[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) › 5 # Tarikh-i Daʾudi 5: An account of certain other events which occurred during the year of His Majesty's accession. Táríkh-i Dáúdí of 'Abdu-lla (extracts) 5 - **Language:** English ## Contents - [5.1](https://indike.org/pramana/in.darkages.sultanate.tarikh-i-daudi~en-elliot.5.1) — 7 parts - [5.2](https://indike.org/pramana/in.darkages.sultanate.tarikh-i-daudi~en-elliot.5.2) — 9 parts - [5.3](https://indike.org/pramana/in.darkages.sultanate.tarikh-i-daudi~en-elliot.5.3) — 4 parts ### An account of certain other events which occurred during the year of His Majesty's accession. ### [5.1.1](https://indike.org/pramana/in.darkages.sultanate.tarikh-i-daudi~en-elliot.5.1.1) In the first year of his reign Sultán Sikandar had a design of conquering Bayána, which task he effected, like a mighty monarch, in a very short time, and then returned speedily to Dehlí. On the third day after his arrival, he was playing at chaugán. Whilst he was in the chaugán ground, news was brought from Jaunpúr that Bárbak Sháh was coming from that city with a numerous army. Sultán Sikandar sent Isma'íl Khán Lohání to Bárbak Sháh at Jaunpúr, to make pacific overtures, and then started after him in person, in the direction of Kampila and Patíálí. 'Ísá Khán, the governor of that district came forth to oppose him. When both parties were engaged, 'Ísá Khán received a wound, from the effects of which he died in a few days. Sultán Sikandar advanced thence towards Bárbak Sháh, who also had collected his troops and prepared to encounter him, leaving Jaunpúr for that purpose. Both sides met and engaged. During the fight, a holy kalandar appeared, who seized Sultán Sikandar's hand, and said, "The victory is with thee!" The Sultán withdrew his hand with an expression of disgust. The darwesh said, "I give you a glad omen, and the joyful tidings of success! ### [5.1.2](https://indike.org/pramana/in.darkages.sultanate.tarikh-i-daudi~en-elliot.5.1.2) Why do you withdraw your hand?" The Sultán said, "When there is strife between two parties of the religion of Islam, you ought not to side with one, but to say that the victory will remain with those whose success will produce the greatest benefit to religion, and you ought to solicit the Almighty to grant victory to him who will treat the servants of the Lord best!" After a fierce battle, Bárbak Sháh's army was defeated, and he fled thence to Badáún, to which place he was pursued by Sultán Sikandar, who besieged him there. Bárbak Sháh excused himself and submitted, and Sultán Sikandar conciliated him, and took him to Jaunpúr, where he seated him again on the throne of the Eastern monarchy as before; but he distributed the parganas of the Jaunpúr country amongst his nobles, and left governors of his own everywhere; he also appointed men of trust to remain with Bárbak Sháh. Thence he went to Kálpí, which place he resumed from his nephew 'Azam Humáyún, and bestowed it upon Mahmúd Khán Lodi. He then advanced for the purpose of securing possession of the countries and districts belonging to Bayána. After seizing the whole of that territory, he returned in a short time to Dehli. ### [5.1.3](https://indike.org/pramana/in.darkages.sultanate.tarikh-i-daudi~en-elliot.5.1.3) On the third day after his arrival, he was again playing at chaugdn, and was standing with the bat in his hand, intending to proceed with the game, when news arrived that the zaminddrs of the district of Jaunptir, led by a Hindu named Jugd, and numbering nearly 100,000 men, horse and foot, had attacked and defeated Mubarak Khdn Lohdni, and slain his brother, and that Mubarak Khdn had been seized by Mulla Khdn at the ferry of Illahabas, which at that time was called Pyag, and that Barbak Shah, learning how powerful these people were, had gone to Midn Muhammad Farmuli, nicknamed " the Black Mountain," at Darydbdd. When Sultan Sikandar heard of these events, he threw down the chaugdn bat, and went from the field to Khan Jahan Lodi, and told him all that happened, at the same time asking what he ought to do. Khdn Jahdn said, " Food is just ready, eat a little of it as