The Nāṣirī Generations 281: V. KYUK, SON OF UKTAE, SON OF THE CHINGIZ KHAN.
Tabakat-i-Nasiri 281
- Language
- English
V. KYUK, SON OF UKTAE, SON OF THE CHINGIZ KHAN.
281.1
Trustworthy persons have related on this wise, that Uktae had two sons, one named Kutan, and the other Kyuk; but Kutan, who was the eldest, had become afflicted with palsy and did not possess eligibility for the sovereignty, to rule over the empire, and administer its affairs, and he [therefore] made over the throne to his brother Kyuk. When Kyuk assumed the sovereignty, all the refractory Mughals made their obeisance to him; and he nominated armies to [march into] the different countries of Chin, I-ran, Hindustan, Khurasan, and Irak. The Nu-in, Mangutah, who was at the head of the forces of [the Mughal troops occupying] Tukharistan, Khatlan, and Ghaznin, was, another time, made leader of an army. He was an aged man, very tall, with dog-like eyes, and one of the Chingiz Khan's favourites. On Mangutah's entering the land of I-ran, he made Tae-kan of Kunduz, and Walwalij, his head quarters; and, in the year 643 H., he determined upon entering the states of Sind, and, from that territory, brought an army towards Uchchah and Multan.
281.2
At this period, the throne of Hindustan was adorned with the splendour and elegance of Sultan 'Ala-ud-Din, Mas'ud Shah; and the city of Lohor had become ruined. Malik Saif-ud-Din, Hasan, the Karlugh, held [possession of] Multan; and Hindu Khan, Mihtar-i-Mubarak, the Khazin [Treasurer], was ruler and governor of the city and fortress of Uchchah, and he had, on his own part, placed a trusty person of his own as his Deputy within the fort of Uchchah—the Khwajah, Salih, the Kot-wal [Seneschal]. On Mangutah's reaching the banks of the river Sind, with the Mughal army, Malik Saif-ud-Din, Hasan, the Karlugh, abandoned the fortress and city of Multan, and embarked on board a vessel, and proceeded to Diwal and Sindustan [Sewastan]. Mangutah advanced to the foot of the walls of the fortress of Uchchah, invested it, and the attack commenced; and he destroyed the environs and neighbourhood round about that city. The people of the fortress put forth the utmost exertions and diligence, and used immense endeavours in defending the place, and despatched great numbers of the Mughals to hell.
281.3
Notwithstanding all the efforts the Mughal troops and the infidel Nu-ins and the Bahadurs were using, the holy-warriors of the fortress continued to defend the head of the breach until one of the famous Bahadurs of the Mughals, who had gone away in some direction, when he returned to Mangutah, began to reproach him, saying: “What stronghold and fortification is this in the taking of which thou makest so much delay and hesitation? I would take it in a single assault.” The following night he made preparations, and put a great number of Mughals under arms; and, suddenly and unexpectedly, in the third watch, which was the time the guards on the walls took repose, and the men of the fortress had gone to sleep, he appeared on the top of the breach. The grace of Almighty God was such, however, that the people of the fortress had mixed up a vast quantity of water and clay in rear of the breach, and had [thus] prepared a great pit and deep quagmire, more than a spear’s length in depth. When that Mughal Bahadur planted his foot within the breach, under the supposition that it was firm ground, he fell into the quagmire, and sank in it. The people of the fortress raised a shout ; and they brought out torches, and armed themselves, and the Mughals retired.
281.4
The next day they [the Mughals] deputed persons, requesting the defenders to give up the Bahadur who had been taken prisoner the previous night, in order that the army might raise the investment and depart. As that accursed one had gone to hell, and had sunk into the black water and slimy mud, to give him up was impossible; so the people of the fortress denied having taken him prisoner. In short, through the grace of the Most High God, causes were brought about, by means of which the Musalmans of Uchchah might continue safe and secure from the tyrannical hand of the infidel Mughals. One of those causes was this, that, when the Mughal army appeared before the fort of Uchchah, the Musalmans of that fortress sent an account of it to the Court, the capital city, Dihli—God defend it from calamity!—imploring assistance in repelling them, and Sultan ’Ala-ud-Din, Mas’ud Shah, animated and inspired, through the efforts and exertions of Ulugh, Khan-i-A’zam, assembled the hosts of Hindustan, and moved towards the upper provinces for the purpose of driving off the Mughal invaders. The writer of these words, Minhaj-i-Saraj, during that holy expedition against the infidels, was in attendance at the august stirrup [of the Sultan].
281.5
When the sublime standards reached the banks of the river Biah, the army moved along its banks towards Uchchah, as has been previously related and recorded. On the Mughal forces becoming aware of the advance of the forces of Islam, and the vanguard of the warriors of the faith having reached within a short distance of the territory [of Uchchah and Multan], they did not possess the power of withstanding them. They retired disappointed from before the fortress of Uchchah, and went away; and that fortress, through the power of the sovereign of Islam, and the Divine aid, remained safe from the wickedness of those accursed ones. Thanks be unto God, the Lord of the universe, for the same!