The Nāṣirī Generations 244.4
Tabakat-i-Nasiri 244.4
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244.4.1
On Monday, the 29th of the month of Zi-Ka’dah, of this same year, the author proceeded on a journey from the capital to Multan for the purpose of despatching the gifts to Khurasan. On the road, on reaching every town, city, or fort, held by the dependents and servants of Ulugh Khan-i-A’zam, the servants of that household showed the author so much reverence and honour that the eye of sense would be fatigued in recording it — may God accept them all for it! On Wednesday, the 6th of the month of Rabi’-ul-Awwal, 648 H., Multan was reached, and the author proceeded as far as the bank of the river Jilam [Jhilam]. After having despatched those captives and loads to Khurasan, for a period of two months the author happened to stay in the army of Malik 'Izz-ud-Din, Balban-i-Kashlu Khan, at the foot of the walls of the fortress of Multan, for the air was still exceeding hot. When the rainy season set in, and the rains of compassion fell, on the 26th of the month of Jamadi-ul-Awwal, the author set out on his return from Multan, and, on the 22nd of the month of Jamadi-ul-Akhir, reached the capital again.
244.4.2
At this period the Kazi-ul-Kuzat [Kazi of Kazis], Jalal-ud-Din, the Kasani — on whom be peace and pardon! — was Kazi of the realm of Hindustan; and, when the term of the days of that unique one of his age came to conclusion, great countenance and favour was shown by Ulugh Khan-i-Azam towards this devoted suppliant, and his invaluable support was the means of this servant of his power being entrusted anew with the office of the Kazi-ship of the kingdom, and he [Ulugh Khan] submitted it for the sublime consideration. On Sunday, the 10th of the month of Jamadi-ul-Awwal, 649 H., for the second time, the Kazi-ship of the realm was consigned to the author — May Almighty God, continual and enduring preserve the Sultan of Sultans, Nasir-ud-Dunya wa ud-Din, Abu-l-Muzaffar-i-Mahmud Shah, upon the throne of sovereignty, and Ulugh Khan-i-A'zam, in the royal audience hall of power! On Tuesday, the 25th of the month of Sha'ban, 649 H., the sublime standards moved towards the territory of Malwah and Kalinjar. When Ulugh Khan-i-A’zam, with the troops of Islam, arrived in those parts, he overthrew Chahar, Ajari, who was a great Ranah, with a numerous following, and a multitude of dependents and people, and who possessed ample resources of horses and arms, and rooted him out from his country. This Ranah of [?] Ajari, who was named Chahar, was a great man, impetuous, and experienced; and has been previously mentioned.
244.4.3
In the reign of the august Sultan, Shams-ud-Dunya wa ud-Din—on whom be peace!—[namely] in the year 632 H., the troops of Islam from Bhianah, Sultan-kot, Kinnauj, Mahir, Mahawan, and Gwaliyur, were despatched for the purpose of ravaging the territory of Kalinjar and Jamu the leader of which forces was Malik Nusrat-ud-Din, Ta-yas'i, the Mu’izzi, who for manhood, competency, judgment, vigour, military talents, and expertness, has been distinguished above all his compeers, the Maliks of that time. For a period of fifty days, they proceeded on that expedition, from Gwaliyur, and vast booty was acquired, to such degree that, for this short period, the Sultan’s share of a fifth amounted to nearly twenty-two laks. In short, at the time of returning from Kalinjar, the passage of the army of Islam lay [through the territory of] this Ranah of Ajari, and that Ranah had seized the route of the Musalman forces in the narrow ravines leading from the [banks of the] river Garanah [or Karanah].
244.4.4
The author of this book heard from the mouth of Malik Nuṣrat-ud-Din, Ta-yasai, himself, [who said]: — "Never, in Hindustan, did a foe see my back, [but] that Hinduak [Hindu fellow] of Ajari made an attack upon me in such wise that you might say it was a wolf falling upon a flock of sheep. It was necessary to turn aside before him, until I emerged from another direction, attacked, and routed him.” This anecdote has been related in order that readers [of these pages] may understand to what degree was the genius and success of Ulugh Khan-i-A’zam that, with one onslaught, he overthrew and routed such an enemy, and wrested out of his possession the fort of Nurwull, which is a famous stronghold, and, on that expedition and inroad, he displayed such sagacity and promptitude, and performed such exploits [against the infidels], as will remain a record on the face of time.