a good omen, and then set out for Jaunpiir." The King replied : " I will eat after the first stage." On quitting Khan Jahan's house, he went to the royal palace; and then causing the scarlet tents to be pitched, he proceeded with such celerity, that he came up with Jtiga on the tenth day. When he encamped near the water of Kudi, a scout brought information concerning the rebel army. The Sultdn asked how many kos Jugd was from this place, and he was told that he was near at hand. On this, the Sultan ordered an immediate attack ; ### [5.1.4](https://indike.org/pramana/in.darkages.sultanate.tarikh-i-daudi~en-elliot.5.1.4) some of the chief nobles recommended waiting until the arrival of the army, and the Sultdn inquired how many troops had kept pace with him. The Bakhshi answered that there were only 500 horsemen. He said, " The fortune of Isldm is in the ascendant ; these men will suffice." He then repeated the FdUha-i Khair, and mounted his horse. After proceeding a short distance, another messenger arrived, from whom the King inquired how far Jugd was off. He answered, " Not more than three kos." The King asked what force he had with him ? The man replied, 300,000 foot and 15,000 horse. The Sultan said, "Has he received intelligence of my coming?" He answered, "Not as yet." The Sultan directed those who were with him to advance with all possible speed, saying, "If he does not seek safety in flight, by God's favour he will fall into my hands." They advanced quietly two kos farther; when they were only one kos distant from the enemy, another spy came to tell His Majesty that Juga and the other rascals, having just heard of the Sultan's coming, had run away and taken nothing away with them. The Sultan said, "If he had remained after being told, he would have seen what he would have seen." The King, on arriving at Juga's tent, found even his clothes lying there; for the dread of His Majesty caused the assembly of the rebels to disperse, and much booty fell into the hands of the victorious army. ### [5.1.5](https://indike.org/pramana/in.darkages.sultanate.tarikh-i-daudi~en-elliot.5.1.5) Sultan Sikandar followed him as far as the fort of Jiund, where Sultan Husain Sharki was, and with him the Hindu Juga took refuge. Sultan Sikandar encamped at a short distance from the fort, and wrote thus to Sultan Husain, "You are in the place of my uncle; all that happened between you and Sultan Bahlol has passed. I bear no enmity to you, and would treat you with respect; may this fort and land which you have taken possession of always belong to you. I have come hither to punish and chastise the rebel Juga; if you undertake his chastisement yourself, so much the better! If not, turn him out, that I may give him the punishment he merits; he is an infidel, and I am therefore convinced that you will not side with him." When this reached Sultan Husain Sharki, he sent one of his chief nobles, Mir Saiyid Khan, as an ambassador to Sultan Sikandar with this answer, "Juga is my servant, and thy father Bahlol was a soldier; I fought with him sword in hand! You are a silly child, and if you are guilty of any folly, I will strike you with my shoe instead of my sword." When Sultan Sikandar had heard these words, he said, "At first, I styled him my uncle, and I still adhere to that piece of civility. I desire to punish the infidel; if he assists him, I shall then be obliged to act. I have never boasted, and all Musulmans know it. With the blessing of God, the mouth that has uttered the word shoe, will itself be stricken with a shoe." ### [5.1.6](https://indike.org/pramana/in.darkages.sultanate.tarikh-i-daudi~en-elliot.5.1.6) Sultan Sikandar said to Miran Saiyid Khan, "You are children of the Prophet (on whom be the mercy of God!), why do you not teach him to be reasonable, since he will afterwards have cause to repent?" Miran answered, "I am his servitor; what he chooses is my choice." Sultan Sikandar said, "Fortune and Sense are the servants of each other; whosoever suffers a change of fortune, also loses his sense! you are excused. To-morrow, please God, after his flight, when you come a captive before me, I will