Muntakhab al-tawarikh 50: MASNAD-I-'ALI KHIZR KHAN IBN MALIKU-SH-SHARQ IBN MALIK SULAIMAN.
Muntakhabu-t-tawārīkh (Ranking, Lowe, Haig) 50
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Contents
MASNAD-I-'ALI KHIZR KHAN IBN MALIKU-SH-SHARQ IBN MALIK SULAIMAN.
50.1.1
In the year before mentioned after the conquest of Dihli having raised the standards of monarchy, became firmly established upon the throne of sovereignty. This Malik Suleiman had been exalted in his childhood by Malik Nasiru-l-Mulk Marwan Firuz Shahi to the rank of a son, and had been educated accordingly. In real truth he was a Saiyyidzada of high family, so that on one occasion Makhdum-i-Jahaniyan Saiyyidu-s-Sadat, the fountain of dignities, Shaikh Jalalu-l-Haqq wau-s-Shara‘ wau-d-din al-Bukhari may God sanctify his soul, came for some important purpose into the house of Malik Marwan Daulat; food was served, and Malik Suleiman brought the ewer and bason to Makhdum intending to pour water over his august hands. Makhdum addressing him by the title of Malik Marwan Daulat, said, This lad is a Saiyyid Zada, and it is derogatory to him to allot him such a menial service. From that day forth, it was known that Malik Suleiman was an undoubted Saiyyid; but besides this, the signs of Saiyyidship, and good qualities and praiseworthy traits became manifestly visible in the character of Masnad-i-‘Ali Saiyyid Khizr Khan. Verse. The Saiyyid was a man in whom were manifested The virtues of Muhammad, and the grace of ‘Ali the accepted.
50.1.2
The following is an epitome of the career of Malik Marwan Daulat. He was governor of Multan in the time of Firuz Shah, and after the death of Malik Marwan Daulat, the Government of that district devolved upon his son Malik Shaikh, shortly after whose death it was confirmed to Malik Suleiman. He also bade farewell to this world in that reign, and the country of Multan with its dependencies was conferred upon Saiyyid Khizr Khan on behalf of Sultan Firuz Shah, up to the date when the aforesaid Saiyyid was advanced to the Sultanate by the Amirs. He however would not assume the title of King; but received the title of Rayat-i-A‘ala. On the date mentioned he alighted at the palace of Sultan Mahmud, and gained over the hearts of great and small by public largesse and unbounded favours, distributing titles, offices, and territories among his personal attendants; in the very first year of his accession he conferred upon Malik Hafiz (Tuhfa) the title having seized the right bank of the Black water, inflicted condign punishment upon the infidels of Etawah, and then returned towards the city.
50.1.3
And in the year 818 H. (1415 A.D.) he gave to Saiyyid Khizr Khan the younger son of Malik Mubarak, whose countenance betokened royal dignity, the territory of Firuzpur and Sihrind, together with the whole of the districts which were in the possession of Bairam Khan Turkbacha, and subjected the supreme control and administration of that tract of country to his will and pleasure, while Malik Sadhu Nadir, having assumed the control of the western portion of Hindustan, was appointed to this office with the rank of Naib-i-Shahzada (i.e., vicegerent of the Prince). And in the aforesaid year the Prince here alluded to having, in concert with Malik Sadhu Nadira and Zirak Khan the Amir of Samana and other Amirs and Maliks, set in order the important affairs of that province, and put everything upon a satisfactory footing, returned to Dihli his capital city.
