Firishta's History (Gulshan-i Ibrāhīmī) 225: SOOLTAN MAHMOOD KHILJY:
History of the Rise of the Mahomedan Power in India (Briggs) 225
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Contents
SOOLTAN MAHMOOD KHILJY:
225.1.1
He ascends the throne, confirming to all the nobles their estates and titles. — An attempt is made to assassinate the King, which is frustrated. — The Prince Ahmud Ghoory creates an insurrection. — Ahmud Shah of Guzerat espouses his cause, as well as that of the princes Musaood and Oomr, sons of the late King. — The princes Ahmud and Musaood are cut off by poison, and Oomr is taken prisoner and beheaded. — Pestilence rages in the Guzerat army, which is obliged to retreat. — Sooltan Mahmood invited to Dehly — marches thither, but retreats suddenly — compels Kadur Khan of Kalpy to acknowledge fealty to him — makes war with the Rana of Chittoor — reduces one of the forts of Koombulmere — besieges Chittoor, but is foiled — is engaged in war with the King of Joonpoor. — Treaty of Eerich concluded. — The King besieges Mundulgur — receives tribute from the Raja of Mundulgur, also from the rajas of Kota and Boondy — engages in war with the King of Guzerat. — Battle of Surkech. — Able retreat of Sooltan Mahmood out of Guzerat — is induced to invade the Deccan, owing to the invitation of Julal Khan Bokhary. — War with the Rana renewed. — Takes Ajmere. — Koombulmere capitulates, but is ransomed for a large sum of money. — Boondy taken by storm. — The King invades the Deccan. — Defeats the army of Nizam Shah Bahmuny, and takes the capital. — Is compelled to retreat by the arrival of the King of Guzerat. — Second campaign in the Deccan also unsuccessful.
225.1.2
— The fort of Kehrla taken from the troops of Malwa by the King of the Deccan — is restored. — Treaty of Elichpoor, by which Kehrla and the Narnala hills become the boundary of the two kingdoms. — Insurrection in Keechiwara — is suppressed. — Death of the King — his character. AMONG the several Indian histories, but particularly in the Tareekh Alfy of Moolla Ahmud, we find it related, that the dynasty of the Ghoory family became extinct with Ghizny Khan; and that on Monday the 29th of Shuval, in the year 839, Mahmood Khan, assuming the title of Sooltan Mahmood Khiljy, ascended the throne, in the thirty-fourth year of his age, and was crowned in Mando with the royal tiara of Sooltan Hooshung. At the same time public prayers were read, and coin was struck in his name; after which, having sent for the officers of the court, and presenting them with robes of honour, he confirmed the grants of the estates and offices which they held under the late king. To some he gave additional titles; among whom was Musheer-ool-Moolk, who received the title of Nizam-ool-Moolk, and was appointed one of his ministers. Mullik Burkhoordar was nominated chief usher, with the title of Taj Khan. In addition to the titles of his father, Mullik Mogheis, who was already denominated Mullik Ashruf, Khan Jehan, he added those of Ameer-ool-Omra, Zoobdut-ool-Moolk, Khoolasut-ool-Malwa, Azim Hoomayoon.
225.1.3
He was also permitted to assume the white canopy, and to bear a silver quiver, exclusive marks of royalty, beside being attended by gentlemen ushers bearing golden and silver staves, who preceded him when he appeared in public, proclaiming his titles, commencing “By the grace of God,” and so on. The seals of the office of prime minister were also delivered over exclusively into his hands. Sooltan Mahmood, during his whole reign, gave great encouragement to learned men, and founded several colleges in different parts of the kingdom for the promotion of literature, so that the philosophers and mowlanas in Malwa bore a fair comparison with those of Shiraz and Samarkand. After reorganising the affairs of his government, and having appointed the officers to their respective stations, some of those of Sooltan Hooshung’s reign still remained unprovided for, who formed a project to seize the King. And in consequence one night, in pursuance of their plan, Mullik Kootb-ood-Deen Sumnany and Nuseer-ood-Deen Joorjany, with some others, having placed ladders so as to escalade a musjid which commanded Sooltan Mahmood’s palace, descended into the court-yard. During this operation, the King hearing a noise, and suspecting treason, came out fully accoutred with his sword, and bow and quiver, and proceeded direct to the spot where the confederates had assembled. He instantly attacked them without hesitation, and wounded many with his own hand;
225.1.4
and being soon after joined by Nizam-ool-Moolk and Mullik Mahomed Khizr with the guards, the traitors made their escape, with the exception of one, who being unable to go down the ladder, threw himself off the musjid, and broke his leg. He was, in consequence, taken the next morning. This person discovered the names of all the conspirators, who being seized were punished. But Azim Hoomayoon, the King’s father, interceded in behalf of the following persons, who were pardoned, and estates allotted to them: — The Prince Ahmud Ghoory, son of Sooltan Hooshung, received the estate of Islamabad. Mullik Yoosoof, entitled Kowam Khan, had Bhilsa. Mullik Itihad, Hooshungabad; and Mullik Nuseer-ood-Deen, entitled Noosrut Khan, Chundery. The Prince Ahmud, taking advantage of his situation, very soon collected a force at Islamabad; and Azim Hoomayoon proposed that remonstrances should be made to him in the first instance; which proving of no avail, the King ordered Taj Khan to proceed with a force to reduce him. On reaching Islamabad, Taj Khan found himself unable to make any impression on the fort, and wrote to court for reinforcements. This delay gave courage to other malecontents; and information was received that Mullik Itihad of Hooshungabad, and Nuseer Khan of Chundery, had both raised the standard of revolt. The King now directed his father to march in person against all the insurgents.
