Firishta's History (Gulshan-i Ibrāhīmī) 23.2.8

23.2.8

After the retreat of Mahomed Ghoory, the allied rajas continued their march to Bituhnda, which they besieged for one year and one month, and at last were obliged to grant favourable terms to the garrison. Mahomed remained a few months with his brother at Ghoor, who still retained the title of king, and then returning to Ghizny, spent the ensuing year in pleasure and festivity. At length, having recruited an army, consisting of 120,000 chosen horse, composed of Toorks, Tajeeks, and Afghans, many of whom had their helmets ornamented with jewels, and their armour inlaid with silver and gold, he marched from Ghizny towards India, without disclosing his intentions. When he had advanced as far as Pishawur, an old sage of Ghoor, prostrating himself before him, said, — "O King, we trust in thy conduct and wisdom, but as yet thy design has been a subject of much speculation among us." Mahomed Ghoory replied, — "Know, old man, that since the time of my defeat in Hindoostan, notwithstanding external appearances, I have never slumbered in ease, or waked, but in sorrow and anxiety. I have, therefore, determined, with this army, to recover my lost honour from those idolaters, or die in the attempt." The sage, kissing the ground, said, — "Victory and triumph be thy attendants, and fortune be the guide of thy paths.