[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) › [Tārīkh-i Dāʾūdī](https://indike.org/pramana/in.darkages.sultanate.tarikh-i-daudi) › [Tarikh-i Daudi of 'Abdu-lla (extracts)](https://indike.org/pramana/in.darkages.sultanate.tarikh-i-daudi~en-elliot) › 11.1 # Tarikh-i Daʾudi 11.1 Táríkh-i Dáúdí of 'Abdu-lla (extracts) 11.1 - **Language:** English ### [11.1.1](https://indike.org/pramana/in.darkages.sultanate.tarikh-i-daudi~en-elliot.11.1.1) We have now come to the history of the sons of Sher Sháh, the enthronement of Jalál Khán, the younger son of Sher Sháh, and the account of his reign, under the title of Islám Sháh. It is related in the Akbar Sháhí, that when Sher Sháh rendered up his life to the angel of death in Kálinjar, Jalál Khán, his youngest son, was in the town of Rewan, in the province of Bhata, and his eldest son 'Ádil Khán, the heir-apparent, in the fort of Ranthur (Rantambhor). The nobles perceived that 'Ádil Khán would be unable to arrive with speed, and as the State required a head, they despatched a person to summon Jalál Khán who was nearer. He reached Kálinjar in five days, and by the assistance of 'Ísá Hajjáb and other grandees, was raised to the throne near the fort of Kálinjar, on the 15th of the month Rabí'u-l awwal, 952 A.H. (25th May, 1545 A.D.). He assumed the title of Islám Sháh, and this verse was engraved on his seal: "The world, through the favour of the Almighty, has been rendered happy, Since Islám Sháh, the son of Sher Sháh Súr, has become The common people call him Salim Shah. After ascending the throne, and inquiring concerning the ordinances of Sher Shah, he left some as they were, and changed others to suit his own ideas. On the day of his accession to the throne, he ordered two months' pay to be distributed in ready money to the army : one month of this he gave them as a present ; the other as subsistence money. ### [11.1.2](https://indike.org/pramana/in.darkages.sultanate.tarikh-i-daudi~en-elliot.11.1.2) Moreover, he resumed all the jágírs in the provinces of his government, and allowed their holders a stipend in money from his treasury instead. He entirely abolished, with one stroke of the pen, all former regulations respecting jágírs. After his accession, he ordered the Raja of Kalinjar, who had been captured with seventy of his adherents, to be put to death, and directed that not one of them should be spared. Islám Shah resembled his father in his pomp and splendour, and in his desire of dominion and conquest. He possessed great power, ability, and good fortune, and he had an immense number of horses and elephants, and a numerous artillery, together with a multitude of horse and foot soldiers beyond all calculation. He settled the wazifas and the aima villages and lands. His father had erected saráís at a distance of one kos one from the other. Islám Sháh built others between them, so that there was a saráí at every half kos. He caused two horses and some footmen to be stationed at each saráí, for the purpose of acting as posts, and bringing him every day the news from Bengal, after the manner of dák-chaukís. During the time of Sher Shah a place had always been established in the royal camp for the distribution of alms to the poor. ### [11.1.3](https://indike.org/pramana/in.darkages.sultanate.tarikh-i-daudi~en-elliot.11.1.3) Instead of this, Islam Shah directed that arrangements for the giving of alms should be made at each of the saráís, and that indigent travellers should be supplied with whatever they needed, and that mendicants should receive a daily pittance, in order that they might be contented and at ease. In certain districts he issued entirely new ordinances, and allowed stipends of fifty, two hundred, two hundred and fifty, five hundred, and a thousand. (In each of these districts) he appointed Persian and Hindi writers. He portioned his troops into divisions of five, ten, and twenty thousand men, to each of which he allotted one sardár, one Afghán munsif, one Hindustani judge, and two eunuchs of the palace. To those who had received stipends during the reign of Sher Sháh he gave lands and parganas. From the borders of Sunárgáon to those of Bengal, and from Bengal to