The Nāṣirī Generations 183.3
Tabakat-i-Nasiri 183.3
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- English
183.3.1
In the year 599 H., the same in which Sultan Ghiyas-ud-Din died, and his brother, Mu'izz-ud-Din, became supreme sovereign, Kutb-ud-Din undertook an expedition against Kalinjar. The Rae of Kalinjar of the Pramarah race made a desperate resistance in the field, according to the Taj-ul-Ma'asir, before retiring within the walls; but Firishtah asserts that, in "the twinkling of an eye, he faced about and fled for shelter to the fortress." He was invested therein, and shortly after he made terms, and agreed to submit to Kutb-ud-Din on terms the same as those upon which his ancestors had paid obedience to Sultan Mahmud, Ghaznawid; and stipulated for the presentation of a large amount in jewels and other precious things, and a number of horses and elephants. It so happened that, next day, while engaged in collecting together this tribute, he was cut off by the hand of death. His Wakil or minister, Ajah Diw [in Firishtah, Jadah Diw], bethinking himself of a never-failing spring of water in the upper part of the place, determined to resist the Musalmans instead of agreeing to the terms; but, as fortune had turned its face from him, and adversity had come, the spring within a few days dried up, and the people within the walls, being helpless, were compelled to call for quarter; and they came out, and gave up the place. Vast booty in jewels, arms, elephants, and other property fell into the hands of the Musalmans, who became rich from the spoils;
183.3.2
and 50,000 captives, male and female, were taken, and were, according to Firishtah, "exalted to the excellence of Islam," and the idol temples were converted into masjids.
183.3.3
It is amusing here also to find how Firishtah, whose account is substantially the same as the preceding, has been translated. Dow says; "In the year 599 he mustered his forces, and marched to the siege of Calinger, where he was who was Sultan Mu’izz-ud-Din’s brother’s son, despatched was still a slave—and the government of Hindustan, which Mahmud had conferred upon him, or rather, confirmed him in, and was greatly exalted and honoured thereby.” Our author, and some who copy him, state, that Kutb-ud-Din returned to Dihli after the expedition against the Khokhars; but it must be remembered that Kutb-ud-Din accompanied his master, Mu’izz-ud-Din, to Lahor after that affair, and, as only two months and sixteen days elapsed between the assassination of the Sultan and Kutb-ud-Din’s assumption of the sovereignty at Lahor, it is therefore probable that, on hearing of the assassination of the Sultan, which took place fifteen days after latter left Lahor, he returned to it at once, and possibly had not even left it when the news reached him. After a time, he returned to Dihli again. The Taj-ul-Ma’asir says he made Luhawar his capital, “the place where the throne of Sultans had been established,” but the reason, why he eventually returned to Lahor, and continued there to the day of his death, has been stated already in another place.
183.3.4
It is stated in another work, the Khulasat-ut-Tawarikh, that Kutb-ud-Din met by Gola, the tributary prince of that country, whom he defeated; and, dismounting his cavalry [!], began to besiege him in the fort.” All this is pure invention: there is nothing of the kind in Firishtah. Briggs has: “In the year 599 he mustered his forces, and marched against Kalunjur, where he was opposed by the Raja of that country, whom he defeated; then, dismounting his cavalry, he laid siege to the fort.” A siege and an investment are far different things. All about “the Hindoo flag being again hoisted on the fort” is also purely imaginary, and is not contained in Firishtah’s text.
183.3.5
Here is another choice specimen of how Indian history is written. Its source, of course, is Dow and Briggs, not Firishtah. In Marshman’s “History of India,” vol. i., page 197, is the following: “In the year 599 he mustered his forces, and marched against Kulunjur, where he was opposed by the Raja of that country, whom he defeated; then, dismounting his cavalry, he laid siege to the fort. The Raja, seeing himself hard pressed, offered Kootb-ood-Deen Eibuk the same tribute and presents which his ancestors had formerly paid to Sooltan Mahmood. The proposal was accepted; but the Raja’s minister, who resolved to hold out without coming to terms, caused his master to be assassinated, while the presents were preparing. The Hindoo flag was again hoisted on the fort, the siege recommenced, but the place was eventually reduced, owing to the drying up of a spring upon the hill which supplied the garrison with water.”
183.3.6
From Kalinjar Kutb-ud-Din marched to the city of Mahobah, the capital of the territory of Kalpi, which he took possession of, and returned to Dihli by way of Buda’un, one of the chief cities of Hind, which he also occupied. [It is not Firishtah who places “Bada’un between the Ganges and the Jamna” (see Elliot, India, vol. ii., page 232, note 1), but Dow and Briggs, who misinterpret him.] It was whilst in this part that Muhammad, son of Bakht-yar, the Khalj, is said to have presented himself in Kutb-ud-Din’s presence,—not from Awadh and Bihar, but from Adwand-Bihar, noticed in the account of that chief farther on—bearing rich presents in jewels and coin of various descriptions; but this certainly took place ten years before 599 H. He was received with great distinction, as his fame had extended over Hind and Sind. When he was admitted to an audience to take leave, he received a robe of honour, a standard, and other insignia, as will be found mentioned in the account of him at page 548. a canopy of state to Malik Kutb-ud-Din, and conferred on him the title of Sultan; and, in the year 602 H., he determined to proceed from Dihli to the royal presence in Lohor; and, on Tuesday, the 17th of the month, Zi- Ka'dah, of that same year, he ascended the throne in the royal Kasr of Lohor.
183.3.7
After some time, hostility arose between him and Sultan Taj-ud-Din, Yal-duz, respecting Lohor, so much so, that that hostility led to an engagement; and, in that affair, the victory was with Sultan Kutb-ud-Din. Sultan Taj-ud-Din, Yal-duz, was defeated, and retreated before him; and Sultan Kutb-ud-Din proceeded towards the seat of government, the city of Ghaznin, and possessed himself of that kingdom likewise; and, during a period of forty days that he sat upon the throne of Ghaznin, he bestowed upon God's people abundant benefactions, and innumerable favours, and returned again to Hindustan, the account of which has been previously related. As the decree of fate supervened, in the year 607 H., he fell from his horse whilst engaged in playing ball on the course, and the horse came down upon him, in such wise that the prominent part of the front of the saddle came upon his blessed breast, and he died. The period of his rule, from the first taking of Dihli up to this time, was twenty years; and the stretch of his sovereignty, with a canopy of state, the Khutbah, and coin [in his own name and titles], was four years and a little over.