Tarikh-i Alfi 2: Anno 426 after the death of Muhammad (436 h. = 1044 a.d.).
Táríkh-i Alfí (extracts) 2
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Anno 426 after the death of Muhammad (436 h. = 1044 a.d.).
2.1
One of the events of this year was, that three of the principal Rajas of Hind, having formed a confederacy, with an intent to deliver Lahore from the Muhammadans who had risen up in rebellion against Maudud, son of Mas'ud, laid siege to the city. Upon seeing this, the commander of the Muhammadan forces in Lahore again made submission to Maudud, and collected together the entire Muhammadan force. When the Rajas learnt that the Muhammadans had again submitted to Maudud, son of Mas'ud, two of them, in dread of him, withdrew to their country, but the third, whose name was Deopal Harnama, delayed his retreat a little, in order to try his strength with the Muhammadans. The latter, when satisfied of their superiority, made a sally, compelled the Raja to fly before them, and killed many infidels in the pursuit. The Raja retired within a stronghold, which the Muhammadans invested and pressed vigorously. The fort was a small one, and the troops which accompanied the Raja to that place amounted to 5000 horsemen and 70,000 foot soldiers. The infidels found themselves on the verge of destruction, and sent deputies to the Muhammadans begging for quarter; but the Muhammadans would not consent, unless the infidels surrendered every one of their fortresses. At length, when the infidels had no other alternative than to yield, they accepted the conditions, and saved their lives.
2.2
The property and treasure of all their forts fell into the hands of the Muhammadans, together with 5000 Muhammadans who were imprisoned in them. These, having been set free, joined the victorious army. When the Muhammadan army had settled affairs with Raja Deopal Harnama, who was superior to all the kings of Hind in power and grandeur, they directed their attention to another Raja, named Mab Balri, who, when he received the intelligence thereof, set his troops in order, and advanced with a determination to fight with the Muhammadans. Upon the meeting of the two armies, the fire of battle was kindled; and notwithstanding the inferiority of the Muhammadan forces, which did not amount to one-tenth of those opposed to them, by the help of Providence their victorious banners prevailed. The Raja was sent to perdition, and 5000 of his army fell on the field of battle. The Muhammadans took considerable booty and many prisoners. When the chiefs of Hind were informed of these circumstances, they gave in their submission, and by assenting to pay tribute, kept themselves free from the destructive swords of the Muhammadans. Anno 471 after the death of Muhammad (481 H.=1088 A.D.). When Ibrahim, son of Mas'ud, was satisfied that there was no apprehension of any opposition from the Saljukians, he despatched an army towards Hindustan, and conquered several places that had not been captured by his predecessors, notwithstanding their power.
2.3
One of the places which submitted to the conqueror was the fort of Jud, which surpassed all others in strength and extent. It was situated 120 parasangs distant from Lahore, and at the time when Ibrahim commenced operations against the fort, there was a garrison in it of 10,000 men, who fought long and valiantly against the invader. Finding Ibrahim's efforts and resources to capture the fort very great, the garrison became dispirited ; and although they had sufficient supplies and plenty of water, they nevertheless surrendered, on condition that their lives should be spared. After capturing this fort, Ibrahim directed his attention towards another, called Damal, which was situated on the summit of a high hill on the borders of Hindustan ; on one side of this fort there was a large river, reported to be impassable ; and on the other, a large thorny jungle, into which nothing but the rays of the sun could penetrate. The jungle was, moreover, infested with venomous serpents and flies, and abounded with elephants of enormous size. It was inhabited by a race of Hindus of gigantic form, and it was the most celebrated of all the places in Hindustan. At the foot of the hill there was no level ground suited for his operations. Ibrahim, nevertheless, with his usual courage, made an attempt to take the fort, and through the aid of God, soon captured it. He took possession of an immense quantity of property and jewels, the like of which had never been seen.
2.4
Ibrdhim next marched towards Derapur, in Hindustan, a place which many great emperors had found it impracticable to conquer. Several trustworthy histories state that this place was inhabited by the descendants of the people of Khurasan, who, for their disloyal and rebellious conduct, had been long before banished the country by Afrasiab, Emperor of Turan. This place was densely populated, and was of considerable strength. There was a large reservoir of water in it, the diameter of which was half a parasang; and though both men and beasts used to drink of the water throughout the year, yet no decrease was perceptible. During the time the people alluded to dwelt in this place, the rulers of Hindustan never dared to attack it, from a conviction of its impregnable strength. When Sultan Ibrahim heard the account of this country, he resolved to conquer it, and marched against it with a large army. The inhabitants heard of his approach, and made ready to oppose him. A fierce struggle ensued, but Ibrahim at length gained the victory, and slew many of them. Those who escaped fled to the jungles. Nearly 100,000 of their women and children were taken prisoners, and an incalculable amount of booty was secured. Anno 592 after the death of Muhammad (602 H. = 1205 A.D.).
