The Nāṣirī Generations 220: II. MALIK ’IZZ-UD-DIN, KABIR KHAN, AYAZ-I-HAZAR-MARDAH, UL-MU’IZZI.
Tabakat-i-Nasiri 220
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II. MALIK ’IZZ-UD-DIN, KABIR KHAN, AYAZ-I-HAZAR-MARDAH, UL-MU’IZZI.
220.1
Malik Kabir Khan-i-Ayaz was a Rumi Turk, and he had been the slave of Malik Nasir-ud-Din, Husain, the Amir-i-Shikar [Chief Huntsman] of Ghaznin, and, after he was put to death, Kabir Khan-i-Ayaz, along with his children, reached the country of Hindustan. He attracted the benevolent notice of the august Sultan [I-yal-timish], and served him in every degree of employment. He was a Turk, wise, prudent, and experienced, and, in agility and martial accomplishments, was the incomparable of his time. Malik Nasir-ud-Din, Husain, the Amir-i-Shikar of Ghaznin, who was his owner and lord, was the theme of every tongue throughout the whole of the countries of Ghur, Ghaznin, Khurasan, and Khwarazm, for warlike powers and skill; and Malik Kabir Khan-i-Ayaz had accompanied his master, in all circumstances and situations, and had learnt from him martial accomplishments and the modes of warfare, and had become a perfect master in the art.
220.2
When Malik Nasir-ud-Din, Husain, was put to death by the Turks of Ghaznin, his sons, namely Sher Khan-i-Surkhi [the Red], and his brother, reached the presence of the sublime Court, and Sultan Shams-ud-Din, I-yal-timish, purchased 'Izz-ud-Din, Kabir Khan-i-Ayaz, direct from them. Some have related on this wise, that, when the august Sultan brought the territory of Multan under his sway in the year 625 H., he conferred upon 'Izz-ud-Din, Kabir Khan-i-Ayaz, the city and fortress of Multan, with the whole of its towns, districts, and dependencies, and installed him in the government of that territory, and exalted him to the title of Kabir Khan-i-Man-girni; and, although he used to be styled by people Ayaz-i-Hazar-Mardah—the name he was famed by—he, consequently, became celebrated under the title of Kabir Khan-i-Man-girni. On the return of the Sultan [with his forces] to Dihli, the capital, Kabir Khan-i-Ayaz took possession of that territory and brought it under his jurisdiction, and caused it to flourish; and, after a period of two, three, or four years, he was recalled to the capital, and Palwal was assigned to him for his maintenance.
220.3
When the Shamsi reign came to its termination, and Sultan Rukn-ud-Din, Firuz Shah, succeeded, he conferred upon Kabir Khan-i-Ayaz the district of Sunam; and, when Malik 'Ala-ud-Din, Jani, from Lohor, and Malik Saif-ud-Din, Kuji, from Hansi, assembled with hostile intent against the Court, Kabir Khan-i-Ayaz joined them; and, for a considerable period, they alarmed and distracted the forces of Sultan Rukn-ud-Din, Firuz Shah. At last, when Sultan Raziyyat ascended the throne, they advanced upon the capital, and for a considerable period molested the city and parts around, and engaged in conflict with the servants of the Court of the Sultan of Islam, until Sultan Raziyyat, secretly, by promises of favour, detached him from that party, and he, in concert with Malik 'Izz-ud-Din, Muhammad-i-Salar, went over to the service of the Court. Through their coming [over to the Court party], the Sultan, the servants of her Court, and the people of the city, gained a great accession of strength, and Malik Jani and Malik Kuji, baffled, withdrew.
220.4
Sultan Raziyyat showed Kabir Khan-i-Ayaz great honour, and conferred upon him the province of Lohor, with the whole of the dependencies and districts belonging to that territory; but, after a year or two a slight change manifested itself in the mind of Sultan Raziyyat towards him, and, in the year 636 H., her sublime standards advanced towards Lohor. Kabir Khan-i-Ayaz retired before her, crossed the Rawah of Lohor, and retreated as far as the borders of Sudharah, and the army marched in pursuit of him. Finding it was impossible to follow any other course, he made his submission, and Multan was again placed under his charge. After a considerable period had passed away, and, when an army of Mughals, under the accursed Mangutah, the Nu-in, and the Bahadur, Tu-ir, turned its face towards Lohor, Kabir Khan-i-Ayaz [assumed sovereignty] in the territory of Sind, and a canopy of state, and possessed himself of Uchshah. Shortly after this disaffection, in the year 639 H., he died.
220.5
After his decease, his son, Taj-ud-Din, Abu-Bikr-i-Ayaz, who was a young man of good disposition, fiery, very impetuous, and courageous, brought the territory of Sind under his sway. Several times he attacked the Karlugh army before the gate of Multan and put it to flight, and showed such great skill and high-spiritedness that he was noted for his manliness and valour, when, suddenly, in the morning of life and flower of his youth, he passed to the Almighty’s mercy. May God have mercy upon them both [father and son].