The Nāṣirī Generations 132: XIV. SULTAN JALAL-UD-DIN, MANG-BARNI, SON OF SULTAN MUHAMMAD, KHWARAZM SHAH.
Tabakat-i-Nasiri 132
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XIV. SULTAN JALAL-UD-DIN, MANG-BARNI, SON OF SULTAN MUHAMMAD, KHWARAZM SHAH.
132.1.1
Sultan Jalal-ud-Din, Mang-barni, was the eldest son of Sultan Muhammad, and was endowed with great heroism, valour, and high talents and accomplishments. When his father, Sultan Muhammad, acquired possession of the territories of Ghur and Ghaznin, he conferred them on Jalal-ud-Din, and made over both those kingdoms to his charge ; and deputies of his were placed in those countries. Ghaznin was given to Malik Kuriz ; Firuzkoh was entrusted to Mubariz-ud-Din, Sabzwari ; and the Wazarat was entrusted to Shihab-ud-Din-i-Alb. Sarakhsi Karrman was given to the Malik-ul-Umra [Chief, or Noble of Nobles], Burshor [Peshawar ?] and Bu-bikrpur [or, Abu- Bikrpur] were conferred upon Malik Ikhtiyar-ud-Din, Muhammad Ali-i-Khar-post. When the irruption of Changiz Khan occurred, Sultan Jalal-ud-Din, Mang-barni, was in attendance upon his father, as has been previously recorded; and, when he brought his father’s remains to Khwarazm and interred them, his brother [Arzalu Shah] was seated on the throne of Khwarazm, although he was a [much] younger brother; and both the brothers were apprehensive of each other. Kutb-ud-Din, Arzalu Shah, conspired against Jalal-ud-Din, who, having obtained information of his design, came out of Khwarazm, and departed by the route of the wilds of Sharistan. From thence he proceeded to the westward of Nishapur, and entered the desert between Khurasan and Kirman, with the determination of proceeding to Ghaznin.
132.1.2
Trustworthy persons have related, that Jalal-ud-Din, in that desert, saw Mihtar Khizr, who foretold his sovereignty, but, under this compact, that the blood of no Musalman should be shed by his hand. From thence, Jalal-ud-Din proceeded into the territories of Nimroz, Bust, and Dawar, and came to Ghaznin. Malik Khan of Hirat, who formerly bore the name of Amin-i-Hajib [Amin-ul-Mulk ?] and had killed Muhammad Kharnak, Ghuri, and who had, before the arrival of Jalal-ud-Din, set out towards Hindustan, at this time, that the Sultan came to Ghaznin, likewise, joined him. Chingiz Khan detached an army, from his Mughal following, in search of Sultan Jalal-ud-Din, towards Ghaznin, and Fiku Nu-yan, who was Chingiz Khan's son-in-law, was the commander of that force. Sultan Jalal-ud-Din advanced against the Mughal army as far as the limits of Barwan, and overthrew the Mughal infidels. He encountered them upon three different times in that quarter, and on all three occasions success and victory rewarded him; but, on the news of these successes of his reaching Chingiz Khan, he, being at Tal-kan of Khurasan [Tae-kan of Tukharistan?] at the time, marched his armies towards Ghaznin. Sultan Jalal-ud-Din was unable to offer resistance to these forces, and retired towards Burner [Pesha- hold Chingiz’s advance at bay, and give him time to send his family and effects across, and to get his followers across also, on the appearance of the Mughals, but Uz Khan was defeated and forced back.
