping ground, when the Emperor himself arrived at Munir. They brought Sultan Mahmud to the Emperor, who did not receive him kindly or pay him the respect he anticipated; so that Sultdn Mahmud repented that he had come, and shortly after-

wards died from extreme grief. The Emperor issued orders for the arrangement of his army at the town of Munir.

Muyid Beg, son of Sultan Mahmtid, and Jahangir Kuli, son of Ibrdhim BAyazid, Mir Nurkd, Tardi Beg, Barri Birlas, Mubarak Farmuli, and other chiefs, with a force of 30,000 horse, were ordered to march seven kos in advance of the Imperial army. Sher Khan, on hearing that Humdyun had set off towards Bengal, departed himself secretly with only a few horsemen. When the Emperor reached Patna, the division which was seven kos in advance had not reached their ground, when their vedettes came to a village where what should they see but some cavalry in a garden. They asked of one of the villagers whose those horse- men were ? He said, " It is Sher Khan himself." The vedettes, when they heard the name of Sher Kh4n, were so alarmed, that they never examined what amount of force Sher Khan had with him, but returned and told to Muyid Beg that " Sher Khan was encamped at such and such a village." Muyid Beg was of opinion that Sher Khdn was there to oppose them, and sent to the Emperor to ask for orders ; and encamped where he was, sending out a reconnoitring party to bring intelligence. When the persons sent to reconnoitre came near the place, they could not discover a single horseman there; on which the Mughals entered the village, and inquired of the head-man (mukaddam), who said, that Sher Kh4n had halted there with a few horsemen ; but on seeing the advance of their cavalry had gone off with all speed on the road to Mungir. When ' the party returned from reconnoitring, it was nearly evening, and on ■ this account they delayed the pursuit of Sher Khan.

When Sher Khdn had crossed the defile of Ghari, he saw Saif Khan Acha-khail Sarwani, who was taking his family towards Kohtas. Sher Khan said, " Turn, for the Mughal army is near at hand." When Saif Khan was apprised of the actual truth regarding the Emperor's army, he said to Sher Khan, " There are but few men with you, and the distance between the armies is small. The Emperor will pursue you with the utmost expedi-

tion, in the hope you may fall into his hands. Do you take my family with you, and go your way. Early to-morrow morning I will occupy the entrance of the pass, and while life remains in my body I will hold the Emperor's army in check, so that an ample distance may be placed between you and the Mughals," Sher Khan said, " It is not right that to preserve myself I should cast you into the whirlpool of destruction." Saif Khan replied: "All men are not equal; a man ought to sacrifice himself for his own household. * * * My life and those of my brethren shall be expended in the service of my lord." Although Sher Kh^n urged him repeatedly to go along with him, Saif Khan would not consent ; so Sher Khan took his family with him, and relieved from all anxiety regarding the pursuit of the Mughals, proceeded on his course with all speed.

The next morning, when the sun was well risen, Saif Khan told his brethren to bathe, and be prepared for death. * * Saif Khdn's brethren said : " Since you have decided to do this, we are ready to sacrifice a thousand lives for you ; it is the time now to act, not to talk ; we will not fail to do our best." On this they put themselves at their several posts, and occupied the entrance of Gugarghar. When the army of the Emperor drew near, Saif Khan commenced the action. Notwithstanding great exertions on the part of the Mughals, they could not force the entrance of Gugarghar. The gallantry displayed by Saif Khan's brethren was beyond all description ; they held the Mughals in check till a little after mid-day, when most of Saif Khdn's brethren were slain, and he himself was severely wounded in three places ; and becoming insensible, was taken alive by the Mughals. They took him before Muyid, who sent him to the Emperor; and he, when he heard his story, praised him very highly, saying, "Such it behoves a soldier to be, who should lay down his life to advance his master's interests." He then said to Saif Khan, " I set you free, go whither you please." Saif Khdn said, " My family is with Sher Kh^n, I wish to go to him." The Emperor replied :

" I have given you your life, do as you will." So Saif Khdn returned to Sher Khdn.

When Sher Khan arrived at Mungir, where Shujd'at Khdn Nidzi^ was, be ordered him, as Humdytin's army was approach- ing, to take Saif Khdn's family to the fort of Ghari, and em- barking in a swift sailing boat, went down the river towards Gaur. When he arrived there, he sent his son Jaldl Khan with some of his nobles to occupy the pass of Ghari,^ and to hold the Emperor Humayun in check there, while he himself made all necessary preparations and arrangements, and conveyed to Eohtas the treasure which had fallen into his possession at Gaur. When Jal41 Khan came to G-hari, the van of the Emperor"'s army was already near at hand. Jaldl Khdn proposed to attack it, but his chiefs dissuaded him, saying that he had not been sent by Sher Khan to risk an engagement, and that he ought merely to hold the pass against Humaytin's advance. Jal41 Khan, however, did not assent to their counsel, but leaving 1000 horse to hold Ghari, and advancing himself with 6000, attacked the Imperialists, and after a sharp action defeated them.^ Mubdrak Farmuli, Abu-1 Fath Langah, as well as many men on the side of the Mughals, fell in the engagement.^

Jalal Khan, returning to Ghari, fortified the pass. The night after the action it rained so hard, that the road was rendered impassable, for it was the commencment of the rainy season. The Emperor was delayed in this spot one month, and Sher Khdn availing himself of the interval, and taking with him all the treasure jvhich had come into his hands by the fall

2 " Wliicli," adds Nia'matu-Ua, who calls it Garhi, " is the only passage to the countries of Gaur and Bengal ; there being, except by that gate, no other way of entry or exit." — Makhzan-i Afghani, MS. p. 202 It is now better known as " Sioly- gully," properly Sankri-g&ll, the narrow pass about eight miles north-west from £^jmah&l. It is incorrect to caU it the only passage into Bengal, for the Mahrattas, in 1742, penetrated through another to the south-west, to say nothing of others.

s One MS. has : " But although there was much fighting, did not defeat the Emperor's force."

• Some further details will be found among the extracts from the Makhzan-i Afghdni.

of G-aur, went by way of Jhdrkand to Eohtas ; and on arriving there, sent to Jaldl Khdn, directing him to abandon Ghari and to come to Rohtas. When the Emperor heard that JaMl Khan had abandoned and gone away from Ghari, he sent (on account of the excessive rain) a part of his force nnder Mirzi Hindal to i^gra, and proceeded himself to Gaur, the capital of Bengal, where he lay for three months, and admitted no one to an audience with him, a.h. 945 (a.d. 1538-9).

Meanwhile, Sher Khdn came to Benares, and besieged the governor, and detached thence Khaw4s Khan to Mungir, where the Emperor had left the Khan-ishanan Yusuf-khail, when he himself went to Gaur. Sher Khan sent Khawas Khdn with instructions to take Khdn-khanan prisoner, and bring him to his presence, because this same Khan-kh4nan had brought the Emperor B^bar from Kdbul to India. Khawas Kh4n came suddenly by night upon the city, and seizing the Khdn-khandn, brought him to Benares. Shortly after this, Benares was taken, and the greater part of the Mughal gar- rison was killed. Subsequently, Haibat Khdn NIazi, Jaldl Khdn Jalu, Sarmast Khan Sarwdni, and other chiefs were sent against Bahraich, and they drove out the Mughals from those parts until they arrived at and captured the city of Sambhal, and made slaves of the inhabitants, and spoiled the city. Another force was sent towards Jaunpiir, the governor of which place was killed in battle, and the same force was then sent in the direction of Agra. Every governor on the part of the Emperor Humayun, throughout the whole country, who offered any opposition, was killed, or was defeated and driven out of the country; so that all the districts as far as Kanauj and Sambhal fell into the possession of the Afghans. Sher Khan also sent Khawds Khan against the city of Mahdrta, zaminddr, with orders to cut down his jungle fastness, and to capture him. The officers of Sher Khan also collected the revenue of both the autumn and spring harvests of these parts.

When the Emperor heard that Mirzd Hinddl had slain Shaikh

Bahlol, and excited a sedition in the neighbourhood of Ji-gra, he became distracted,^ and started from Bengal (as the heat of the season had somewhat abated) towards ^gra. Sher Khan, summoning all his forces from Bih4r, Jaunpur, and other places, excepting only the division with Khawds Kh4n acting against Mahdrta,^ collected them in the environs of the fort of Eohtds.

When the Emperor Humdyun advanced in the direction of Sher Khan, thus encamped about Rohtds, Sher Khdn assembled his chiefs, and addressed them thus : "The army of the Emperor Humayun is in great disorder from his delay in Bengal ; more- over, sedition has arisen in ^gra. It is on this account that he neglects me, and is taking his departure. If you agree with me, I will try my fortune, for my force at this moment is in perfect order. Before the Emperor marched against Bengal I made every submission, and agreed to pay a yearly tribute, if the Emperor would confer Bengal on me, that I might not be brought into hostilities with my patron. He agreed to give me Bengal, but when the envoy of the King of Bengal, Sultan Mahmud, came to him, the king retracted his promise, and I was compelled to oppose him ; and now that I have overthrown his armies which were in Bihar and Jaunpur, and taken those countries, the way to peace is closed." 'Azam Humayun Sarwani (who had been one of Sikandar's nobles, and had now joined himself to Sher Khdn) replied : " You ought not to take counsel with the nobles of Sultans Bahlol and Sikandar as to fighting the Mughals, for this reason, that every plan we have devised has by our ill- fortune failed, and as often as we have fought, we have from our

1 Because, as stated in the Makhean-i Afghdni, the Shaikh was a man unequalled in erudition and piety, and the Emperor was personally much attached to him. The Shaikh had been sent by Humiyiin to Hind&l, to admonish him against his ambitious designs. — See Dorn, p. 116.

» " Who, whenever Sher Khiu was in any trouble, used to descend from his hills and jungles and harass the tenants around Bihir; and taking to highway robbery, closed the road to travellers proceeding to Gaur and Bengal, and took every opportunity of plundering horses, camels, and bullocks from the camp of Sher Kh4n. Therefore, his extermination being considered urgently necessary, Khaw&s Kh^ was not summoned." — Makhzan-i Afghdni, MS., p. 208. Dorn, p. 116.

internal dissensions been defeated. Fortune has befriended you, in that the whole of the Afghans have become united heart and soul under you, and have been always ready to engage the Mughals. Men of experience and sagacity have declared to me that the Afghans are not inferior to the Mughals in warlike prowess, but fly away only because of their internal disunion. The Afghans will drive the Mughals from India, whenever they obey one leader and are united under him. You are that fortunate man. Ask your other chiefs and act on their advice ; as for us, victory has become your friend, and I have nothing to recommend."

When Sher Kh4n heard these words of 'Azam Humayun, he asked his other nobles, for example, Kutb Khan, Haibat Khan Niazi, Jalal Khdn bin Jaloi, Shujd'at Khan, Sarmast Khan Sar- wdni, and others ; and they unanimously declared that it was advis- able to fight, for they would never have such an opportunity again.

When Sher Khan perceived that the Afghans were united in his favour and in good heart to fight the Mughals, he quitted the hills of Rohtas, and marched to meet the Emperor's army. At every stage he entrenched himself with an earthwork, and going on entirely at his leisure, made very short marches. When the Emperor heard that Sher Khkn was coming, he retraced his steps, and turned in the direction of Sher Khan's army. Sher Khan on hearing this, wrote to the Emperor, saying, that if the Emperor would give him the kingdom of Bengal, and be satisfied that the k/mtba be read and money struck in the Emperor's name, he would be the Emperor's vassal. Sher Khan then marching on, and selecting an advantageous place, — a large village with a stream of water intervenino- between himself and the Emperor, — entrenched himself there.^ The breadth of the stream was twenty-five yards.

' Nia'matu-Ua indicates the place with greater exactness : " Sher Kh^a pitched his own opposite the royal camp, at a village called Shatay^, between Jhflsa (Chaunsa) and Baksar, so that both armies were encamped on the same side of the Ganges. There was also a small stream flowing between the two camps, of which the banks were so steep, that it could not be crossed except at the usual ford." — Makhian-i Afghdni, MS., p. 212. (Dorn, p. 118.)

Khawds Khdn also, who had been sent against Maharta, was summoned to come with all speed. The Emperor, on receiving Sher Khdn's missivOj agreed to give him the kingdom of Bengal, but on condition that whereas he had transgressed his boundaries, and had encamped himself in face of the Emperor on the other side the stream, he should show his respect to the Emperor by retreating, and leaving the passage of the river free to the Emperor ; and that when the Emperor Humayun had crossed, he would march two or three marches in the track of Sher Khdn, and then turn back.'^ Sher Khdn agreed to these con- ditions, and leaving the passage of the river free, retraced his march. The Emperor bridging the river, crossed it with his whole camp and army and family, and pitched on the further side.

He then sent Shaikh Khalil, a descendant ^ of Shaikh Farld Shakar-ganj (the pole of the world), on an embassy to Sher Khan, to urge him to march by regular stages back to Eohtds, and to delay nowhere, and to promise that the Emperor, after making some marches in his rear, would turn aside, and after that would give, as he had agreed, to Sher Khdn's agent, a farmdn for the kingdom of Bengal. When Shaikh Khalil came to Sher Khan, he told him what the Emperor had said. Sher Khan ostensibly agreed to this arrangement, and received him with all honour and hospitality ; nor did he omit the slightest point of customary etiquette. Shaikh Khalil, in the presence of the Emperor's men who had accompanied him, debated earnestly and long with Sher Shah, and strongly advised the proposed peace; and during the consultation the following words fell- from Shaikh Khalil : "If you do not agree to peace, away with

1 Tliis silly manoeuvre is also mentioned by Nia'matu-Ua ; it was to be a feigned pursuit, in order to save appearances.— Dorn, p. 120.

