Riyaz al-salatin 30: A DESCRIPTION OF THE RULE OF THE MUSALMAN RULERS WHO RULED OVER THIS KINGDOM OF BENGAL, AS VICEROYS OF THE EMPERORS OF DELHI.
The Riyazu-s-salatin (Abdus Salam) 30
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A DESCRIPTION OF THE RULE OF THE MUSALMAN RULERS WHO RULED OVER THIS KINGDOM OF BENGAL, AS VICEROYS OF THE EMPERORS OF DELHI.
30.1
Be it not hidden from the enlightened hearts of those who enquire into the histories of Musalman sovereigns and rulers, that the commencement of the effulgence of the sun of the Muhammadan faith in the Kingdom of Bengal, dates from the period of the reign of Sultan Qutbu-d-din Aibak, Emperor of Delhi. And the origin of the title "Aibak" is that his little finger was feeble; hence he was called 'Aibak.' When Sultan Qutbu-d-din in 590 A.H. wrested by force the fort of Kol from the Hindus, and captured one thousand horses and an immense booty, the news spread that Sultan Mui'zu-d-din Muhammad Sam, also called Sultan Shahabu-d-din, had planned expeditions for the conquests of Kanuj and Banaras. Sultan Qutbu-d-din marched forward from Kol to receive him, presented to him the booty of Kol with other valuables, and becoming recipient of a special Khila't, formed the vanguard of the imperial forces, and marched ahead. And engaging in battle with the forces of the Rajah of Banaras, he routed them, and at length, slaying on the battle-field Rajah Jaichand, the Rajah of Banaras, he became victorious. Sultan Shahabu-d-din, marching with a force from the rear, moved up and entered the city of Banaras, and pillaging the whole of that tract up to the confines of Bengal, carried off as booty incalculable treasures and jewels. The Sultan then returned to Ghazni. And the Kingdom of Bengal as an adjunct of the Empire of Delhi, was left in the hands of Qutbu-d-din.
30.2
Sultan Qutbu-d-din entrusted to Malik Ikhtiaru-d-din Muhammad Bakhtiar Khilji the Viceroyalty of the Provinces of Behar and Lakhnauti. Muhammad Bakhtiar, who was one of the chiefs of Ghor and Garmsir, was a brave man, well-built and very strong. In the beginning, he was in the service of Sultan Shahabu-d-din Ghori at Ghazni. He was allowed a small allowance, as neither he was externally prepossessing, nor was his appearance grand. Becoming despondent, Muhammad Bakhtiar came to Hindustan in the company of the Sultan, stayed behind, and did not even then get into the good graces of the Ministers of Hindustan. Departing thence, he went to Burdwan to Anghal Beg who was the ruler over the Doab country, and there gaining in eminence, he advanced himself to the exalted office of generalissimo. And the tract of Kambalah and Betali was given to him as a jagir. From there he went in the service of Malik Hassamu-d-din to the Subah of Audh (Oude). Subduing again became more or less subject to the Musalman Kings of Gaur, Husain Shah and Nasrat Shah. Under the early Mughul Emperors, Behar was again formed into a distinct Subah, but under the later Mughuls, it again became incorporated along with Orissa in the great Bengal Viceroyalty. North Behar appears to have been generally included in the Musalman Kingdom of Bengal (see Tarikh-i-Firuz Shahi, pp. 451 and 586). that province, he advanced himself further in rank and dignity.
30.3
When the fame of his bravery and liberality, and the reputation of his heroism and gallantry, spread over the confines of Hindustan, Sultan Qutbu-d-din who, not yet ascending the throne of Delhi, was still at Lahor, sent to him valuable Khila't, and summoned him to his presence, and granting to him an illuminated Farman of Chiefship over the province of Behar, deputed him there. And Muhammad Bakhtiar marching quickly to that side, spared no measure of slaughter and pillage. It is said that in Behar there was a Hindu Library which fell into the hands of Muhammad Bakhtiar. The latter enquired from the Brahmins as to the reason for the collection of the books. The Brahmins replied that the whole town formed a college, and that in the Hindi language a college was called Behar, and that hence that town was so called. After this, when Muhammad Bakhtiar being victorious returned to the service of the Sultan, he became more renowned and enviable than other servants. And his rank was advanced so much, that the juice of envy set flowing amongst Sultan Qutbu-d-din's other officers, who burned in the fire of envy and shame, and combined to expel and destroy him, so much so, that one day in the presence of the Sultan, in regard to his strength and prowess, they said unanimously that Muhammad Bakhtiar, owing to exuberance of strength, wanted to fight with an elephant. The Sultan wondering questioned him.
