[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) › [Ṭabaqāt-i Nāṣirī](https://indike.org/pramana/in.darkages.sultanate.tabaqat-i-nasiri) › [Tabakat-i-Nasiri](https://indike.org/pramana/in.darkages.sultanate.tabaqat-i-nasiri~en-raverty) › 187.3 # The Nāṣirī Generations 187.3 Tabakat-i-Nasiri 187.3 - **Language:** English ### [187.3](https://indike.org/pramana/in.darkages.sultanate.tabaqat-i-nasiri~en-raverty.187.3) On the arrival at that place of Muhammad-i-Bakht-yar with his forces he found no way of crossing, and boats were not procurable. He was lost in surprise and bewilderment. They agreed that it was necessary to halt in some place, and contrive \[about constructing\] boats and floats, in order that they might be enabled to pass over the river. They pointed out an idol temple in the vicinity of that place \[where they then were\] of exceeding height, strength, and sublimity, and very handsome, and in it numerous idols both of gold and silver were deposited, and one great idol so \[large\] that its weight was by conjecture upwards of two or three thousand mans of beaten gold. Muhammad-i-Bakht-yar and the remainder of his followers sought shelter within that idol-temple, and began to devise means for obtaining wood and rope for the construction of rafts and crossing the river, in such wise that the Rae of Kamrud became aware of the reverses and helplessness of the Musalman army. He issued commands to the whole of the Hindus of the country, so that they came pouring in in crowds, and round about the idol-temple were planting spiked bambus in the ground, and were weaving them together, so that it \[their work\] was appearing like unto walls. When the Musalman troops beheld that state of affairs, they represented to Muhammad-i-Bakht-yar, \[saying\]:—“If we remain like this, we shall all have fallen into the trap of these infidels: it behoveth to adopt some means whereby to effect extrication.” With one accord they made a rush, and all at once issued from the idol-temple, attacked one point \[in the stockade\], and made a way for themselves, and reached the open plain, and the Hindus after them. When they reached the river bank the Musalmans halted, and each one, to the best of his ability, sought means of crossing over. Suddenly some few of the soldiers urged their horses into the river, and, for the distance of about an arrow flight, the water was fordable. A cry arose in the force that they had found a ford, and the whole threw themselves into the water, and the Hindus following them occupied the river’s bank. When the Musalmans reached mid-stream, \[where\] was deep water, they all perished, \[with the exception of\] Muhammad-i-Bakht-yar, who, with a few horsemen, a hundred more or less, succeeded, by great artifice, in effecting the passage of the river; and all the rest were drowned. After Muhammad-i-Bakht-yar emerged from the water, information reached a body of the Kunch and Mej. The guide, ’Ali, the Mej, had kinsmen at the passage, and they came forward to receive him \[Muhammad-i-Bakht-yar\], and rendered him great succour until he reached Diw-kot. Through excessive grief sickness now overcame him, and mostly out of shame at the women and children of those of the Khalj who had perished; and whenever he rode forth all the people, from the house-tops and the streets, \[consisting\] of women and children, would wail and utter imprecations against him and revile him, so that from henceforth he did not ride forth again. During that adversity he would be constantly saying: “Can any calamity have befallen the Sultan-i-Ghazi that my good fortune hath deserted me?” and such was the case, for at that time the Sultan-i-Ghazi, Mu’izz-ud-Din, Muhammad-i-Sam, had attained martyrdom. In that state of anguish Muhammad-i-Bakht-yar became ill, and took to his bed, and died. Some have related that there was an Amir of his, ’Ali-i-Mardan, a Khalj of great intrepidity and temerity, to whose charge the fief of Naran-go-e \[or Naran-ko-e\] was made over. When he obtained information of this disaster he came to Diw-kot, and Muhammad-i-Bakht-yar was confined to his bed through sickness, and three days had passed since any person was able to see him. ’Ali-i-Mardan in some way went in unto him, drew the sheet from his face, and with a dagger assassinated him. These events and calamities happened in the year 602 H. - [Previous: 187.2.8](https://indike.org/pramana/in.darkages.sultanate.tabaqat-i-nasiri~en-raverty.187.2.8) - [Next: 188](https://indike.org/pramana/in.darkages.sultanate.tabaqat-i-nasiri~en-raverty.188) - [Up: 187](https://indike.org/pramana/in.darkages.sultanate.tabaqat-i-nasiri~en-raverty.187) --- Source: [https://indike.org/pramana/in.darkages.sultanate.tabaqat-i-nasiri~en-raverty.187.3](https://indike.org/pramana/in.darkages.sultanate.tabaqat-i-nasiri~en-raverty.187.3) · Pramāṇa