2 The original has farzani, literally " a son." The Tdrikh-i Khdn Jahdn (MS., p. 190) has naiira, "grandson." The latter work entirely exonerates Shaikh Khalil from the charge of perfidy, by representing him as the agent, not of Hum&yfin, but of Sher Sh&.h, who was his spiritual pupil. So does Ahmad Yftdg&r (MS. p. 279), and Firishta (Briggs, vol. ii., p. 37). This is by far more probable than the statement in the text.

you ; declare war, and fight." Sher Khan said, "What you say is a good omen for me ; please God, 1 wiU fight." After the consultation, Sher Khan gave to Shaikh Khalil money and rich clothes and manufactures of Mdlda and of Bengal in enormous quantities, and captivated his heart by these presents and favours. Sher Khan then sent for Shaikh Khalll in private, and speaking of the reverence the Afghans entertained for the holy Shaikh Farid Shakar-ganj, and of their mutual fatherland, and making him promises to his heart's content, said, " I wish you to give me advice regarding peace or war with the Emperor Hum^yun, for the learned have said, ' It behoves one to take counsel with the wise, with the intelligent, and with far-seeing holy men.' Now, in you all these qualifications are united. Tell me, there- fore, without diminution or reserve, what your mind, clear as the snn, thinks concerning my w«U-being. Is peace or war with the Emperor most to my advantage?" After much hesitation. Shaikh Khalil said, " By asking my advice, you have in two ways placed me in a great difficulty : first, since I have come to you as an envoy from the Emperor, it is not right that I should say anything except to his advantage ; and, secondly, you have asked advice from me, and those of old have said, ' If even your enemy asks your advice, speak the truth.' If I give advice con- trary to my own opinion, I shall act dishonestly. The Afghdns for generations past have held my ancestors in reverence; and it appears from the miraculous precepts of the holy prophet Muhammad (may God's mercy rest on him !), that it behoves him who gives advice to do so in good faith. I am compelled, therefore, to speak the truth. War with the Emperor Humdyun is more for your advantage than peace ; for this reason, that in his army the most complete disorder exists, he has no horses or cattle, and his own brothers are in rebellion against him. He only makes peace with you now from necessity, and will not eventually abide by the treaty. Look on this opportunity as BO much gained, and do not let it out of your grasp, for you will never again have such another." Sher Khdn was wavering

in his decision as to peace or war; but as Shaikh Khalil ad- vised against the peace, he abandoned all idea of it, and deter- mined on war. He had before sent for Khaw^ Khan, and when he arrived he ordered the whole of his troops to arms, as if Maharta was approaching to attack them. When he had gone four Jcos out of his encampment he returned, saying the spies had reported that Maharta was yet distant.

The next day he again arrayed his army and moved out, and when he had gone several kos, returned, and said that Maharta was not coming that day. A little before midnight he assembled all his chiefs, and said, " I have promised peace to the Emperor Humayun ; but I have considered that all the good service I have rendered has produced no good fruit; and after all my loyalty to him in producing the defeat of SultAn Mahmud, he demanded from me the fort of Ohunar. When I refused to yield it, he sent a force to take it ; and when that failed, he came himself to seize the fort by force, but abandoned his intentions when he heard that Mirza Muhammad Zamdn had escaped from prison, and [had raised a sedition in the country. Moreover, Sultan Bahadur, King of Gujarat, was coming to invade the country of Dehli, and so he was compelled to return. I sent my son Kutb Khan with him throughout the Gujarat campaign.^ Though I could have taken possession of the country of Jaunpur, etc., yet I did not commit any act of hostility, for the Emperor is mighty ; and though I had the power, I would not do any disloyal and evil act, that the Emperor might perceive I was his faithful servant, and desist from seeking to injure me. When he returned from Gujarat, he got his army in readiness, and without regarding my loyalty, did his best to expel me ; but as my fortune was great, he did not achieve his desire. I made every submission, but it was all profitless. When, in violation of his promises, he attacked Bengal, I lost all hope in his goodness, and apprehending evil from him, was compelled to declare

' "Accompanied by 6000 Taliant horsemen skilled in the use of the sabre." — Makhmn-i Afghani, MS,, p. 216. Others give the more probable amount of 500.

hostilities against him, and I expelled his goremors and spoiled his country as far as Samhhal, and have not left a single Mughal in those parts. Now, with what hope can I conclude this peace with him ? He makes peace and manifests a friendly disposition towards me, because his army is in want of horses and cattle and of every equipment, and because his brothers have rebelled against him. He is but playing with me, and eventually will not abide by this peace ; but having appeased the rebellion of his brothers on his arrival at ^gra, and refurnished his army, he will not fail to uproot and destroy me. I have often experienced that the Afghans are braver in battle than the Mughals, who only got the country from the dissensions of the Afghans. If my brothers advise so, I will break off the peace, and wiU try my fortune." They all replied : " By your blessing, dissension has been banished from among the Afghan nation, and we all have been cherished by you ; we will not fail in devotion and gallantry to our utmost capability. Tour purpose of breaking off the treaty is most wise." Sher Khan said, " I break off the treaty. I have put my trust in the Protector, and will fight the Emperor Humdyun, as Mian Nizami has observed." * * * When he dis- missed the chiefs, he ordered them to array their men with all speed, as if they were still in alarm as to Mahirta ; and when one watch of the night yet remained, the whole army, according to Sher Khan's command, marched two and a half kos in the direction of Mahdrta's country. Sher Khan then halted, and addressed his army, saying, " For two days I have drawn out my army, and have returned to my encampment, that I might put the Emperor off his guard, and that he might not suspect that my army was coming towards him. Now, turn ; set your feces towards the army of the Emperor, and let not the honour of the Afghans out of your grasp nor fail to display your utmost devotion, for now is the time to regain the Empire of Hindustan." The Afghans replied: " Let not our lord allow any hesitation to find its way to his noble heart." * * *

Having read the /dtiha, and drawn up his forces in order of

battle, Sher Shah with all haste marched towards the Emperor's camp. When the Afghans were close at hand, news was brought to the Emperor that Sher Kh4n was coming with all speed to battle with him. The Emperor ordered out his army to resist the attack, saying that after a short delay, and having per- formed his ablutions, he also would follow. The Emperor was a lion (in valour), and in the excess of his gallantry and daring. * * So from the pride of youth, and confidence in the multitude of his forces and followers, who had no equals for intrepidity and gallantry, he despised the forces of Sher Shdh, who were all Afghans, and did not even inspect his forces nor pay regard to what is necessary in an engagement ; nor did he take into con- sideration the disorganization which the climate of Bengal had produced in his army. Sher Kh4n knew all the devices and stratagems of war, and knew how to commence and conclude an engagement, and had experienced both prosperity and misfortune. The army of the Mughals had not extricated themselves from their camp, before the Afghan army were already upon them, and coming boldly on, attacked the army of the Emperor with- out hesitation. In the twinkling of an eye they routed the Mughal forces. Humdyun had not completed his ablutions when the intelligence reached him that the Mughals were utterly scattered, so that to rally them was impossible. The confusion in the army was so great that he had no time to remove his family, but fled in the direction of j^igra, with the intention of collecting all his forces- at that place, and returning again from thence to destroy his enemy.

Masnad 'Kli Haibat Khan told me 'Abbds Khan, the author of this book, that he was at Sher Khdn's side when the Emperor Humdyun's queen, with other noble ladies and a crowd of women, came out from behind the parda. As soon as Sher Khdn's eye fell upon them, he alighted ofF his horse, and showed them ©very respect and consoled them.^ He then performed a special

' Some farther particulars respecting this defeat will be found among the Extracts from the Makhsm-i Afgkdni, and under the reign of Hum^yrin. The date as- signed hy Nia'matu-Ua is Muharram, 946.

ablution, and returned twofold thanks to the Lord of Eternity, and raising up his hands in prayer with all humility and with tears, said * * * After this he sent the heralds to proclaim throughout the army, that no person should make captives of or keep a Mughal woman, child, or female slave in his tent one night, but should bring them all to the queen's encampment, and the strictness of his command carried such authority among the Afghans that no person had any power to resist it; and the heralds before night brought all the wives and families of the Mughals to the queen's encampment and assigned rations to each person. Sher Khan some days afterwards sent the queen to Bohtas under charge of Husain Khan Nirak, and providing the families of the other Mughals with carriages and their neces- sary expenses, sent them on towards i^gra.^

Sher Khan, who had assumed the title of " Hazrat 'iili," since the star of victory had risen in the horizon of his good fortune, ordered his munshis to write letters descriptive of his victory to all parts of the country which were in his possession. Masnad 'All 'fsa Khan, son of 'TJmar Khan, whose title was " Khan-i 'azam," and who during the time Sultdn Bahlol, after the death of Tatdr Khan Yiisuf-khail, held Lahore in j'dgir, said to Sher Khan, " You should write the letters describing your victory in the style of farmdns." Sher KhAn observed : " You, who formerly were nobles of Sultdns Bahlol and Sikandar, have, for the cause of the Afghans, done me the honour of joining yourselves to me. It does not become me to send Jarmans to you, and to seat myself on the throne while you stand around me. The King of Hindustan has escaped alive, and still holds most of the country in his possession." 'rsa Khdn explained that he had a great desire to seat Sher Khdn upon the throne, and said, " Sultdn Sikandar and his descendants, who, out of regard to their clansmen, would not ascend the throne, acted in violation of the custom of kings. It behoves him whom God Almighty brings to empire, and elevates and 1 Ahmad TMgai (MS., p. 284) says there were no less than 4000 Mughal women.

exalts above the rest of mankind, to observe the rules of etiquette of former princes." * * * After this, 'Azam Humdydn Sarw4ni, said, " The Mughals have been kings for two descents ; they despise the Afghdns, and consider them as not their own equals in the day of battle; yet by the excellence of your wisdom and your conquering fortune, the Afghans have over- thrown them." * * * Midn Babin Lodi and the other Afghdns with one consent cried : " There are none like Masnad 'iili Kalkapur ^ Sarw4ni and 'Azam Humaytin Sarwdni in the army of the Afghans ; what they have said is most right ; it is not good to delay." Sher Khan was much delighted, and said, " The kingly name is a very exalted thing, and is not devoid of trouble ; but since the noble minds of my friends have decided to make me king, I agree." He ordered the astrologers to fix an auspicious moment for his ascent to the throne. When they had consulted the calendar, they came with great delight and said, " An auspicious moment, by the good fortune of your birth hour, has now come. If you at this moment seat yourself upon the throne, defeat and rout will never show their face in your victorious army." He seated himself on the throne, unfolded the umbrella over his head, and assumed the name of Sher Shah, and struck coin and caused the Jchutha to be read in his own name ; and he took also the additional title of " Shah 'j^lam."* He said to 'rsa Khan, " You are the son of Shaikh Malahi, and have induced me to strike coin and have the khutha read in my own name ; write one letter descriptive of the victory with your own hand, the munshis will write the rest." So 'tsi Khan wrote one copy with his own hand, and the muns'.is wrote the rest. For seven days drums were beaten in token of rejoicing ; and the young men of the Afghan army came in crowds from every tribe and danced, as is the custom of the Afghans. * * * Sher Khdn himself pursued the Emperor Hum'yun, and got

' [The Wdki'dt-i Mushtdki gives the same title, but from his coins it would appear that it was " SultSnu-1 'AdU." See Thomas's Chronicles of the JPath&n Kings, p. 395.]

possession of the whole country as far as Kalpi and Kanauj. He again sent Khawds Khdn against Mah4rta Cheruh,i to utterly destroy him. JahS,ngir Ktili Beg, with 6000 cavalry, was in Bengal ; him he ordered to be put to death,' and the chiefs of Hind who were with the Emperor Humayun he let go free ; but Shaikh Khalll he kept, and made him one of his own friends and counsellors. He sent 'fsd Kh^n towards Gujardit and Mdndu, and to the chiefs of those parts he wrote, saying, " I am about to send a son of mine into your neighbourhood. When the Emperor Hum^yiin moves towards Kanauj, do you accom- pany my son, and seize and lay waste the country about Agra and Dehli. At that time a certain man, by name Mallu Khdn, had made himself king in Mdndu, Sdrangpur, and Ujjain, and had assumed the name of Kadir Sh4h ; and in Hdisin and Chanderi, BhaiS. Puran Mall ruled as deputy of the infant Eaja Partdb, son of Bhupat Shah, the son of Salahu-d din. In Sewas, Sikandar Khdn Midna held sway; and Mahesar was Edjd of Bhopal. These rulers of M41wa wrote in reply, that when Sher Shdh's son came to those parts, they would not foil to assist and serve him. Mallu Khan put his seal at the head of the letter which he sent, and when the letter arrived, Sher Shah tore up the letter and put the seal in his turban (by way of showing respect ironically).

