[Pramāṇa](https://indike.org/pramana/) › [Indian literature](https://indike.org/pramana/in) › [Dark Ages](https://indike.org/pramana/in.darkages) › [Delhi Sultanate (1206–1526)](https://indike.org/pramana/in.darkages.sultanate) › [Khazāʾin al-futūḥ](https://indike.org/pramana/in.darkages.sultanate.khazain-al-futuh) › [Tarikh-i 'Alai (extracts)](https://indike.org/pramana/in.darkages.sultanate.khazain-al-futuh~en-elliot) › 14 # Khazaʾin al-futuh 14: The Conquest of Ma'bar. Táríkh-i 'Aláí (extracts) 14 - **Language:** English ### The Conquest of Ma'bar. ### [14.1](https://indike.org/pramana/in.darkages.sultanate.khazain-al-futuh~en-elliot.14.1) "The tongue of the sword of the Khalifa of the time, which is the tongue of the flame of Islám, has imparted light to the entire darkness of Hindústán by the illumination of its guidance; and on one side an iron wall of royal swords has been raised before the infidel Magog-like Tatárs, so that all that God-deserted tribe drew their feet within their skirts amongst the hills of Ghazní, and even their advance-arrows had not strength enough to reach into Sind. On the other side so much dust arose from the battered temple of Somnát that even the sea was not able to lay it, and on the right hand and on the left hand the army has conquered from sea to sea, and several capitals of the gods of the Hindus, in which Satanism has prevailed since the time of the Jinns, have been demolished. All these impurities of infidelity have been cleansed by the Sultán's destruction of idol-temples, beginning with his first holy expedition against Deogír, so that the flames of the light of the law illumine all these unholy countries, and places for the criers to prayer are exalted on high, and prayers are read in mosques. God be praised!" ### [14.2](https://indike.org/pramana/in.darkages.sultanate.khazain-al-futuh~en-elliot.14.2) "But the country of Ma'bar, which is so distant from the city of Dehlí that a man travelling with all expedition could only reach it after a journey of twelve months, there the arrow of any holy warrior had not yet reached; but this world-conquering king determined to carry his army to that distant country, and spread the light of the Muhammadan religion there." Malik Náíb Barbak was appointed to command the army for this expedition, and a royal canopy was sent with him. The Malik represented that on the coast of Ma'bar were five hundred elephants, larger than those which had been presented to the Sultan from Arangal, and that when he was engaged in the conquest of that place he had thought of possessing himself of them, and that now, as the wise determination of the king had combined the extirpation of idolaters with this object, he was more than ever rejoiced to enter on this grand enterprise. ### [14.3](https://indike.org/pramana/in.darkages.sultanate.khazain-al-futuh~en-elliot.14.3) The army left Dehli on the 24th of Jumáda-l ákhir, A.H. 710 (Nov. 1310 A.D.) and after marching by the bank of the Jún (Jumna) halted at Tankal for fourteen days. While on the bank of the river at that place, the Díwán of the 'Ariz-i Mamálik took a muster of the army. "Twenty and one days the royal soldiers, like swift grey-hounds, made lengthened marches, while they were making the road short, until they arrived at Kanhún; from that, in seventeen more days, they arrived at Gur-gánw. During these seventeen days the Gháts were passed, and great heights and depths were seen amongst the hills, where even the elephants became nearly invisible." "And three large rivers had to be crossed, which occasioned the greatest fears in their passage. Two of them were equal to one another, but neither of them equalled the Nerbadda." ### [14.4](https://indike.org/pramana/in.darkages.sultanate.khazain-al-futuh~en-elliot.14.4) "After crossing those rivers, hills, and many depths, the Rái of Tilang sent twenty-three powerful elephants for the royal service." "For the space of twenty days the victorious army remained at that place, for the purpose of sending on the elephants, and they took a muster of the men present and absent, until the whole number was counted. And, according to the command of the king, they suspended swords from the standard poles, in order that the inhabitants of Ma'bar might be aware that the day of resurrection had arrived amongst them; and that all the burnt Hindus would be despatched by the sword to their brothers in hell, so that fire, the improper object of their worship, might mete out proper punishment to them." "The