132.1.3
Chingiz, who saw through the Sultan’s object, and knew that he had left Ghaznin fifteen days before his reaching it, pushed on with all possible celerity, and, after crushing the Sultan’s rear-guard, made a forced march during the night. It was in the month of Rajab, 618 H. [corresponding to September, 1221 a.d., although a few writers mention Shawwal — December] ; and, when the morning dawned, the Sultan, who was encamped near the bank of the river nearly opposite the Nil-ab ferry [the place where Timur is said, subsequently, to have passed the Indus, but he crossed at Dinkot], and who had along with him his family, dependents, and treasures, found the Mughals on three sides of him — they were in his front and on both flanks, and the river was in his rear. Notwithstanding the extreme danger of his situation, he was not to be daunted, and determined to stand his ground. The Mughals began by attacking his right wing [the odds were more than fifty to one], under Amin Malik, a body of them having advanced along the river’s bank to take him in flank ; and they overpowered him, and most of his party were slaughtered. Amin Malik, with the few men remaining of the right wing, made for Barshawar ; but, as the Mughals had occupied the route, he and they were all slaughtered by the way. The left wing, under Siam Malik, was likewise overwhelmed.
132.1.4
The Sultan had kept up this unequal combat from dawn to noon, and was now left with the remains of his centre reduced by this time to about 700 men [some say 100 only]. He flew from the flank to the centre, and centre to flank of the enemy, and fought like a lion at bay, charged them repeatedly [the Mughals were commanded not to kill him, but to take him alive if possible], overthrowing numbers, and clearing a space around him at every onset, and filling them with amazement at his valour. All was of no avail ; it was like attempting to stay the ocean’s billows, for the Mughal forces increased every moment by the arrival of fresh troops, and pressed forward, every instant contracting the area round the gallant Sultan. [If the reader will examine one of the Panjab survey maps of this part, he will find that the nature of the ground was of some advantage to Sultan Jalal-ud-Din, by rendering it difficult for the Mughals to show an extended front.]
132.1.5
When he perceived that his situation was become desperate, and had gone beyond name and fame, he surveyed the scene with tearful eyes and fevered lip. At this crisis Ujash Malik [also Akhs], son of Khan Malik, his maternal uncle, seized the bridle of his horse, and dragged him away. With weeping eyes, and his heart filled with a thousand pangs, he bade adieu to his wives and children, his mother, and other relations and dependents, called for his state charger to be saddled and brought forth, and, having mounted him, once more, like the crocodile, he plunged into the sea of conflict, and, having forced back the foremost of the enemy for a short distance, turned round, divested himself of his armour, slung his shield at his back, and, seizing his canopy without its staff, and urging his charger with his whip [spurs not used], he plunged into the Sindh, although the water was at a distance of eight or ten yards below the bank ; and, armed with his sword, spear, shield, and quiver of arrows, ‘like unto a fearless lion rushing along a plain, he passed the Jihun, and reached the opposite bank in safety, after having been carried down some distance by the force of the current, and before reaching a spot favourable for landing.” [A camel does not look very “proud” when crossing a river, much less the Indus, even in a boat See Elliot, vol. ii., note 2, page 552. war ?] ; and, on the banks of the river Sind, an encounter
132.1.6
Having reached the opposite side, the Sultan, slowly and sorrowfully, rode upwards along the bank until he reached a spot facing his own camp, and beheld the plunder of his family, kinsmen, dependents, his treasures, and all his belongings, without being able to render them succour, while Chingiz continued astride his horse on the opposite side, pointing out the Sultan to his sons. The Sultan now dismounted from his charger, loosened the girths, took off the felt saddle-cloth, together with his own tunic and cloak, and his arrows, and laid them in the sun to dry, and spread his canopy on the head of his spear, which he stuck into the ground to shade him from the sun. He remained all alone until the time of afternoon prayer, when about seven of his followers joined him, and a small tent was pitched for his convenience. Whilst the light permitted, he watched the proceedings of the Mughals, “whilst the heavens above looked down upon him with wonder and amazement, as though they said, — ‘ Never hath the world beheld a man like this, Nor heard of one among the heroes of ancient times.’ ”
132.1.7
Chingiz Khan and the whole of the Mughals, who witnessed this wonderful feat, placed their hands to their mouths [denoting amazement] ; and Chingiz himself, when he beheld the Sultan’s lofty bearing, turned his face towards his sons, and said,— “ Such a son as this is worthy to survive his father ! Since he has escaped the vortex of fire and water, and reached the shore of escape, took place between them. Sultan Jalal-ud-Din was defeated and overthrown, and he threw himself into the river, and retired, discomfited, into Hindustan. The august Sultan, Shams-ud-Dunya wa ud-Din, despatched a force from his armies against him, upon which Sultan Jalal-ud-Din turned aside, and proceeded towards Uchchah and Multan. From thence he entered the territory of Kirman, and afterwards Fars. The Ata-bak, excused himself by saying, that the climate of the country would not agree with the Sultan’s health, but that, if he would accept a place in the environs of Dihli, one should be assigned to him. This, of course, was to get him into his power, if possible. As to I-yal-timish sending “an army” against the Sultan, it is absurd: he knew better than to do that. He did send a great man as envoy, with rich presents and supplies, and false excuses, for the murder of the Sultan’s envoy.