When 'I's4 Khan went to Gujarat, Sultan Mahmiid was a minor; but his minister Daryd Khdn wrote that the king was a minor, the chiefs at enmity among themselves, and that the Khdn-khandn Yusuf-khail had taken away with him all the army of Mdndii and Gujarat. Tsd Khdn observed to Sher Shah that "wherever misfortunes have befallen the Afghdns from the Mughals, it has been through this man. The Khdn-khdnan Yusuf-khail brought the Emperor Bdbar

2 The Mahhzan-i Afghdni adds, that JalU Kh&n Jalol and H&jl KhSm Batni were sent to Bengal ; and after defeating Jahingir KtfU, the governor, who was at the head of 6000 horse, Bengal fell again under the dominion of the Afgh&ns.

into India from Kdbul ; and if the Emperor Humdyun had acted according to what the Kh4n-khan4n advised, he would not have repented it, and would have utterly destroyed you; but your good fortune prevailed, so that the Emperor did not act upon his advice. He must be put to death, for it is not right to allow him to live, even though he be a prisoner (at Mungir)." Sher Shdh said, " Every Afghan whom I have consulted has said, 'He is an Afghan of consideration, and it is not advisable to kill him.' But my opinion has been that which 'I'sa Khan has expressed." So he gave orders that the Khan-khdnan, who had been kept in confinement since his capture at Mungir, and who had received a daily allowance of half a sir of unground barley, should be put to death ; so he was slain. News arrived that the Emperor Humayun purposed marching towards Kanauj. Sher Khan despatched his son, by name Kutb Kh4n, to Mdndu, in order that he might, in concert with the chiefs of those parts, alarm and ravage the country about Agra and Dehli. When the Emperor Humayun heard that Sher Shah had sent his son towards Chanderi, that he might raise disturbances in those parts, he sent both his brothers, Mirz4 HindS-1 and MirzS, 'Askari, with other nobles, in-that direc- tion. When the Malwa chiefs heard that two brothers of the Emperor were coming to oppose Kutb Khan, they gave him no assistance. Kutb Khan went from Chanderi to the city of Chondha, and engaging the Mughals at Ohondha,i was slain. Mirzd Hindal and Mirz4 'Askari having gained this victory, returned to the Emperor.

When Sher Shah heard that the chiefs of the country of Mandu had not assisted Kutb Khdu, and that Kutb Khdn was slain, he was extremely grieved and enraged; neverthe- lessy he did not openly manifest this by his conduct, but kept his grudge against the chiefs of Mandu concealed in his own bosom. The Mughals gained excessive confidence from

I [This name is a very doubtful one.] The Timiirian authors put this engagement at K^pi.

this victory, and large forces having come also from their own country, the Emperor Humayun arrayed his army and came to Kanauj (Zi-1 ka'da, 946 a.h., April, 1540 a.d.)- Sher Sh4h also fortified himself on the opposite side of the river Ganges. At this conjuncture he received intelligence that Khaw^s Khan had slain Mahd,rta. There was great rejoicing in the Afghan army,i and Sher Shah wrote to Khawas, saying : "Come with all speed to me; for I and your other friends are awaiting your coming before we engage the enemy ; we are look- ing anxiously in your direction." And when he heard of the near approach of Khawas Khdn, he sent a herald to the Emperor Humayun, saying, "I have for some time entrenched myself here. The Emperor has the power to choose. If he will cross the river he may fight with me on this side ; or, if he prefer it, I will cross the river, and fight with the Emperor on that side." When the herald came to the Emperor, and reported what Sher Shdh had said, the Emperor, in utter contempt of Sher Shah, replied : " Say to Sher Kh^n that if he will retreat some kos from the waterside, I will cross the river Ganges and give him battle." The herald returned and told Sher Shah what the Emperor had said. Sher Shdh retreated several kos from the river bank. The Emperor Humayun, having prepared a bridge, crossed the river Ganges. Hamid Kh4n K4kar, one of Sher Shdh's nobles, said, " You ought to attack the Mughal army before they have all crossed the river." Sher Sh4h replied : " I have never before had any advantages, and have been compelled to use stratagems in warfare. Now by the favour of the all- powerful, my force is not inferior to the Emperor's. I will not now, notwithstanding my advantages, break my promise in the

1 Great importance appears always to have beau attached to this conquest. In the WdM'&t-i Mushtdkt (MS. p. 110) we find it mentioned, towards the close of Sher Sh&h's reign, that the three great works accomplished by him were, the destruction of the infidel Mah&rta, the massacre of the idolaters of BMsin, and the re-establish- ment of Isl6.m in N&gor, by the expulsion of Maldeo. " If God please 1 these three deeds will secure his salvation." The supineness of Sult&n Ibrahim had occasioned the two latter to triumph for a time, but Sher ShSh had never ceased to pray for their extermination.

face of day. With my army arrayed in the open field, I will give battle without fraud or stratagem. God's will, whatever it may be, will be manifested." When Sher Shah understood that the whole force of the Emperor was across the river, he returned towards it, and carefully throwing up, according to his custom, an earthwork embankment opposite the Emperor's army, en- camped close by it.

After some days Khawas Kh4n also came ; on the very day he arrived, Sher Shdh marched in fighting order, and captured all the supplies which were coming to the Emperor's army, and took 300 camels, and a large convoy of bullocks. On the 10th Muhar- ram, 947 h., both armies drew out their forces. Sher Sh4h thus arranged his army. In the centre was Sher Shah himself, with Haibat Khan Ni4zi, who bore the title of 'Azam Humayun, Masnad 'A'li 'tsk Khdn Sarwani, Katb Khkn Lodi, Haji Khdn Jaloi, Buland Khdn, Sarmast Khdn, Saif Khan Sarwdni, Bijli Khan, and others. On the right were Jalal Khkn, son of Sher Sh4h, who after Sher Shdh's death succeeded him on the throne, and was entitled Islam Shdh, Tdj Khan, Sulaiman Khan Kirani, Jalal Khan Jaloi, and others. On the left, 'Adil Khan, son of Sher Shah, Kutb Khdn, E4i Husain Jalwani, and others. When Sher Shah had drawn up his army in this order, he said to the Afghans : " I have used my best exertions to collect you together, I have done my best in training you, and have kept you in anticipation of such a day as this. This is the day of trial ; whoever of you shows himself to excel in valour on the field of battle, him will I promote above his fellows." * * * The Afghans replied : " The mighty king has much protected and favoured us. This is the time for us to serve him and show our devotion." Sher Shah ordered each chief to return to his own followers and to remain with them ; and he himself went through the army and set it in proper array.

The Emperor's forces were broken by Khawds Khan's division, but Sher Shah's right, under his son Jalal Khdn, was defeated four of the chiefs, however, kept their ground, such as Jalal

Khdn himself, Midn Aiyiib Kalkapur Sarwdni, and Ghazi Mujli. When Sher Sh4h saw that his right was broken, he wished to go to its assistance ; but Kutb Khdn Lodi said : " My lord, do not quit your own post, lest men should think the centre also is broken. Go on into the midst of the enemy." As Sher Shdh's division proceeded straight on, they encountered the Mughal force which had routed Sher Shah's right ; they defeated and drove it on the Emperor's centre division. Sher Shah having driven away the Mughal force in front of his son Jaldl Khan ; and his left, in which was his other son 'Adil Khan and Kutb Khan Banet, having repulsed the troops opposed to them, fell on the Mughal centre. Sher Shdh's right, which had been defeated, rallied at the same time, and thus the Afghan army completely surrounded the Mughal force. Sher Shdh's sons and other Afghan chiefs performed many gallant acts, especially Haibat Khdn Nidzi and Khawas Khan, who drove back the Mughals with the stroke of the watered sabre and the point of the life-melting spear. The Emperor Humaytin himself remained firm like a mountain in his position on the battle- field, and displayed such valour and gallantry as is beyond all description. * * *

When the Emperor saw supernatural beings fighting against him, he acknowledged the work of God, abandoned the battle to these unearthly warriors, and turned the bridle of his purpose towards his capital of Agra. He received no wound himself, and escaped safe and sound out of that bloodthirsty whirlpool. The greater part of his army was driven into the river Ganges.^ * * * Sher Shdh being at his ease regarding the Mughals, wrote to Shuj^'at Khan, whom he had left as faujddr, in the country of Bihar and Eohtas, to besiege the fort of Gwdlior, and he told the bearer of the/arwdw : " The son of Shuj^'at Khan, by name

1 The Makhzan-i Afghani (MS., p. 229), and Tdrikh-i Khdn Jahdn (MS., p. 161), represent that there was a bridge, which was broken by the excessive pressure upon it during the retreat. All authorities concur in saying there was a bridge by which the Imperialists crossed to the eastern side, but few mention it on the retreat. The Emperor himself fled on an elephant which swam the river with difficulty.

Mahmud Khdn, has been slain ; do not tell him before he has quitted Rohtas, lest on hearing of the death of his son he delays and puts off his coming." As soon as he received the farmdn, Shuja'at Khdn went and besieged Q-walior.^ From Kanauj Sher Shah despatched Barraazid Grur with a large force in ad- vance, but directed him not to hazard an engagement with the Emperor Humdyun, and he also sent another force under Nasir Khan towards Sambhal. Having speedily settled the country about Kanauj, he betook himself in the direction of Agra.

The Emperor Humayun, on reaching i^gra, told Amir Saiyid Amiru-d din, that the Afghans had not defeated his army, but that he had seen supernatural beings fighting his soldiers, and turning back their horses. When he arrived at Sirhind, he told the same story to Muhibu-d din Sirhindi. When Sher Shdh approached Agra,^ the Emperor, unable to remain there, fled towards Lahore. Sher Shdh was greatly displeased at this, and reproached Barmazid very much, and on his arrival at Agra remained there for some days himself, but sent Khawds Kh^n and Barmazid Gur in the direction of Lahore, with a large Afghan force, to pursue the Emperor.^ On arriving at Dehli, the principal men and inhabitants of the city of Sambhal came and complained that NasIr Khdn had oppressed and tyrannized over them in various ways. Sher Sh4h said to Kutb Khdn, "We must select some person endowed both with valour and justice whom to send to Sambhal, for in that sarMr are. many lawless and rebellious persons, and the person selected should be able to keep them under." Kutb Khan replied, " That for these qualities there was no Afghan like to 'fsa Kh^n Kalkapur." Sher Khan replied, " Right, it shall be so. You yourself go to

' AH the copies and many writers of the same period concur in reading Gw&lir [which may also be read Gw&liyar].

^ The Tdrikh-i Khan Jahdn (MS., p. 194) says he was two years arranging pre- liminaries and trying his forces before he advanced on Agra.

^ The Tdrikh-i Ddidi (MS., p. 230) says the instructions were to remain fifty kos in the rear of the Mughals, as Sher Shah only wished to expel them from Hindustla without coming to action.

Masnad 'Ali 'tek Khan, and tell him, if he consents, I will appoint him." Kutb Khdn went to 'fsa Khdn, who readily- assented. * * *

In addition to sarkdr Sambhal, Sher Shkh gave him the parganas of Kant and Gola for his family, and ordered him to maintain five thousand horse, and placed also Nasir Khan under him. When Sher Shdh dismissed 't&k Kh4n to go to sarkdr Sambhal, he said, "I am now at my ease regarding the whole country from Dehli to Lucknow." Masnad '^i, on his arrival at Sambhal, found Nasir Khan had seized Bairam Beg, the keeper of the seals to the Emperor, who afterwards in the time of the Emperor Akbar received the title of Khan-khanan. The reason of Bairam Beg being in Sambhal was as follows. When the army of the Emperor Humdyun was dispersed, Bairam Beg went to Sambhal, having formed an intimate friendship with Mian 'Abdu-I Wah4b, son of Mian 'Azizu-Ua Ddnishmand, one of the chief men of the city of Sambhal. 'Abdu-1 Wahdb, from fear of Nasir Khan, dared not keep him in the city, but made him over to the Raj4 of Lukhnor,^ by name Mitr Sen. The Raja kept him for some time in the northern part of his country, where there is much jungle. Nasir Kh^n was informed that Bairam Beg was with Mitr Sen, so he wrote to the Eaja that he must bring Bairam Beg to him. The Baja, from fear and dread of Sher Shah, surrendered him to Nasir Khdn, who was desirous of putting him to death. An old friendship had subsisted between 'Abdu-1 Wahab and 'rsa Khan from the time of Sultan Sikandar, so he went to Ts^ Khan, and told him he ought to save Bairam Beg from the hands of the cruel Nasir Khan, who was desirous of putting him to death, ''tsk Khan accordingly having rescued

' All the copies and corresponding passages in other works concur in reading " Lathnan ; " but I suspect " Lakhn6r " is meant — an ancient native capital of the KathS.rya Eijpflts, a little to the east of Sambhal, on the banks of the R&.mgangSi. More will he found respecting the place in my Supplemental Glossary (vol ii., p. 136). It is observable that Dr. Dorn occasionally reads Lueknor where he should have said Zucknow. In this particular passage he is correct in reading Lueknor. — Mist. Afghdns, p. 128.

Bairam Beg from Naslr Khkn, brought him into his own house, and kept him there for some time, and gave hiin an allowance for his support ; and he took R4ja Mitr Sen's security that when- ever he ('fsa Khan) should go to Sher Shdh, thither Bairam Beg should accompany him.

