The Nāṣirī Generations 244.2
Tabakat-i-Nasiri 244.2
- Language
- English
244.2.1
We have returned to the subject of this history. This frail one, in the year 640 H., chanced to undertake a journey to Lakhanawati. On this journey he continued two years with his family and dependents. Trustworthy persons have related on this wise, that, in the year 642 H., the Khakan-i-Mu'azzam, Ulugh Khan-i-A'zam became Amir-i-Hajib in the illustrious capital, Dihli, when the august standards — may victory and success expand them ! — moved out of Dihli, into the Do-ab of the Jun and Gang, and when he gave the rebels of Jarali and Datoli, and other independent [Hindu] tribes, a thorough chastisement, and carried on holy war, as by the faith enjoined, and the roads in the adjacent parts of that territory were cleared of the violence of the contumacious. The author of this work [at this time], in conformity with the sublime commands, in company with Malik 'Izz-ud-Din, Tughril-i-Tughan Khan, returned from Lakhanawati again with his family and dependents, and arrived at the capital, Dihli, in the year 643 H.
244.2.2
In this same year, Mangutah, the accursed, who was one of the Mughal leaders, and of the Maliks of Turkistan, led an army from the borders of Tae-kan and Kunduz, into the territories of Sind, and invested the fortress of Uchchah, which is one of the famous strongholds of the country of Sind, and of the territory of Mansurah. Within that fortress a Khwajah Sarae [Eunuch], one of the servants of Malik Taj-ud-Din, Abu-Bikr, son of [the late] Malik ’Izz-ud-Din, Kabir Khan, Ayaz-i-Hazar-Mardah, named Mukhlis-ud-Din, was the Kotwal-Bak [Seneschal], and a slave of Kabir Khan, Ak-Sunkar, by name, was the Amir-i-Dad [Lord Justiciary].
244.2.3
When intimation of this irruption reached the capital, Malik Ulugh Khan represented it for the sublime consideration, and caused an army to be organized for the purpose of repelling the Mughals. While every one of the [other] Amirs and Maliks was showing indecision about this undertaking, Ulugh Khan-i-A’zam showed determination in carrying it out; and, when the royal standards moved forward towards that [threatened] quarter, Ulugh Khan-i-A'zam — Be his power prolonged! — despatched guides in advance on the line of route, so that [the troops] used to get over the marches with rapidity. He was wont to represent to the troops that the [next] halting-ground would be about eight kuroh off, and [consequently] about twelve kuroh, and even more than that they used to march, until the forces reached the banks of the Biah, and passed over that river, and he conducted them to the banks of the river Rawah [Rawi] of Lohor.
244.2.4
In this manner used he to show such-like determination on this expedition, and such lion-heartedness, and was wont to stimulate the Sultan and Maliks to repel the infidel Mughals, until Monday, the 25th of the month of Sha'ban, 643 H., when intimation reached the royal camp that the army of infidel Mughals had raised the investment of the fortress of Uchchah. The cause of it was, that, on reaching the vicinity of the river Biah, Ulugh Khan-i-A'zam appointed couriers, and directed so that they wrote letters from the sublime presence to the garrison of the fort of Uchchah, and announced to them the approach of the royal standards, the vast numbers of the array and elephants, the host of cavalry with the army, and the courage of the soldiery in attendance at the august stirrup, and despatched them towards the fortress of Uchchah. A division from the army was moved on in front, to act as a reconnoitring force and advance guard.
244.2.5
When the couriers reached the vicinity of Uchchah, a few of these letters fell into the hands of the host of the accursed, and some reached the people of the fortress. On the drum of joy being beaten in the fort, and the subject of the letters, the advance of the victorious army, and approach of the royal standards, becoming manifest to the accursed Mangutah, and the cavalry of the advance guard approaching the banks of the river Biah of Lohor, near to the frontiers of the territory of Sind, fear and terror became manifest in the heart and spirit of the Mughal [leader], and the favour of the Creator became a helper [of the Dihli army].
