Muntakhab al-tawarikh 56: Sultan Ibrahim bin Sultan Sikandar Lodi,
Muntakhabu-t-tawārīkh (Ranking, Lowe, Haig) 56
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Sultan Ibrahim bin Sultan Sikandar Lodi,
56.1.1
Ascended the throne in Agra in the year 923 H. with the concurrence of the Amirs, and Shahzada Jalal Khan ibn-i-Sultan Sikandar [was appointed to the rule of Jaunpur and was styled by the title of Sultan, while Khan-i-Jahan Luhani governor of Rapri came to Agra] and blamed the Amirs greatly for associating (Jalal Khan) in the government of the kingdom ; and after that he had pointed out to them the foolishness of this procedure orders were issued to the Amirs of the eastern districts to seize Jalal Khan and bring him to the Court. He however went from Jaunpur to Kalpi and collected a large following, and after establishing the Khutbah and sikkah in his own name, assumed the title of Sultan Jalalu-d-Din. A‘zam Humayun Shirwani sided with him for a time, but eventually came and had an audience of Sultan Ibrahim. Sultan Ibrahim sent to the fortress of Hānsī certain of his brothers who were imprisoned, for instance Shāhzāda Ismā'īl Khān Husain Khān, and others, and appointed for each of them food and clothing and two servants from the private establishment. Then he proceeded in person with the object of conquering the Eastern districts, and came to Bhūn Gānw, and having settled the disturbances in Mawas came to Qanauj. There he nominated a large number of Amirs to proceed against Jalāl Khān, who with thirty thousand cavalry and a certain number of elephants had gone off in the direction of Agra.
56.1.2
Malik Adam Kakar was sent by the Sultan to defend Agra, and certain other Amirs arrived to support him. They succeeded in persuading Jalāl Khān, by making pleasing overtures and using attractive arguments, to surrender the paraphernalia of royalty and kingly splendour to the Sultan, in order that they might prefer his application for pardon of his past offences and obtain for him the Kālpī district as a jāgīr. Jalāl Khān instantly agreed, and made over his royal canopy, his kettle-drums, etcetera to Malik Adam with instructions to convey them to the Sultan in the neighbourhood of Etawa. The Sultan would not agree to his proposal of peace, and despatched a large army to oppose Jalal Khan, who fled in consternation and took refuge with the Raja of Gwaliar, and the Amirs of Sikandar’s party, who had heretofore been a source of weakness to the administration of the empire, one and all owned allegiance to the Sultan. The Sultan experienced a revulsion of feeling with regard to Miyan Bhoh, who was the chief of the Amirs of Sikandar, and had been his vazir and privy councillor, accordingly he cast him into chains and sent him to Malik Adam; however, he treated his son with kindness and advanced him to the high offices formerly held by his father. Miyan Bhoh died in prison, and A'zam Humayun Shirwani, the Governor of Karra, was sent with thirty thousand cavalry and three hundred elephants to attempt the reduction of Gwaliar.
56.1.3
Jalal Khan fled from Gwaliar and went to Malwa to Sultan Mahmud of Malwa. After the arrival of the Sultan’s troops Rai Vikramajit the son of Rai Man Singh, who, after the decease of his father, held the government of Gwaliar, was not able to cope with them, and could not properly defend the fortress. The fortress of Badalgarh, which lies below the fortress of Gwaliar, a very lofty structure, was taken from Rai Man Singh and fell into the hands of the Muslims, and a brazen animal, which was worshipped by the Hindus also fell into their. hands, and was sent by them to Agra, whence it was sent by Sultan Ibrahim to Dihli, and was put up over the city gate. This image was removed to Fathpur in the year 992 H., ten years before the composition of this history, where it was seen by the author of this work. It was converted into gongs, and bells, and implements of all kinds. In those days Sultan Ibrahim becoming distrustful of the old Amirs, imprisoned the greater number of them, and expelled (others) in different directions; and inasmuch as Jalal Khan could not get on with Sultan Mahmud of Malwa, he fled from Malwa and came to the country of Kara Kanka, where he fell into the hands of a tribe of the Gonds, who took him prisoner and sent him as a present to the Sultan, who ordered him to be taken to Hansi and imprisoned with his brothers. While on the way thither he drank of the draught of martyrdom.