When 'ts& Khdn joined Sher Shdh, during the campaign of Mandu and TJjjain, he brought Bairam with him, and intro- duced him to Sher Shah in the town of TJjjain. Sher Shdh angrily asked where he had been up to that time. Masnad 'Ali said he had been in the house of Shaikh Malhi Kahal. Sher Shah replied, " Since it is an established custom among the Afghans that whatever criminal takes refuge among the relatives of Shaikh Malhi Kahal should be pardoned, I also pardon Bairam Beg. When Sher Shah was about to leave the darhdr, 'tsk Khan said : " You have for Shaikh Malhi's sake given Bairam Beg his life ; give him also for my sake, who have brought him to you, a dress of honour and a horse, and order that he shall pitch his tent with Muham- mad Kasim, who surrendered the fort of Gwalior. Sher Shah assigned him a place near Muhammad Kasim, when Sher Khan marched from TJjjain; but both Bairam Beg and Muhammad K^sim fled towards Gujarat. Muhammad Kdsim was killed by the way, but Bairam Beg reached Gujarat. One Shaikh Gaddi was in Gujarat, to whom he did good service, and from Gujarat, Bairam Beg reached the Emperor Humdyun.

After the death of that Emperor, Bairam Beg, who had been dignified with the title of Khan-khinan, returned the kindness of Shaikh Gadai, Shaikh 'Abdu-1 Wahdb, and Eaja Mitr Sen with every imaginable favour, 'tsk Khdn was still alive : his age then was ninety years. Many persons said to him that he ought to wait on the Khan-khandn. Masnad 'K\i said : " I will not for any worldly gain wait on the Mughal, nor is it the custom of the sons of Masnad ''Kli 'TJmar Khan to ask for a return of their favours." I have heard from Maulana Muhammad Binor and

'Abdu-1 Momin, his son-in-law, who were among the intimates of the Khan-khdnan, that they asked the Khdn-khdndn thus : "Did Masnad 'i^li Tsa Khan ever do you a kindness?" He rephed : " He saved my life ; if he will come to me, I shall feel myself honoured. If I cannot give him more than Sher Shkh, I at least will give him his own Sambhal." I, 'Abbas Kh4n, the author of the Tuhfa-i Akbar Shdhi, and Masnad 'iili 'tsk Khdn Kalkapur came of the same tribe and family, and I am married to the daughter of his brother's son, whose name is MuzaflFar Khan. Much of the history of the Afghans which I describe I learnt from Khd.n-'azam Muzaffar Khan, whose ancestors were formerly nobles of Hindustan. When Sultan Sikandar banished Haibat Khan, the father of Tsd Khdn, the latter went to Snltan Mahmud, the King of Mandii, and became his chosen counsellor and associate; and when he left Sult4n Mahmud and went to Muzaffar King of G-ujarat, he also became his counsellor and friend.

When the Sultdn took the fort of Mandu from the un- believers, he said to Masnad 'iili : " Go to Sultdn Muzaffar, and tell him he should visit the fort of Mdndii, for it is a fine place." Sultan Muzaffar said, " May the fort of Mandu bring Sultan Mahmud good fortune, for he is the master of it. I, for the sake of the Lord, came to his assistance. On Friday I will go up to the fortress, and having read the khutba in his name, will return." 'I'sa Khan brought this good news to Sultan Mahmud. Afterwards, when he left Gujarat, and went to Sultdn Ibrahim, he became also his associate and adviser. Sultdn Ibrahim entrusted the city of Dehli to him, when Sultan 'Alau-d din, son of Sultan Bahlol, was repulsed from it ; for in spite of all his efforts, 'I'sa Khan would not surrender it. He afterwards went to Sher Shah, became one of his attendant nobles, and after he had conquered Dehli, Sher Shah gave Sambhal to him, as has before been stated. Sher Shdh, entrusting Mewat to Haji Khan, went himself towards Lahore. On arriving near Sirhind, he bestowed it on Khawas Khan. Khawds Khan entrusted it to

Malik Bhagwant, who was his slave. When the Emperor

Humdyun reached Lahore, certain Mughals, who had newly

arrived from their own country, and had never yet encountered

the Afghans, said to the Emperor, " You should send us to fight

the Afghans," and vaunted much, saying, "Who and what manner

of men are these Afghans, that they should he able to contend

with us in the day of battle 1 " So the Emperor Humiyun sent

these Mughals to make the attempt, and Khawas Khan and

Barmazid Grur, who had marched in advance of Sher ShAh

from Dehli, met them at Sultanpur, where they engaged. The

Mughals were defeated, and retired to Lahore. KhawAs Khdn

halted at Sultanpur ; but the Emperor and Mirza Kamran quitted

Lahore, which was shortly afterwards occupied by Sher Shah,

who, however, made no halt there. On the third march beyond

Lahore, he heard that Mirza 'Kkmrkn had gone by way of the

Judh hills tO' Kabul, and that the Emperor HumS,yun was

marching along the banks of the Indus to Multan and Bhakkar.

The King went to Khushab, and thence despatched Kutb Khan

Banet, Khawds Khan, Haji Hhan, Habib Khan, Sarmast Khan,

JalAl Khan Jaloi, 'I'sa Khdn Niazi, Barmazid Gur, and the

greater part of his army, in pursuit of the Emperor, towards

Multan. He instructed them not to engage the Emperor, but to

drive him beyond the borders of the kingdom, and then to return.

When they had gone two marches, they heard that the Mughal

army had divided into two portions. The Afghdn army was-

in great anxiety, lest, as the force with the King was so small,

the Mughals should make forced marches, and attack him. The

Afghan army, therefore, also dividing itself into two divisions,

the one under Khawds KhAn, 'I'sa Khan, and. others, crossed

the river, and marched along the bank of the Jelam towards

Multan ; and Kutb KhAn and the rest remained and marched

alono- the nearer bank of the same stream. The Mughal division

which had quitted the Emperor, and was marching towards

Kabul, encountered Khawds Khan, and not being strong enough

to fight, fled, leaving their drums and standards behind, which-

fell into Khawas Khdn's hands,^ and the Afghan army return- ing from that place, rejoined Sher Shdh. Sher Shah delayed some time at Khushab. While there, Isma'il Khdn, Fath Khin, and Gh4zi Kh4n Biluchi, came and waited on him. Sher Shd,h ordered the Biluchis to brand their horses. Isma'il Kh&n said : " Other persons brand their horses — I will brand my own body." Sher ShAh was pleased, and excused him from the branding, and confirmed to him the country of Sind. The chiefs of every tribe and family of Roh came to wait on Sher Shdh. The writer's grandfather, Shaikh Biyazid Kalkapiir Sarwani, who was the successor to the very holy Shaikh Ahmad Sarwani, who was the grandfather of Shaikh Malhi Kayal, whose holiness and glory is famous all over the country of Roh, and whose disciples and followers most of the Afghans are, and whose descendants are celebrated for their austerity and for the strict- ness of their devotional observances, and who are also known for their gallantry and wealth ; nor does any person excel them in honour and consideration — the whole race of Afghans acknow- ledge their greatness, and their own, and their ancestors' virtues : — this said Shaikh Bayazid came to Sher Shkh. at Khushab, and had an interview with him.

Since the previous kings of whom I have treated in this history paid extreme respect to Shaikh Bayazid, he was very anxious as to whether Sher Shah would or would not show him the same civilities. The moment Shaikh Bdyazid came unto Sher Shah's darbdr, the latter came forward several steps to receive him; and abasing himself gave Shaikh Bdyazid prece- dence. My grandfather expected that Sher Sh&h would give him his hand, but he said: "Embrace me." When he took leave also, he showed every sign of respect and friendship. When he returned towards Bengal, Sher Shah sent him back to

1 The Tdrikh-i Saudi, which is partial to the fabulous, represents (MS., p. 235) that Khawis Khkn came up with IIuraS.yiin near Khush&b, when the Emperor, being hard up for supplies, sent to him for something to eat, which he readily furnished ; upon which the Emperor went on towards Thatta.

Roh, and gave him one lac of tankas in cash, as well as Bengal silks and clothes of Hindustan. The Shaikh said : — " Since the time of the Langcihs the Biluchls have possessed themselves of the rent-free tenures of my predecessors." Sher Shah ordered that Isma'Il Khdn Biluch should receive instead the pargana of Ninduna, in the G-hakkar countty, and that the Biluchis should be made to restore to Shaikh Bayazid, the rightful owner, the land of the Sarwanis, which they had usurped. Isma'!! Khan dared not disobey the orders of Sher Shah, so he took pargana Ninduna and the Ghakkar villages, and restored the Sarwanis' land to Shaikh Bdyazid. Shaikh Bayazid came a second time to see Sher Shah during the TJjjain and Sdrangpur campaign. * * * Sher Shdh conferred on the Shaikh 2000 highds of land in the pargana of Batnur, which had been the settlement of his ancestors, and also fixed the amount of present he was to receive on visiting the king at a lae of tankas, and promised that after the fall of Kalinjar he would give him the provinces of Sind and Mult4n, the country of the Biluchis.

When Shaikh Bdyazid surrendered his life to the Almighty, my father. Shaikh 'KM, took his place in the country of Koh, and in those days he had an interview with Islam Kh^n, who also paid the customary respect and honour to Shaikh 'All without difference or diminution, and confirmed his assignments. In the reign of the Emperor Akbar I also enjoyed these as usual, until the twenty-fourth Ilahi year (corresponding to 987 a.h.), when the Emperor ordered that I should be advanced to the command of 500 horse, and brought to his presence. But the Kazi-'ali did not give a true account of myself or of my ancestors, but spoke ill of us, and said, " Shaikh 'Abdu-1 Nabi has given 2000 bighds of land to two Afghans ! " In short, my bad fortune so ordered it that my share of the assignment (madad-ma'dsh) was resumed. When the Khd.n-kh4nd,n, who was a follower of Saiyid Hdmid, son of Saiyid Mirdn, son of Saiyid Mubarak of Bukhdra and Gujarat, became acquainted with my history and that of my ancestors, he said it was a pity

I should remain unemployed ; but I refused employ, and said that I would go to the country of my fathers. He then brought Mir Hdmid to my house without invitation, and since Mir Hdmid was so kind as thus to honour me, I could not act in contravention to his wishes. So I «ntered the service of the chief of the great Shaikhs, Mir Saiyid Hdmid. He assigned to me a clear 200 rupees a month, and moreover showed me all manner o{ kindness. At last, by ill luck of the unpropitious heavens, he sent me to Bajwdra on some urgent business, and a short time afterwards was himself slain, at which I remained immersed in grief and distress.

Sher Shah gave to many of his kindred who came from Eoh money and property far exceeding their expectations. * * * Sdrang Ghakkar did not come to wait on Sher Shah. That monarch, therefore, marched with all his forces and retinue through all the hills of Padman and Grarjhak, in order that he might choose a fitting site and build a fort there to keep down the Grhakkars, in which he might leave a garrison on the Xabul road,^ when he himself returned. Having selected Eohtds, he built there the fort which now exists, and laid waste the country of the Ohakkars,^ and carried them into captivity, and having seized the daughter of Sarang Ghakkar, bestowed her on Khawds Khin.

In the midst of this, news came from Bengal that Khizr Khan Bairak, the governor of Bengal, had married the daughter of Sultan Mahmud, late King of Bengal, and, after the manner of the kings of that country, sat on the "Toki," which means " an upper place." Sher Shdh was much annoyed at this, and wishing to avert the evil ere it could take place, left Haibat Khdn Wiizi, Khawas Khdn, 'tsk Khan Nidzi, Habib Khan, Rai Husain Jalwdni, in the fort of Roht4s, and set out himself for Bengal. On his arrival in Bengal, Khizr Khan Bairak came

1 The Tdrikh-i Khdn JaMn speaks of it (MS. p. 176) as being built on the boundary of Hindustan and K^bul.

2 Some further detaila 'will be found lower down, and in the extracts from the Mahhzan-i Afghani.

to give him a regal reception. Sher Shah said to him : " Why- did you without my order take in marriage the daughter of Sultdn Mahmud, and seat yourself on the " Toki," after the manner of the kings of Bengal 1 It becomes not a noble of the State to do a single act without the King's permission, Sher Khan ordered him to receive a severe punishment and to be put in chains, and said, that if any of his nobles should do any- thing without his leave, he should receive a similar punishment. And he divided the kingdom of Bengal into different provinces, and made Kdzi Fazilat, better known as Kdzl Fazihat, manager (amir) of Bengal, and himself returned to Agra.

When he arrived at Agra, a letter arrived from Shuja'at Khdn, saying that Muhammad Kdsim had consented to the following terms : — that the Afghans should be allowed to enter the fort ; that the Mughals should have free access to the camp of Sher Sh4h ; and that as soon as Sher Shdh should come to Gwdlior, Muhammad Kdsim was to be introduced to the king's presence, when he would give up the fort to the king's commis- sioners. Sher Shdh replied that his standards would shortly move towards the country of Mandu, by way of Gwalior, in order to wreak on the rulers of Mandu his revenge for their backwardness in assisting Kutb Kh4n. At this time there were persons in the kingdom of Mandti who ruled independently. Mallii Khan, who had assumed the title of king, and the name of Kadir Shdh, held possession and rule of the city of Shddmdb^d, that is to say the fort of Mandu, and of TJjjain, Sdrangpur, and the fort of Eantam- bhor 5 secondly, Sikandar Khan Miana, who was ruler of the country of Sewds and Hindia ; thirdly, Raja Part4b Shkh, the son of Bhupat Shdh, son of Saldhu-d din, who was a minor, and whose deputy Bhaia Puran Mai held the districts of Chanderi and R4isin ; and, fourthly, Bhop41, who possessed the country of Bijd- garh and Tamhk} When the king came to Gwdlior,^ Muhammad

' The Tdrikh-i Khdn Jah&n (MS., p. 178) says the adrance to Gw&lior and Milwa occurred in 949 a.h.

