Tarikh-i Daʾudi 12: Táj Khán's flight. — His Defeat by 'Adalí. — His Defeat by Hímú. — Hímú's star in the ascendant.

12

On Táj Khán's hasty departure from the council at Gwálior 'Adalí despatched an army in pursuit of him, and prepared to follow it in person. 'Adalí came up with him at Chhabrá-máu, forty kos from Agra, and gave him a defeat, which compelled him to fly towards Chunár. On his way thither, he had seized various provincial officers of 'Adalí, and obtained from them whatever he could, either in money or goods. He also obtained 100 of the public elephants which he had found foraging in the parganas near the river. Táj Khán then went to 'Imád and Sulaimán and Khwája Ilyás, his brothers, who governed in Khawáspúr Tánda, and other parganas on the banks of the Ganges, and who were encouraged in their disaffection by all the Afgháns of the neighbourhood. 'Adalí also went to Chunár, with the view of bringing away his treasure, and despatching an army against the revolted Kiránís. Hímú desired that a large body of elephants might be attached to him during these operations, in order that he might at once cross the river and punish the rebels. Accordingly, a large number of these animals were left at his disposal, as well as a powerful force placed under his absolute command. Hímú drew out his troops in battle array, and through the effect of some skyey influences, gave a complete defeat to the Kiránís, and returned glorious and triumphant to his master, who received him with great honour, bestowing upon him the title of Rájá Bikramájít. From that period, the whole management of the State devolved upon him, and so entirely did he assume the mastery, that no public order emanated from 'Adalí, who, however, remained free to regulate his own bread and water, and retained still the treasury and elephants in his own charge.