cause you to recollect what I have said; but it will be better that you should understand at once all I have said to you." After speaking thus, he gave Saiyid Khan permission to depart, and went to consult with his nobles; they all advised war, and after repeating the Fatiha, went to their places. Whilst all the great chiefs were present Sultan Sikandar had said, "You acted for Sultan Bahlol, as was proper for brethren and faithful subjects to do; in this affair of mine, I am certain you will not fail to do your best for me." On the following day, when both armies were ranged in order of battle, the skirmishers consisted of men of the Lodi and Sahu-khail tribes, whilst the men of the Farmuli tribe were stationed on the right and left. The Sarwanis were in the rear of the force. 'Umar Khan Sarwani, one of the bravest men of the time, commanded the vanguard of the army. Sultan Sikandar was mounted on an elephant, in order that he might behold the enemy's forces; ### [5.1.7](https://indike.org/pramana/in.darkages.sultanate.tarikh-i-daudi~en-elliot.5.1.7) and while he was encouraging his men, suddenly his eye fell on the fort of Jund; and he exclaimed, "Is this the citadel which has made him so proud? I will yet forbear, if he will understand his position." But shortly after, Sultan Husain brought forth his army from the fort, and attacked the advanced troops of the force. In a brief space of time, after the commencement of the encounter, and after a short contest, Sultán Husain fled, and Mírán Saiyid Khán, who had acted as ambassador, was, with other nobles, taken prisoner, and brought with disgrace before Sultán Sikandar. When the Sultán beheld him, and saw that he was bare-headed and on foot, he turned his face away from him, and said, "Give him a turban, and bring him mounted on a horse into my presence." When this was done as had been ordered, the Sultán said to Mírán Saiyid Khán and the other chiefs, "May mercy be with you, since you have shown the utmost fidelity in this matter. As your master was void of sense, what could you do? Now, set your minds at ease." He gave two curtains, one tent, and a canopy supported on four poles, two horses, ten camels, and a bed and its appurtenances, to each of the chiefs of Sultán Husain who had been captured. When the tents had been erected, he ordered that the chiefs should be conducted to him. ### [5.2.1](https://indike.org/pramana/in.darkages.sultanate.tarikh-i-daudi~en-elliot.5.2.1) When Sultán Sharkí had fled after his defeat at Jund, Mubárak Khán Lohání requested permission to pursue him. The King ordered inquiries to be made regarding the direction he had taken. Mubárak Khán stated that some of his men who had been despatched by him for the purpose of inquiry, were aware of the direction of his flight. Upon this the King commanded him to wait until the men who had also been sent by himself should return with information. Again Mubárak Khán spoke, and said, "Peace be with the monarch of the universe! Delay is not good." The King answered, "He hath not fled from you, but from the wrath of God; he is the same Sultán Husain who routed you at the ferry of Kunjh. That Deity who has smitten him to the ground, and raised you from it by giving you success, still watches over his affairs. Boast not, but have patience. Sultán Husain's pride has reduced him to his present condition." These words were spoken by Sultán Sikandar at the early age of eighteen or nineteen years. He who gives without asking, had endowed him with wonderful meekness and forbearance. ### [5.2.2](https://indike.org/pramana/in.darkages.sultanate.tarikh-i-daudi~en-elliot.5.2.2) Sultán Husain fled towards Bihár, and Sultán Sikandar went to Jaunpur; and leaving there Barbak Shah, the Sultan took his departure to Oudh, where he spent nearly a month in hunting and amusing himself. About this time, fresh news arrived to the effect that Barbak Shah, on account of the superior force of the zamindars, was unable to hold Jaunpur. Sultan Sikandar commanded that Muhammad Farmuli, 'Azam Humayun, and the Khan-khanan Lohani should go to Jaunpur by the road of Oudh, whilst Mubarak Khan