Riyaz al-salatin 41.4

41.4

At the time, when the Emperor reached the confines of Sunargaon, Bhuj Rai, who was the Zamindar of that place, enrolled himself in the ranks of the Imperial adherents, and promised that in case Tughral attempted to escape across the river, he would prevent his doing so. But when the Emperor swiftly passing from that place marched several stages, the trace of Tughral was lost, and no one could give a clue to his whereabouts. The Emperor ordered Malik Barbak Baras that he should march ahead ten or twelve Karoh with seven thousand chosen cavalry. Although these tried every means of pursuit and search, they could obtain no trace of Tughral. One day, Malik Muhammad Tirandaz, the ruler of Koel, and his brother, Malik Muqaddar, separating themselves from the vanguard force, with thirty or forty troopers marched ahead. Suddenly, on a field they came across some grocers. Arresting these, they made enquiries, and in order to frighten them, they commenced slaughter by breaking the neck of one ; then the others cried out : — " If your object is to obtain goods and provisions, whatever we have, you may take; but spare our lives." Malik Muhammad Tirandaz said : " We have no concern with your goods and stores: our object is to ascertain the whereabouts of Tughral. If you show the way, your lives and things would be spared ;