244.2.6
Trustworthy persons have related on this wise, that, when Mangutah became aware of the advance of the army of Islam, and approach of the royal standards, and that the army moved towards the river Biah, near the skirts of the mountains, and from thence, in the same manner, was marching along the banks of that river, he made inquiry of some persons what might be the reason of the deviation of the army of Islam towards the skirts of the hills, because that was a longer route, while that by way of Sursuti and Marut was near. They replied that, on account of the number of islands on the banks of the river there might not be a road for the army of Islam. Mangutah remarked: “This is a vast army: we have not the power to resist it: it is necessary to retire;” and fear overcame him and his army lest, if they remained longer, their line of retreat should be cut off. Their army was formed into three divisions, and routed, they fled, and numerous captives, both Musalman and Hindu, obtained their liberty [in consequence]. The instrument of that success was the vigour, the military talent, intrepidity, and zeal of Ulugh Khan-i-A’zam, for, had he not shown such lion-heartedness and heroism, such a success would not have resulted. Almighty God of His favour and beneficence have him in His keeping!
244.2.7
After such a success came to pass, Ulugh Khan-i-A’zam represented that it was advisable that the royal forces should move towards the river Sudharah, in order that their strength, their number, valour, and energy might be established in the hearts and minds of the enemy, and, according to that counsel, the army marched to the banks of the river Sudharah, until, on the 27th of the month of Shawwal, 643 H., the army set out from the banks of the Sudharah on its return to the capital, Dihli, which was reached on Monday, the 12th of the month of Zi-Hijjah, of the same year. During this short time, the disposition of Sultan 'Ala-ud-Din, Mas'ud Shah, received a change towards the Maliks; and, for the greater part of that [time] that he was wont to be invisible to the army, malignity had become established in his mind. The whole of the Maliks, in league together, wrote secretly and surreptitiously, and tendered their allegiance to Sultan Nasir-ud-Din, Mahmud Shah, and besought him to put his august standards in motion [towards the capital], for the purpose of assuming the sovereignty. On Sunday, the 23rd of the month of Muharram, 644 H., he reached the capital accordingly, and ascended the throne of sovereignty — May he be preserved for many years!
244.2.8
Ulugh Khan-i-A'zam represented [to the new Sultan]: Since the Khutbah and coin of the kingdom are adorned with the august Nasiri name, and, in the past year, the army of the accursed [Mughals], having fled before the forces of Islam, are gone towards the upper country, it may be advisable that the royal forces should march towards the upper [parts] In accordance with this expedient counsel the expedition to the upper parts was determined upon; and, on Monday, the 1st of the month of Rajab, 644 H., the sublime standards moved out of the capital; and Ulugh Khan-i-A'zam in using celerity and getting over the stages, continued to strive, until the banks of the river Sudharah were reached. Ulugh Khan-i-A'zam with the Maliks and Amirs of Islam [with their contingents], separated from the army on an expedition to the Jud Hills in order to wreak vengeance on the Ranah of those Hills, who, in the previous year, had acted as guide to the Mughal army.
244.2.9
With that object they pushed onwards, and the Jud Hills and parts adjacent to the river Jilam [Jhilam] they assailed; and the army of Islam carried its incursions, and ravaged [the country], as far as the banks of the river Sind, and despoiled Jas-Pal, Sihra [or Sehra], and the whole of his tribes. The Musalman force was taken over the river Jilam [Jhilam], and carried its ravages as far as the banks of the river Sind, in such wise, that all women, families, and dependents of the infidels who were in those parts, took to flight, and a body [of men] from the army of the infidel Mughals came to the ferries of the Jilam [Jhilam], and beheld the lines of the Musalman troops serving under Ulugh Khan-i-A’zam, and fear fell upon their hearts, at the number of troops composing his army, the number of cavalry in defensive armour, and the abundance of arms, and war material; and they wondered greatly, and great terror took possession of that gathering. That vigour, military organization, and overthrowing of enemies, in the assault of mountain heights, the gorges of mountain passes, and of ravines, the capturing of strong places and forts and penetrating of forests, which Ulugh Khan-i-A’zam displayed, cannot be contained within the area of recital, and the fame of that holy warfare extended as far as the land of Turkistan.