132.1.8
The Sultan, having returned to Balalah and Nikalah, near Lahor, and his forces having now increased, by the arrival of many of his old soldiers, to the number of about 10,000, but by no means sufficient to bring the ruler of Dihli to account, despatched a portion of his army against the Hills of Jud. That force defeated the Khokar [or more correctly, Khokhar] chief, erroneously styled Rae Kokar and Kokar by most writers [the Ghakhars are quite a distinct race], and returned with great booty. The Sultan demanded the chief’s daughter in marriage, which was readily acceded to; and, moreover, the Rae sent his son at the head of a considerable body of his tribe, to join the Sultan’s troops, and the title of Kutlagh, [some say Kulij] Khan was bestowed upon the latter.
132.2.1
Hostility of long standing existed between the Khokhar chief and Kubachah, governor of Sindh [the whole valley of the Indus, below the Salt Range, was called Sindh in those days], who had now begun to consider himself an independent sovereign. He was encamped near Uchchah with 20,000 men, and a force of 7000 was despatched against him, by the Sultan, under Jahan Pahlavan, guided by the chief’s son. They made a forced march, and, falling suddenly upon Kubachah, in the night, totally overthrew him. Kubachah got on board a vessel, and made for his stronghold of Akar and Bakar [Sakar and Bhakar? Jami’-ut-Tawarikh says, “two fortresses on island”], “which are two islands in the river Sindh” [more on this subject anon], and the Sultan came to Uchchah. Kubachah now managed to get back to Multan, after having, on the Sultan’s demand, paid him a considerable sum of money as tribute. The hot season coming on, the Sultan returned to the Salt Range hills again, and, on the way, took a fortress called Bisiram or Bisrum [Bisram-pur?], where he was wounded in the hand by an arrow.
132.2.2
Chingiz had despatched another army against him, and the Sultan was obliged to move towards Lower Sindh. On his arrival in sight of Multan, he sent an agent to Kubachah and demanded a contribution; but he, knowing the Mughals were on the move, refused, and showed determined hostility. The Sultan did not tarry in the vicinity, but proceeded to Uchchah, which, proving hostile also, he remained before two days, and set fire to. From thence he advanced to Sindustan [the name given by the generality of historians is Siwastan — Alfi says, “Sadusan, which is Siwastan”] — the present Europeanized Sehwan. The city and fortress were held by a deputy of Kubachah’s, Fakhr-ud-Din, Salari. A force sent out by him, under Lachin, a native of Khita, having been overthrown by the Sultan’s vanguard under Uz Khan, Fakhr-ud-Din, on the Sultan’s arrival, came forth, and delivered up the place. Jalal-ud-Din entered the city, and remained there a month, after which he conferred a dress of honour upon Fakhr-ud-Din, left him in charge as his lieutenant in Sindustan, and marched to Dibal and Damrilah. A Habash [Abyssinian or negro], who was ruler of that part, fled, got on ship-board, and escaped. The Sultan encamped near those places; and, from thence, detached a force, under Khas Khan towards Nahrwalah, from which he returned with immense booty. Sultan Jalal-ud-Din founded a Jami’ Masjid at Diwal or Dibal, as it Abu-Bikr, ruler of Fars, gave the Sultan his sister in
132.2.3
Whilst in Lower Sindh, information reached the Sultan, that his brother, Ghiyas-ud-Din, Pir Shah, was established in 'Irak; but that the troops, generally, desired his [Jalal-ud-Din’s] presence, and were calling for him to head them; and further, that Burak, the Hajib, was in Kirman, and was then investing the town [city] of Bardasir. [Ibn Haukal says — “Bardasir, which is to say, Gawashir.] These things, together with information respecting the movements of a large Mughal force [the one previously alluded to, which was despatched into the Mukranat — the Mukrans], and the return of Chingiz to his own country again, determined the Sultan to set out for 'Irak by way of Mukran, which he did in 621 H.; and, like Alexander before him, lost a number of his followers from the unhealthiness of the climate.