Kábul, he garrisoned the entire country with his troops. He had, whilst Prince, 6000 horsemen with him, and he now promoted all of them, each according to his deserts. He made privates \[fard\] officers \[girohdár\], and officers nobles. These regulations of Islám Sháh caused those of Sher Sháh to fall into disuse. Many of Sher Sháh's principal nobles were disgusted at what they regarded as acts tending to dishonour them, and became ill-disposed towards Islám Sháh. He, in his turn, was likewise suspicious of these grandees, and thus the relations which existed between the great chiefs and the King were changed in their nature. ### [11.1.4](https://indike.org/pramana/in.darkages.sultanate.tarikh-i-daudi~en-elliot.11.1.4) When Islám Sháh received intimation of the secret disposition of the nobles, he marched from Kálinjar towards Ágra. Whilst he was on the road, Khawás Khán also came from hmjdgír to pay his respects. A grand festival was given to celebrate Islám Sháh's accession to the throne; after which he proceeded by uninterrupted marches to Agra, the seat of government, and took possession of the throne. Islám Sháh, being a monarch of vindictive disposition, wrote to his elder brother, saying, "Because I was near, and you were distant, to prevent disorder in the affairs of the State, I have taken charge of the army until your arrival. I have nothing to do but obey you, and attend to your orders." He feigned to wish to gratify his affection by a personal interview with his brother. 'Ádil Khán wrote in reply to Islám Sháh, saying, "If these four persons, viz. Kutb Khán the náib, 'Ísá Khán Níází, Jalál Khán Jálú, and Khawás Khán, come and insure my safety, I will proceed to visit you." 'Ádil Khán wrote thus to these four nobles, "I leave myself to your guidance. What is your advice? Ought I to go, or remain?" Islám Sháh sent all of these nobles to his brother; and after removing his fears for his safety by oaths and protestations, they promised him that he should be permitted to depart after the first interview, and that he should be allowed to choose any jágír in Hindústán which suited him. 'Ádil Khán went, accompanied by the nobles, to see his brother. ### [11.1.5](https://indike.org/pramana/in.darkages.sultanate.tarikh-i-daudi~en-elliot.11.1.5) When he reached Fathpúr Síkrí, Islám Sháh came forth to meet him in the village of Singárpúr, the place prepared for the meeting of the two brothers, and they had an interview there. They made professions of affection one to the other, and after sitting together for a short time, set off for Agra. Islám Sháh, intending treachery towards his brother, had given directions that only two or three persons were to be allowed to enter the fort with 'Ádil Khán. When they arrived at the gate of the fort of Agra, Islám Sháh's men forbade their entry; to this 'Adil Khan's people paid no attention, and a great number of them went in with 'Adil Khan. ### [11.1.6](https://indike.org/pramana/in.darkages.sultanate.tarikh-i-daudi~en-elliot.11.1.6) When Islam Shah saw that his plot against his brother had been unsuccessful, he was obliged to speak courteously to him. He said, "I have a number of Afghans in my service, who are very unruly, and whom I will now make over to you." After which, Islam Shah seated his brother on the throne, and treated him with all possible civility. 'Adil Khan was a man who loved ease and comfort. He was aware of the deceit and cunning of Islam Shah, and would not consent to this. He rose up, and after causing Islam Shah to seat himself on the throne, he first of all made him an obeisance and did homage, and congratulated him on his accession to the throne. The chief nobles, after paying their customary compliments, retired to their appropriate places. The four nobles before mentioned then informed the King that an oath and a promise had been made that 'Adil Khan should be allowed to depart after the first interview, and that a jagir should be allotted to him. ### [11.1.7](https://indike.org/pramana/in.darkages.sultanate.tarikh-i-daudi~en-elliot.11.1.7) Islam Shah ordered this to be done, and 'Isa Khan and Khawas Khan were directed to accompany 'Adil Khan to Bayana. Two months afterwards, Islam Shah sent Ghazi Mahali, one of his attendants, with golden chains, and ordered him to seize 'Adil Khan. 