The Nāṣirī Generations 187.1
Tabakat-i-Nasiri 187.1
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187.1.1
Trustworthy persons have related on this wise, that this Muhammad, son of Bakht-yar, belonged to the Khalj [tribe] of Ghur, and the territory of Garmsir; and that he was a man impetuous, enterprising, intrepid, bold, sagacious, and expert. He came from his tribes to the court of Ghaznin, and [to] the Audience Hall of dominion of the Sultan Mu’izz-ud-Din, Muhammad-i-Sam. In the Diwan-i-’Ariz [department of the Muster-Master], because, in the sight of the head of that office, his outward appearance was humble and unprepossessing, but a small stipend was assigned him. This he rejected, and he left Ghaznin and came into Hindustan. Arrived at the capital, Dihli [there likewise], by reason of his humble condition, not finding favour in the sight of the [head of the] Muster-Master’s department, he was also rejected.
187.1.2
Muhammad-i-Bakht-yar then left Dihli and proceeded to Buda’un, to the presence of the holder of that fief, the Sipah-Salar [Commander or Leader of troops], Hizabr-ud-Din, Hasan-i-Adib, and he fixed a certain salary for him. The paternal uncle of Muhammad-i-Bakht-yar — Muhammad, son of Mahmud — was in [the army of] Ghaznin [and his nephew joined him]; and, when the battle was fought at Tara’in in which the Golah [Rae Pithora] was defeated, ’Ali, [styled] Nag-awri, entertained Muhammad-i-Mahmud [the uncle] in his own service. When he [’Ali] became feudatory of Nag-awr, he stood up among his brethren [sic] and conferred a kettle-drum and banner upon Muhammad-i-Mahmud, and made over to him the fief of Kashmandi [or Kashtmandi]; and, after his [Muhammad-i-Mahmud’s] death, Muhammad-i-Bakht-yar became feudatory in his place.
187.1.3
After some time he proceeded into Awadh to the presence of Malik Husam-ud-Din, Aghul-Bak. As he had acquired a horse and efficient arms, and in several places had shown activity and gallantry, Bhagwat or Bhugwat and Bhiuli or Bhiwali were conferred upon him in fief; and, being a man of valour and intrepidity, he was in the habit of making incursions into the territory of Muner and Bihar, and used to obtain booty from it, until he acquired ample resources in the shape of horses, arms, and men; and the fame of his alertness and bravery, and the booty [he had acquired], became noised abroad. Bodies of Akhlaj from different parts of Hindustan, turned their faces towards him; and his reputation reached Sultan [Malik] Kutb-ud-Din, who despatched a robe of distinction to him, and showed him honour. Having been honoured with such notice and favour, he led a force towards Bihar, and ravaged that territory. He used to carry his depredations into those parts and that country until he organized an attack upon the fortified city of Bihar. Trustworthy persons have related on this wise, that he advanced to the gateway of the fortress of Bihar with two hundred horsemen in defensive armour, and suddenly attacked the place. There were two brothers of Farghanah, men of learning, one Nizam-ud-Din, the other Samsam-ud-Din [by name], in the service of Muhammad-i-Bakht-yar : and the author of this book met with Samsam-ud-Din at Lakhanawati in the year 641 H., and this account is from him.
187.1.4
These two wise brothers were soldiers among that band of holy warriors when they reached the gateway of the fortress and began the attack, at which time Muhammad-i-Bakht-yar, by the force of his intrepidity, threw himself into the postern of the gateway of the place, and they captured the fortress, and acquired great booty. The greater number of the inhabitants of that place were Brahmans, and the whole of those Brahmans had their heads shaven ; and they were all slain. There were a great number of books there ; and, when all these books came under the observation of the Musalmans, they summoned a number of Hindus that they might give them information respecting the import of those books ; but the whole of the Hindus had been killed. On becoming acquainted [with the contents of those books], it was found that the whole of that fortress and city was a college, and in the Hindui tongue, they call a college Bihar.