132.2.4
From this point, in order to save space, I must greatly curtail the notes I had written, although the remaining events in the career of Jalal-ud-Din are very interesting. The Sultan entered Kirman, and Shuja'-ud-Din, Abu-l-Kasim's son, who held out Gawashir [also called Bardasir] for Ghiyas-ud-Din, the Sultan’s brother, and who was then holding it against Burak, the Hajib, came out and presented the keys to the Sultan. Burak pretended to submit and to be most loyal, and gave his daughter to the Sultan, but, subsequently, shut him out of the capital, and sent out his followers, although he pretended merely to hold it, and the territory of Kirman, as the Sultan’s deputy. Jalal-ud-Din had matters of greater importance to engage his attention at that time, and he accordingly set out for ’Irak by way of Shiraz, and sent an envoy to the Ata-bak Sa’d to announce his coming. marriage, and entertained him as a guest. From Fars, Jalal-ud-Din entered the country of Azarbaijan, and defeated the infidels of Gurj [Georgia], and reduced that country under his jurisdiction. He also fought engagements with the armies of Rum and of Sham, and was defeated and overcome; but, at length, peace was concluded between him and the army of Sham. Turti, the Mughal, who had invested Multan, left Chingiz Khan, and came and joined Sultan Jalal-ud-Din, and became a convert to the Muhammadan faith.
132.2.5
The Mughal forces, upon several occasions, went in pursuit of Sultan Jalal-ud-Din, but victory always attended him. At last, in the year 628, or 629 H., the Sultan was successful against them; but was impeded in his operations by Burak, the Hajib, throwing off his allegiance. He determined to move against the rebel at once, and acted with such celerity, that on the eighteenth day he reached Kirman from Tiflis, only 300 horse having kept up with him. Burak hastened to make submission, by sending apologies, rich and costly presents, and protestations of loyalty for the future, but did not, of course, venture into the Sultan’s presence. The latter could do nought else than accept his submission, for during his absence, Malik-ul-Ashraf, ruler of Sham, instigated by Burak to create a diversion in his own favour, sent an army into the Sultan’s territory, under the governor of Akhlat, who carried off Shams Malikah Khatun from Khu-e, and dishonoured her [Jami’-ut-Tawarikh says, Malik-ul-Ashraf dishonoured her, and Rauzat-us-Safa says, it was the Hajib, ’Ali]; and the Gurjis also rose. The Sultan lost no time in taking revenge, and carried slaughter and devastation up to the very gates of Akhlat. He had, however, to abandon his operations against it, from intimation that two Mughal armies had entered ’Irak. One of these supposed armies turned out to be Jahan Pahlawan, Ir-bak [Thus in one copy of Guzidah, with the diacritical points; in others, Ir-lak and Ir-lik;
132.2.6
and in other writers, Uz-bak and Uz-bak and Uz-bak Khan, but I do not account the last three correct], and his followers, who had been left by the Sultan as governor of his conquests in the valley of the Indus. Jalal-ud-Din, however, broke up his camp before Akhlat, and retired into ’Irak to oppose the Mughals. Nearly every copy of the text has Karj instead of Gurj. encamped on the confines of Azarbaijan, on the side of Sham and Diyar-i-Bakr, when an army of Mughals came unexpectedly upon him, and he was obliged to fly. his operations in Gurjistan and Arman. He marched from Isfahan, in 625 H., and, having succeeded against the Gurjis, marched to Akhlat once more, took it by storm, captured the governor’s [Hajib ’Ali’s] wife, whom he made his slave, and amply revenged the outrage Shams Malikah Khatun had suffered at her husband’s hands.