56.1.4
The draught of sovereignty and glory is so sweet That for its sake kings will shed the blood of their brethren, Shed not the blood of the afflicted in heart for the sake of kingdom, For they will pour the selfsame draught into the cup for thee. After some time, in accordance with the orders of Sultan Ibrahim, A'zam Humayun Sarwani, together with his son Fath Khan, abandoned the siege of Gwaliar fort which he was within an ace of taking, and came to Agra, where both were made prisoners. Islam Khan the son of A'zam Humayun, gathered together a following in Karra by means of his father’s wealth, and, having brought over to his side the Amirs of that district, fought a battle with Ahmad Khan the governor of Kalra, and defeated him. Sultan Ibrahim accordingly despatched Ahmad Khan, the brother of A‘zam Humayun Lodi, in command of a vast army, to oppose the Amirs who had fled from his camp and had joined Islam Khan. With him also he sent other Khans of eminence, such as Khan-i-Khanan Farmuli, and others of similar rank. Near the township of Bangarmau, in the neighbourhood of Qanauj, Iqbal Khan, the chief cavalry commander under A'zam Humayun, with five thousand cavalry and some splendid elephants, broke out of ambuscade and attacked the forces of the Sultan, and after throwing them all into confusion withdrew (into ambush).
56.1.5
The Sultan by way of precaution despatched a further force to their assistance, but the enemy, who had about forty thousand cavalry, well armed, and five hundred elephants, shewed a firm front against them, until Nasir Khan Luhani with other generals arrived from the direction of Bihar and engaged the enemy on both sides. A fierce conflict ensued between the two armies, such a conflict as baffles description, and after a severe struggle the rebels were defeated. Islam Khan was killed and Sa‘id Khan Lodi was taken prisoner, thus the rebellion was quenched. Verse. Do not inflict ingratitude upon a benefactor and generous friend, Like the cloud, which receives bounty from the ocean, and rains a storm of arrows upon its breast. As far as you are able, make the requital of favours your habit and custom, Like the river, which gives to the clouds an ocean in return for one drop of its rain. And withal that he had gained so important a victory, yet was not the heart of the Sultan favourably disposed towards the Amirs and they also being aware of this, raised in all directions the banners of antagonism. In the meanwhile, many of the eminent Amirs of royal descent, as for example A‘zam Humayun Shirwani, and Miyan Bhoh, the Vazir of Sultan Sikandar, departed from this world in the confinement of the prison house.
56.1.6
This is that same journeying place, this interminable desert In which the army of Salm and Tur was lost; This is the selfsame stage, this world of ruin Which witnessed the palace of Afrasiyab. Miyan Husain Farmali was assassinated in Chanderi, at the instigation of the Sultan, by certain ruffianly Shaikhzadas of that place, and Darya Khan Lohani governor of Bihar, and Khan-i Jahan Lodi being alarmed, became disaffected. After a short time Darya Khan died, and his son Bahadur Khan turned rebel and occupied the place of his father. The revolted Amirs made common cause with him, so that he collected a force of nearly a hundred thousand cavalry in the vicinity of Bihar, and gained possession of that country, assuming the title of Sultan Muhammad, establishing the khutbah and sikka in his own name. His army penetrated as far as the country of Sambhal and brought it within the area of their control. The khutbah was read in his name in Bihar and the territories adjacent, for some time. It so happened that the son of Daulat Khan Lodi whose name was Khan-i Khanan came from Lahor to Agra to visit the Sultan, but being suspicious of his intentions fled from his court and went to his father. Daulat Khan, seeing no hope of obtaining release from the (wrath of the) Sultan, sent that same son of his to Kabul. He accordingly did homage to the supreme King, Zahiru d-Din Babar, and induced him to advance against Hindustan.
56.1.7
Eventually Khan-i-Khanan laid a complaint against his father before the supreme King Babar, and poisoned his mind against him, and led to discord between them, as will be related if the Most High God so will it. Khan-i-Khanan was living up to the date of the rebellion of Sher Shah, but at last died in prison. Sultan Muhammad departed to the world of permanence from Bihar, and the Amirs on all sides rebelled against Sultan Ibrahim, and great damage was inflicted upon the kingdom. The pillars of the empire began to totter, and the standard of the fortune of King Babar floated high.
56.2.1
The following is a brief epitome of the matter: Daulat Khan and Ghazi Khan his son, together with the other noble Amirs of Sultan Ibrahim, sent ‘Alam Khan Lodi to Kabul, bearing despatches to Zahiru-d-Din Babar Padishah, inviting him to attempt the conquest of Hindustan. Accordingly Babar Padishah appointed a number of his own Amirs to accompany ‘Alam Khan, with orders to advance and conquer that country. Having conquered Sialkot and Lahore with its dependencies, they represented the condition of affairs (to Babar) and the following qit‘ah was written to commemorate the date of the conquest of Hindustan. Verse. Zahiru-d-Din Muhammad Shah Babar, In fortune Sikandar, in force a Bahram, By his fortune conquered the country of Hind, The date of this was Fath badaulat. (Victory by fortune). Babar Padishah marching continuously, arrived at the banks of the river Indus, and drew up the whole force, composed of ten thousand [veteran] cavalry in that camp after passing the troops in review. In the interval, Daulat Khan and Ghazi Khan had turned back with thirty thousand veteran cavalry composed of Afghans and other tribes, and had occupied the town of Kalanur, and prepared to engage Babar’s Amirs at Lahor, while Amir who had attempted the of concealed it as soon as arrived, and took refuge in flight to the camp. Some days afterwards Babar arrived at Sialkot, where he encamped [and after trust the township of Sialkot founded Bahlolpur].