225.1.5
His first object was Islamabad, where he was met, at the distance of four miles, by Taj Khan, whose force formed a junction with the minister's army, and measures were taken to commence regular approaches against the fort; but owing to the deference Azim Hoomayoon always evinced towards the descendants of his patron Sooltan Hooshung, he sent some of the most respectable of his officers into the fort, in order to induce the Prince Ahmud to accommodate matters, but without effect. Kowam Khan, who also joined the King’s army at this place, but who was secretly in league with the Prince Ahmud, privately furnished the garrison with stores; and the siege might have been protracted indefinitely, had not Azim Hoomayoon bribed one of his servants to administer poison to the Prince in a cup of wine, of which he died. Azim Hoomayoon instantly took possession of the fort without resistance, and marched to Hooshungabad; but Kowam Khan, suspecting that his treachery had been discovered, remained at Bhilsa, while Azim Hoomayoon continued his march. On his arrival at Hooshungabad, Azim Hoomayoon found that Mullik Itihad, afraid to oppose the King’s army, had fled to the foot of the Gondwana hills, where the inhabitants seized and put him to death. After having occupied Hooshungabad with the King’s troops, and placing a confidential officer in charge, Azim Hoomayoon proceeded to Chundery. On arriving within a few miles of the place he was met by Noosrut Khan, who threw himself on his mercy.
225.1.6
Azim Hoomayoon, always inclined to effect his object, if possible, by the most moderate measures, caused Noosrut Khan to go with him to the town, where he established an investigation into his administration; and having ascertained, beyond doubt, that he was constantly instilling insurrection against the government into the minds of the people, he was displaced, and one Hajy Kaloo left in his stead. From Chundery Azim Hoomayoon proceeded to Bhilsa, calling on Kowam-ool-Moolk to account for his conduct; but in spite of the frequent remonstrances sent to him he refused to meet Azim Hoomayoon, or to listen to any accommodation, so that after being closely besieged, and apprehensive that the place must fall, he fled, leaving Azim Hoomayoon to settle the affairs of the district, after which he returned to Mando. On his march thither he learned that Ahmud Shah of Guzerat had espoused the cause of the Prince Musaood Ghoory, and that he was in full march to support his rights at the head of a large force, accompanied by twenty elephants. Azim Hoomayoon made rapid marches towards the capital, and avoiding the Guzerat army by making a detour of twelve miles, he succeeded in throwing himself into the fort of Mando by the Tarapoor gate. Shortly after which the fort was invested by Ahmud Shah. The besieged made daily sallies on the trenches of the besiegers;
225.1.7
and Sooltan Mahmood would willingly have marched out and given battle to the Guzerat army in the field, but his intentions were always frustrated by the opposition he met with from those officers who had been in the service of the late Sooltan Hooshung. Sooltan Mahmood, considering that almost the whole of his former adherents were averse to him, resolved to court popularity among the common people, by serving out grain from the public stores gratis. He also held out promises of estates to those Malwa officers in Ahmud Shah’s camp who were at all discontented, so that the Prince Musaood was deserted by many of the old Malwa chiefs, who came over to Sooltan Mahmood, and who at their instigation resolved to lead a night-attack against Ahmud Shah’s trenches. Noosrat Khan, the officer who had lately been removed from Chundery, having given private intimation to Ahmud Shah of the intended attack on his lines, the object was, in a great measure, defeated. The assault took place, as was proposed; but Sooltan Mahmood was astonished to find the enemy so well prepared, that even the narrow passes by which he was to advance were stockaded, and the Guzerat troops ready to oppose him. He, however, overcame these obstacles, having stormed and carried the stockades with severe loss; but still finding himself so warmly received on all sides, he was induced to retreat, after having slain a great number of the enemy.
225.2.1
At this period information was received that the Prince Oomr Ghoory, the younger brother of Musaood, who had first fled to Guzerat, had subsequently gone to the country of Rana Koombho of Chittoor. This prince was now at the head of a force; and having entered Malwa, had occupied Chundery, where the inhabitants and soldiers under Hajy Kaloo, revolting from him, had received the Prince with every demonstration of joy. This news having reached Ahmud Shah of Guzerat, he detached his son Mahomed Khan, with a force consisting of five thousand cavalry and thirty elephants, to Sarungpoor to make a diversion in favour of the Prince; and the governor of Sarungpoor, unable to oppose him, joined his standard. Sooltan Mahmood now resolved no longer to remain within Mando; but calling a council of war, it was agreed that Azim Hoomayoon should be left in charge of the fort, and that the King should take the field in person. Sooltan Mahmood marched out, therefore, with the army by the Tarapoor gate, without being opposed, and proceeded towards Sarungpoor, having sent Taj Khan in advance. This officer falling in with a detachment of Guzeratties under the command of Hajy Ally of Guzerat, who occupied a ford on the Chumbul river, attacked and defeated it. Ahmud Shah, hearing of Sooltan Mahmood’s being in the field, directed his son Mahomed Khan to fall back from Sarungpoor on Oojein, to which place he himself proceeded, where the two Guzerat divisions formed a junction.
225.2.2
Intimation of the movement of the Guzeratties was afforded to Sooltan Mahmood by Mullik Isak, the late governor of Sarungpoor, who wrote a petition, soliciting pardon for surrendering the place to the Prince Mahomed Khan, and now informed his master of the march of the former to Oojein in order to unite with his father’s army: he stated, also, that the Prince Oomr Ghoory was advancing with a force from Chundery to occupy Sarungpoor. Sooltan Mahmood, rejoiced at having obtained this information, pardoned Mullik Isak, and detaching Taj Khan with a party of light cavalry to make forced marches to occupy Sarungpoor, followed with the main body to that place. Upon his arrival he conferred on Mullik Isak the title of Dowlut Khan, and paid him ten thousand tunkas from the royal treasury; he presented him at the same time with a standard and an honorary dress, and increased his pay. He also gave horses and other presents to several other officers, among whom he distributed a donation of fifty thousand tunkas. Intimation was now received that the Prince Oomr, having burned the town of Bhilsa, was advancing to the Sarungpoor frontier, and that Ahmud Shah, with thirty thousand cavalry, and three hundred elephants, had left Oojein, and was in full march to the same place. Sooltan Mahmood, perceiving the object was to hem him in between the Prince Oomr and the Guzerat army, determined to prevent this manœuvre, by attacking the Prince Oomr.
