Tarikh-i Daʾudi 11.2
Táríkh-i Dáúdí of 'Abdu-lla (extracts) 11.2
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11.2.1
After these events, Islám Sháh became mistrustful of all his father's nobles, and took measures to overthrow them. He put some of them in prison, and deprived others of all their possessions. He also placed his own nephew, Mahmud Khán, the son of 'Ádil Khán, under surveillance, and ruined first Kutb Khán Súr, then Barmazíd Súr, Jalál Khán Súr, and Zain Khán Níází. He slew Jalál Khán Súr, as well as his brother, by binding them to the feet of an elephant, after which he caused the aforesaid nobles to be placed on the elephant, and paraded through the camp. The hearts of the nobles of Sher Sháh were filled with terror and consternation. After this he put many others to death, amongst whom was Khawás Khán, who bore the title of Masnad 'Alí, who was impaled on some frivolous pretext. He continued for a long time to distress the whole of his subjects, and to make God's servants miserable; but towards the end of his reign he behaved towards the people with liberality and generosity. He gained the good-will of the poor by granting them pensions and stipends. Bent upon destroying his father's nobles, he went towards Chunár, and on the road put Jalál Khán, who was a friend of 'Ádil Khán, to death. He removed all the treasure from Chunár, and sent it to Gwálior. He then returned to Ágra, and remained there.
11.2.2
When some time had elapsed, many of Sher Sháh's nobles became convinced that Islám Sháh intended to ruin them. Sa'íd Khán, the brother of Haibat Khán Níází, fled from Ágra to Haibat Khán, and induced him to rebel against Islám Sháh. Kutb Khán, one of the great chiefs and a principal grandee, who had been concerned in 'Ádil Khán's first sedition, escaped in the greatest alarm, and joined 'Ázam Humáyún Níází at Lahore. Islam Shah wrote a farmdn to 'Azam Humayun, demanding the surrender of Kutb Khan. 'Azam Humayun, by deceitful representations, contrived to send him to Islam Shah, who imprisoned him, with fourteen other chiefs, such as Shahbaz Khan Lohani the son-in-law of Sher Khan, Barmazid Sur, and other persons. He then sent them to Gwalior, after which he took measures for the seizure of 'Azam Humayun and Shuja' Khan, and sent these two grandees a summons to appear before him. 'Azam Humayun wrote from Lahore, to excuse himself from coming; and Shuja' Khan came from Malwa and paid his respects to Islam Shah; but as Islam Shah desired to obtain possession of the persons of these two chiefs at the same time, he allowed Shuja' Khan to return to his jagir. He went back to his fief in Malwa, and Islam Shah turned his face towards Rohtas and Chunar. On the road, 'Azam Humayun's brother, who had always been an attendant at Court, fled to Lahore. On account of his flight, Islam Shah went back to Agra, where he collected his troops and marched thence towards Dehli.
11.2.3
When Shuja' Khan received intelligence of these occurrences, he hastened to Dehli with all possible speed, without being summoned by Islam Shah. The King gratified him by treating him with distinction, and after arranging his army, and halting some days at Dehli, he proceeded in the direction of Lahore. 'Azam Humayun and the whole of the King's enemies had an interview with Khawas Khan and his friends, and despatched a powerful force from the Panjab to encounter His Majesty. They came up with each other near Ambala; and as Islam Shah was encamped very near the Niazi troops, a fight was imminent. On the night preceding the day of battle, 'Azam Humayun and his brothers met in Khawas Khan's tent, and consulted together concerning the appointment of another Sovereign. Khawas Khan said, that the best course would be to raise 'Adil Khan, the eldest son of Sher Shah, to the throne, as he was the rightful heir. Upon this all the Niazis said unanimously, "What advice is this? No one obtains a kingdom by inheritance; it belongs to whoever can gain it by the sword." Khawas Khan was vexed at their intentions, and on the same night he secretly sent a verbal message to one of the confidential servants of Islam Shah, requesting him to inform the King, that although His Majesty looked on him (Khawas Khan) as an unfaithful servant, yet that his heart had always inclined towards Sher Shah's family and offspring;
11.2.4
and that although he had sided with 'Adil Khan, who were the Niazis that he should be guilty of disloyalty to his benefactor on their account, and for the sake of their alliance? That his wish to be of service should, with the consent of the Almighty, be made manifest on the day of battle.
