[Pramāṇa](https://indike.org/pramana/) › [Indian literature](https://indike.org/pramana/in) › [Dark Ages](https://indike.org/pramana/in.darkages) › [General histories](https://indike.org/pramana/in.darkages.general) › [Muntakhab al-tawārīkh](https://indike.org/pramana/in.darkages.general.muntakhab-al-tawarikh) › [Muntakhabu-t Tawarikh of 'Abdu-l Kadir Badauni (extracts)](https://indike.org/pramana/in.darkages.general.muntakhab-al-tawarikh~en-elliot) › 9 # Muntakhab al-tawarikh 9: Husain Khan Tukriya. Muntakhabu-t Tawáríkh of 'Abdu-l Kádir Badáúní (extracts) 9 - **Language:** English ### [9](https://indike.org/pramana/in.darkages.general.muntakhab-al-tawarikh~en-elliot.9) \[Text, vol. ii. p. 125.\] In A.H. 977 the pargana of Lucknow was transferred from the possession of Husain Khan Kashmiri to that of Mahdi Kasim Khan, who had just returned from Mecca, and had paid his respects to the Emperor at Rantambhor. Husain Khan was highly indignant at this, and exclaimed, "Our friendship is broken, we shall meet no more till the day of judgment." He then abandoned in disgust (his wife) the daughter of Mahdi Kasim, notwithstanding he loved her, and took the daughter of his uncle Ghazanfar Beg. After a while, leaving his wife in distress, and the daughter of Mahdi Khan with her brothers in Khairabad, he set forth from Lucknow with the design of breaking down the idols and of demolishing the idol temples. For he had heard that their bricks were made of gold and silver, and other false reports of their unbounded treasures had come to his ears. He proceeded through Oudh, towards the Siwalik hills. The hill-men, as is their custom, abandoned the lower hills after a slight resistance, and fled for security to higher elevations, of which the ascent was very dangerous. Husain Khan arrived at last at the place where Sultan Mahmud, nephew of Pir Muhammad Khan, was slain. He read the fatiha for the pure spirits of the martyrs who fell there, and repaired their dilapidated tombs. He then ravaged the whole country as far as the kasbah of Wajrail, in the country of Raja Ranka, a powerful zamindar, and from that town to Ajmir, which is his capital. In that place are to be found mines of gold and silver, silks, musk, and all the productions of Tibet, from which country he was only distant two days' journey;—when, on a sudden, as has been frequently observed in those mountains, the neighing of the horses, and the sound of the kettle-drums, as well as the voices of his followers, caused the clouds to collect, and so much rain fell, that neither corn nor grass was to be procured. Famine stared the army in the face, and although Husain Khan, with the most undaunted intrepidity encouraged his men, and excited their cupidity by representing the wealth of the city and the country, in gold, jewels and treasure, they were too much disheartened to second his resolution, and he was compelled to retreat. On their retreat the Káfirs, who were in possession of the passes, showered down stones and arrows tipped with poisoned bones upon them. They also blocked up the way, and most of the bravest of his warriors drank the cup of martyrdom. Many of the wounded, who escaped at the time, died five or six months afterwards from the effects of the poison. Husain Khán returned to Court, and requested that Kánt and Gola might be conferred upon him in jagir, in lieu of the one he held before. This was graciously acceded to. Several times he made incursions to the foot of the hills with various success, but he was never able to penetrate into the interior. Many fine fellows, who had escaped half-dead from his first expedition, now felt the malarious influence of the climate, and died off, but not in battle. After some years Husain Khán, contrary to the advice and remonstrances of his friends, mustered his forces for a final struggle to get possession of the hills, and perished in the attempt, as, please God, will be mentioned in its proper place. About this time I went, after taking leave of Husain Khan, from Lucknow to Badaun, where I formed a suitable nuptial alliance for my brother, Shaikh Muhammad, whom I loved from my very soul, nay, better than my own soul, for he was endowed with every excellent and angelic quality. Three months did not elapse before he died, he, as well as 'Abdu-l Latif, the light of my eyes, the earliest fruits of the garden of my life (my first-born), who, when time cast an evil eye upon him, was carried off, in the twinkling of an eye, from the cradle to the tomb, and I was suddenly reduced from the happiest to the saddest of men. God created me, and to God shall I return ! - [Previous: 8.p2](https://indike.org/pramana/in.darkages.general.muntakhab-al-tawarikh~en-elliot.8.p2) - [Next: 10](https://indike.org/pramana/in.darkages.general.muntakhab-al-tawarikh~en-elliot.10) --- Source: [https://indike.org/pramana/in.darkages.general.muntakhab-al-tawarikh~en-elliot.9](https://indike.org/pramana/in.darkages.general.muntakhab-al-tawarikh~en-elliot.9) · Pramāṇa