225.2.3
He therefore marched the same night, but halted when the army arrived within twelve miles of the enemy, and sent Nizam-ool-Moolk and Mullik Ahmud Silehdar to reconnoitre his position. On the following morning, the two armies moved about the same time to the attack; and as the lines approached, the Prince Oomr, with a select party, took post in the rear of a hill, to fall upon the flanks of Sooltan Mahmood’s army. This movement being perceived by the King, he pushed on in person, and suddenly coming upon him, cut off his division from the main body. The Prince’s party fought desperately; but the bold charge made by Sooltan Mahmood in person threw it into confusion. The Prince was taken prisoner, and decapitated. His head was elevated on the point of the royal standard; and the King marched towards the army of Chundery, which had not yet been engaged. The officers of the Prince’s army, having learnt his fate, agreed on a truce till next day; but during the night they fled to Chundery, where they placed Mullik Sooliman Ghoory, a relation of the Prince Oomr, on the throne, and saluted him with the title of Sooltan Shahab-ood-Deen. Sooltan Mahmood having detached a force to pursue the Chundery army, marched to attack Ahmud Shah of Guzerat; but a raging disease breaking out in the Guzerat camp, the effects of which were so sudden and fatal that the soldiers had not time to bury the dead, Ahmud Shah was compelled to retreat;
225.2.4
and taking the route of Ashta, proceeded to Guzerat in the most expeditious manner, promising the Prince Musaood Ghoory that he would return on the following year and restore him to his rights. Sooltan Mahmood, on the first intimation of Ahmud Shah’s march, supposing it to be directed against his capital, proceeded to Mando, in order to reinforce that garrison; but after halting seventeen days, and finding that Ahmud Shah had retreated to Guzerat, he returned to the attack of Chundery. Here he was opposed by the pretender Mullik Sooliman, who, unable to withstand Sooltan Mahmood’s troops, took refuge in the fort, and in the course of two or three days died suddenly. The officers of Chundery, however, still obstinately persisting in resistance, raised another person to the throne; and marching out of the fort, attacked the King, but met with a repulse. The siege of Chundery occupied eight months, when Sooltan Mahmood, becoming impatient, resolved to take it, if possible, by surprise; and heading a party himself, he escaladed the lower town in the dead of the night, and carried it, putting many of the enemy to the sword. Some few made their escape into the hill-fort, but they were closely besieged; and Ismael Khan, under whom the garrison acted, after a few days, sent a flag of truce, offering to surrender, on receiving a promise, that the lives of himself and the garrison should be spared.
225.2.5
The terms eventually granted were, that the besieged should bring all their private property, and their families, and place them in the public bazar, that the whole army might be witness of their complete subjection, but that their lives should be spared. After which, having put Chundery under the government of Mallik Moozuffur Ibrahim, the King intended to return to his capital, when he heard that Dongur Sing, the Raja of Gualiar, had marched to the southward, and laid siege to the fort of Nurwur. Sooltan Mahmood, notwithstanding the approach of the rains, and the arduous campaign in which his army had just been engaged, marched towards Gualiar, laying waste the Raja’s country. The Rajpoots, sallying from the fort, attacked his troops, but they were defeated, and obliged to retreat. Dongur Sing, in consequence, was induced to raise the siege of Nurwur, in order to protect his own capital. The object of Sooltan Mahmood in relieving Nurwur being thus gained, he did not lay siege to Gualiar, but returned to Mando. In the year 843, he commenced the repairs of the palace of the late Sooltan Hooshung, and the musjid built in commemoration of that monarch, near the Rampoora gate. This splendid edifice has two hundred and thirty minarets and three hundred and sixty arches.
225.2.6
In the year 844, Sooltan Mahmood received petitions from the chiefs of Mewat and Dehly, stating, that Syud Mahomed, King of Dehly, the nephew and successor of Syud Moobarik, was totally incapable of supporting the weighty affairs of the government of his vast empire; that the oppressed were calling out on all sides for redress, and that the nation was anxious for Sooltan Mahmood to march to Dehly, and ascend the throne. In consequence of these overtures, in the latter end of the same year, Sooltan Mahmood put his army in motion for that purpose. On his arrival in the neighbourhood of the town of Hindown he was joined by Yoosoof Khan Hindowny, whence he proceeded towards the capital. Syud Mahomed, although he had a large force at his disposal, became alarmed, and proposed to quit Dehly, and fly to the Punjab. He was dissuaded, however, by his officers, and directed, that as there was no occasion for his own presence in camp, the army should march against the enemy under his son. The advance guard, consisting of a select body of archers, was commanded by Mullik Bheilole Lody. Sooltan Mahmood, hearing that the King was not with the Dehly forces, and conceiving it derogatory to proceed in person, retained with him a few thousand of his cavalry, and ordered the rest of his army under his two sons, Gheias-ood-Deen and Fidwy Khan, to oppose the enemy. An engagement took place, in which both armies fought desperately from mid-day till sunset, when the retreat was mutually sounded.