50.1.4
And in the year 819 H. (1416 A.D.) he appointed Malik Taju-l-Mulk with a large army to carry the standards of towards Baiana and Gwaliar; Malik Karimu-l-Mulk, the brother of Shams Khan Auhadi came and had an interview with him. Having cleared those regions of the thorns of infidelity he returned; and in this selfsame year some of the Turkbachas of Bairam Khan’s party seized by treachery Malik Sadhu Nadira, who was holding the district of Sihrind as the Shahzada’s deputy, raised him to the dignity of martyrdom, and took possession of Sihrind. Khizr Khan thereupon sent Zirak Khan to put down this rebellion, and he accordingly went thence to the foot of the hills in pursuit of those rebels, but after encountering many difficulties he returned. In this year also Sultan Ahmad, who was the ruler of Gujarat, laid siege to Nagor, but upon hearing of the march of Khizr Khan abandoned the siege and withdrew. Khizr came to Chhain, and Ilyas Khan the governor of Chhain gave in his allegiance to him. Thence he proceeded to Gwalior, and although he did not reduce that fortress, still he levied tribute and offerings from it, and thence came to Bayana where Shams Khan Auhadi gave in his submission. And in the year 820 H. (1417 A.D.) Tughan the Ra’is with his band who had been the murderers of Malik Sadhu revolted. Zirak Khan was again appointed (to chastise them), and scattered that gathering in all directions. And in the year 821 H.
50.1.5
(1418 A.D.) Taju-l Mulk went up against Katehr, and Har Singh Deo, who has already been mentioned, laid waste the whole of Katehr, and took to the forest of Aonla, the circumference of which is twenty-four krohs. After several engagements he was defeated, and eventually withdrew to the hill country of Kumaon. Taju-l Mulk crossed the river Rahab and pursued him as far as the hills, and from there came to Badaon, and taking with him Mahabat Khan, the governor of Badaon, crossed the Ganges by the crossing of Bajlana, then having dismissed Mahabat Khan, he himself went on to Etawa, whence he returned to Dihli laden with spoil. In this same year, also, Khizr Khan again led an army against Katehr, and proceeding by way of Kol arrived at Sambhal, where he crossed the Ganges and came to Badaon. On this occasion Mahabat Khan Budaoni being afraid of him, shut himself up in the fortress, and opposed Khizr Khan for a space of six months; he was on the point of being defeated, when Qiwam Khan and Ikhtiyar Khan, certain of the other Mahmud Shahi Amirs who had seceded from Daulat Khan and had espoused the cause of Khizr Khan, meditated treason against Khizr Khan; but Khizr Khan becoming aware of this state of things abandoned (the siege of) Badaon, and returned to Dihli. And in the year 822 H. (1419 A.D.) he put those traitor Amirs to death on the banks of the Ganges, in vengeance for the treachery of which they had been guilty.
50.1.6
In the same year also an obscure person on the confines of Bajwara, falsely gave himself out to be Sarang Khan who had been killed some time before, and upon his assuming this name several adventurers flocked to him. Khizr Khan deputed Sultan Shah Lodi to proceed against him. They fought a fierce battle in the neighbourhood of Sihrind, and Sarang Khan the impostor fled and took to the mountains. Sultan Shah made Rupar his head quarters. In this same year Khizr Khan sent Taju-l-Mulk to Etawa. Rai Sipar was holding out in that fort, but sought for quarter, and consented to pay revenue to Taju-l-Mulk. Thence he came to Chandwar, and having laid it waste and pillaged it, proceeded by way of Kaithar to Dihli. In this same year Malik Taju-d-Din died, and the duties of his Vazirship were entrusted to his elder son Malik Sikandar. Tughan Ra'is again raised an insurrection in Sihrind, and Malik Khairu-d-Din was appointed to oppose him, and returned after having satisfactorily quelled his rebellion.
50.1.7
And in the year 824 H. (1421 A.D.) Khizr Khan proceeded to Miwat and took Kotlah; thence he hastened to Gwaliar, from the Rai of which place he levied considerable sums and returned to Itawa. Rai Sipar had gone to hell, and his son had tendered his submission. In this interval a severe illness attacked Khizr Khan which led to his return towards Dihli. Having arrived at that city on the seventeenth of Jumada-l-Awwal in the above year, he was received into the mercy of God and passed away from the world. Verse Every evening is followed by the morning, At last there comes an end to every labour. The duration of his reign was seven years and some months. Sultan Mubarak Shah, son of Khizr Khan, in accordance with his rights as heir-presumptive ascended the throne with the consent of the Amirs in the year 824 H. (1421 A.D.) and became firmly settled in the administration of his kingdom.