sea-resembling army moved swiftly, like a hurricane, to Ghurg&nw. Everywhere the accursed tree, that produced no religion, was found and torn up by the roots, and the people who were destroyed were like trunks carried along in the torrent of the Jihun, or like straw tossed up and down in a whirlwind, and carried forward. When they reached the T&wi (T&pti), they saw a river like the sea. The army crossed it by a ford quicker than the hurricane they resembled, and afterwards employed itself in cutting down jungles and destroying gardens." ### [14.5](https://indike.org/pramana/in.darkages.sultanate.khazain-al-futuh~en-elliot.14.5) "On Thursday, the 13th of Ramaz&n, the royal canopy cast its shadow on Deogir, which under the aid of heaven had been protected by the angels, and there the army determined to make all preparations for extirpating Bill&l Deo and other Deos (demons). The Rai R&y&n, Ram Deo, who had heard safety to Satan proclaimed by the dreadful Muhammadan tymbals, considered himself safe under the protection secured to him; and, true to his allegiance, forwarded with all his heart the preparations necessary for the equipment of the army sent by the Court, so as to render it available for the extermination of rebels and the destruction of the Bir and Dh&r Samundar." The city was adorned in honour of the occasion, and food and clothes plentifully supplied to the Musulm&ns. ### [14.6](https://indike.org/pramana/in.darkages.sultanate.khazain-al-futuh~en-elliot.14.6) Dalwi, a Hindu, who had been sent on to hold the gates of access to the Bir and Dhur Samundar, was directed by the R&i R&y&n to attend on the Musulm&n camp, and "he was anxious to see the conquest of the whole of Dh&r Samundar by the fortunate devotees of the Ka'ba of religion." The Muhammadan army remained for three days, and on the 17th departed "from the Imanabad Deogir to the Kharababad of Paras Deo Dalvi, in five stages, in which three large rivers were crossed," Sini, Godavari, and Binhur, and other frightful rivers; and "after five days arrived at Bandri, in the country (ikta') of Paras Deo Dalvi, who was obedient to his exalted Majesty, and desired that, by the force of the arms of the victorious Muhammadan soldiers, Bir Dhul and Bir Pandya might be reduced, together with the seas which encircle them, into one cup." Here he stayed to make inquiries respecting the countries in advance, when he was informed that the two Rais of Ma'bar, the eldest named Bir Pandya, the youngest Sundar Pandya, who had up to that time continued on friendly terms, had advanced against each other with hostile intentions, and that Billal Deo, the Rai of Dhur Samundar, on learning this fact, had marched for the purpose of sacking their two empty cities, and plundering the merchants; but that, on hearing of the advance of the Muhammadan army, he had returned to his own country. ### [14.7](https://indike.org/pramana/in.darkages.sultanate.khazain-al-futuh~en-elliot.14.7) On Sunday, the 23rd, after holding a council of his chief officers, he took a select body of cavalry with him, and pressed on against Billal Deo, and on the 5th of Shawwal reached the fort of Dhur Samund, after a difficult march of twelve days over the hills and valleys, and through thorny forests. "The fire-worshipping" Rai, when he learnt that "his idol temple was likely to be converted into a mosque," despatched Kisu Mal to ascertain the strength and circumstances of the Musulmans, and he returned with such alarming accounts that the Rai next morning despatched Balak Deo Naik to the royal canopy, to represent that "your slave Billal Deo is ready to swear allegiance to the mighty emperor, like Laddar Deo and Ram Deo, and whatever the Sulaiman of the time may order, I am ready to obey. If you desire horses like demons, and elephants like afrits, and valuables like those of Deogir, they are all present. If you wish to destroy the four walls of this fort, they are, as they stand, no obstacle to your advance. The fort is the fort of the king; take it." The commander replied that he was sent with the object of converting him to Muhammadanism, or of making him a Zimmi, and subject to pay tax, or of slaying him, if neither of these terms were assented to. When the Rai received this reply, he said he was ready to give up all he possessed, except his sacred thread. ### [14.8](https://indike.org/pramana/in.darkages.sultanate.khazain-al-futuh~en-elliot.14.8) On Friday, the 6th of Shawwal, the Rai sent Balak Deo Naik, Narsin Deo, and Jit Mal, with