225.2.7
On that night, Sooltan Mahmood dreamed that he saw an unknown person placed on the throne at Mando, who afterwards went to the shrine of Sooltan Hooshung, when the officers placed upon his head the canopy from the tomb of that monarch. Being much distressed in mind on account of this dream, he was deliberating how to act, when on a sudden a messenger arrived from Syud Mahomed, ordering his son to make peace upon any terms. An accommodation immediately succeeded, and the army of Sooltan Mahmood commenced its retreat to Malwa. It is a remarkable coincidence, that on the very night of Sooltan Mahmood’s dream an insurrection did take place in the city of Mando, which was put a stop to only by the resolute and timely exertions of his father, Azim Hoomayoon, an account of which reached him on the road to his capital. But I find it stated in some histories, that the cause of Sooltan Mahmood’s return originated in his having received intimation of the intended attack of the King of Guzerat; and certainly this appears most probable.
225.3.1
At all events, in the year 845, he reached Mando, and distributed alms to all the poor in consequence of his safe return after so long a campaign. During the same year he repaired to the town of Nalcha, where he built some beautiful palaces and musjids; but his enterprising mind was ill calculated to indulge long in such pursuits: he assembled his army, and was about to proceed towards Chittoor. At this time he heard that Nuseer, the son of Abdool Kadur of Kalpy, having proclaimed his independence, had assumed the title of Nuseer Shah, and adopted principles in opposition to the tenets of the true faith. Sooltan Mahmood now directed his arms to that quarter. As soon as Nuseer Khan heard of the movement of the King, he deputed his tutor, Ally Khan, to wait on Sooltan Mahmood with rich presents, which were all rejected, and the ambassador was not even allowed to enter the camp; till on the arrival of the King of Malwa at Julalpoor, in consequence of the repeated entreaties of his father, Azim Hoomayoon, Ally Khan was admitted to the presence, his offerings were received, and the submission of Nuseer Khan accepted. Sooltan Mahmood, however, marched on within a short distance of Kalpy, before he shaped his course towards Chittoor. After having crossed the Bunas river, he sent on detachments of light troops to lay waste the country.
225.3.2
The main body continued to advance slowly, and was engaged every day either in taking prisoners or in destroying temples, and in building musjids in their stead. Sooltan Mahmood now attacked one of the forts in the Koombulmere district, defended by Beny Ray, the deputy of Rana Koombho of Chittoor. In front of the gateway was a large temple which commanded the lower works. This building was strongly fortified, and employed by the enemy as a magazine. Sooltan Mahmood, aware of its importance, determined to take possession of it at all hazards; and having stormed it in person, carried it, but not without heavy loss; after which, the fort fell into his hands, and many Rajpoots were put to death. The temple was now filled with wood, and being set on fire, cold water was thrown on the stone images, which causing them to break, the pieces were given to the butchers of the camp, in order to be used as weights in selling meat. One large figure in particular, representing a ram, and formed of solid marble, being consumed, the Rajpoots were compelled to eat the calcined parts with pan, in order that it might be said that they were made to eat their gods. Sooltan Mahmood having reduced this fort, which the kings of Guzerat, notwithstanding frequent and long sieges, had never been able to effect, caused public thanksgiving to be made, at which every person in camp was required to attend.
225.3.3
From Koombulmere the army marched to Chittoor, and carried by storm the lower fort, in consequence of which the Rana fled to the hills, closely pursued by the King, while his father, A’zim Hoomayoon, proceeded to occupy the districts surrounding Mundsoor; on which service he fell sick, and shortly afterwards died at that town. Although from the age of Azim Hoomayoon such an event was to be expected, yet Mahmood no sooner heard the news than he repaired to Mundsoor alone, caused the remains of his parent to be embalmed and conveyed to Mando, and became almost distracted with grief, so that he tore his hair and raved like one bereaved of his senses. In a few days after, having appointed Taj Khan to the command of the force at Mundsoor, and conferred on him the title of Azim Khan, the King returned to join his army at Chittoor. As the rains were now approaching, he endeavoured to find some elevated spot on which he might canton during the wet season, having determined to besiege the fort of Chittoor immediately after. Rana Koombho, however, on the night of Friday the 25th of Zeehuj, in the year 846, made an attack on the Malwa lines, with a force consisting of twelve thousand cavalry and six thousand infantry. Sooltan Mahmood had taken up an advantageous position, and his advanced pickets were strongly posted, so that the line being enabled to turn out before it could be surprised, the assault completely failed. The Rajpoots suffered severely on this occasion.
225.3.4
On the following night, Sooltan Mahmood attacked the Rana’s lines, which were destroyed, many Rajpoots killed, immense booty obtained, and the Rana himself obliged to seek shelter in the fort of Chittoor. Sooltan Mahmood, having ordered public prayers to be read on this occasion, determined to defer the siege of Chittoor till the next year, and returned without molestation to Mando, where he built a beautiful pillar seven stories high, in front of a college, which he founded opposite the musjid of Sooltan Hooshung.
225.3.5
In the year 847, an ambassador arrived at Mando from Mahmood, the son of Ibrahim Shah Shurky, King of Joonpoor, bringing with him the usual offerings, and representing that Nuseer Khan, the son of Abdool Kadur of Kalpy, having abandoned the doctrines of the true faith, propagated opinions subversive of Mahomedism; and that he had carried this apostasy to such lengths as to make over a number of Mahomedan females to be taught the art of dancing by Hindoos. The ambassador observed, that as the governors of Kalpy, since the time of Sooltan Hooshung of Malwa, had been appointed from that court, the King of Joonpoor had deemed it proper to acquaint Sooltan Mahmood with the circumstances of the defection of Nuseer Khan; stating, that if he had not time to march in person to punish the apostate, Mahmood Shah Shurky begged that he might be permitted to do so in the name of the King of Malwa. Sooltan Mahmood replied, that his own army was at present employed at Mundsoor, in propagating the faith among the infidels, and that he entirely approved of Mahmood Shah’s intention: after which the ambassador having received an honorary dress, and some presents for his master, took his leave. Mahmood Shah Shurky was so gratified with the reception his ambassador met with from Sooltan Mahmood, that on the following year he sent to him twenty of his finest elephants. In the mean time, Mahmood Shah Shurky marched to Kalpy, and assuming the right of a master, expelled Nuseer Khan from the town.