132.2.7
Jalal-ud-Din now turned his arms against the Sultan of Rum, ’Ala-ud-Din, son of Kai-Qubad, Saljuqi [see bottom of page 162], and Malik-ul-Ashraf, ruler of Sham, who had combined against him [all the Muhammadan rulers at this time, with few exceptions, seem bent on their own destruction, and played into the hands of the Mughals], and had been joined by forces from Arman, Gurjistan, and Qipchaq [Krim?]. In the first action, the Sultan overthrew a portion of them; but in a second engagement, having to dismount from his horse through illness, his troops, thinking he had retired from the field, became dispirited and gave way. They were not pursued, because the enemy considered their flight a mere stratagem of the Sultan’s to draw them into an ambuscade. This is said to have taken place in 627 H. Jalal-ud-Din had endeavoured [in 627-8 H.] to induce the rulers of Rum and Sham to join him against the common enemy, but jealousy and suspicion on their part prevented so advantageous an alliance. The end of the gallant Sultan’s eventful career, however, was approaching. He had passed the winter of 628 H. in the neighbourhood of Irmaniah, when intimation reached him of the despatch of a fresh and numerous army of Mughals, under Jarmaghun, and of their early approach. He despatched Uz Khan, with a strong patrol, to make inquiries.
132.2.8
He proceeded as far as Tabriz, where he was told that they had retired from the country again, and, without satisfying himself as to the truth of this report, he returned to the Sultan’s camp with it. Thrown off his guard by this false report, the Sultan and his troops gave themselves up to festivity and carousal. After some time had elapsed, one night, in the month of Shawwal of the above year, the Mughals came suddenly upon him. The Sultan, who was sound asleep at the time from the effects of his potations, was aroused by Uz Khan, who urged him to fly. The Mughals had already got into his camp, and were slaying all who came in their way. Uz Khan kept them at bay for a short time, during which the Sultan was able to mount his horse, and fly towards the hills of the Kurds. He wandered about for some time, when sleep overcame him; he lay down, and fell fast asleep. A Kurd, attracted by the richness of his dress, seized him. The Sultan made himself known to him, and requested the man to conduct him to Malik Muzaffar, the then governor of Akhlat. The Kurd conducted him first to his dwelling, and then went back to the place where he had found the Sultan asleep to search for his horse, which had strayed whilst his master slept. Another Kurd, whose brother had been killed in the storming of Akhlat — some say by the Sultan’s own hand — having heard where he was, came, during the absence of his clansman, and slew him in revenge for his brother’s death.
132.2.9
With Jalal-ud-Din, the Khwarazm Shahi dynasty terminated. Some authors relate that he was not slain on the above occasion, but that he changed clothes with the Kurd, and turned devotee, and wandered about the world. Curiously enough, I have accidentally met with a confirmation of this. It is He succeeded in reaching a place in the territory of Akhlat, and halted to rest near a village, the chief of which recognized him. In a battle, which had taken place between the Sultan and the troops of Sham, he had slain the brother of that chief. Having the Sultan thus in his power, that chieftain martyred him. The next day, information was conveyed to the sovereign of Sham, who was greatly grieved [at his fate]; and he commanded that the murderer should suffer condign punishment. On the occurrence of this misfortune, the sister of the Ata-bak, Abu-Bikr, ruler of Fars [Jalal-ud-Din’s consort], reached Sham. She was treated with honour and reverence, and was conducted back to Fars. Thus the dominion of the Khwarazm Shahs terminated; and their remaining Maliks, and their followers, took up their residence in Sham and in Misr.