Kdsim, who was one of Huradyun's nobles, and governor of the fort, came and paid his respects to the king, and surrendered the fort to the royal commissioners. When he came to Gdgrun, Shujd'at Khdn sent Earn Sdh, Rdja of Gvyalior, to bring Puran Mai of Ealsin to the king. Puran Mai wrote, saying he would come if Shujd'at Kh4n himself went to fetch him. So Shuja'at Khan went to the fort of Raisin, and brought Puran Mai with him to the king's presence. Upon his setting out, the wife of Edja Puran Mai, by name RatnAvali, who was exceedingly beloved by him, sent to Shuja'at Khdn, saying, " I will then break my fast when I shall see Piiran Mai again, and the whole time he is away I will sit on a bastion of the fort, and watch for his return." Shujd'at Khdn sent to her to be of good cheer, for that Bhaid Puran Mai would return to her next day. Shujd'at brought Puran Mai to the king's presence, with 6000 horsemen, none of whom were forty years of age. Sher Shah instantly bestowed 100 horses and 100 splendid dresses of honour on Puran Mai, and allowed him to return. Bhaid Piiran Mai left to serve the king his younger brother, whose name was Chatur Bhoj.

When the king arrived at Sdrangpur, the agent of MaJlu Khan came and made his obeisance, and said that Mallu Khan was coming to meet the king. Sher Shah ordered Shuja'at Khdn to go and receive him, and he went accordingly. Sher Sh&h came, seated himself outside his tents, and held an open darbdr. Shujd'at Khdn brought Mallu Khan to him, and he asked where Mallu Khan had pitched his camp. He replied : " I have come alone into your presence, my place is in your darbcir. My hope is, I may be permitted to perform the office of a sweeper therein." Shujd'at Khan represented that Mallu Khdn had brought 200 horsemen with him. Sher Shah ordered that a scarlet tent, a bed, a canopy, and other conveniences, as well as a handsome entertainment, should be provided for him. When they marched from Sarangpiir, Sher Shdh showed the whole array of his army to Mallu Khdn, who was astounded, fpr he

had never anywhere seen such an army before.^ At every stage they threw up an earthen entrenchment, and when he saw the labour and exertions of the soldiers, and the rigour of Sher Shah's discipline, Mallu Khdn said to the Afghans, "You submit yourselves to wonderM labours and exertions, night and day you have no rest ; ease and comfort are things forbidden to you." The Afghans replied — " Such is our master's custom. * * * It behoves a soldier, whatever service his chief may order, or whatever labour or exertion he may require, not to consider it a hardship. Ease is for women, it is shameful to honourable men." ^

When Sher Sh4h went to Ujjain, he encamped at Kalidah. Sikandar Khdn Midna came and made obeisance. Sher Shah assigned the country of M4ndu to Shuja'at Khdn; and when he reflected that Mallu Khdn had submitted to him, * * * he pardoned him, and bestowed on him the sarkdr of Kdlpi.'

Mallu Kh4n, having brought his family out of TJjjain, con- sidered that he was not equal to the labour and exertion which Sher Khan required, and that therefore it was better to escape

1 The Wdki'dt-i Mmhtdki (MS., p. 102) and the Tdrilch-i D&udi (MS., p. 254) record an interesting military spectacle which astonished Mallti Kh&n at this review. When the royal umbrella came in sight, the cavalry drew their sabres, galloped forward towards the umbreEa, dismounted from their horses, and saluted the king in due form, " as was their habit on the day of battle." Each division did this in succession.

^ On one of the marches between SS.rangpur and TJjjain, Sher Sh&h communicated some of the early events of his life to Mallii KhS.n, who was riding with him. He told him how he had laboured hard in his youth, and went every day on foot fifteen hos in pursuit of game, armed with his bow and arrows. On one of these excursions he fell in with a party of thieves and highwaymen, with whom he associated for some time, plundering the country all round ; till one day, when seated in a boat with his new comrades, he was pursued " by his enemies," who, after a conflict, were com- pletely victorious. Upon this, placing his bow and arrows on his head, he plunged into the water, and after swimming for three Ms escaped with his life, and from that period abandoned his new profession. — The Wdki'dt-i MuahtdM (MS., p. 103) and the Tdrilch-i Ddiidi (MS., p. 256).— This is a novelty, and either Sher Sh&.h was "chaffing" his guest, whom he previously vowed to avenge himself upon for his pre- meditated insult about the seal, and who appears from all his sayings and doings to have been a great simpleton ; or our author has, as usual, given too ready credence to an improbable story. Ahti-1 Fazl, however, and other courtly TimiSrian authors, are very fond of representing that Sher Sh&h's early life was devoted to plunder and robbery, and every kind of enormity.

' The TdriM-i Khdn Jahdn says " Marehra." The Wdke&t-i MmhtdU and the Tdrikh-i Ddiidi, " Lakhnau."

by some contrivance from his camp.i Accordingly, like a Hindu slave, he made up his mind to run away. Sher Shdh perceived his intention, and ordered Shuja'at Khan to arrest him. Shuja'at Khan looked towards Malld Kh4n, who, being an intelligent man, understood what was going on, and said to Shuja'at Khan : " Tell the king that I have no carriage to take my family to K41pi." When Shuja'at Khan represented this, it was ordered that 100 camels and 100 mules, with camelmen and mulemen, and several carts with drivers, should be given to Mallu Kh4n for the conveyance of his family. When he received the camels, mules and carriages, he took them, together with their drivers, to his own encampment, and gave them some very powerful wine, so that they got drunk and became insensible. Mallu Khan, taking his treasures and his family, absconded. When it was day, it became known that Mallu Khdn had fled. Sher Shdh said : " Mallu Khan, the slave ! Have you seen what a trick he has played me?" * * * Sher Shah was angry with Shuja'at Khdn, and sent him in pursuit of Mallu Khdn, saying : "Where- ever Mallu Khdn may go, you go also and bring him to me. Did not I tell you to arrest him ? But you did not, and acted negligently."^ Shuja'at Khan went in pursuit, but failed to

I The Wdjci'dt-i Mushtdki (MS., p. 104), and the TdHkh-i Sdidi (MS., p. 257) say that he was inspired with alarm at seeing one day a party of respectahle Mughals, who had heen taken prisoners at Gwilior, working in the camp, as common lahonrers, at the circumvaUation which was constructed every day, and that he apprehended the same fate awaited his own person.

» The WdWdt-i MuahtdU (MS., p. 104) and the Tdrihh-i Dd&di (MS., p. 259), on the contrary, say, that on Shuja'at Kh&u's representing that it was MallH Kh&n's intention to fly, Sher Sh&h replied, that he was anxious he should effect his escape, and had therefore thrown every facility in his way for that purpose. This, however, is scarcely consistent with the hot pursuit " by soldiers without number," which immediately followed his departure. The same passage teaches us a hit of royal and patrician morality amongst these Afgh&ns : " As he now," said Sher Sh&h, " intends to run away, say nothing to him, and pretend not to observe anything. If he offers you money in bribery, take it immediately, and let him run off. Shuj&'at Kh^u consequently took from MalW KMir ShS,h 700,000 tankas, and let him go his way, and at night-time finding his opportunity, he took to flight." This shameless prosti- tution, with the encouragement of the Shih, is mentioned by Ahmad T&dgar (MS., p. 197), hut the persons are different. " If that black-face offer you a bribe, take it vrithout scruple and let him go ; bo Ahmad KhSin Sdr and Fath Khkn NiSzI, who were in charge of him, took 1000 pieces of red gold and let him escape."

overtake Mallu Khan, who went to Snitan Mahmud at Gujar4t,i and Shuja'at Khdn returned from the frontier of M4ndu.. The whole of the kingdom of Mandu had been bestowed on Shujd'at Khan ; but the king in his anger deprived him of it, and in lieu of it gave him Sewas, Hindia, etc., which had been in Sikandar Khan Miana's possession, equal to the maintenance of 4000 horse; and gave Ujjain to Daryd Khdn Gujardti, who had been wasir of Sultdn Mahmud, King of Gujardt, and who had fled to Sher Shdh ; and S^rangpur to '^lam Khan Lodi, who also had been a noble of Sultan Mahmud's court ; and making Haji Khan and Junaid Khdn faujddrs of that country, he left them in the city of Dhdr, and returned himself, by the fort of Ran- tambhor,^ on the road to which place Sikandar Kh4n Miana, who had been ruler of sarkdr Sewas, fled. 'TJsman Kh4n, whose name was previously Abu-1 Farra, was governor of Rantambhor, on behalf of Mallu Khdn. When Sher Shdh approached, he came and submitted to him, and Sher Shah, making over the fort of Eantambhor to his eldest son 'iiidil Khan, went himself to j^gra.^

When Sher Shdh left M^ndu for il^gra, Nasir Khan, brother of Sikandar Khan Miana, with 6000 horse, and 200 elephants, came against Shuja'at Khan. Shujd'at Khan had with him only 2000 horse. Nasir Khdn said to his men : " Seize Shuja'at Khan alive, that I may retain him as a hostage for Sikandar Khan.* When Sher Shah releases Sikandar Khan, I will release Shuja'at

1 Ahmad Tluig6.r's account is different. He says (MS., pp. 197-8) that Mallli Kh5.li plundered S&rangpiir and other places, and was at last slain with all his adherents in a night attack by Haihat Khin, who on that occasion obtained his title of 'Azam Hum&yiSn; which our author, a little below, says was conferred for the conquest of Mult^n.

3 Ahmad T&dg&r (MS., pp. 292-5) mentions during this campaign an expedition against Chanderi, commanded by "Walid&d KhS,n KS.tar, which was successful through the treachery of the IlS.j&.'s nephew. Elephants, horses, and treasure fell into the hands of the victors on the capture of Chanderi, and the Eaj5.'s beautiful daughter was sent to Sher Sh&h. The treacherous nephew gained his ends by being made Eaj& of Chanderi.

• From this it would appear either that NMr Khan did not know of Sikandar Khin's flight, narrated above, or that the latter had been again seized.

Khdn," When Shuja'at heard that Nasir Khdn was approach- ing, he went out to meet him, and gave him battle at Nilgarh.' When the two armies were commingled together, part of Ndsir Khdn's and part of Shuja'at Khan's force were put to flight. Three men had sworn an oath to attack only Shujd'at Khan. One was Midn 'Umar, the second Saiyid Tdhir, the third Kokd. One of these wounded Shuja'at Khan in the neck with a dagger ; the second wounded him in the nostril with a spear thrust, and broke his front teeth ; the third, having wounded him with a sabre, caught hold of the hair of his head, to take him alive before Ndsir Kh4n. Shuja'at Khan struck him with his sabre on the hand and cut it off, and so freed him- self. Jajhar Khdn, who was of Shuja'at Khan's own tribe, slew the second horseman ; and Mubarak Khan Shirini killed the third. So Shuja'at was rescued, and raised again his standard which had fallen. Those of Shujd'at Khan's men who had fled returned, and rallying round him on all sides, gained the victory. Kdsir Khan fled, and the 200 elephants fell into Shuja'at Khan's hands. Almighty God made Shujd'at Khan victorious, and he returned from Nilgarh to Hindia.

After this, Shuja'at Khan heard that Mallu Khdn was ap- proaching, and had surrounded Haji Khdn, who had fortified himself in M4ndu. Although Shuja'at's wounds were not well, yet, taking the 200 elephants with him, he went to the succour of Haji Khdn, and encamped outside the walls. The next day at sunrise the two armies, drawn out in battle array, engaged in the open field. The Afghan army displayed such gallantry as is beyond all power of description ; the victory remained with Shuj4'at Khan, and Mallu Khdn fled to Gujarat. When Sher Shdh heard this intelligence, he called Haji Khdn to his own presence from Mdndii, and bestowed on him the command of 12,000 horse, and gave to Shujd'at Kh&n Ujjain, Mandu, Sdrangpiir, and Mansur in jdgir ; and the country of Sewds he gave to Shams Khan, Bihar Kh4n, and Mir Khdn Niaai, 1 Or"Mahalkarra."

who were of Shujd'at Khdn's kindred; and Shujd'at Khan became ruler of all the country of Mdndti.

Sher Shah went from iiigra in the direction of Bih&r and Bengal,^ when he was attacked by fever and ague. During his illness he several times said : " I did wrong when I said I would go towards Bengal. If Almighty God will vouchsafe me a re- covery from this fever, I will return with all speed ; and Puran Mai, who has enslaved the families of the Musulmdns in Ohanderi and has made dancing-girls of their daughters, and did not ac- company my son Kutb Khdn — him I will so punish that he may be a warning to others, that hereafter no unbelievers in Hind may oppress and injure the families of Musulmdns.* Almighty God vouchsafed to Sher Shah a recovery from that fever, and he quickly turned back towards Agra. When he arrived there, in all the pride of his state, he set off for the country of Mandu, in the year a.h. 950,^ and took the fort of Raisin. He ordered his noble son, Jalal Khan, to go on in advance with his victorious troops. When Jalal Khan came to the stage of Bhilsa, Sher Shdh joined him. From this place Sher Shah, by forced marches, brought his conquering army into the vicinity of the fort of Eaisin.* Bhaid Puran Mai sent 600 elephants, but did not himself come out. Sher Shah laid siege to Raisin, when a report came from Khawds Khan that enmity had broken out between him and Haibat Khan, and requesting him to send for a representative from each of them. When Sher Shah knew of the quarrel between Khawas Khdn and Haibat

' The Tdrilch-i Saudi (MS., p. 264) says that after his return from M^wS,, he remained two years at Agra, going intermediately to Dehli, hefore he went towards Bengal.