244.4.5
On Monday, the 23rd of the month of Rabi’-ul-Awwal, 650 H., the sublime standards returned to Dihli again, and, for a period of six months, the troops continued at the capital of the empire, the city of Dihli, until Monday, the 12th of the month of Shawwal, when the sublime standards moved towards the upper provinces and the river Biah; and, at this period, Malik ‘Izz-ud-Din, Balban-i-Kashlu Khan, was feudatory of Buda’un, and Malik Kutlugh Khan feudatory of Bhianah, and both Maliks were requested by His Majesty [to attend him]. Both these Maliks, with the whole of the other Maliks, were present in attendance during this expedition, at the audience tent of majesty. When the sublime standards reached the districts on the river Biah, ‘Imad-ud-Din-i-Rayhan secretly plotted with the Maliks, and began to excite them all greatly to envy of Ulugh Khan-i-A’zam’s power, and malicious eyes were beginning to regard his brilliant position with repugnance, and they conspired whether, in some hunting-ground, or the defiles of some passes, or in crossing some river, they might not injure or afflict the sacred person and august body of Ulugh Khan-i-A'zam : ‘ They endeavour to extinguish the light of God with [the breath of] their mouths, but God rejects aught but the perfection of His light ;’ continued to shield the Ulugh Khani good fortune with His own protection, and gave no opportunity to his enemies to injure his gentle nature and noble person.
244.4.6
Since that which was conceived in the hearts of that faction was not easily carried out, they concerted together, and, assembling before the entrance of the royal tent, represented for the regal consideration, that it was advisable that a mandate should be conveyed to Ulugh Khan-i-A’zam that he should proceed towards his own fief and to this effect they caused a mandate to be conveyed to him ; and, from the halting-place of Hasirah, on Tuesday, the last day of the month of Muharram, 651 H., Ulugh Khan-i-A’zam, with his retinue and family and dependents, departed towards Hansi. When the sublime standards returned again to the capital, and the prickings of the thorn of envy towards Ulugh Khan-i-A’zam were afflicting the darkness-filled heart of ’Imad-ud-Din-i-Rayhan, he, consequently, represented for the royal consideration: “It may be advisable that a command should be issued to Ulugh Khan-i-A’zam to proceed to Nag-awr, and that the Hansi territory should be given in charge to one of the Princes of the Universe”—May God long preserve their lives! In conformity with that counsel the sublime standards moved in the direction of Hansi in order that Ulugh Khan-i-A'zam should depart to Nag-awr; and this undertaking was entered upon in the month of Jamadi-ul-Awwal, 651 H.
244.4.7
On reaching Hansi ’Imad-ud-Din-i-Rayhan became Wakil-i-Dar [Representative in Dar-bar], and he took into his own hands the direction of affairs within the hall of the pavilion of majesty, and, according to the promptings of that envy and malevolence, the office of Kazi of the kingdom was taken from this servant of the state, Minhaj-i-Saraj, in the month of Rajab of the before-mentioned year, and was committed to Kazi Shams-ud-Din, the Bharaiji; and, on the 17th [27th?] of the month of Shawwal, [the Sultan and his forces] returned to the capital. Malik Saif-ud-Din, I-bak-i-Kashli Khan—on whom be peace!—who was the brother of Ulugh Khan-i-A’zam, the Amir-i-Hajib they sent to the fief of Karah, and the office of Deputy Amir-i-Hajib was consigned to Malik ’Izz-ud-Din-i-Balban the son-in-law of Kutlugh Khan. Every one holding an office or employment which appertained to Ulugh Khan-i-A’zam’s patronage was removed and transferred; and the established affairs of a quiet kingdom were deranged by the pernicious counsel of ’Imad-ud-Din-i-Rayhan.
244.4.8
During the period that Ulugh Khan-i-A’zam had gone to Nag-awr, he led the troops of Islam towards the territory of Rantabhur, Bhundi and Chitrur. The Rae of Rantabhur, Nahar Diw who is the greatest of the Raes, and the most noble and illustrious of the Maliks of Hind, assembled an army in order that perchance he might be able to inflict a disaster upon Ulugh Khan-i-A’zam. Since the Most High and Holy God had willed that the renown of His Highness, Ulugh Khan-i-A’zam, for victory, triumph, and success, should endure upon the records of time, the whole of that army of Rae Nahar Diw, notwithstanding it was very numerous, well provided with arms, and elephants, with choice horses, and famous Rawats he put to the rout, and the heroic men sent great numbers of the enemy to hell. Vast booty was captured, and horses and captives beyond computation were taken. Safe and rich, under the protection of the Creator, Ulugh Khan-i-A’zam returned again to the province of Nag-awr, and that place, through his felicitous presence, became a large city.