'Adil Khan, hearing this ill-news, fled to Khawas Khan in Mewat, before Ghazi Mahali arrived, and informed him of the perjury of Islam Shah. In the mean time, Ghazi Mahali reached that place. Khawas Khan was enraged. He sent for Ghazi Mahali, and caused the fetters to be fastened on his own legs, and thus raised the standard of rebellion. He wrote in private to the chiefs who were with Islam Shah in Agra, and gained them over to his party, and then marched towards Agra at the head of a powerful force. Kutb Khan and 'Isa Khan, who had been concerned with him in the business of the oath, stimulated him to advance, and advised him to manage so that 'Adil Khan should reach Agra a little before daybreak, in order that the people might, without feeling ashamed, forsake Islam Shah and join him. When 'Adil Khan and Khawas Khan reached Fathpur Sikri, they went to visit Shaikh Salim, one of the holy men of the age. By chance, that night happened to be the Shab-i Barat, and the performance of the prayers appointed for that occasion delayed Khawas Khan. They did not, therefore, arrive in the neighbourhood of Agra until the forenoon. ### [11.1.8](https://indike.org/pramana/in.darkages.sultanate.tarikh-i-daudi~en-elliot.11.1.8) Islam Shah, having learnt their arrival, and being informed of the evil disposition of the nobles, was sorely distressed, and said to Kutb Khan, "If I have ill-treated 'Adil Khan, why did not Khawas Khan write to me on the subject, that I might give up my intention." Kutb Khan, perceiving the King's distress, said, "Be not cast down, the business is not yet irremediable. I will undertake to suppress this disturbance." Islam Shah sent away Kutb Khan, and other chiefs who inclined to the side of 'Adil Khan, and told them to go to 'Adil Khan. His design was to place these people at a distance from himself, and then to proceed towards the fort of Chunar, where he might collect his treasures, and afterwards, after having made new arrangements, advance to the attack of his enemies. 'Isa Khan endeavoured to dissuade him from doing this, and said, "If you place no confidence in the nobles of your father and others, you ought at least to trust those 5000 men who have served the King since he was a Prince. Possessing such a force as you do, it would be madness to shrink from the contest which is before you ; and although certain of the nobles have secret ill-will towards you, yet it shows a want of caution to send them to the enemy. Your best course will be to lead the army into battle in person, and to show yourself foremost in the field. In this way no one will desert to the foe." Islám Sháh's heart was strengthened, and he determined to remain where he was. ### [11.1.9](https://indike.org/pramana/in.darkages.sultanate.tarikh-i-daudi~en-elliot.11.1.9) He sent for Kutb Khán and the other chiefs, to whom he had granted permission to depart, and said to them, "Why should I make you over to the enemy with my own hands ? Perhaps they are ill-disposed towards you." After this he prepared for war, and posted himself on the field of battle. When those who intended to join 'Ádil Khán saw Islám Sháh fully prepared for action, they refrained from going. The two armies met face to face, and a battle took place in the neighbourhood of Agra. The decree of the Almighty granted victory to Islám Sháh, and the army of 'Ádil Khán was defeated. 'Ádil Khán fled alone and unaccompanied towards the hills of Bhata, and no one knew what had become of him. Khawás Khán and 'Ísá Khán Níází went to Mewát. Islám Sháh despatched a powerful force in pursuit of Khawás Khán, and a second battle took place at Fírozpur (Jharka), near Mewát. Islám Sháh's troops were routed ; but Khawás Khán, perceiving his inability to continue the war, went to the skirts of the Kamáun hills, and for a long time devastated the territories of Islám Sháh in their vicinity. --- Source: [https://indike.org/pramana/in.darkages.sultanate.tarikh-i-daudi~en-elliot.11.1](https://indike.org/pramana/in.darkages.sultanate.tarikh-i-daudi~en-elliot.11.1) · Pramāṇa