^ Ahmad T^dgir (MS., pp. 296-9) represents them chiefly as captured from the families of the Saiyids of Bilgrtim. He also says that this occurred on his road to E&isin, and that before starting on this expedition he had been hunting in the neigh- bourhood of Sorin and Badalin.

' This expedition the Tdrikh-i Khdn Jahdn (M.S., p. 180) also ascribes to the year 950. In that work Pliran Mai is called the son of EM Salhadf Pflrbiya, a Gehlot Eijptit.

• What follows until the resumption of the story of the capture of EMsin is only in one MS.

Khan Niazi, he sent for 'I'sa Khdn and Habib Khan, and con- firmed Haibat Khdn in the government of the Panjdb, attaching Fath Jang Kh4n to him. And whereas Fath Khdn Jat had been in rebellion in Kayula, and in the time of the Mughals had plundered the whole country and laid it waste as far as Panipat, ' and the Biluchis had got into their power and possession the country of Multan, Sher Sh4h ordered Haibat Khan to expel these people from the country, and to punish them, and to restore to prosperity the city of Multdn. Instantly on the receipt of this farmdn, Haibat Kh^n said to the vakil of Oh4kar Rind, who at that time was ruler of Satgarh, " Go, tell Ohakar Eind that I shall halt within his confines, and he must have his forces ready, for I am going to seize Mahla." * * *

Early in the morning news came that Haibat Kh4n had ar- rived. Chakar went out to welcome Haibat Khan, but was in a state of great alarm. As soon as Haibat Khan saw him, he said, " I shall take your muster at Dipdlpur, lest in the delay Path Khan should escape." Within two days Haibat Khan arrived at the Pattan^ of Kutb 'A'lam Shaikh Farid. Fath Kh4n fled, and Haibat Khdn pursued him. As Fath Khdn had his family and women with him, he perceived he was unable to escape from Haibat Khdn. There was near Karor and Fathpur a mud fort ; he took possession of it, and Haibat Khan coming up in pursuit, laid siege to It. Fath Kh4n held out the fort for some days ; at last, being reduced to extremities, he sent Shaikh Ibrahim, son of Kutb 'Alam Shaikh Farid, to Haibat Khan as an intercessor. He came before Haibat Khan, who said to him, " I am a servant of Sher Shah's, what my master orders that I must do." He put Fath Khan in prison. In the night, Hindu Biluch with

The Mahhzan-i Afghani (MS., p. 242) says, " Sher Shih ordered Haibat KhSin to seize Fath Khin. This Fath Khin was of Kob Kabila (Kap&a?), who had devastated the entire tr;ict of Lakhi Jangal, and kept the high roads from Lahore to Dehll in a constant ferment." Then follows an ineomprehensible passage, which has by no means been elucidated by Dr. Dorn's mode of translating it. The TdriM-i Khdn Jahan Lodi is unusually deficient in the correspnnding passage, and does not help us in the least. — Lorn, p. 134.

300 men came out of the mud fort, and attacking the besiegers fiercely, cut their way through by their valour. When it was day, the Afghans occupied the fort. The women of the better sort had been mostly slain by the Biliichis, and the rest the Afghans made slaves ; and they took Hindu Biluch and Bakshu Langah prisoners. Haibat Khan then went to the city of Mult&n, which the Biluchis had laid waste. Haibat Khan restored it to its former state, and the inhabitants who were scattered abroad he again collected together, and he wrote letters to Sher Shdh reporting the true condition of the country, and concerning the capture of Fath Khan, Hindu Biluch, and Bakshu LangAh. Sher Shah was exceedingly rejoiced, and made him a Masnad 'All and gave him the title of 'Azam Humayun. He also gave him a red tent, and wrote to him to repeople Multan, and to observe the customs of the Langdhs, and not to measure the land, but take a share of the produce.^ He ordered him to put Fath Khan and Hindu Biluch to death, to keep Bakshu Langah or his son always with him, but to confirm his districts to him. As soon as 'Azam Humayun received this order at Multan, he left Fath Jang Khan in Multan and came to Lahore, and put Fath Kh^n and Hindu Biluch to death. Fath Jang Khdn so re- peopled Multan, and showed such benevolence to the people, that Multan flourished more than it had done, even under the Langahs, and in the country of Multan he founded a city which he called " Shergarh." Sher Shah, while besieging the fort of Raisin, gave orders that no Afghan should approach it ; for that he would take the fort by the exercise of his skill and prudence.

One day, certain followers and retainers of the Afghans were sitting together, when the conversation turned on the gallantry and valour of Bhaia Piiran Mai's soldiers. Most of those present said, that no one in those days was a match for Puran Mai's soldiers in these qualities, who daily came out of the fort

^ -j^. ^ J^ ^^^ i ^^ '—r^-jT' The Makhzaii-i AfgUni says that orders were issued to take only a fourth of the produce of grain for the Govera- merit shiire.

and said : " There is no one in the army of Sher Khkn who can fight with us," and that it was from fear that none of the Afghans approached them. When the Afghans amongst these retainers pondered on these remarks, the reproach thus thrown upon Afghan honour overcame them, and they said, " Though Sher Shah should cut our throats or banish us fi:om his kingdom, yet we will for once encounter the soldiers of Puran Mai, that we may test their gallantry and valour."

The next day before sunrise, 1500 horsemen assembled at an appointed place, and drawing up in order of battle, sent to Puran Mai, saying : " Your men every day boast of their valour. We, 1500 horse, against Sher Sh4h's command, have come and are drawn up in order of battle ; do you also collect your men, and come out of the fort, that we may fight, and the valour of either side may be made manifest." Bhaia Puran Mai had great reliance on the valour and gallantry of his men, and did not think the Afghans were at all equal to them in bravery. He sent out to answer the challenge the most famous of his soldiers, veterans in battle, and he himself took his seat above the gate- way. The Afghans and Rajputs joined battle, and the fight continued till the first watch of the day, up to which time neither party had succeeded in driving the other from their ground. At length the Afghans got the advantage, and began to make the Edjpiits give ground, when such bravery was displayed on both sides as surpasses all description. In the end. Almighty God gave the victory to the Afghans, and they drove the Edjputs fi:om their position to near the gate of the fort. The Rdjptits again made a stand near the gate of the fort, but the Afghans made a headlong charge upon them, which they were unable to resist, and fled within the gate; and the Afghans returned triumphant to their camp.

When Sher Shah heard that the Afghan retainers had displayed such gallantry and bravery, he was much pleased ; but in public severely reprimanded those who had risked an engagement in defiajice of his orders. After some days, he

gave fitting rewards to every one of them, and good appoint- ments aadjagirs, and said, "The gallantry you have displayed has been made known to me ; now look at my work, and see what I shall do to this fort." After this Sher Shah issued an order that they should bring all the brass in camp and make mortars (degha) of it. When, according to his order, they had brought all the brass that was in the bdzar or in the tents of the soldiery, in pots, dishes, and pans, they made it all into mortars, and when they were finished he ordered them to bombard the fort from all simultaneously. When they had battered the fort and breached it in all directions, Puran Mai became alarmed, and after the lapse of six months, he came out himself to Sher Shdh, who said to him, " I grant you quarter, and the govern- ment of Benares ; provided you give up the families of the Musulmans whom you have enslaved." Puran Mai replied: " I had none of these families in slavery, neither am I the EAja ; I am but his deputy. I will go to him, and I will say whatever you otder me, and see what he replies." Sher Khan permitted him to go. When he went up into the fort, he got together all his jewels, and sent to Sher Khdn to say, " I dare not again face your presence, but do you first go away two marches from the fort. I will come out and give up the fort to your soldiers, and go myself to other countries. And if your eldest son 'i^dil Khan and Kutb Khan Banet will bind themselves by promise and oaths that I shall suffer no injury in property or person, I will come with my women and family out of the fort." Sher Shah told 'i^dil Khan and Kutb Khdn Banet what Puran Mai said, and ordered them to satisfy him and bring him out. Kutb Khan Banet went up to the fort, and binding himself by solemn oaths, brought Puran Mai out of the fort of Edisin with his family and wives. Kutb Khan requested that some encamping ground for Puran Mai might be selected, and Sher Shdh indicated a spot in the midst of his encampment, and Kutb Khan himself accompanied Puran Mai to the spot Sher Shah had directed.

After some days the widows of the chief men of Chanderl and

others waited for Sher Shah by the road-side, and cried out to him. Sher Shdh asked who they were, and ordered them to be brought to him. They said : " We have suffered from this inhuman and malignant infidel all kinds of tyranny and oppres- sion. He has slain our husbands, and our daughters he has enslaved, and has made dancing-girls of them, and has seized our lands, and all our worldly goods, for a long time past. * * * If you do not give us justice, hereafter, in the day of resurrection, when the first and the last of all men shall be collected together, we will accuse you." As Sher Shah was a believing and just ruler, on hearing these zeal-stirring words of the oppressed, the tears dropped from his eyes, and he said : " Have patience, for I have brought him out by promises and oaths." They replied : " Consult with your 'Ulamd, and act upon the decision they shall pronounce." When Sher Sh&h came back to his tent, he sent for all of the ' Ulamd who accompanied his victorious army, and related one by one the inhuman deeds Puran Mai had committed with respect to the wives and families of the Musulmans, and asked them to give their decision. Amir Shaikh Rafi'u-d din and the other ' Ulamd who accompanied the victorious army pro- nounced a decision for the death of Puran Mai.

At night orders were given to Tsd Khan Hajib, that he should desire his troops to collect with the elephants in all haste at a certain spot, for that Sher Shah intended to make a forced march towards Gondwana. To Habib Khan he gave secret orders that he should watch Bhaid Puran Mai, and take care he did not fly, and not to speak a word of this to any living creature, for that he (Sher Shah) had' long entertained this design. When the elephants and troops were at the ap- pointed spot, they reported it. Sher Sh4h ordered that at sunrise they should surround the tents of Bhaid Puran Mai. Piiran Mai was told that they were surrounding his encamp- ment, and going into the tent of his beloved wife Ratndvali, who sang Hindi melodies very sweetly, he cut off her head, and coming out said to his companions : " I have done this :

do you also slay your wives and families." While the Hindus were employed in putting their women and families to death, the Afghans on all sides commenced the slaughter of the Hindus, Ptiran Mai and his companions, like hogs at bay, failed not to exhibit valour and gallantry, but in the twinkling of an eye all were slain. Such of their wives and families as were not slain were captured. One daughter of Puran Mai and three sons of his elder brother were taken alive, the rest were all killed. Sher Khan gave the daughter of Puran Mai to some itinerant minstrels [bdsigardn), that they might make her dance in the bazars, and ordered the boys to be castrated, that the race of the oppressor might not increase. He made over the fort of Eaisin to Munshi Shahbaz Khan Acha-khail Sarwani, and returned himself towards A'gra, and remained at the capital during the rainy season.'-

After the conclusion of the rains, he consulted his nobles of name, and the wise among his courtiers, saying that he was quite at ease concerning the kingdom of Hind. * * * The nobles and chiefs said, " * * * It seems expedient that the victorious standards should move towards the Dekhin, for cer- tain rebellious slaves have got the country out of the power of their master, and have revolted, and following the heresy of the people of dissent {Shia'), abuse the holy posterity. It is incumbent on the powerful and fortunate to root out this innovating schism from the Dekhin." Sher Shdh replied : " What you have said is most right and proper, but it has come into my mind that since the time of Sultan Ibrahim, the infidel zaminddrs have rendered the country of Islam full of unbelievers,

1 Ahmad Tadg&r (MS., p. 304) says that before Sher Sh&h's return to Agra, the Shaith-z&das of Barniwa represented that their country had been plundered, and their wiTes and daughters carried off by Basdeo, a B&jprit. DMk Miftna was sent to chastise him which he did so effectually that the captives were all released, and im- mense plunder accrued to the viotors. This is followed by another expedition against some Eijkunwar Rajpiits, but the author's notions are so lax on geography, that it is quite impossible to fix the locality of either affair. The former, though with some variation in the details, is the same as that which was instigated by the Shaikh-z&das of Bhandner, as recorded in the Wdki' dt-i UushtdM (MS., p. 109).

and have thrown down the masjidt and buildings of the believers, and placed idol-shrines in them, and they are in possession of the country of Dehll and Mdlwa. Until I have cleansed the country from the existing contamination of the unbelievers, I will not go into any other country. * * * First, I will root out that accursed infidel M^ldeo, for that he was the servant of the ruler of Nagor and Ajmir, who placed the greatest confidence in him. The evil-minded and ungrateful infidel slew his master, and by violence and oppression possessed himself of those kingdoms." The chiefs and nobles assented, and it was so settled. In the year 950 a.h. (1543-4 a.d.),^ the king ordered that his conquering forces, beyond all calculation or numeration, should, under the shadow of his victorious standards, march towards the country of Nagor, Ajmir, and Judhpur. I have heard from the mouth of the respectably descended Shaikh Muhammad, and of the Khan- 'azam, and of Muzaffar Kh^n, that in this campaign Sher Shdh had so great, an army with him that the best calculators, in spite of all reflection and thought and calculation, were at a loss to immber and reckon them, and we often ascended the tops of eminences that the length and breadth of the army might appear to us ; but so exceeding was its magnitude, that its whole length and breadth were never visible together ; and we asked old men of great age, whether they had ever seen or heard of so great an army, but they replied they had not.^

When Sher Shdh marched from the capital of Agra, and arrived at Fathptir Sikri, he ordered that each division of the

' Elphinstone (-Hi's*. India, vol. ii., p. 149), says 951 H. ; tut as 960 H. began in April, 1543, Sher ShWi might easily have completed the conquest of Riisin in the hot months, returned to Agra for the rainy season, and set out for Mirwir with the six hest months of 950 h. before him. If he deferred his M?irwar expedition to the cold season of 961 h., there would be no time for his subsequent return to Agra and operations against Chitor and Ealinjar. The latter alone, according to the WdH'dt-i MushtdU (MS., p. HO), and the Tdrikh-i Ddiidi (MS., p. 285), occupied eight months.