56.2.2
‘Alam Khan proceeded to Dihli by order of Babar, and encountering Sultan Ibrahim, made a night attack upon the army of the Sultan; and Jalal Khan with certain other Amirs arrived in the course of that and joined ‘Alam Khan. Sultan Ibrahim did not stir from his tent till dawn. The followers of ‘Alam Khan, fancying they had secured an easy victory, were scattered in all directions, only a small number remained with ‘Alam Khan. Sultan Ibrahim, urging an elephant forward, attacked the enemy's centre, who could not withstand his attack. The faithless ‘Alam Khan passing through the Doab came to Sirhind, and thence fled for refuge to the fortress of Ginguta, one of the dependencies of Malot, at the foot of the hills. Dilawar Khan separated from him, and joined the service of Babar Padshah, and became one of his faithful adherents. ‘Alam Khan also after some time came and had an interview with Babar, who, in accordance with his former custom, gave him an honourable reception, and as he was bathing at the time of the interview he distinguished him with a robe of honour and other marks of favour; and when he pitched camp in the neighbourhood of Kalanur, Muhammad Sultan Mirza and other Amirs came from Lahor and joined him. Thence he proceeded to the fortress of Malot in which Ghazi Khan [and Daulat Khan were, and besieged it, and Ghazi Khan and Khan-i Khanan] determined upon flight. and left the fort.
56.2.3
Daulat Khan hastened to tender his submission, and his faults were pardoned as on former occasions; and on the day of public audience when they brought him into the presence with two swords tied round his neck, orders were given that he was not to be brought in in that (humiliating) manner. On the contrary, Babar sent him a respectful summons, and bidding him be seated gave him a place near himself. That is (true) generosity to shew kindness to the wrongdoer, For the generous cannot but shew kindness to a friend. However, he distributed his effects among the soldiery, and the fortress of Malot, which apparently means Malot itself, fell into the hands of Babar Padishah. Some few days after this occurrence Daulat Khan, who had been imprisoned by Babar, died in prison; and Babar proceeded to the Siwalik hills in pursuit of Ghazi Khan, and encamped at the foot of the Dun, which is a very high hill. Ghazi Khan was not to be found. Babar accordingly returned stage by stage to the frontiers of Sihrind, and pitched his camp on the banks of the Ghaghar; thence he came to the borders of Samana and Sanam, and gave orders to Amir Kittah Beg to proceed to within a short distance of the camp of Sultan Ibrahim, who, after the defeat of ‘Alam Khan, had stood fast near Dihli, and bring intelligence of the position and strength of his army; and at this camp Baban the Afghan who had been in revolt came and had an interview (with Babar).
56.2.4
From this camp also Shahzada Muhammad Humayun Mirza, together with Khwaja Kalan Beg and other notable Amirs, were despatched against Hamid Khan the Khas-i-Khail (Chief of Cavalry) of Sultan Ibrahim, who was advancing at the head of a force from Hisar Firoza to give them battle. They proceeded by forced marches, and a severe engagement took place. Hamid Khan was defeated, many of his men being either killed or taken prisoners. The sarkar of Hisar Firoza with a revenue of two crores, was given as a reward to the Shahzada, and Babar Padishah encamped on the bank of the Jamna, two marches from Shahabad, and detailed Khwaja Muhammad Sultan Mirza, and Sultan Junaid Mirza Barlas to oppose Da'ud Khan and a body of Amirs of the army of Sultan Ibrahim, who had crossed the Jamna with five or six thousand cavalry. Accordingly they also crossed the Jamna and gave the Afghans a second drubbing, killing them and taking them prisoners, while the remnant of the sword took refuge in the camp of Sultan Ibrahim. Marching thence, having drawn up his right and left wings and centre, King Babar reviewed them in person. Eight hundred gun carriages had been prepared in one day. Ustad 'Ali Quli the Artillerist, acting upon my orders, had followed the custom of the Turkish artillery, and bound together the gun carriages with chains and raw hide thongs, twisting them into the form of a whiplash.