50.1.8
In this year Jasrat Khokar, the son of Shaikha Khokar raised a rebellion, the reason of which was that he had taken unawares Sultan 'Ali the king of Kashmir, who had started with the intention of conquering Tatta, and had defeated him in one of the mountain passes, a vast amount of plunder falling into his hands. Emboldened by this victory, he used the royal treasures which he had obtained to further an attempt to seize the kingdom of Dihli, and having crossed the rivers Biah and Sutlej with a large army, and assaulted Talwandi which was in the possession of Rai Kamalu-d-Din Mubin, and Rai Firoz fled from before him.
50.1.9
290. Jasrat came to Ludhiana and plundered and pillaged along the banks of the river Sutlej as far as the boundaries of Rupar; there he crossed the river and came to Jalandhar. Zirak Khan had taken refuge in the fort of Jalandhar. Jasrat descended the bank of the river Sarsuti whereupon the question of peace arose; Jasrat by some treachery made Zirak Khan prisoner. Sultan Mubarak Shah moved towards Sirhind, upon hearing which Jasrat Shaikha released Zirak Khan who went to Samana and offered his services to Mubarak Shah who proceeded to Ludhiana. Jasrat having crossed the Ludhiana river drew up to oppose him, being in possession of the whole of the boats. The army of Mubarak Shah was unable to cross the river, until after the rising of Canopus when the river became fordable. The Sultan then crossed the river; Jasrat fled and having crossed the river Chhinab came to Talhar in the hill tract. The troops of Mubarak Shah followed him and the greater part of his infantry and cavalry were killed, and all his wealth and treasure was plundered and lost. Rai Bhim the chief of Jammoo offered his services to Mubarak Shah and guided his army. Mubarak Shah returned thence to Lahor.
50.2.1
And in the year 825 H. (A.D. 1421) he remained encamped on the bank of the river Ravi for nearly a month, rebuilt the city of Lahor which had been laid in ruins during the late invasion, and completely repaired the citadel where it had been breached and levelled; then having left there Malik Mahmud Hasan who bore the title of Maliku-sh-Sharq, returned to Dihli. Five months later Jasrat Khokar again came against Lahor with a large army and encamped at the abode of Shaikhu-l-Mashaikh Shaikh Hasan Zinjani, may God sanctify him, and every day for a month made repeated efforts to take the city by assault, but eventually failing to attain his object withdrew to Kalanor and fought a battle with Rai Bhim, and when both sides were in the midst of the fight they offered to make peace. Malik Sikandar Tuhfa who had been despatched from Dihli to reinforce Malik Mahmud Hasan crossed the Ravi by the ford of Pahi and encamped at Lahor, and Jasrat feeling that he was not able to cope with the conjoint forces crossed the Chhinab river and proceeded to the hills of Talwara, and the army of Mubarak Shah having put down that rebellion returned to Dihli.
50.2.2
In the year 826 H. (1422 A.D.) Mubarak Shah proceeded to Kaithar, and Mahabat Khan of Badaon who had revolted against Khizr Khan came in and submitted himself, and was distinguished by special marks of favour. Leaving there he crossed the Ganges and attacked the country of the Panwars in the neighbourhood of Khor otherwise known as Shamsabad, and having put the majority of them to the sword ravaged the country; then having left Malik Mubarak and Zirak Khan and Kamal Khan with a large force in the fortress of Kanpila to quell the insurrection of the rebels he returned to Dihli. And in this year Alp Khan Governor of Dhar came with the object of chastising the Rai of Gwaliar and with the intention of and that Jasrat withdrew, crossed the Chhinab and Ravi, and took refuge in the hills. subduing that region, Mubarak Shāh upon receiving intelligence of this proceeded towards Gwalior, he halted in the neighbourhood of Baiana, Shams Khān Auhadi the son of Auhad Khān Auhadi, Governor of Baiana, who had put to death by treacherous means his uncle Mubarak Khān, became alarmed and revolted, and after laying waste Baiana entrenched himself in the fortress, but eventually submitted.