30.4
Muhammad Bakhtiar did not disavow this false boastfulness, though he knew that the object of the associates of the king was to destroy him. In short, one day when all the people, the elite as well as the general public, assembled in Darbar, a white rogue elephant was brought to the White Castle (Qasr-i-Sufed). Muhammad Bakhtiar tying up the loin of his garment on the waist, came out to the field, struck the elephant's trunk with a mace, when the elephant ran away roaring. All the spectators, including those assembled, and the envious, raising shouts of applause to the sky, were confounded. The Sultan bestowing on Malik Muhammad Bakhtiar special Khila't and many gifts, ordered the nobles to bestow on him presents, so that all the nobles gave him numerous largesses. Muhammad Bakhtiar, in the same assembly, adding his own quota to all the largesses, distributed the same amongst those present. In short, at this time, the Viceroyalty of the Kingdoms of Behar and Lakhnauti was bestowed on him; and with peace of mind, having gained his object, he proceeded to the metropolis of Delhi. That year Malik Bakhtiar, bringing to subjugation the Subah of Behar, engaged in introducing administrative arrangements, and the second year coming to the Kingdom of Bengal, he planted military outposts in every place, and set out for the town of Nadiah, which at that time was the Capital of the Rajahs of Bengal.
30.5
The Rajah of that place, whose name was Lakhmania, and who had reigned for eighty years over that Kingdom, was at the time taking his food. Suddenly, Muhammad Bakhtiar, with eighteen horsemen, made an onslaught, so that before the Rajah was aware, Bakhtiar burst inside the palace, and unsheathing from the scabbard his sword that lightened and thundered, engaged in fighting, and put the harvest of the life of many to his thundering and flashing sword. Rajah Lakhmania getting confounded by the tumult of this affair, left behind all his treasures and servants and soldiers, and slipped out bare-foot by a back-door, and embarking on a boat, fled towards Kamrup. Muhammad Bakhtiar sweeping the town with the broom of devastation, completely demolished it, and making anew the city of Lakhnauti, which from ancient times was the seat of Government of Bengal, his own metropolis, he ruled over Bengal peacefully, introduced the Khutbah, and minted coin in the name of Sultan Qutbu-d-din, and strove to put in practice the ordinances of the Muhammadan religion. From that Sanknat and Bang, his treasures, harem, slaves and servants and women and elephants all falling into Bakhtiar's hands. date the Kingdom of Bengal became subject to the Emperors of Delhi. Malik Ikhtiarud-din Muhammad Bakhtiar was the first Muhammadan ruler of Bengal. In the year 599 A.H.
30.6
when Sultan Qutbu-d-din after conquest of the fort of Kalinjar, proceeded to the town of Mahubah which is below Kalpi and conquered it, Malik Muhammad Bakhtiar going from Behar to wait on him, met the Sultan, at the time, when the latter was proceeding from Mahubah towards Badaun. He presented jewelleries and divers valuables of Bengal and a large amount in cash. And for a time remaining in the company of the Sultan, he took permission to return, and came back to Bengal, and for a period ruling over Bengal he engaged in demolishing the temples and in building mosques. After this, he planned an expedition towards the Kingdoms of Khata and Tibbat, with a force of ten or twelve thousand select cavalry, through the passes of the north-eastern moun- or Charitable establishments consisting of Students' Hostels and travellers' Guest-houses, founded cities, and established military outposts at strategic points, and introduced the coinage of money (see Tabaqat, pp. 151 and 149). He laid down embankments, constructed roads and bridges connecting his northern military outposts at Deokot and his southern military outpost at Laknor (perhaps Nagor in Birbhum) with his newly-founded capital at Lakhnauti. tains of Bengal. Guided by one of the Chiefs of Koch, named 'Ali Mech, who had been converted to Muhammadan faith by Muhammad Bakhtiar, he reached towards those mountains. 'Ali Mech led Bakhtiar's forces to a country, the town whereof is called Abardhan and also Barahmangadi.