187.1.5
When that victory was effected, Muhammad-i-Bakht-yar returned with great booty, and came to the presence of the beneficent Sultan Kutb-ud-Din, I-bak, and received great honour and distinction. A party of Amirs at the capital [Dihli], through the noising abroad of Muhammad-i-Bakht-yar’s praises, and, at beholding the honour he received, and the gifts bestowed upon him by Sultan Kutb-ud-Din, became envious of Muhammad-i-Bakht-yar, and, at a convivial banquet, they treated him in a reproachful and supercilious manner, and were deriding him and uttering inuendoes; and matters reached such a pitch that he was directed to combat with an elephant at the Kasr-i-Safed [White Castle]. With one blow, which he dealt the elephant on the trunk with his mace, the elephant fled discomfited. When Muhammad-i-Bakht-yar gained that distinction, Sultan Kutb-ud-Din ordered him a rich robe of honour from his own special wardrobe, and conferred considerable presents upon him. The Sultan [likewise] commanded the Amirs to make him presents, and he received such a number of gifts as could not be contained within the limits of writing. Muhammad-i-Bakht-yar moreover, in that same assembly, dispersed the whole of those presents and bestowed them upon the people; and, with the special imperial honorary robe, he departed, and set out towards Bihar.
187.1.6
Fear of him operated exceedingly in the hearts of the unbelievers of the different parts of the territories of Lakhanawati and Bihar, and the countries of Bang and Kamrud. Trustworthy persons have related after this manner, that the fame of the intrepidity, gallantry, and victories of Muhammad-i-Bakht-yar had [also] reached Rae Lakhmaniah whose seat of government was the city of Nudiah, and who was a very great Rae, and had been on the throne for a period of eighty years. At this place, an Anecdote respecting the circumstances of that Rae, which had been heard [by the writer], is here recorded; and it is this, that, when his father was removed from this world, Rae Lakhmaniah was in his mother’s womb. The crown was placed on the belly of his mother, and all girded up their loins in her service. The Raes of Hind used to hold their family in great importance, and were wont to consider them in the position of Khalifah by descent. When the birth of Lakhmaniah drew near, and the signs of giving birth became manifest to his mother, she assembled the astrologers together and they made observation whether the horoscope was auspicious. With one accord they represented : “ If this child should be born at this hour, it will be unfortunate exceedingly, and will never attain unto sovereignty ; but, if it should be born two hours subsequent to this time, it will reign for eighty years.”
187.1.7
When his mother heard this conclusion from the astrologers, she commanded that she should be suspended with her head downwards, with her two legs bound together ; and the astrologers were placed in order that they might continue to observe the horoscope. When the time came, they agreed that the [auspicious] hour of birth was now arrived. She directed that she should be taken down, and forthwith Lakhmaniah was born. On reaching the ground, his mother, unable any longer to endure the agony of labour, died, and Lakhmaniah was placed upon the throne. He reigned for a period of eighty years, and trustworthy persons have related to this effect, that, little or much, never did any tyranny proceed from his hand ; and whosoever preferred a request to him for anything, other than one lak [one hundred thousand] he did not bestow, after the manner of the beneficent Sultan, Kutb-ud-Din, the Hatim of his time. It has been narrated on this wise, that, as in that country, the kauri [shell] is current in place of silver the least gift he used to bestow was a lak of kauris. The Almighty mitigate his punishment [in hell] !
187.1.8
I now return to the history of Muhammad-i-Bakht-yar. When he returned from the presence of Sultan Kutb-ud-Din, and subdued Bihar, his fame had reached the hearing of Rae Lakhmaniah, and the different parts of his dominions likewise. A number of astrologers, wise men, and counsellors of his kingdom presented themselves before the Rae, and represented, saying : In our books of the ancient Brahmans they have foretold that this country will fall into the hands of the Turks and the time of its fulfilment has drawn near. The Turks have subjugated Bihar, and next year they will surely come into this country. It is expedient for us that the Rae should consent so that he, along with the whole people, should be removed from the country in order that we may be safe from the molestation of the Turks.”
187.1.9
The Rae replied, saying : Is there any token given in your books with respect to this man who is to subdue our country?” They replied : “The indication of him is this, that, when he stands upright on his two feet, and lets down his two hands, his hands will reach beyond the point of his knees in such wise that the fingers will touch the calves of his legs.” The Rae answered: “It is advisable that trustworthy persons should be despatched in order that they may, in a proper manner, investigate those peculiar characteristics.” In accordance with the Rae’s command, they sent trustworthy persons, and they made investigation respecting this matter, and, in the external form and figure of Muhammad-i-Bakht-yar, those characteristics they found.