2.5
It is mentioned in authentic histories that when Shahabu-d din was defeated by the Turks of Khita, on his return from Khwarizm, it was currently reported throughout the kingdom, that Shahabu-d din had been missed in the field of battle, and there was no certainty whether he had perished or escaped. Consequently, enemies rose up on all sides, and every one encroached upon his territories. Among other enemies, one named Rai Sal, who lived in the mountains between Lahore and Kabul, having united with a number of Kokars, who dwelt in those parts and paid tribute to the treasury of Shahabu-d din, excited a rebellion, began to plunder that tract, and intercepted the communications between Lahore and Ghazni, so that no one could pass from one to the other.
2.6
Upon the return of Shahabu-d din to Ghazni in safety from his campaign, he was informed of these transactions, and consequently resolved to proceed to Hindustan, and punish the rebellious spirits of that country. For this purpose, he sent an order to Amir Muhammad, son of Abi 'Ali, whom he had appointed Governor of Lahore and Multan, desiring them to despatch the tribute of the year 601 H. as soon as possible, as it was necessary to make preparations for an expedition to Khita. Muhammad, son of 'Ali, wrote in answer, that the tribute of the year had been collected and was ready, but that the Kokars and Rai Sal, who were in possession of the hills of Judi, had stopped the communication between Lahore and Ghazni in such a manner that nobody could travel on the road. When this account reached the ears of Shahabu-d din, he wrote to Kutbu-d din, his slave, who was the commander of the army of Hind, desiring him to send some person to the Kokars to dissuade them from persisting in such evil courses, and to inform them, that if they repented of their disobedience and came again under allegiance, he would pardon their past offences.
2.7
When Kutbu-d din Aibak, according to the order of Shahabu-d din sent a person to the Kokars, desiring them to submit themselves and to be obedient to the Sultan, the son of Kokar replied, that Kutbu-d din had nothing to do with the matter, that Sultan Shahabu-d din should have sent a special messenger of his own, and further, that if he were really alive, he should have sent direct for the tribute, when the Kokars would have despatched it to him. The ambassador replied, "You are not of sufficient consequence for Sultan Shahabu-d din to send any messenger to you; it is a great honour to you that he has sent even me, who am his slave's slave." The son of Kokar replied, "This is a mere story, Shahabu-d din is no longer alive." The ambassador rejoined, "It may easily be ascertained by your sending any one of your confidential servants who can go to Ghazni, and see with his own eyes whether Shahábu-d dín be alive or not." In short, the son of Kokar being determined not to listen to the ambassador, remained firm in his rebellious disposition. When the ambassador of Kutbu-d dín returned, and gave an account of what he had seen and heard, Kutbu-d dín communicated the circumstances to Sultán Shahábu-d dín, who ordered him to collect the several armies of Hindústán, to proceed against the Kokars, and to utterly exterminate the rebel tribe. When this mandate reached Kutbu-d dín, he was engaged in preparing his forces, and was about to march against that nation.
2.8
In the mean time, Shahábu-d dín deferred his expedition to Khitá, and caused his army to return. Complaints of the violence and oppression of the Kokars were frequently coming in, accompanied with such accounts of their great and increasing power, that he considered it his duty to repulse these people and punish them severely, before marching his forces to any other quarter. For this reason Shahábu-d dín gave up the idea of proceeding to Khitá, and encamped in the neighbourhood of Ghazni.
2.9
On the 5th of Rabí'-ul awwal of the same year, Sultán Shahábu-d dín set forth from Ghazni towards Hindústán. After some days he arrived at Persháwar, and learned that the Kokars had taken up a position between Jílam and Sodra, with a large army. Having marched from Persháwar on Thursday the 25th of the said month, he attacked them unawares, and the battle lasted from morning till the time of afternoon prayer. The Kokars fought so valiantly, that the Sultán, with all his kingly power and glory, was very near being compelled to retreat; but Kutbu-d dín Aibak arrived unexpectedly with the army of Hindústán, and began to make havoc among the Kokars. His forces were fresh and vigorous, and the Kokars, being unable to withstand them, took to flight. The Muhammadans pursuing, dealt slaughter among them in a manner which defies all description. Those who escaped the sword fled to the forest. The Muhammadans set fire to their retreat on all sides, and the infidels, resolving to perish in the flames rather than surrender to the Muhammadans, threw themselves into the fire. In this manner all who had taken refuge in the woods perished. When the mind of the Sultan was relieved from the anxiety of this outbreak, he marched towards Lahore, and gave leave to his soldiers to return to their homes, ordering them to march to Khita after a few days' repose.