[Pramāṇa](https://indike.org/pramana/) › [Indian literature](https://indike.org/pramana/in) › [Dark Ages](https://indike.org/pramana/in.darkages) › [Delhi Sultanate (1206–1526)](https://indike.org/pramana/in.darkages.sultanate) › [Ṭabaqāt-i Nāṣirī](https://indike.org/pramana/in.darkages.sultanate.tabaqat-i-nasiri) › [Tabakat-i-Nasiri](https://indike.org/pramana/in.darkages.sultanate.tabaqat-i-nasiri~en-raverty) › 291.2 # The Nāṣirī Generations 291.2 Tabakat-i-Nasiri 291.2 - **Language:** English ### [291.2.1](https://indike.org/pramana/in.darkages.sultanate.tabaqat-i-nasiri~en-raverty.291.2.1) The son of the Lord of the Faithful, Amir Abu-Bikr, and the Amir-i-Alam \[Lord of the Standard\] of the Khilafat Suliman Shah, the Aiyubi Turk-man—who for a period of thirty years had wielded the sword against the Mughal infidels, and had achieved many holy expeditions \[against them\], as by the canons of the faith enjoined—these two \[personages\], in concert, on several occasions, had attacked the infidels, and overthrew the Mughal troops. On the first occasion, they drove the Mughals from the environs of Baghdad, and pursued them as far as Safahan \[Isfahan\], and despatched many of the infidel army to hell. This Amir-i-'Alam of the Khilafat, Suliman Shah, the Aiyubi, was a Malik of the tribes of the Anboh, and they are a sept of the Turk-mans, and exceedingly spirited and warlike ; and the left wing of the Khalifah’s forces was their post During a period of thirty years, from the time of Jurmaghun's \[first\] entering ^Irak, up to this period, he \[Suliman Shah\] was wont to engage in conflict like as Rustam-i-Dastan had done in the age of ignorance — the Almighty be gracious to him ! — and 'Ali-i-Murtaza in the \[early?\] days of the true faith — May God reward him ! Hulaku, having been overthrown the first time, on the second occasion gathered together troops from all Khurasan and Irak, both horse and foot, consisting of infidels, renegade Amirs, and captives ; and, at the solicitation of the rdfizl Wazir — God’s curse upon him ! — turned his face towards Baghdad. ### [291.2.2](https://indike.org/pramana/in.darkages.sultanate.tabaqat-i-nasiri~en-raverty.291.2.2) That accursed rdfizl minister, since he entertained in his heart and disposition treason and apostacy, had dispensed with the Kurd forces which were in the Madinat-ul-Islam, Baghdad ; and the Christians likewise, in secret, having taken measures with Hulaku, had written letters to him, and had solicited the appearance of the infidel hosts. The Maliks and slaves of the Khalifah, who have been \[styled\] Sultans, had become aware of the Wazir's machinations, and once had shown to the Khalifah a letter which the Wazir had written to Hulaku, and they denounced the nature of his designs. The reason was this, that between the Wazir and the Sar Dawat-dar \[Chief Secretary\], Sultan Mujahid-ud-Din, I-bak, there was dissension and enmity, and he \[the Sar Dawat-dar\] was cognizant of the hostility of the Wazir towards the Khalifah’s son, Amir Abu-Bikr, on account of his slaying the rafizis \[previously mentioned\]; and this fact he was wont to bring to the blessed hearing of the Khalifah. When the Wazir became aware of the purpose of the Sar Dawat-dar, he represented to the Khalifah in this way, saying: “The Sar Dawat-dar desires to remove thee from the Khilafat and to raise Amir Abu-Bikr to that position;” and, as the Lord of the Faithful had become aware of the endeavours on both sides, he used not to pay any attention to the words of either party in their efforts against each other. ### [291.2.3](https://indike.org/pramana/in.darkages.sultanate.tabaqat-i-nasiri~en-raverty.291.2.3) When therefore the Maliks laid before the Khalifah the letters which the Wazir had written to Hulaku, he replied; "These must be the doings of I-bak, the Dawat-dar: besides, the Wazir would not act in this way." The Maliks were disheartened at this reply, until, when Hulaku had arrived within ten kuroh \[about twenty miles\] of Baghdad, Suliman Shah, the Amir-i-’Alam, and Malik ’Izz-ud-Din, son of Fath-ud-Din, the Kurd, who was the champion of the Dar-ul-Khilafat, and who led the right wing of the Khalifah's troops, held counsel upon the state of affairs with Sultan Mujahid-ud-Din, I-bak, the Sar Dawat-dar, the Mustansiri, saying: "Matters have gone too far, a potent enemy is close at hand, and an adverse Wazir has plotted with the foe. It is necessary that it be communicated to the Lord of the Faithful in order that he may devise some expedient to repel the infidels." Mujahid-ud-Din, I-bak, replied: "I have said everything that was possible on this subject, but it has made no impression upon the blessed ear of the Khalifah. I can do no more than to request permission for a private audience for you. Do you make a representation to the effect \[you have mentioned\]." Malik Suliman Shah, the Aiyubi Turk-man, and Malik Izz-ud-Din, son of Fath-ud-Din, the Kurd, represented to the Khalifah the arrival of the enemy, and solicited that means might be devised for his repulsion. ### [291.2.4](https://indike.org/pramana/in.darkages.sultanate.tabaqat-i-nasiri~en-raverty.291.2.4) The Khalifah replied: "The Wazir hath been spoken to: it behoveth ye to request a