some other basiths, to bow before the royal canopy, and they were accompanied by six elephants. Next day some horses followed. On Sunday, "Billal Deo, the sun-worshipper, seeing the splendour of the sword of Islam over his head, bowing down his head, descended from his fortress, and came before the shadow of the shadow of God; and, trembling and heartless, prostrated himself on the earth, and rubbed the forehead of subjection on the ground." He then returned to fetch his treasures, and was engaged all night in taking them out, and next day brought them before the royal canopy, and made them over to the king's treasurer. The commander remained twelve days in that city, "which is four month's distance from Dehli," and sent the captured elephants and horses to that capital. ### [14.9](https://indike.org/pramana/in.darkages.sultanate.khazain-al-futuh~en-elliot.14.9) On Wednesday, the 18th of Shawwal, the Malik "beat his drums, and loaded his camels for his expedition to Ma'bar, and after five days arrived at the mountains which divide Ma'bar from Dhur Samundar. In this range there are two passes — one Sarmali, and the other Tabar. After traversing the passes, they arrived at night on the banks of the river Kanobari, and bivouacked on the sands. Thence they departed for Birdhul, and committed massacre and devastation all around it. The Rai Bir showed an intent of flying for security to his islands in the ocean, but as he was not able to attempt this, his attendants counselled him to fly by land. With a small amount of treasure and property, he deserted the city, and fled to Kandur, and even there he dare not remain, but again fled to the jungles. Thither the Malik pursued "the yellow-faced Bir," and at Kandur was joined by some Musulmans who had been subjects of the Hindus, now no longer able to offer them protection. They were half Hindus, and not strict in their religious observances, but "as they could repeat the kalima, the Malik of Islam spared their lives. Though they were worthy of death, yet, as they were Musulmans, they were pardoned." After returning to Birdhul, he again pursued the Raja to Kandur, and took one hundred and eight elephants, one of which was laden with jewels. The Rai again escaped him, and he ordered a general massacre at Kandur. ### [14.10](https://indike.org/pramana/in.darkages.sultanate.khazain-al-futuh~en-elliot.14.10) It was then ascertained that he had fled to Jalkota, "an old city of the ancestors of Bir." There the Malik closely pursued him, but he had again escaped to the jungles, which the Malik found himself unable to penetrate, and he therefore returned to Kandur, where he searched for more elephants. Here he heard that in Brahmastpuri there was a golden idol, round which many elephants were stabled. The Malik started on a night expedition against this place, and in the morning seized no less than two hundred and fifty elephants. He then determined on razing the beautiful temple to the ground, — "you might say that it was the Paradise of Shadddd, which, after being lost, those hellites had found, and that it was the golden Lanka of Rám," — " the roof was covered with rubies and emeralds,"—" in short, it was the holy place of the Hindus, which the Malik dug up from its foundations with the greatest care," " and the heads of the Brahmans and idolaters danced from their necks and fell to the ground at their feet," and blood flowed in torrents. ### [14.11](https://indike.org/pramana/in.darkages.sultanate.khazain-al-futuh~en-elliot.14.11) " The stone idols called Ling Mahádeo, which had been a long time established at that place,— 'quibus, mulieres infidelium pudenda sua affricant,' — these, up to this time, the kick of the horse of Islám had not attempted to break." The Musulmáns destroyed all the lings, " and Deo Narain fell down, and the other gods who had fixed their seats there raised their feet, and jumped so high, that at one leap they reached the fort of Lanka, and in that affright the lings themselves would have fled had they had any legs to stand on." Much gold and valuable jewels fell into the hands of the Musulmáns, who returned to the royal canopy, after executing their holy project, on the 13th of Zí-l ka'da, 710 H. (April, 1311 A.D.). They destroyed all the temples at Bírdhúl, and placed the plunder in the public treasury. --- Source: [https://indike.org/pramana/in.darkages.sultanate.khazain-al-futuh~en-elliot.14](https://indike.org/pramana/in.darkages.sultanate.khazain-al-futuh~en-elliot.14) · Pramāṇa