11.2.5
When Islam Shah became aware of the disagreement which had taken place amongst the chiefs of the enemy, and of the friendly feeling of Khawas Khan, he rejoiced exceedingly, and became confident of success. Meanwhile, news was brought that the Niazi troops had advanced to within a very short distance of the royal camp. Islam Shah said: "The Afghans have no sense." He made an inclosure with all his wheeled carriages, like a fortress, into which he caused the whole of his army to enter, and then went in person to reconnoitre the Niazis from an elevated position. When he beheld the foe, he said, "I shall be disgraced if I do not fight the rebel troops," and ordered the chains, with which the carriages were fastened together to be removed. At that moment, he ranged his troops in battle array, and made ready for the fight. The war drums were beaten on both sides. Khawas Khan sent to tell 'Azam Humayun and his brothers to advance when they saw him do so on his elephant with his standard displayed, and not to forsake him. With this intention they turned their faces towards the field. Khawas Khan started from his post, but attacked no one, and succeeded in making his way into the open country. The Niázis fought to the best of their ability, but as no benefit is ever derived from disloyalty, and as it always occasions distress and regret, they were routed, and the victory remained with Islám Sháh. "Who can resist him whom fortune assists?"
11.2.6
Whilst these events were occurring, Sa'íd Khán, the brother of 'Ázam Humáyún, came armed to the teeth, under the pretext of congratulating the King; hoping, as no one knew him, to find an opportunity of slaying His Majesty. He mixed with the royal guards. Islám Sháh was at the time standing surrounded by a circle of war elephants, and Sa'íd Khán was, consequently, unable to reach him immediately. He was shortly afterwards recognized by one of the elephant-drivers, who gave the alarm, and was slain by a thrust of Sa'íd's spear. Sa'íd's valour and strength enabled him to make good his escape from the place where the royal guards were. The Niázis fled to Dínkot, which is near Roh. After their defeat, they were hindered in their flight by the marshy ground in the neighbourhood of Ambála, which prevented their horses from proceeding, and consequently Islám Sháh's troops who were in pursuit coming up with them, made a great slaughter of the Niázis. Islám Sháh followed them in person as far as New Rohtas, and there appointed Khwája Wais Sarwáni, with an immense army, to prosecute the war with the Niázis, after which he turned back towards Ágra and Gwálior. He proceeded by uninterrupted marches from Rohtas to Ágra, where he halted two or three days, and then went on to Gwálior, and remained there.
11.2.7
At this time many of his father's nobles, who had been appointed to different districts, came into the presence. Although Islám Sháh had secretly an ill-feeling towards Shujá' Khán, yet as Daulat Khán Ujiyálá, the adopted son of Shujá' Khán, was much beloved by the King, for whom he had done good service, on his account he behaved outwardly with great kindness to Shujá' Khán, and treated him with honour and consideration. He gave him the government of the entire province of Málwá. One day an Afghán, named 'Usmán Khán, came intoxicated into the díwán-khána of Shujá' Khán, and spat repeatedly on the carpet. When forbidden to do this by the faráshes, he arose and struck them with his fist. There was a great outcry, and the faráshes informed Shujá' Khán of what had taken place. Shujá' Khán said, "He has been guilty of three offences: firstly, he has drunk wine; secondly, he has entered the díwán-khána; thirdly, he has beaten the faráshes." He then ordered both 'Usmán Khán's hands to be cut off. 'Usmán Khán went to Gwálior, and complained to the King, who said nothing, on account of the high rank which Shujá' Khán had held in Sher Sháh's time, and of the faithful services of Daulat Khán. After some time, Shujá' Khán came to Gwálior, and one day 'Usmán Khán again petitioned Islám Sháh concerning the injury which he had suffered.
11.2.8
The King, becoming angry with the petitioner, said, "You also are an Afghán, go and revenge yourself on him." When 'Usmán Khán heard this, he began to take measures to accomplish his wishes. Shujá' Khán was vexed when he heard what the King had said, and made use of unbecoming language. As both 'Usmán Khán's hands had been amputated, he had a hand made of iron. One day, an attendant of Shujá' Khán's told him that 'Usmán Khán was seated in a cutler's shop, causing a knife to be sharpened, and speaking in a violent manner. Shujá' Khán's courage prevented this information from making any impression on him, until one day, as he was going in a litter to pay his respects to the King in the castle of Gwálior, and had reached the Hathyápul gate, he saw 'Usmán Khán seated in a shop with one hand concealed in his dopatta. Shujá' Khán desired to inquire something concerning him, when 'Usmán Khán suddenly rose up, and running from the shop, wounded Shujá' Khán. He was instantly seized by the armed men who surrounded the litter, who then perceived that he had an iron hand fastened to the stump, by means of which he had inflicted a slight wound in Shujá' Khán's left side, only grazing the skin. He was slain immediately, and they then took Shujá' Khán's litter back to his house. After Shujá' Khán had been wounded, and when 'Usmán Khán had met with his reward, an uproar and disturbance arose amongst the people.
11.2.9
When news of this event reached the King, he sent some of his courtiers and men of note to Shujá' Khán, to inquire how he fared, and intended likewise to go in person.