50.2.3
Mubarak Shāh left that place and marched towards Gwalior, but Alp Khān proceeding along the banks of the Chambal river would not permit the army of Mubarak Shāh to cross; however the soldiers of Mubarak Shāh crossed by another ford, scattered the forces of Alp Khān, and returned triumphant. This engagement led to a peaceful settlement, and Alp Khān sent in many presents and returned towards Dhār, while Mubarak Shāh proceeded to Dihli. And in the year 827 H. (1423 A.D.) he again ordered an expedition towards the hills of Kumaon and Kaithar, on returning whence he laid waste Titāwat. In this year a severe famine occurred throughout the whole of Hindūstān. In the year 828 H. he again proceeded towards Mewāt and reduced the fortresses of Indor and Alwar. And in the year 830 H. he took Bayana from Khan Auhadi, and sent the family of Auhadi to the palace known as Jahan Numa, and assigned it to them as a residence. He then gave Bayana to Malik Muqbil Khan one of his retainers, and Sikri to Malik Khairu-d-Din Tuhfa, while he himself led an army against Gwalior receiving the submission of the Rais of that district. And in the year 831 H. (1427 A.D.) ambassadors arrived in Dihli from Qadir Khan, governor of Kalpi, bringing tidings that Sharqi was besieging him. Mubarak Shah marched to oppose Sharqi; but in the meantime tidings arrived that Sharqi had attacked Bhungaon and was encamped there, intending to proceed to Badaon.
50.2.4
Mubarak Shah, who had crossed the river Jamna at the ford of Nuh Patah, and had attacked Jartauli, on arrival at the township of Atrauli received intelligence that Mukhtasa Khan the brother of Sharqi had arrived on the borders of Itawa with an army and many elephants; Mubarak Shah detailed Maliku-sh-Sharq Mahmud Hasan with ten thousand cavalry to oppose Mukhtass Khan. Mukhtass Khan joined hands with Sharqi who proceeded along the banks of the Black-Water, otherwise known as the Kalini, and arrived in the vicinity of the township of Burhanabad one of the dependencies of Itawa. Mubarak Shah marching from Atrauli encamped at the town of Kota, but declined battle and withdrew towards Rapri, and thence, after crossing the Jamna, proceeded to Bamau and encamped on the bank of the river of Kanbhar. Mubarak Shah pursued him as far as Chandwar, a space of four krohs lay between the two armies so that the outposts of the forces could see each other. They remained thus confronting each other for twenty days, at last Sharqi came out in force, and from midday till nightfall hard fighting went on between the two armies, and the event was not decided on that day, on the following day Sharqi turned back towards his own country, and Mubarak Shah, considering that both sides were Muslims, no longer pursued him, but went towards Satgma, and having conquered that country followed the bank of the Chambal river and came down to Baiana.
