Riyaz al-salatin 48.1

48.1

When Sultan 'Alau-d-din was killed, and the sovereignty of Bengal passed to Haji Ilyas 'Alai, proclaiming himself Sultan Shamsu-d-din he mounted the throne in the holy city of Panduah. As he took much bhang, he was called Shamsu-d-din Bhangrah. In conciliating the people, and winning the heart of the army, he put forth noble efforts. After a while, mustering an army, he went to Jajnagar, and from there obtaining many valuables and presents and large elephants, returned to his capital. And owing to the decay which had set in in the Empire of Delhi from the time of Sultan Muhammad Shah, for thirteen years the Emperors of Delhi did not turn their attention to Bengal. Sultan Shamsu-d-din [ with absolute independence devoted himself to the administrative affairs of Bengal, subjugated gradually all the tracts up to the limits of Banaras, and enhanced more than before his pomp and power, until the throne of Delhi passed to Firuz Shah, son of Rajab, who attempted to re-conquer Bengal. It is said that at that time Sultan Shamsu-d-din built a bath, similar to the Shamsi bath of Delhi. Sultan Firuz Shah who was furious with anger against Shamsu-d-din, in the year 754 A.H., set out for Lakhnauti, and after forced marches reached close to the city of Panduah, which was then the metropolis of Bengal. The Emperor encamped at a place which is still called Firuzpurabad, and riding from that place besieged the Fort of Panduah.