Riyaz al-salatin 49.1

49.1

When Sultan Shamsu-d-din Bhangra passed away from this fleeting world, on the third day, with the consent of the nobles and the generals, his eldest son, Sikandar Shah, ascended the throne of Bengal, and spreading the hem of justice and generosity on the heads of the people, proclaimed joyful tidings of peace and security. And deeming it expedient to conciliate Sultan Firuz Shah, he sent, in the shape of presents, fifty elephants with sundry rareties. In the meantime, Firuz Shah, Emperor of Delhi, in the year 760 A.H. marched to subjugate the kingdom of Bengal. When he reached Zafarabad, the rains setting in, the Emperor encamped there, and sent envoys to Sikandar Shah. Sikandar Shah was in anxiety about the aim of the Emperor of Delhi, when Firuz Shah's envoys arrived. Sikandar Shah immediately sent his aid-de-camp together with five elephants and other presents, and opened negociations for peace; but these resulted in nothing. After the rainy season was over, Sultan Firuz Shah marched to Lakhnauti. When the Sultan encamped in the environs of Panduah, Sikandar Shah feeling that he was no match for the Sultan followed his father's tactics, and entrenched himself in the Fort of Ekdalah. Firuz Shah pressed the siege hard. When the garrison was reduced to straits, Sikandar Shah sending forty elephants together with other goods and presents and numerous rareties, and agreeing to pay an annual tribute, sought for peace. Firuz Shah accepting these returned to Delhi.