50.2.5
Muhammad Khan Auhadi, who on account of having had an (unsatisfactory) interview with Sharqi had taken fright, and had entrenched himself in the fortress, came and sought protection in an interview with Mubarak Shah. Mubarak Shah thereupon retraced his steps to Dihli. And in the year 832 H. Maliku-sh-sharq Mahmud Hasan, who had been left in Baiana by Mubarak Shah as his Viceroy, and had put the affairs of that place in order, and had also chastised those infidels who had made common cause with Muhammad Khan and had raised disturbances, came to Court and received substantial favours, and the fortress of Tirora was confirmed to him. In that same year Malik Rajab Nadir, governor of Multan died, and Malik Mahmud Hasan received the title of 'Imadu-l-Mulk (Pillar of the State) and proceeded to Multan. And in the year 833 H. (1429 A.D.) Mubarak Shah went to Gwalior by way of Baiana, and having taken the Rapri district from the son of Hasan Khan gave it to Malik Hamza and returned to the city (Dihli). On the way thither Saiyyid Salim, who had served Khizr Khan for thirty years, and held the fief of Tabarhinda, died. The title of Saiyyid Khan was conferred upon one of his sons, and that of Shuja'u-l-Mulk upon the other. And Fulad, a Turkbacha slave, one of the servants of the aforesaid Saiyyid Salim, raised a rebellion in Tabarhinda and took possession of the enormous wealth which had been amassed by Saiyyid Salim.
50.2.6
Mubarak Shah imprisoned the sons of Saiyyid Salim, and appointed Malik Yusuf Sarwar and Rai Hansu Bhati to oppose him (Fulad). Fulad Turkbacha made a night attack upon them and scattered their forces, and much valuable booty fell into his hands. Mubarak Shah led an army against Tabarhinda, and the Turkbacha slave was besieged there. Mubarak Shah summoned 'Imadu-l-Mulk from Multan, and sent him with a message to the Turkbacha slave, who, after suing for quarter, came out from the fort and had an interview with 'Imadu-l-Mulk, but did not rely upon his assurances, and returned in alarm to the fort and continued to fight. Mubarak Shah permitted 'Imadu-l-Mulk to proceed to Multan and himself returned to Dihli. The slave (Fulad) continued to engage in battle at intervals with the troops of Mubarak Shah during the six months during which he was absent. At last he sent considerable sums of money by way of presents to Shaikh 'Ali Mughal who was the ruler of Kabul. Shaikh 'Ali accordingly came to his assistance from Kabul with a vast army, which was reinforced by a large number of men from the borders of the Panjab. He removed the slave (Fulad) together with all his family and relations from Tabarhindah and taking them with himself returned, and having crossed the river Biah came to Lahor. Malik Sikandar, governor of Lahor, who used to pay a yearly tribute to Shaikh ‘Ali, discharged his obligation and induced him to turn his attentions elsewhere.
50.2.7
Accordingly Shaikh ‘Ali passing by Lahor without sacking it made towards Depalpur, and ‘Imadu-l-Mulk came out from Multan to oppose him. Shaikh ‘Ali taking the bank of the river Ravi, proceeded to within a short distance of Tulumba, and turning aside from thence came to Khatibpur. (‘Imadu-'l-Mulk) fought with Shaikh ‘Ali but was defeated, and Malik Suleiman Shah Lodi, who was with the advance guard of the army of ‘Imadu-l-Mulk, fell in this battle, [and Shaikh ‘Ali came to Qasur and for a long time daily engagements were fought between him and ‘Imadu-l-Mulk]. And in the year 834 H. (1430 A.D.) Mubarak Shah sent a vast army to the assistance of ‘Imadu-l-Mulk, and appointed Fath Khan ibn-i Sultan Muzaffar Khan of Gujrat to the command of that force. ‘Ali was not able to stand against them, he changed front, and retired under cover of night into an entrenchment which he had thrown up around his position; when they surrounded his entrenchment he retreated towards Jhilam, and having crossed the river there lost the greater part of his men by drowning, some were killed and some taken prisoners. Shaikh ‘Ali and Amir Muzaffar proceeded with a certain number of men to the town of Shiwar; all their baggage and property falling been taken, the army of ‘Imadu-l-Mulk pursued them up to that point. Amir Muzaffar remained entrenched within the fortress while Shaikh ‘Ali set his face to go to Kabul. The victorious army abandoned the siege and returned to Dihli.