225.3.6
The latter addressed a petition to Sooltan Mahmood, stating, that his family had always considered themselves the subjects of Malwa since the reign of Sooltan Hooshung till the present period; that now Mahmood Shah Shurky having penetrated into his district had expelled him without any cause whatsoever, excepting the wish of extending his territory; that Nuseer Khan had accordingly fled towards Malwa, being at present at Chundery, and he requested that Sooltan Mahmood would afford him protection and redress. On the receipt of this letter, the King of Malwa deputed Ally Khan to the court of Joonpoor, requesting that as Nuseer Khan had returned to the right path his estate might be restored to him. Mahmood Shah Shurky remained sulky and sullen during the conference with Sooltan Mahmood’s ambassador, and refused to give a direct reply to his communication. The King of Malwa, incensed at this indignity, marched his army on the 2d of Shuval, A. H. 848, to Chundery, where he was met by Nuseer Khan, and thence went towards Eerich and Bhandere. Mahmood Shah Shurky, on hearing this, moved also, and encamped in the neighbourhood of Eerich; where having seized the person of Moobarik Khan, (the son of Jooneid Khan, whose family had held the government of Eerich for many generations,) placed him in confinement, and took up a strong position in the broken ground on the bank of the river Bétwa.
225.3.7
Sooltan Mahmood, desirous of replacing Nuseer Khan in his government, passed Eerich, and marched, in the first instance, direct to Kalpy. Mahmood Shah Shurky followed. Sooltan Mahmood now caused a detachment of his army to make a detour, which falling on the rear of the Joonpoor army, cut off its baggage on the line of march, while the King of Malwa halting with the main body brought on a general action, which lasted till sunset, when both armies mutually retreated, and encamped near to each other. The rainy season then approaching, and Sooltan Mahmood having no object to gain by another battle, broke ground, and moved to Futtehabad, where he built a palace seven stories in height. During this occupation the inhabitants of Eerich made complaints against the governor, Moobarik Khan, who had again returned. Sooltan Mahmood in consequence nominated Moozuffur Ibrahim, the governor of Chundery, to attack and reduce him, while Mahmood Shah Shurky, on his part, ordered one Mullik Kaloo to oppose Ibrahim. These two officers met at the town of Rohut, where Mullik Kaloo was defeated, and fled. Moozuffur Ibrahim, however, considering the security of his own district of main importance, returned to Chundery; and Mahmood Shah Shurky, on hearing of Mullik Kaloo's discomfiture, proceeded to Rohut.
225.3.8
The war between the Malwa and Joonpoor kings being thus protracted to a considerable length, and many of the faithful destroyed on both sides in several actions, Sheikh Chand of Malwa, one of the most learned and respectable men of the time, engaged to compose the differences; and at the desire of Mahmood Shah Shurky addressed a letter, offering the following terms of peace to Sooltan Mahmood Khiljy: —
225.4.1
“1. That Mahmood Shah Shurky should imme- “diately evacuate the towns of Rohut and Mahoba, and deliver them over to Nuseer Khan. “2. That in four months after the retreat of Sooltan Mahmood to Mando, the fort and district of Kalpy should be restored to Nuseer Khan, provided he showed contrition for having departed from the tenets of the faith; and conducted himself in every respect like a true believer. “3. That the two armies should immediately withdraw to their respective territories.” Sooltan Mahmood, acceding to these conditions, marched direct to Mando; and in the year 849 founded a large hospital, giving donations for its support, and appointing Mowlana Fuzl Oolla, his own physician, to superintend the whole establishment; which included wards and attendants for all classes of patients, and apartments for maniacs separate from the rest.
225.4.2
On the 20th of Rujub, in the year 850, Sooltan Mahmood marched to attack the fort of Mundulgur. On reaching Rampoora, he took the government of that place from Bahadur Khan, and gave it to Mullik Seif-ood-Deen; and crossing the Bunass, he moved on to Mundulgur, where Rana Koombho took post. The Rajpoots, sallying from the fort daily, made several desperate efforts in vain to raise the siege, till at length, foiled in all their attempts, Rana Koombho agreed to pay a large amount in jewels and specie, and Sooltan Mahmood concluded a peace and returned to his capital. After his arrival at Mando, he marched towards Byana, and on arriving within six miles of the place, the governor, Mahomed Khan, sent his son Khodawund Khan with a present of one hundred horses and a hundred thousand tunkas of silver. The King, in return, sent to Mahomed Khan an honorary dress embroidered in gold, a tiara of jewels, a waistband of gold, and some Arab horses with gold saddles; in consideration of which Mahomed Khan caused the public prayers to be read in the name of Sooltan Mahmood. On returning towards his capital, the King subdued the fort of Anundpoor, situated near Runtunbhore, from whence having detached Taj Khan with a force of eight thousand cavalry and twenty elephants to the attack of Chittoor, himself proceeded to Kota and Boondy; from the raja of which places he levied one hundred and twenty-five thousand tunkas, and eventually retired to Mando.