reply from him." Both withdrew from the audience-hall of the Khilafat despairing. The Nu-in, Taju \[Tanju\], with 80,000 infidel cavalry, from the side of Aran and Azarbaijan, obtained a bridge \[of boats\] belonging to the Malik of Mausil \[Badr-ud-Din-i-Lulu\], and, in order to command Baghdad, fixed it near to Takrit. The holy-warriors of Takrit sallied out of the town and fortress, and entirely consumed the bridge constructed by the Mughals, and despatched great numbers of the infidels to hell, while a few Musalmans attained martyrdom. The following day, the Mughals repaired the bridge, as has been previously recorded, passed over, and pushed on towards Kufah, Hillah, and T Tart-B, and martyred the people. Malik ’Izz-ud-Din, son of Fath-ud-Din, the Kurd, and Mujahid-ud-Din, the Sar-Dawatf, with 20,000 horse from Baghdad, crossed the Dijlah \[Tigris\], and summoned all the men of Karkh and other towns to aid them, and fought a battle with the infidel army. As the forces of Islam contained a great number of infantry, they stood firm, and received the attack of the infidels, fought valiantly, and forced them back. The army of the infidel Mughals sustained an overthrow, and great numbers of them went to hell. ### [291.2.5](https://indike.org/pramana/in.darkages.sultanate.tabaqat-i-nasiri~en-raverty.291.2.5) Malik ’Izz-ud-Din, son of Fathud-Din, the Kurd, earnestly urged the pursuit of the Mughals, saying: “It is requisite to pursue the routed 30,000 men, against Husam-ud-Din, and had recourse to the usual perfidious measures in order to get him into his power. Kaibuka sent a message to Husam-ud-Din, saying that he was on his way towards Baghdad, that expedition having been determined upon, and that Husam-ud-Din’s presence was required in order to consult with him. Unaware of the snare laid for him, Husam-ud-Din fell into it. After Kaibuka had got him into his camp, he told him, “in order to show his sincerity,” to muster all his family, dependents, and retainers, from the forts and elsewhere, so that they might be enumerated, and the amount of revenue, to be paid for them, fixed. Still did Husam-ud-Din comply, unaware that Hulaku knew all. His family, dependents, and soldiers, with the exception of such as were in some of the forts with his son, being secured, Husam-ud-Din, now that it was too late, found that his secret was known; and he gave up all hope of life. He was further called upon to give orders for the fortresses to be destroyed, as “an undoubted proof of his loyalty,” and, being hopeless, he complied, after which, he and the whole of his people were massacred, with the exception of those with his son. Kaibuka returned triumphant to his master’s camp. The Amir-i-Sa’d, Husam-ud-Din’s son, refused to give up the forts in his possession, and held them for some time. ### [291.2.6](https://indike.org/pramana/in.darkages.sultanate.tabaqat-i-nasiri~en-raverty.291.2.6) At last, he evacuated them, and retired to Baghdad. He was received with much favour, and subsequently was killed in defending the city against the Mughals. This feat accomplished, Hulaku, after he had been again in communication with the traitor Wazir, and with the Khwajah, Nasir-ud-Din, the Tusi, at his elbow—I have not space for all the prophecies of the Court Astrologer, Husam-ud-Din, of calamities to happen, in case of attacking Baghdad, but the Tusi was in favour of advancing, and the Mughal augurs and astrologers declared all portents favourable for it—gave orders to make preparations for the campaign, and the Bahadur, Sunjak, was directed to cross the Dijlah, to the northward of Baghdad, in order to effect a junction with the Nu-yin Tanju, who, as already mentioned, with the Amirs and troops previously under Jurmaghun’s command, was marching, on the right hand, through Azarbaijan, for the purpose of invading the territories of Sham, Halab, and Rum, but whose march had been stopped, and he had been directed to turn to his left, move by way of Arbil and Mausil, where there was a bridge, and effect a junction with Sunjak. The Jami’-ut-Tawarikh says Tanju’s yurat, at that time, was in Rum, and that he had lately defeated the Saljuk Sultan at Koshah-Dagh, but this is somewhat different from the statements of others already briefly mentioned. ### [291.2.7](https://indike.org/pramana/in.darkages.sultanate.tabaqat-i-nasiri~en-raverty.291.2.7) The Shah-zadahs, Bulghan or Bulgha, Tutar, and Kuli, all grandsons of Juji-Khan, and Buka Timur’s forces, were also directed to advance on the right, from the district of ’Abbas-abad \[west of Hamadan; in some Histories, Asad-abad\], and join Sunjak. These junctions having been effected, this combined force was to approach Baghdad from the west, through the tract afterwards called the “Gariwah of Sunjak, the Nu-yin.” The Nu-yin, Kaibuka, Kudsun, and Ilkae, or Ilka or Ilkan, as he is also named, were to move towards Baghdad through Khuzistan, and approached it from the south-east, while Hulaku, himself, with the centre, advanced towards the city from the eastward, by way of Khankin. --- Source: [https://indike.org/pramana/in.darkages.sultanate.tabaqat-i-nasiri~en-raverty.291.2](https://indike.org/pramana/in.darkages.sultanate.tabaqat-i-nasiri~en-raverty.291.2) · Pramāṇa