50.2.8
Multan was taken away from ‘Imadu-l-Mulk and given to Malik Khairu-d-Din Tuhfa which led to great disturbances on the borders of Multan. And in the year 835 H. (1431 A.D.) Malik Sikandar, governor of Lahor, set out to quell the rebellion which Jasrat Khukhar had stirred up at the foot of the hills. Jasrat took him unawares and engaged him in battle; Sikandar falling into the hands of Jasrat Khukhar was taken prisoner near Jalandhar. Jasrat took his prisoner to Lahor and besieged the city, and Saiyyid Najmu-d-Din the regent of Sikandar, and Malik Khushkhabar the slave of Sikandar, fought several battles with him. In the meantime Shaikh ‘Ali collected an army and again came on to the borders of Multan, and assaulted Khatpur, taking prisoners the greater portion of the inhabitants of Jhilam and its vicinity, and seized Tulumba, pillaging and despoiling all the inhabitants and making them prisoners; most of them he put to death, and took the rest of them, great and small, to his own country.
50.3.1
In the meantime Fulad Turkbacha, who has been mentioned above, left Tabarhinda and invaded the territory of Rai Firoz who engaged him in battle and was slain, Fulad sending his head to Tabarhinda. In this year also the Sultan again led an army towards Lahor and Multan; when he arrived in the vicinity of Samana, Jasrat withdrew from in front of Lahor towards the foot of the hills, and Shaikh ‘Ali also retired to his own country. Lahor and Jalandhar were taken from Shamsu-l-Mulk and given to Nusrat Khan Gurgandaz, and Mubarak Shah gave orders for the family and relations of Shamsu-l-Mulk to be removed from Lahor to Dihli, whither he himself returned. And in the year 835 H. (1431 A.D.) Mubarak Shah once more hastened to Samana to put down the rebellion of Jasrat, when he arrived at Panipat he received intelligence of the death of his mother, who was called Makhduma-i Jahan (Mistress of the world), and turned back with a small retinue to Dihli, and having remained there ten days to perform his mourning for her, again joined his army, and detailed Sarwaru-l-Mulk to proceed to Tabarhinda to put down the insurrection of Faulad. Mubarak Shah after taking Lahor and Jalandhar from Nusrat Khan gave them to Malik Allahdad Kalu Lodi. When he arrived near Jalandhar, Jasrat, having crossed the river Biah, had engaged Allahdad Kalu at Bijwara, and had defeated him. Malik Allahdad had fled to the hill-country.
50.3.2
In this year the Sultan brought an army into Mewat against Jalal Khan, and from thence despatching a force to operate towards Gwaliar and Etawa, returned (to Dihli). In this same year Shaikh ‘Ali coming down into the Panjab again caused disturbances there. Mubarak Shah accordingly nominated ‘Imadu-l-mulk to reinforce the Amirs of that district. Shaikh ‘Ali invaded the country from Shur to the banks of the Biah, and taking great numbers prisoners and plundering, went to Lahor. Zirak Khan and the other Amirs who were in Lahor fortified themselves there, and fought repeated engagements with him, till, one night, the inhabitants of Lahor were careless about their guards and sentries, and Malik Yusuf Sarwaru-l-Mulk and Malik Isma’il under cover of night succeeded in joining Zirak Khan, then sallying from the fort, gave battle and were defeated. Shaikh ‘Ali pursued them, some of the fugitives were put to death, and some were taken prisoners. The following day Shaikh ‘Ali took Lahor and put to death great and small, and taking many prisoners remained there. And after some days, he came to Dehalpur, which Malik Yusuf Sarwaru-l-Mulk was intending to abandon. Malik ‘Imadu-l-Mulk on hearing of this despatched his brother Malik Ahmad from Tabarhinda to the fort of Dehalpur with orders to hold it. Shaikh ‘Ali becoming aware of this returned from that direction: Sultan Mubarak Shah proceeded as far as Samana in order to quell these disturbances.