225.4.3
In the year 854, the Raja Gungadas of Champanere, in hopes of receiving aid from Sooltan Mahmood, sent him an offering, and begged his assistance in repelling the attack of Mahomed Shah, the son of Ahmud Shah of Guzerat, who had surrounded and invested his capital. Sooltan Mahmood in consequence marched to his relief; and the King of Guzerat having lost a great number of cattle in the campaign, and being unable to move for want of them, set fire to his camp-equipage, and destroying his military stores, retired to Ahmudabad. Sooltan Mahmood, halting on the banks of the Mehindry, received sixteen lacks of tunkas and a number of horses from Raja Gungadas of Champanere, who came in person to pay his respects; after which the army of Malwa returned to Mando. On the following year, 855, Sooltan Mahmood, with an army consisting of upwards of one hundred thousand men, marched with the determination of conquering Guzerat; and had Mahomed Shah lived, there is reason to suppose he would have succeeded. The Malwa army, on entering Kandeish, laid siege to Sooltanpoor; on which occasion the King was frequently attacked by sallies made from the fort by Mullik Alla-ood-Deen Sohrab Toork the governor; who finding that no reinforcements arrived to his support, not only surrendered the place but joined the army of Sooltan Mahmood, into whose service he entered. He also sent his family as hostages to the fort of Mando, after taking the most solemn oaths of allegiance.
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Sooltan Mahmood, satisfied of the sincerity of Mullik Sohrab, made him commander-in-chief of the Malwa army, with the title of Moobariz Khan; after which he proceeded towards the capital of Guzerat. On the road news arrived of the death of Mahomed Shah, and of the succession of his son Kootb Shah. In consequence of which event, Sooltan Mahmood wrote a letter of condolence to Kootb Shah on the death of his father, and of congratulation on his own accession, agreeably to the custom of the times; and having ordered a public mourning, he distributed pan and sweetmeats throughout the camp. Notwithstanding these outward forms of respect, Sooltan Mahmood continued his march, laying waste Guzerat as far as Baroda, and making many prisoners, both Mahomedans and infidels, till at length he reached Ahmudabad. At this period Mullik Sohrab, who only waited for an opportunity of making his escape to his own master, left Sooltan Mahmood’s camp, and joined the Guzerat army. Sooltan Mahmood on the next day encamped at Surkech, within three coss of Ahmudabad, and Kootb Shah took up ground at the town of Khanpoor, three coss distant from the Malwa camp. The contending armies remained for some days without coming to action, when on the 1st of Suffur, Sooltan Mahmood proceeded with the intention of making a night-attack on the Guzerat lines, but losing his way in the dark, remained till daylight, uncertain where he was.
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On the morning, putting his troops into order, he directed his eldest son, Gheias-ood-Deen, to take command of the right wing, composed of the Sarungpoor cavalry, and placed the left wing, composed of Chundery troops, under the command of his younger son, Fidwy Khan, and took command of the centre of the line himself, while the Guzerat army, under Kootb Shah, prepared to receive him. In the commencement of the battle the Guzerat advanced pickets being driven in fell back on the main body. Moozuffur Khan of Chundery, commanding a part of the left wing of the Malwa army, attacked the right of the Guzerat line, and even penetrated to the head-quarter tents, which he plundered, and loaded the elephants with the royal treasury; but during this movement the left wing, deprived of the services of the Chundery horse under Moozuffur Khan, was defeated, while that officer, who was engaged in conveying away booty, withdrew from the action altogether. Sooltan Mahmood, astonished at seeing his left wing fall back, galloped to its support with only two hundred cavalry; and charging the Guzeratties slew many men with his own hand. At this moment, Kootb Shah of Guzerat, with a select corps, having attacked the King of Malwa, cut off his small party, with the exception of sixteen troopers, with whom the latter made good his way to the royal pavilion; and having secured the crown of Guzerat, carried it off to his own camp, though the main body of his army was by that time completely defeated.
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During the remainder of the day, Sooltan Mahmood, having collected five or six thousand effective cavalry, caused a report to be publicly spread that he intended to make another attack on the Guzerat lines. The apprehension of which keeping the enemy on the alert enabled Sooltan Mahmood to retreat to Mando during the night; but his army suffered severely from the attacks of the Bheels and Kolies during the march. It is worthy of remark, that Sooltan Mahmood never experienced a defeat before, or afterwards, during his reign. His son, Gheias-ood-Deen, with the right wing of the army, fled to Surat, where he plundered the country, and returned to Mando by the same route he came.
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In the year 857, Sooltan Mahmood projected an attack upon Mewar; but being apprehensive of the King of Guzerat, he first of all made overtures for accommodation with that monarch, and resolved subsequently to march against Rana Koombho. Having collected his army, he went to D’har, whence he sent Taj Khan to the confines of Guzerat, in order to make proposals of peace; which being acceded to, it was resolved that the two nations should retain whatever they at that moment possessed: that they should enter into an offensive alliance against the Rajpoots of Mewar; by which it was agreed that the parties were to march and attack the Rana of Chittoor’s territories; that all the country taken to the southward, and contiguous to Guzerat, should be attached to that kingdom, while that of Ajmere and Mewar, and the country to the northward and eastward, should belong to Malwa, and that the contracting powers should not withhold assistance from each other when demanded. In the year 858 Sooltan Mahmood attacked the Rajpoots of Kerowly, many of whom were killed, and their families taken prisoners, and sent to Mando; after which he marched by way of Gualiar to Byana, and arriving within a few miles of that place, Dawood Khan, the governor, sent a rich offering, and came out to meet him. Sooltan Mahmood retired from the north by Hindown; and having placed his son, Fidwy Khan, in the government of a district embracing Kerowly, Runtunbhore, and Ajmere, he returned to Mando.