30.7
It is said that this town was founded by Emperor Garshasp. Facing that town, flows a river called Namakdi, which in its depth and breadth, is thrice as much as the river Ganges. Since that river was tumultuous, broad, and deep, and fordable with difficulty, marching along the banks of the river for ten days, he reached a place where existed a large bridge made of stone, and extending over twenty-nine arches, erected by the ancients. It is said that Emperor Garshasp, at the time of invading Hindustan, constructed that bridge, and came to the country of Kamrup. In short, strength of Musalman population in Bengal, and are at pains to evolve theories to account for it, might as well bear in mind these elementary facts of history. Muhammad Bakhtiar sending across his forces by that bridge, and posting two commandants for its protection, planned to advance. The Rajah of Kamrup, dissuading him from an advance, said that if he (Muhammad Bakhtiar) would postpone his march to Tibbat that year, and next year collecting an adequate force would advance towards it in full strength "I too would be the pioneer of the Moslem force, and would tighten up the waist of self-sacrifice." Muhammad Bakhtiar absolutely unheeding this advice, advanced, and after sixteen days reached the country of Tibbat. The battle commenced with an attack on a fort which had been built by king Garshasp, and was very strong. Many of the Moslem force tasted the lotion of death, and nothing was gained.
30.8
And from the people of that place who had been taken prisoners, it was ascertained that at a distance of five farsang from that fort, was a large and populous city. Fifty thousand Mongolian cavalry thirsty for blood and archers were assembled in that city. Every day in the market of that city, nearly a thousand or five hundred Mongolian horses sold, and were sent thence to Lakhnauti. And they said "you have an impracticable scheme in your head with this small force." Muhammad Bakhtiar, becoming apprised of this state of affairs, became ashamed of his plan, and, without attaining his end, retreated. And since the inhabitants of those environs, setting fire to the fodder and food-grains, had removed their chattels to the ambuscades of the rocks, at the time of this retreat, for fifteen days, the soldiers did not see a handful of food-grains, nor did the cattle see one bushel of fodder. Neither human beings saw any bread except the circular disc of the sun. Nor did the cattle see any fodder except the rainbow! From excessive hunger the soldiers devoured flesh of horses and horses preferring death to life placed their necks under their daggers. In short, in this straitened condition, they reached the bridge. Since those two commandants quarrelling with each other had deserted their posts at the head of the bridge, the people of that country had destroyed the bridge. At the sight of this destruction, the heart of the high and the low suddenly broke, like the Chinese cup.
30.9
Muhammad Bakhtiar engulphed in the sea of confusion and perplexity, despaired of every resource. After much striving, he got news that in the neighbourhood there was a very large temple, and that idols of gold and silver were placed there in great pomp. It is said that there was an idol in the temple which weighed a thousand maunds. In short, Muhammad Bakhtiar with his force took refuge in this temple, and was busy improvising means for crossing the river. The Rajah of Kamrup had ordered all his troops and subjects of that country to commit depredations. The people of that country, sending out force after force, engaged in besieging the temple, and from all sides posting in the ground bamboo-made lances, and tying one to the other, turned them into the shape of walls. Muhammad Bakhtiar saw that all chance of escape was slipping out of his hands, and that the knife was reaching the bone, so at once with his force issuing out of the temple and making a sortie, he broke through the stockade of bamboos, and cutting through his way, rescued himself from the hard-pressed siege. The infidels of that country pursued him to the banks of the river, and stretched their hands to plunder and slaughter, so that some by the sharpness of the sword and others by the inundation of water, were engulphed in the sea of destruction. The Musalman soldiers on reaching the river-banks stood perplexed.
30.10
Suddenly, one of the soldiers plunged with his horse into the river, and went about one arrow-shot, when another soldier seeing this, plunged similarly into the river. As the river had a sandy bed, with a little movement, all were drowned. Only Muhammad Bakhtiar with one thousand cavalry (and according to another account, with three hundred cavalry) succeeded in crossing over; the rest met with a watery grave. After Muhammad Bakhtiar had crossed safely over the tumultous river with a small force, from excessive rage and humiliation, in that the females and the children of the slaughtered and the drowned from alleys and terraces abused and cursed him, he got an attack of consumption, and reaching Deokot died. And according to other accounts, 'Ali Mardan Khilji, who was one of his officers, during that illness, slew Bakhtiar, and raised the standard of sovereignty over the kingdom of Lakhnauti. The period of Malik Ikhtiaru-d-din Muhammad Bakhtiar's rule over Bengal was twelve years. When Muhammad Bakhtiar passed from the rule of this transitory world into the eternal world, Malik 'Azu-d-din Khilji succeeded to the rule over Bengal. Eight months had not passed, when 'Ali Mardan Khilji slew him.