^ The host of the RSjpdts could have been scarcely less, if we are to believe the extravagant statement of the Makhtan-i Afghdni, which (MS., p. 249) sets it down at 50,000 cavali7 and 300,000 infantry. The Tdrilch-i Ehdn Jahdn (MS., p. 182) modestly retrenches the 300,000 infantry altogether.

army should march together in order of battle, and should throw up an earthen entrenchment at every halting-ground. On the way they encamped one day on a plain of sand, and in spite of every labour, they could not, on account of the sand, make an entrenchment. Sher Shdh considered by what contrivance the entrenchment could be completed. Mahmud Khdn, grandson ^ of Sher Shdh, said : " Let my lord order that sacks should be filled with sand, and that they should make the entrenchment with the bags." Sher Shdh praised his grandson's contrivance, and was greatly delighted, and ordered that they should make the fortification of bags filled with sand, and, accordingly, at that halting-place they did so. When he approached the enemy, Sher Khan contrived a stratagem ; and havinn; written letters in the name of Mdldeo's nobles to this effect, viz., " Let not the king permit any anxiety or doubt to find its way to his heart. During the battle we will seize Maldeo, and bring him to you," and having inclosed these letters in a hharita or silken bag, he gave it to a certain person, and directed him to go near to the tent of the vaMl of Mdldeo, and remain there, and when he went out to drop the hharita on his way, and conceal himself. Sher Shah's agent did as he was ordered; and when the vakil of Mdldeo saw the hharita lying, he picked it up, and sent the letters to M41deo. When the latter learnt their contents, he was much alarmed, and fled without fighting. Although his nobles took oaths of fidelity, he did not heed them. Some of the chieftains, such as Jaya Chandel and Gohd, and others, came and attacked Sher Shdh, and displayed exceeding valour. Part of the army was routed, and a certain Afghan came to Sher Sh4h, and abused him in his native tongue, saying, " Mount, for the infidels are routing your army." Sher Shah was performing his morning devotions, and was reading the Musta'dbi-i 'ashr.

1 One copy reads " son," tut lie was " grandson," being, according to the Makhzan-i Afghdnl (MS., p. 250) the son of 'Adil Kh&n. Dom (p. 138) calls him " nephew." The Tdrlkh-i Khdn Jahdn (MS., p. 182) makes out that he was a grandchild by a daughter, and only seven years old when he suggested this sagacious advice. It does not mention the name of this precocious child.

He gave no reply to the Afghan. By a sign he ordered his horse, and mounted, when news of victory was brought, to the effect that Khaw§,s Khan had slain Jaya and Goha with all their forces. When Sher Shdh learnt the valour and gallantry of Jaya and Goh^, he said : " I had nearly given the kingdom of Dehll for a millet [bdjra) seed."^ He left Khawds Khan and 'fsa Kh^n Niazl, and some other chiefs, in the country of N4gor, and himself returned, Khawas Khan founded a city in his own name near the fort of Judhpur, and called it " Khawdspdr," and brought into his power and possession the whole country of Nagor and Ajmir, the fort of Judhpur, and the districts of Marwdr. Maldeo went to the fort of Siwana, on the borders of Grujardt.

Sher Sh§,h's nobles represented to him that, as the rainy season was near at hand, it was advisable to go into cantonments. Sher Shdh replied, " I will spend the rainy season in a place where I can carry on my work," and marched towards the fort of Ciiitor.^ When he was yet twelve hos from the fort of Ohitor, the Kaja who was its ruler sent him the keys. When Sher Shah came to Ohitor, he left in it the younger brother of Khawas Khan, Miin Ahmad Sarwani, and Husain Khan Kliilji. Sher Shdh himself marched towards Kachwara. His eldest son 'Adil Kh4n took leave to go and visit Eantarabhor. Sher Shah said : " I give you leave in order to please you, but come again quickly, and do not remain for a long time at that fort." When Sher Shah came near Kachwara, Shuja'at Khan went towards Hindia. Certain persons who were envious of Shuj4'at Khan, said that Shuj^'at Khan kept up no troops, though he had to maintain 12,000 horse, and on this

1 An allusion to the barrenness of Mirw&r.

2 This makes it evident that he could scarcely have remained at all at Agra on his return at the close of 950 or beginning of 951 h. Indeed, had not the Tdrikh-i Saudi (MS., p. 284) mentioned his proceedings at AjmIr, and his visit to the shrine of Khwaja Mu'inu-d din Chishtl, his return to Agra at all might have been disputed. Shortly after the beginning of 951 H. he must have started for Chitor, marching during the hot weather, passing the rains in Kachw&ra, and then occupying the closing months of 952 and the beginning of 953 with the siege of Kalinjar. This makes the chronology very plain.

account he dared not come into the presence, and made a pre- text of going to Hindia. The sons of Shuja at Khdn, Midn Bdyazld and Daulat Khdn, were with Sher Shdh, and wrote the true state of the case to Shujd'at Khdn. On hearing the news, Shujaat Kh4n came to Kachwdra, to the king, and requested his horses should be branded. 7500 he passed under the brand, and he said that the rest were in his districts on duty, and if ordered he would send for them and pass them too under the brand. Sher Sh4h replied : " There is no necessity for branding them, for your force is with you ; and as to the persons who have defamed you, their faces are blackened." When he dismissed Shuja'at Kh4n, he said : " As soon as you receive news that Kalinjar^ has fallen, do you, without fail, set off for the Dekhin with all haste. Do not delay or linger at all."

Sher Shah himself marched from Kachwdra towards Kalinjar. When he reached the stage of Shahbandi, news came that 'A\a,m Khdn Midna had created a disturbance in the Dodb, and having raised the province of Mirath (Meerut), had ravaged great part of the neighbouring country. Sher Shkh. turned from Shdhbandi, and had gone two marches, when news arrived that 'i^lam Khan had been conquered ; for Bhagwant, the slave of Khawas Khdn, and governor of Sirhind, had slain him near Sirhind. Upon this, Sher Shdh turned again towards Kalinjar.^ The Kaja of Kalinjar, Kirat Sing, did not come out to meet him. So he ordered the fort to be invested, and threw up mounds against it, and in a short time the mounds rose so high that they over- topped the fort. The men who were in the streets and houses were exposed, and the Afghans shot them with their arrows and muskets from off the mounds. The cause of this tedious mode of capturing the fort was this. Among the women of Eaja Kirat Sing was a Patar slave-girl, that is a dancing-girl. The king had heard exceeding praise of her, and he considered how

' So spelt in all the copies. It is more usual to write it " K&linjar." 2 Ahmad YiAgkr (MS., p. 313) says that the reason for his advancing against Kalinjar was, that Birsingdeo Bundela, who had been summoned to Court, had fled, and taken refuge with the Eiji of Kalinjar, who refused to give him up.

to get possession of her, for he feared lest if he stormed the fort, the Raja Kirat Sing would certainly make a jauhar, and would burn the girl.

On Friday, the 9th of Rabl'u-1 awwal, 952 a.h., when one watch and two hours of the day was over, Sher Shah called for his breakfast, and eat with his 'ulamd and priests, without whom he never breakfasted. In the midst of breakfast. Shaikh Nizam said, " There is nothing equal to a religious war against the infidels. If you be slain you become a martyr, if you live you become a ghazi." When Sher Shdh had finished eating his breakfast, he ordered Darya Khan to bring loaded shells,^ and went up to the top of a mound, and with his own hand shot ofi' many arrows, and said, " Darya Khan comes not ; he delays very long." But when they were at last brought, Sher Shah came down from the mound, and stood where they were placed. While the men were employed in discharging them, by the will of God Almighty, one shell full of gunpowder struck on the gate of the fort and broke, and came and fell where a great number of other shells were placed. Those which were loaded all began to explode. Shaikh Halll, Shaikh Nizam, and other learned men, and most of the others escaped and were not burnt, but they brought out Sher Shah partially burnt. A young princess who was standing by the rockets was burnt to death. When Sher Shah was carried into his tent, all his nobles assembled in darbdr; and he sent for Tsa Khan H4jib and Masnad Kh^n Kalkapur, the son-in-law of 'fsa Khan, and the paternal uncle of the author, to come into his tent, and ordered them to take the fort

^ Perhaps this may mean only "rockets." The words are " huJcJcahdpur az dtish." It is to be remarked that there is no mention of deg, a mortar ; and the shape of a huk/M, or smoking-bowl, is not unlike that of a loaded rocket. Moreover, if a sheU. had burst, except very close, it would not have ignited other shells, and shells do not usually rebound unexploded ; whereas, it is a common occurrence for a rocket to retrace its path, especially, as appears here to have been the case, when the stick breaks. On the other hand, it is to be remembered that the shape of a hukka is still more like a shell ; and that there is, and was, a specific word for rocket (ion) — a Hindi vocable in common use even in Persian authors, and which might easily have been introduced in this passage without any violation of usage or propriety.

while he was yet alive. When 'tsk Khdn came out and told the chiefs that it was Sher Shdh's order that they should attack on every side and capture the fort, men came and swarmed out instantly on every side like ants and locusts ; and hy the time of afternoon prayers captured the fort, putting every one to the sword, and sending all the infidels to hell. About the hour of evening prayers, the intelligence of the victory reached Sher Sh5,h, and marks of joy and pleasure appeared on his coun- tenance. R4j4 Kirat Sing, with seventy men, remained in a house. Kutb Khdn the whole night long watched the house in person lest the Haja should escape. Sher Shdh said to his sons that none of his nobles need watch the house, so that the R4ja escaped out of the house, and the labour and trouble of this long watching was lost. The next day at sunrise, however, they took the Raj^ alive.^ •* On the 10th Rabi'u-1 awwal, 952 a.h. (May, 1545 a.d.), Sher Sh4h went from the hostel of this world to rest in the mansion of happiness, and ascended peacefully from the abode of this world to the lofty heavens. The date was discovered in the words az dtash murd, " He died from fire."

On certain matters regarding Sher Shah, on which he was busied day and night, and which he enjoined to his sons, chiefs, and nobles, and which he caused to be recorded.

When fortune gave into the hands of Sher Shah the bridle of power, and the kingdom of Hind fell under his dominion, he made certain laws, both from his own ideas, and by extracting them from the works of the learned, for securing relief from tyranny, and for the repression of crime and villany ; for maintaining the prosperity of his realms, the safety of the highways, and the comfort of merchants and troops. He acted upon these laws,

1 The MaMssan-i Afghdni saya that the first act of Isl&m Sh&h's reign was to order him for execution.

and it was proved by experience that they became the means of procuring tranquillity for the classes above mentioned. Sher Shah often said, " It behoves kings to inscribe the page of their history with the characters of religion, that their servants and subjects may love religion; for kings are partakers in every act of devotion and worship which proceeds from the priests and the people. Crime and violence prevent the development of prosperity. It behoves kings to be grateful for the favour that the Lord has made his people subject to them, and therefore not to disobey the commandments of God."

