Riyaz al-salatin 30.1

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.