The Nāṣirī Generations 222: IV. MALIK SAIF-UD-DIN, I-BAK-I-UCHCHAH.

222

Saif-ud-Din, I-bak, was the slave of the august Sultan Shams-ud-Din, I-yal-timish, and was a Turk of energy and sagacity, and exemplary faith, and the Sultan had purchased him from Jamal-ud-Din, the Armourer at Buda'un. At first he was made Sar-i-Jan-dar [Head of the Jan-dars]. He was directed to enter upon that office against his wishes; and the sum of three laks of Jitals for the maintenance of his position he did not receive with appreciation. When this came to the Sultan’s hearing he inquired of him the reason of his not regarding it. Apprehensive, he replied: My lord, the Sultan, in the first place, commands his slave to take an office of affliction, while his humble servant is unable to practise blood-shedding, torture, extortion, and oppression upon Muslims and subjects. Let the Sultan be pleased to assign other employment to his slave.” The Sultan showed great reliance on him [in consequence] and made Narnul his fief. He served in the government of that fief for sometime, and, subsequently, the fief of Baran was assigned to him, and, after that again, the fief of Sunam was conferred upon him. When the expedition into Lakhanawati was undertaken, and the force had reduced Balka, the Khalj, and was on its way back to the capital, Malik Taj-ud-Din, Sanjar-i-Gajz-lak Khan, died at Uchchah [while holding the government of Sind], and the august Sultan, Shams-ud-Din, I-yal-timish, assigned the fief of Uchchah, and the fortress and city of Uchchah to Malik Saif-ud-Din, I-bak.
For a considerable period he exercised the government, and was guardian of the people of that country, and brought it under his control. When the Sultan passed to the Creator’s mercy, Malik Saif-ud-Din, I-bak, became very powerful; and, at that juncture, Malik Saif-ud-Din, Hasan, the Karlugh, became covetous of the possession of Uchchah and the Panjab territory, and he arrived before the gate of the city of Uchchah, from the direction of Banian with a large army. Malik Saif-ud-Din, I-bak, with a well organized force, in battle array, marched out of the fortress of Uchchah and encountered them in battle. Almighty God gave him the victory, and the Karlugh forces were routed, and retired without gaining their object. This, truly, was a very important victory, at this time, because, at this period, through the decease of Sultan Shams-'ud-Din, I-yal-timish, awe and fear of the kingdom of Hindustan in [people’s] hearts had sustained detriment, and enemies had sprung up on all sides of the empire, and the vain desire of appropriating its territory began to trouble their minds, when Almighty God bestowed this victory on him. The good name of Malik Saif-ud-Din, I-bak, remained in that country, and in all the territory of Hindustan his renown was diffused.
Shortly after this victory, Malik Saif-ud-Din, I-bak, sustained a fall from his horse, and the animal kicked him in a mortal place, and he was killed. The mercy and forgiveness of the Almighty be upon him!