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Shortly after his arrival, he received a communication from Sikundur Khan and Julal Khan Bokhary, nobles of the court of Alla-ood-Deen Shah Bahmuny of the Deccan, inviting him to take advantage of the moment to march and seize the fort of Mahoor, in Berar. Sooltan Mahmood assembling an army at Hooshungabad marched to the south for that purpose; and on reaching Kehrla, called also Mahmoodabad, he was met by Sikundur Khan Bokhary, who accompanied him to Mahoor. The King of the Deccan also advanced with a considerable force; and Sooltan Mahmood, finding that he could not cope with success against the Deccan army, so far removed from his own resources, retreated to Mando, leaving a part of his army under the command of his favourite general Taj Khan to assist Sikundur Khan Bokhary. Scarcely had he reached Malwa, when he heard that Moobarik Khan Farooky, ruler of Kandeish, had laid hands on the country of Buglanat, lying between the Deccan and Guzerat, and dependent on Malwa. Conceiving this attack as personally concerning himself, Sooltan Mahmood marched towards that country, sending Yekbal Khan and Yoosoof Khan in advance. These divisions falling in with the troops of Moobarik Khan of Kandeish put them to the rout, and their chief fled to the fort of Aseer, while the King of Malwa, laying waste many of the towns of Kandeish, returned to Mando;
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but being informed that the son of Baboo Ray, Raja of Buglana, was prevented from paying his respects at the Malwa court owing to the assaults of the Kandeish troops, Sooltan Mahmood directed his son Gheias-ood-Deen to attack Moobarik Khan, who on the first intimation of his advance again retreated to Aseer. The young raja was thus enabled to proceed to Mando to offer his presents and pay his respects, after which he returned to Buglana. Meanwhile the Prince Gheias-ood-Deen proceeded to Runtunbhore, while the King marched in the direction of Chittoor. Rana Koombho, in order to avert the approaching calamity, met the King on the road, and made a large offering of money coined in his own name.
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This circumstance so incensed Sooltan Mahmood that he returned the whole sum, and prosecuted his march to Chittoor, having detached Munsoor-ool-Moolk to lay waste the country of Mundsoor. He also threatened, at the same time, to leave his own governor in those provinces, and to build a town to be called after his own tribe, Khiljipoor. Rana Koombho, fearful of losing his country, sent messengers to Sooltan Mahmood in order to appease him, declaring he was willing to pay him any sum he was able rather than relinquish his territory, and promised henceforward to acknowledge himself a tributary of the Malwa crown. The monsoon coming on at this time, the King consented to receive a sum of gold, which he himself named, and then retired to Mando; where having remained some time, in the year 859, he returned to Mundsoor, when dividing the army into detachments, he entirely occupied the whole district.
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At this period, having understood that the Mahomedan religion no longer prevailed in Ajmere, he marched thither, and laid siege to the fort. The Raja, Gungadhur Ray, attacked the Mahomedan forces on four successive days, fighting on each occasion most gallantly, till at length he was killed; and the Rajpoots retiring in confusion, the Mahomedans followed them so closely that they entered the fort with the fugitives, and by that means obtained possession, but not without sustaining severe loss. The King built a musjid in the fort in commemoration of this event; and creating Khwaja Neamut Oolla governor, with the title of Seif Khan, he fell back on Mundulgur, encamping on the banks of the Bunas river to the south of that fortress. Rana Koombho, at the head of a body of Rajpoots, attacked one flank of the King’s army under Taj Khan, and sent another body to attack that of Ally Khan. A severe action ensued in consequence, when the retreat was mutually sounded. On the following morning the Malwa officers persuaded the King of the necessity of his army retiring into quarters, both on account of their reduced numbers and the wretched state of the camp-equipments, now rendered almost useless; which circumstances, together with the approach of the rainy season, induced Sooltan Mahmood to return to Mando. On the 26th of Mohurrum, in the year 861, the King again proceeded to Mundulgur;
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and after a vigorous siege occupied the lower fort, wherein many Rajpoots were put to the sword, but the hill-fort still held out; to reduce which might have been a work of time; but the reservoirs of water failing in consequence of the firing of the cannon, the garrison was obliged to capitulate, and Rana Koombho stipulated to pay ten lacks of tunkas. This event happened on the 20th of Zeehuj of the same year, exactly eleven months after the King’s leaving Mando. On the following day the King caused all the temples to be destroyed, and musjids to be erected in their stead, appointing the necessary officers of religion to perform daily worship. Having also provided for the security of the place, he left Mundulgur on the 16th of Mohurrum of the following year, and proceeded to Mando by the route of Chittoor. On the road the King detached his eldest son, Gheias-ood-Deen, to lay waste the country of the Bheels and Kolies. Gheias-ood-Deen having ravaged their districts, and taken many prisoners, returned to his father. Shortly afterwards the King sent his youngest son, Fidwy Khan, to reduce the fort of Boondy, where the prince was opposed by the Rajpoots, who, after a bloody action, in which they displayed great courage, were defeated, and took refuge in the fort, whither they were pursued so closely, that many threw themselves into the ditch and were taken, after which the fort fell on the first assault.
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The Prince Fidwy Khan having offered up prayers for his success, and placed an officer of rank in the town of Boondy, rejoined his father at Mando. Sooltan Mahmood, in the year 863, again marched against the Rajpoots. On arriving at the town of D’har, he detached Gheias-ood-Deen to lay waste the country of the Kolies and Bheels. In this excursion the Prince penetrated to the hills of Koombulmere, and on his return, having given the King some description of that fortress, Sooltan Mahmood resolved to march thither. On the next day he moved for that purpose, destroying all the temples on the road. On his arrival at Koombulmere, having ascended a hill at some distance on the east face of the fort, he was of opinion that nothing but a close siege of several years could effect its reduction, and on the following day, marching towards Dongurpoor, he encamped on the borders of the lake. Sham Das, the Ray of Dongurpoor, fled to Kohtahna, from which place he sent as an offering two lacks of tunkas and twenty-one horses, and Sooltan Mahmood afterwards returned to Mando. In the month of Mohurrum, A. H. 866, having heard that a prince under age had succeeded to the throne of the Deccan, under the title of Sooltan Nizam Shah Bahmuny, and that the officers of the state refused to pay him proper respect, Sooltan Mahmood, at the instigation of Nizam-ool-Moolk Ghoory, marched for the purpose of subduing the Deccan.