50.3.3
From Samana he proceeded to Talaundi and thence to the ford of Puhi, where he crossed the Biah and came to Dehalpur. Thence he marched along the banks of the Ravi, and Shaikh ‘Ali crossed the Jhilam and fled. Mubarak Shah pursued him as far as the fortress of Shiwar and crossed the Ravi near Tulumba. Amir Muzaffar Khan, brother’s son to Shaikh ‘Ali, who was holding the fort with Shaikh ‘Ali’s troops, fought against the king for a month, and at last sued for quarter, and gave his daughter together with a large amount of money and valuables to the prince. A part of Shaikh ‘Ali’s forces who were besieged in Lahor sought quarter from Shamsu-l-Mulk and evacuated the fort. As soon as Mubarak Shah had completed the affair of Shiwar and the conquest of Lahor, he proceeded with a small retinue to visit the holy shrines of the Shaikhs at Multan, and returning almost immediately came to Dehalpur and remained there for some days. Having regard to Shaikh ‘Ali (as a source of danger), he gave the districts of Lahor and Dehalpur to Maliku-sh-Sharq ‘Imadu-l-Mulk, and taking away the districts of Baiana from ‘Imadu-l-Mulk he gave them to Shamsu-d-din. Marching thence in light order by forced marches, he reached Dihli on the day of the ‘Id-i-Qurban and conferred the office of wazir upon Sarwaru-l-Mulk and gave to Malik Kamalu-l-Mulk, who was the Military Secretary (Naib-i-Lashkar), charge of the civil administration in conjunction with Sarwaru-l-Mulk.
50.3.4
There was a hypocritical bond of fellowship between these two, inasmuch as Sarwaru-l-Mulk had a grievous thorn rankling in his breast on account of the deprivation of Dipalpur, and bore a grudge against Mubarak Shah so that at such a juncture, seeing that he had less than ever to hope from him, he entered on a course of secret treachery and deceit. He entered into a conspiracy with the sons of Kangu Khatri and Kajwi Khatri and Miran Sadr Naib-i-'Arz, (who for generations had been of the Mubarak Shahi family, and held several high offices) and also with another party of Muslim vagabonds, to seek an opportunity of destroying Mubarak Shah. And in the year 837 H. (1433 A.D.) Mubarak Shah built a city on the banks of the river Jamna, and gave it the name of Mubarakabad (City of Prosperity), though in reality it should have been called Kharababad (City of Ruin), and was so zealous in building it that he spared no pains in its superintendence. In the meanwhile news of the capture of the fortress of Tabarhinda reached the court, accompanied by the head of the slave Faulad Turkbacha. Mubarak Shah could not contain himself for joy at this intelligence, and proceeded by forced marches to Tabarhinda, and returned thence speedily to Mubarakabad. In this year tidings arrived that hostilities were going on between Sultan Ibrahim Sharqi and Alp Khan, governor of Kalpi, who had rereceived the title of Hoshang.
50.3.5
Mubarak Shah accordingly sent commands in all directions for forces to be collected and held in readiness to march towards Kalpi, and that they should assemble at the Court. At this juncture Mubarak Shah persisted in his invariable custom of visiting the site of the new city in season and out of season. One day when he had ridden out there with a body of attendants without ceremony, and was preparing to say the Friday prayers, the infidels under Miran Sadr, who had continually lain in wait for him at the instigation of Sarwaru-l-Mulk, seeking an opportunity (to slay him), with one accord entered the private apartment of Mubarak Shah on some pretext or another, and Sidh Pal, the grandson of the scoundrel Kaju Khatri, put that auspicious monarch to a martyr’s death. This event took place in the year 837 H. The days of his reign were thirteen years three months and sixteen days. Verse. Wonder not at the vicissitudes of time, for the heavens Retain a recollection of thousands of such stories as this. Set not your affections upon that which passeth away, for the river Dajla Will continue to pass by Baghdad, while many Khalifahs come and go.