Sher Shdh attended to every business concerning the adminis- tration of the kingdom and the revenues, whether great or small, in his own person. Nor did he permit his temporal affairs to be unmixed with devotion ; day and night he was employed in both works. He had his dependents in waiting to awake him when two-thirds of the night were passed ; and bathing himself * every night he employed himself in prayer and supplication until the fourth watch. After that he heard the accounts of the various officers, and the ministers made their reports of the work to be done in their respective departments, and the orders which Sher Shah gave they recorded for their future guidance, that there might be no necessity for inquiry in future. When the morning had well broken, he again performed his ablutions, and with a great assembly went through his obligatory devotions, and afterwards read the Musta'db-i 'ashr, and other prayers. After that his chiefs and soldiers came to pay their respects, and the "heralds" (tiaJcibs) called out each man by name, and said : — " Such and such a one, the son of such a one, pays his respects." One full hour after sunrise, that is to say about the first hour of the day, he performed the Namd%-i ishrdk} After this, he inquired of his chiefs and soldiers if any of them had no jdgir, that he might assign them one before entering on a cam- paign; and said that if any asked for a jdgir while engaged

^ These as well as some other of the observances noted above are supererogatory. — See Kdnitn-i Islam, p. 55.

in a campaign, he should be punished. After that he asked if there were any who were oppressed or evil treated, tliat he might right them, for Sher ShS,h was adorned with the jewel of justice, and he oftentimes remarked, " Justice is the most excel- lent of religious rites, and it is approved alike by the kings of infidels and of the faithful." * * * So he employed himself in personally discharging the administration of the kingdom, and divided both day and night into portions for each separate business, and suffered no sloth or idleness to find its way to him. " For," said he, " it behoves the great to be always active, and they should not consider, on account of the greatness of their own dignity and loftiness of their own rank, the affairs and busi- ness of the kingdom small or petty, and should place no undue reliance on their ministers. * * * The corruption of ministers of contemporary princes was the means of my acquiring the worldly kingdom I possess. A king should not have cornipt vakils or wazirs : for a receiver of bribes is dependent on the giver of bribes ; and one who is dependent is unfit for the office of wazir, for he is an interested personage ; and to an interested person loyalty and truth in the administration of the kingdom are lost." When the young shoot of Sher ShAh's prosperity came into bearing, he always ascertained the exact truth regarding the oppressed, and the suitors for justice ; and he never favoured the oppressors, although they might be his near relations, his dear sons, his renowned nobles, or of his own tribe ; and he never showed any delay or lenity in punishing oppressors. * * « Among the rules which Sher Shah promulgated, and which were not before known in the world, is the branding of horses ; ^

' Bnt the Tdrikh-i Khan Jahdn (MS., p. 187) says, that the practice was intro- duced by Sultan Sanjar, and that the example was followed by other Sultans ; that in Hindustan, it was observed by 'Aliu-d din Khilji, and that Sher Shah merely renewed his ordinance. Abii-1 Fazl contemptuously remarks, that he sought the applause of future generations, by mere revivals of A14u-d din's regulations which he had read of in the Tdrikh-i Firoz ShdM. Sher Sh&h was such an admirer of the ddi/h system, that men, as well as cattle, on his register, had to submit to it. The Tdrikh-i Ddudi (MS., p. 236) says that even the sweepers had the royal brand im- pressed on them : it omits to say on what part of the body. Allusion, however, may

and he said he ordered it on this account, that the rights of the chiefs and their soldiers might be distinct, and that the chiefs might not be able to defraud the soldiers of their rights ; and that every one should maintain soldiers according to his rank {mansab), and should not vary his numbers. " For," said he, "in the time of Sultdn Ibrahim, and afterwards, I observed that many base nobles were guilty of fraud and falsehood, who, at the time when their monthly salary was assigned to them, had a number of soldiers ; but when they had got possession of their jdgirs, they dismissed the greater number of their men without payment, and only kept a few men for indispensable duties, and did not even pay them in full. Nor did they regard the injury to their master's interests, or the ingratitude of their own conduct ; and when their lord ordered a review or assembly of their forces, they brought strange men and horses, and mustered them, but the money they put into their own treasuries. In time of war they would be defeated from paucity of numbers, but they kept the money, and when their master's aflFairs became critical and disordered, they, equipping themselves with this very money, took service elsewhere ; so from the ruin of their master's fortunes they suffered no loss. "When I had the good fortune to gain power, I was on my guard against the deceit and fraud of both chiefs and soldiers, and ordered the horses to be branded, in order to block up the road against these tricks and frauds ; so that the chiefs could not entertain strangers to fill up their ranks." Sher Shah's custom was this, that he would not pay their salary unless the horses were branded, and he carried it to such an extent that he would not give anything to the sweepers and women servants about the palace without a brand, and they wrote out descriptive rolls of the men and horses and brought

be made only to the horses of the sweepers, though it seems improbable that such a class should have had any. The passage ia the WdkCdt-i Mmhtdkl (MS., p. 99) runs thus : " Even in the Haram establishment he gave a salary to no one unless his horses were branded, insomuch that even a sweeper caused the stamp to be applied." This work, as usual, is the source of the information in the Tdrikh-i Ddudi, and all the trivial anecdotes which foUow on the subject of the dd^h are the same in both.

them before him, and he himself compared the rolls when he fixed the monthly salaries, and then he had the horses branded in his presence.

After the Namdz-i ishrdh, he went through various business : he paid each man separately, mustered his old troops, and spoke to the newly-enlisted men himself, and questioned the Afghans in their native tongue. If any one answered him accurately in the Afghan tongue, he said to him, "Draw a bow," and if he drew it well, he would give him a salary higher than the rest, and said, " I reckon the Afghdn tongue as a friend." And in the same place he inspected the treasure which arrived from all parts of the kingdom, and gave audience to his nobles or their vakils, or to zaminddrs, or to the envoys of the kings of other countries, who came to his victorious camp ; or he heard the reports which came from the nobles who were his 'dmils, and gave answers to them according to his own judgment, and the munsMs wrote them. When two hours and a half of the day were over, he rose up and eat his breakfast with his 'ulama and holy men, and after breakfast he returned and was engaged as before described till mid-day. At mid-day he performed the kailiila (which is a supererogatory act of devotion), and took a short repose. After his rest he performed the afternoon devo- tions in company with a large assembly of men, and afterwards employed himself in reading the Holy Word. After that he spent his time in the business described above ; and whether at home or abroad, there was no violation of these rules.

The rules for the collection of revenue from the people, and for the prosperity of the kingdom, were after this wise : There was appointed in every pargana,^ one amir, one God-fearing shikkddr, one treasurer, one kdrkun to write Hindi, and one to write Persian ; and he ordered his governors to measure the land every harvest, to collect the revenue according to the measure- ment, and in proportion to the produce, giving one share to the

' [The JFdki'dt-i Mu^htdki has this passage, and states that the parganas were 116,000 in number.]

cultivator, and half a share to the mukaddam ; and fixing the assessment with regard to the kind of grain, in order that the muhaddams, and chaudharis, and 'dmils should not qppress the cultivators, who are the support of the prosperity of the kingdom. Before his time it was not the custom to measure the land, but there was a kdnungo in every pargana, from whom was ascertained the present, past, and probable future state of the pargana. In every sarkdr he appointed a chief shikkddr and a chief munsif, that they might watch the conduct both of the 'dmih and the people ; that the 'dmils should not oppress or injure the people, or embezzle the king's revenue ; and if any quarrel arose among the king's 'dmih regarding the boundaries of the parganas, they were to settle it, that no confusion might find its way amongst the king's affairs. If the people, from any lawlessness or rebellious spirit, created a disturbance regarding the collection of the revenue, they were so to eradicate and destroy them with punishment and chastisement that their wickedness and rebellion should not spread to others.

Every year, or second year, he changed his 'dmils, and sent new ones, for he said, " I have examined' much, and accurately ascertained that there is no such income and advantage in other employments as in the government of a district. There- fore I send my good old loyal experienced servants to take charge of districts, that the salaries, profits, and advantages, may accrue to them in preference to others ; and after two years I change them, and send other servants like to them, that they also may prosper, and that under my rule all my old servants may enjoy these profits and advantages, and that the gate of comfort and ease may be opened to them."

And this amount offerees fully equipped and stored came yearly to the king's presence. His whole army was beyond all limit or numbering, and it increased every day. The rule regarding the army for guarding the kingdom from the disturbances of rebels, and to keep down and to repress contumacious and rebellious za- minddrs, so that no one should think the kingdom undefended, and

therefore attempt to conquer it, was as follows : Sher Bhkh always kept 150,000 horse and 25,000 footmen, either armed with matchlocks or bows, present with him, and on some expeditions took even more with him. Haibat Kh4n NIdzi, to whom the title of 'Azam Humdyun had been granted, had one force con- sisting of 30,000 horsemen in the neighbourhood of the fort of Eohtas, near to B§,lndth of the jogis, and held in check the country of Kashmir and of the Ghakkars. Dibdlpur and Multdn were committed to Fath Jang Khan, and in that (latter) fort much treasure was stored ; and in the fort of Milwat (which T^tar Khdn Yusuf-khail built in the time of Sultdn Bahlol) was stationed Hamid Khdn Kakar, who held such firm posses- sion of the Nagarkot, Jwala, Dihdawal, and Jammti hills, in fact the whole hill-countrj'-, that no man dared to breathe in opposition to him; and he collected the revenue by measure- ment of land from the hill people. The sarkdr of Sirhind was given in jdgir to Masnad 'AH Khawas Kh4n, who kept in that sarkdr his slave Malik Bhagwant, at the capital Dehli. Mian Ahmad Khdn Sarwani was amir, and 'Adil Khan and Hatim Khdn shikkdar and fauj'ddr. And as the head-men and cultivators of the sarkdr of Sambhal had fled from the oppression of Nasir Kh4n, Sher Shdh sent there Masnad 'Ali 'fsa Khdn, son of Masnad 'Ali Haibat Khdn Kalkapiir Sarwani, who had the title of Khan-i 'Azam, and was a counsellor and adviser of Sultdns Bahlol and Sikandar ; and he said to him : " I have given to you the parganas of KAnt, Gola, and Tilhar for your family and your old horsemen. Enlist five thousand new cavalry, for the sarkdr of Sambhal is full of disaffected and riotous people, and the cultivators of that sarkdr are for the most part rebellious and contumacious, and they are always given to quarrelling with and resisting their rulers."

When Masnad 'Ali 'Tsk Kh4n came to that sarkdr, he being a lion in valour and gallantry, so humbled and overcame by the sword the contumacious zaminddrs of those parts, that they did not rebel even when he ordered them to cut down their

jungles, whicli they had cherished like children, but cut them with their own hands, though drawing deep sighs of affliction ; and they reformed and repented them of their thieving and highway robberies, and they paid in at the city their revenue according to the measurements. Sher Khdn said : " By reason of these two Sarwanis, that is to say, Tsa Kh4n and Mikn Ahmad, I have no cause for anxiety from the sarkdr of Dehli to the sarkdr of Lucknow.

And Bairak Niazi, who was shikkdar of Kanauj, so subjected the contumacious and highway plunderers inhabiting the pargana of Malkonsah, that no man dared to draw a breath in contraven- tion of his orders. Bairak Niazi so established authority over the people of Kanauj, that no man kept in his house a sword, an arrow, a bow, or a gun, nay, any iron article whatever, except the implements of husbandry and cooking utensils ; and if he ordered the head-men of any village to attend him, they obeyed his order, and dared not for one moment to absent them- selves. The fear and dread of him was so thoroughly instilled into the turbulent people of those parts, that according to the measurement they paid their revenue to the treasurers.

And when the rebellion and disobedience of the zaminddrs who live in the parts about the banks of the rivers Jumna and Ohambal became known to Sher Shah, he brought 12,000 horsemen from the Sirhind sarkdr, and quartered them in the pargana of Hatkant and that neighbourhood, and they repressed the zaminddrs and cultivators of those parts ; nor did they pass over one person who exhibited any contumacy. And in the fort of (Twdlior, Sher Shah kept a force to which were attached 1000 matchlockmen. In Bayana, he left a division, besides a garrison of 500 matchlocks ; in Rantambhor, another division, besides 1600 matchlockmen ; in the fort of Chitor, 3000 matchlockmen ;^ in the fort of Shadmabad, or Mandii, was

The Tarikh-i Dditdi (MS., p. 229) says lie had 8000 matchlockmen in his service. He adds, that 1600 were stationed in Chitor, 500 in Rantambhor, 1000 in Bay&na, 2000 in Gw&lior, and a due proportion in every other fort. Whether all these are in- cluded in the 8000, or the 8000 were a mere personal guard, is not plain. In no single instance does the enumeration correspond with that of our author.

stationed Shuja'at Khan, with 10,000 horse and 7000 match- locks. He had his Jdgirs in Mdlw4 and Hindia. In the fort of Edisin a force was stationed, together with 1000 artillerymen ; and in the fort of Chunar another force also, with 1,000 match- lockmen; and in the fort of Rohtds, near Bihdr, he kept Ikhtiydr Kh4n Panni, with 10,000 matchlockmen ; and Sher Shdh kept treasures without number or reckoning in that fort. And he kept a force in the country of Bhadauria,^ and another under Khawas Khan and 'fsd Khdn in the country of Ndgor Judhpdr and Ajmir; another in Lucknow, and one in sarkdr K41pi. The kingdom of Bengal he divided into parts, and made K4zi Fazilat amir of that whole kingdom. And in every place where it served his interests, he kept garrisons.

After a time he used to send for the forces which had enjoyed ease and comfort on their jdgirs, and to send away in their stead the chiefs who had undergone labour and hardship with his victorious army. He appointed courts of justice in every place, and always employed himself in founding charities, not only for his lifetime, but even for after his death. May glory and blessings be upon his eminent dignity ! For the convenience in travelling of poor travellers, on every road, at a distance of two hos, he made a sardi ; and one road with sardis he made from the fort which he built in the Panjab to the city of Sunargdon, which is situated in the kingdom of Bengal, on the shore of the ocean. Another road he made from the city of Agra to Bur- hdnpur, which is on the borders of the kingdom of the Dekhin, and he made one from the city of Agra to Jtidhpur and Chitor ; and one road with sardis from the city of Lahore to Multdn. Altogether he built 1700 sardis^ on various roads ; and in every