56.2.5
And in the interval between each pair of gun carriages six or seven shelter parapets were placed, so that on the day of the battle the riflemen might be able to fire in safety from the shelter of the guns and parapets. He had determined to march, and encamp with the city of Panipath in the rear of his army, and to use the line of gun-carriages as a front line of defence for his troops, while the cavalry and infantry should come into action from behind the gun-carriages with arrow and musketry-fire, while the remainder of the cavalry should advance on both sides, and keep up a constant attack, and in case of necessity should retire to the cover afforded by the gun-carriages. Accordingly on Thursday the last day of Jumaidu-l-Akhir 932 H., he encamped in the vicinity of the city of Panipath, at a distance of six krohs from the camp of Sultan Ibrahim, whose force was composed of a hundred thousand cavalry and a thousand elephants, while the army of Babar Padishah comprised fifteen thousand cavalry and infantry on a rough estimate. The troops under Babar used to make daily sallies from unexpected quarters, and attack the Afghan army, bringing in several heads; in spite of which Sultan Ibrahim and his men did not dare to make a single attempt at any counter attack during all this time.
56.2.6
At last one night Mahdi Khwaja, Muhammad Sultan Mirza and certain other Amirs, with five or six thousand men made a night attack upon Sultan Ibrahim’s army, and after killing a large number of them returned in safety. In spite of the consternation into which this threw them, the enemy were not put upon their guard, and on Friday the eighth of the honoured month Rajab in the aforesaid year, Sultan Ibrahim with a large army, strong as the brazen rampart of Sikandar, clad in iron armour came out to the fight.
56.2.7
Babar Padishah also, having arrayed his army with all the pomp and circumstance of war, and showing a firm unbroken front, gave orders detailing from the left wing Amir Qara Qurchi and Amir Shaikh 'Ali, with certain other Amirs, and from the right wing, Wali Qizil and Baba Qashqah, with the whole force of Mughuls, to form two parties and attack the enemy in the rear, while the Amirs of the right and left wings in a body, and from the picked troops, Amir Muhammad Qokultash, and Amir Yunis 'Ali, and Amir Shah Mansur Birlas, with other famous Amirs, should lead the front attack; and since the Afghans [were specially observant of the right wing, Amir 'Abdu-l-'aziz, who was with the reserve, was ordered by king Babar to reinforce the right wing], and when he got within bowshot of the enemy, the bodies of the enemies took to themselves wings, and the bird of the soul of many of them took flight from the cage of the body, while the wings of others were clipped by the shears of the two-edged sword. Verse. So vast was the river of blood which flowed on that battle field That the feet of the warriors could not stand against its flood; The breeze which blew from that battle field at morning time Brought to the nostrils the odour of the heart's blood.
56.2.8
The slain lay in heaps, while those who escaped death by the sword became the portion for kites and ravens. A period of two qarns has elapsed since this event up to the time of the composition of this Muntakhab, but up to the present, the noise of conflict and shouts of combatants proceeding from that field of battle reach the ears of travellers at night. In the year 997 H. (1588 A.D.) the writer of these pages was proceeding one day at early morning from the city of Lahor towards Fathpur, and had to cross that plain, when these terrifying noises reached his ears, and the people who were with him imagined that some enemy was upon them. I also witnessed with my own eyes what I had heard related. Submitting this divine mystery to the Almighty we went on our way. Sultan Ibrahim together with a party of attendants was taken in an unknown desert and put to the sword, his head was brought into the presence of Babar Padishah, and about five or six thousand who formed Sultan Ibrahim's retinue were put to death in the one spot. Verse. It is plainly evident to thee that this dark world is a snare of calamity. Thou knowest now that the world is full of guile, and desperately deceitful. That man from fear of whom no one would enter the water He himself is drowned in the ocean, an ocean without bounds.
56.2.9
Babar Padishah after gaining this signal victory departed thence, and reached Dihli on the same day and encamped there. He then caused the Khutbah to be read in his name, despatching Shahzada Muhammad Humayun Mirza and all the Amirs to Agra, with orders to make forced marches, and to seize the treasure belonging to Ibrahim, which was of untold value, and divide it among the soldiery. Verse. He who sacrifices his life upon the field of battle Sacrifice gold to him by way of generosity. However brave hearted a man may be He cannot be eager to fight when he is without food. This event took place in the year 932 H. (1525 A.D.), and the Hindus invented this date Shahid shudan-i-Ibrahim (the martyrdom of Ibrahim) to commemorate it. From that time the empire once more passed from the Afghan Lodi family, and rested on the descendants of Amir Timur Sahibqiran. The duration of the reign of Sultan Ibrahim was nine years.