Riyaz al-salatin 68: REIGN OF SULTAN MAHMUD, SON OF 'ALAU-D-DIN.

68

When Mahmud Shah ascended the throne, Makhdum 'Alam, his brother-in-law, who was Governor of Hajipur, raised the standard of rebellion, and intrigued and allied himself with Sher Khan, who was in the tract of Behar. Mahmud Shah deputed Qutb Khan, Commandant of Monghyr, to conquer the Province of Behar, and to chastise Makhdum 'Alam. Sher Khan made efforts to conclude peace, but they were of no avail; and at length, by the concurrence of the Afghans, resolving to die, he determined to fight. When the two forces closed together, a great battle ensued. Qutb Khan was killed in the battle, and Sher Khan, obtaining his elephants and baggage, became powerful. After this, Makhdum 'Alam, in order to avenge himself, or to usurp the throne, raised the standard of rebellion, and fighting with Mahmud Shah, was killed. And Sher Khan Afghan instantly, who had usurped the throne of Delhi, drew his force towards Bengal. The nobles of Bengal, guarding the passes of Teliagadhi and Sakrigali for one month continued fighting. At length, the passes of Teliagadhi and Sakrigali were captured, and Sher Khan entered Bengal, and Mahmud Shah, drawing his force, encountered the former, when a great battle ensued. Sultan Mahmud, being vanquished in the field, entrenched himself in the citadel, and sent a message to Emperor Humayun in Delhi, seeking for help. Humayun Shah in the year 944 A.H. turned towards the conquest of the province of Jaunpur. Since at that time, Sher Khan was in Bengal, Emperor Humayun going to the foot of the fort of Chunar, laid siege to it. Ghazi Khan Sur, who was in the fort on behalf of Sher Khan, raised the standard of opposition, and for six months the siege was protracted. By the efforts of Rumi Khan, ladders being mounted, the fort was scaled and captured by Humayun. Sher Khan also put forth grand efforts for capturing the fort of Gaur, and the garrison were hardpressed. But as in the meantime one of the zamindars of Behar, becoming refractory, raised disturbance, Sher Khan, finding it inexpedient to halt at Gaur, left his son, Jallal Khan, and Khawas Khan, one of his trusty nobles, to besiege the fort of Gaur, whilst he himself marched back to Behar. And Jallal Khan, son of Sher Khan, skirmished with Mahmud Shah, so that the garrison were reduced to straits, and, food-grains became scarce in the city. On Sunday, the 13th of the month of Farwardi, corresponding to the 6th of Zil-Qadh, 944 A.H., Jallal Khan with other grandees, such as Khawas Khan, etc., struck up the kettle-drum of battle. Sultan Mahmud, who was hard-pressed by the siege, sallying out of the fort, advanced to fight. Since the period of his fortune had turned to declension, and the luck of Sher Khan assisted the latter, Sultan Mahmud, unable to cope in battle, escaping by the way of Bhata, fled, and Mahmud Shah's sons were taken prisoners; and the fort of Gaur, together with other booty, fell into the hands of Jallal Khan, son of Sher Khan. Jallal Khan and Khawas Khan, entering the fort, engaged in slaughter and capture and plunder of the garrison. And Sher Khan also, being set free from the disturbance in Behar, pursued Sultan Mahmud. When they closed each other, Sultan Mahmud was obliged to fight, and receiving a serious wound, fled from the battle-field. Sher Khan, victorious and triumphant, spurred on to Gaur, and became master of Bengal. The Cathedral Mosque at S'adu-l-lahpur, amongst the buildings of Sultan Mahmud, son of Sultan 'Alau-d-din Husain Shah, exists to this day. From the inscriptions engraved on it, it appears that he was a son of Sultan 'Alau-d-din Husain Shah. The period of his reign appears to have lasted five years.