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Having crossed the Nurbudda, he received information that Moobarik Khan of Aseer was dead, and that his son, Adil Khan, who had succeeded him, had commenced his reign by putting to death Syud Kumal and Syud Sooltan, two of the most respectable and holy persons of the age, and plundered their houses of all their property. This information was confirmed by the arrival of their other brother, Syud Julal, who on his knees entreated the interference of the King of Malwa. Sooltan Mahmood, in consequence, marched direct to Aseer, whence Adil Khan addressed a humble petition, accompanied by an offering, which was delivered by one of the descendants of the venerable Sheikh Musaood Gunj Shukr. Sooltan Mahmood considering that even if he proceeded to attack Aseer he might not be able to effect its reduction, which would reflect disgrace instead of honour upon his arms, made a merit of becoming reconciled to Adil Khan Farooky. He therefore accepted his offering, and forgave him, on the plea of his sincere repentance. From Aseer Sooltan Mahmood marched to Elichpoor, and eventually to Balapoor, where his scouts brought him intelligence that the ministers of the young King of the Deccan had distributed two crore of tunkas among the officers and soldiers, and that the Deccan army, besides cavalry and infantry, was accompanied by one hundred and fifty elephants. Sooltan Mahmood, nevertheless, moved directly towards the Deccanies, till within three coss of Bidur, when an action was fought.
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Khwaja Jehan Toork, entitled Musheer-ool-Moolk, took the command of the Deccan army; and having placed the young king, who was only eight years of age, on an elephant with the white canopy over his head, brought him into the field. Mullik Nizam-ool-Moolk commanded the left wing, and Khwaja Mahmood Gawan, entitled Mullik-oot-Toojar, the right wing. When the armies closed, the latter officer charged the left wing of the Malwa forces, and succeeded in breaking it. On this occasion, both Mahabut Khan, the governor of Chundery, and Zuheer-ool-Moolk, one of the Malwa ministers, were killed, and the right wing giving way shortly after, the Malwa troops fled and were pursued by the enemy for the distance of sixteen or eighteen miles. Sooltan Mahmood no sooner perceived the probability of a defeat than he retired with a party from the field, and waited his opportunity to regain the battle; so that having allowed the Deccanies to be fully engaged in plunder, he suddenly appeared, and charging full on their rear with two thousand cavalry, gave them a complete overthrow. In this dilemma, Khwaja Jehan Toork, who commanded the centre of the army, and had not been engaged, surrounding the young King with a body of troops, carried him off in safety to the fort of Bidur. The face of affairs being thus reversed, Sooltan Mahmood in a few days re-assembled his forces, and invested the capital of the Deccan. Mullik-oot-Toojar also collected a large force, and marched to raise the siege.
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The season being excessively hot, and the Malwa army so far from its own resources, Sooltan Mahmood commenced his retreat. During the march, he was greatly harassed by Mullik-oot-Toojar, an annoyance which did not cease till his arrival at Mando. On the following year, having resolved, if possible, to wrest the government of the Deccan out of the hands of the minister, he again marched to the south. For this purpose he ordered the army to assemble at the town of Nalcha, where receiving advices from Siraj-ool-Moolk of Kehrla that Nizam-ool-Moolk, a Deccan officer, with a large force, was on his march to attack that place, the King of Malwa moved in that direction. On the road he learned that the fort having been invested, the governor, who was always in a state of intoxication, had permitted his son to sally with an inadequate force and engage the Deccanies; that he had in consequence been defeated, and that the besiegers pursuing the garrison within the walls, the place had fallen into the hands of Nizam-ool-Moolk; but that he, having exercised excessive tyranny towards the inhabitants, had been put to death by a party of Rajpoot infantry. The instant Sooltan Mahmood heard of these events, he ordered Mukbool Khan with four thousand cavalry to proceed to Kehrla, marching himself to take revenge on the Deccanies towards Dowlutabad. On the road he was overtaken by ambassadors from Surgooja and from Jajnuggur, with presents consisting of five hundred and thirty elephants.
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Having bestowed honorary dresses on the envoys, he dismissed them to their respective courts, and himself arrived at the town of Khuleefabad, where a messenger met him, conveying a dress from the Ameer-ool-Mominin Moosteid Billa Yoosoof, the son of Mahomed Abassy, the Caliph of Egypt, as a token of his friendship and respect, also a letter styling him Defender of the Faithful. Sooltan Mahmood, in return, presented the bearer with several fine horses and other valuable articles. On reaching the Dowlutabad frontier, news arrived that the King of Guzerat was on full march in his rear, in order to assist the King of the Deccan; on which Sooltan Mahmood taking the route of Malconda on his return home, plundered that district, and marching through Gondwara arrived at Mando. The best authenticated history I have seen, however, thus records these events: — “In the year 870, Nizam-ool-Moolk Toork being ordered to attack Kehrla, he reduced that place by storm” (a detailed account of which has been already given in the history of the Kings of the Bahmuny dynasty of the Deccan); “and on the 1st of Rubbee-ool-Awul, of the year 871, the King of Malwa despatched Mukbool Khan to the attack of Elichpoor, and having occupied that town, he gave it up to be sacked. During the night the governor of the town, collecting one thousand five hundred "cavalry and all the infantry in the place, resolved on attacking Mukbool Khan;
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