Lohani should proceed through Karra, for the purpose of making Barbak Shah prisoner and sending him to Court. He was accordingly seized and brought before the King, after which he was given in charge to Haibat Khan Sarwani and 'Umar Khan. The Sultan then proceeded to the fort of Chunar, with the intention of chastising the rebels of that district. When the Sultan's army arrived there, the Raja, after a slight resistance, thought fit to fly; during his flight, this fugitive Raja, by name Bhed, went to hell. His Majesty desired to advance farther, but opium and poppy-heads had become excessively dear, and he had lost many of the horses used during this expedition; in fact, each man possessing a stable of 100 horses had lost ninety. Sultan Sikandar halted some months at Jaunpur to recruit his army. ### [5.2.3](https://indike.org/pramana/in.darkages.sultanate.tarikh-i-daudi~en-elliot.5.2.3) During Sultan Sikandar's stay at Jaunpur, his army became totally disorganized, and the zamindars of that place wrote to Sultan Husain, saying, "Since no horses are left in Sikandar's army, and there is no cavalry to oppose you, you ought to take advantage of so favourable an opportunity." Sultan Husain accordingly advanced against Sultan Sikandar with a vast force and 100 elephants. The latter, perceiving the unprepared state of his troops, sent the Khan-khanan to Salbahan to persuade him to join him. When the enemy were thirteen kos off, Sultan Sikandar, notwithstanding the condition of his army, proceeded against Sultan Husain. Meanwhile, Salbahan also arrived with his troops to the assistance of Sultan Sikandar. After a contest between the two parties, Sultan Husain was defeated and pursued by Sultan Sikandar as far as Bihar, where he received intimation that Sultan Husain had gone to Kahal-ganw, in the country of Lakhnauti. The province of Bihar fell into the hands of Sikandar, and after establishing his officers in that territory, he went on a pilgrimage to the shrine of Shaikh Sharafu-d din Yahya, of Munir, and having caused the fakirs and dwellers of that place to rejoice, he arrived at Patna. About this time, Khan Jahan, one of his chief nobles, yielded up his life into the hands of the angel of death, and his eldest son Ahmad Khan was distinguished by the title of 'Azam Humayun. ### [5.2.4](https://indike.org/pramana/in.darkages.sultanate.tarikh-i-daudi~en-elliot.5.2.4) His Majesty having issued orders for his troops to assemble again, he marched against the King of Bengal, by name Sultan 'Alau-d din, who sent his own son with a strong army to oppose him. When the hostile parties approached each other, proposals of peace were made, and it was agreed that neither party should injure the other's possessions, and that 'Alau-d din should deny refuge to any of Sikandar's enemies. Sultan Sikandar returned thence to Darweshpur, where he stayed some months, and assigned that district to 'Azam Humayun. At this period grain became very dear, and to relieve the people he released them throughout all his dominion from furnishing the usual zakat of corn, and issued orders for its abolition. From that time it was forbidden, until the reign of the Khalifa of the age, King Jahangir. From that place Sultan Sikandar appointed a large force to proceed against the Raja of Bhata, which he followed in person. ### [5.2.5](https://indike.org/pramana/in.darkages.sultanate.tarikh-i-daudi~en-elliot.5.2.5) Previous to this, the Sultan had demanded the Raja's daughter, but he refused to give her to the King, who, to avenge himself for this old grievance, now invaded his country, and entirely destroyed all signs of cultivation. His most valiant soldiers showed their courage at the fort of Bandhu, the strongest castle of that district, and Sultan Sikandar having utterly devastated and ruined the whole of that territory, went back to Jaunpur, where no foe remained. He thence directed his course towards Sambhal, where he abode during four years, during which time he was chiefly employed in pageants and festivities. \* \* \* ### [5.2.6](https://indike.org/pramana/in.darkages.sultanate.tarikh-i-daudi~en-elliot.5.2.6) Whilst Sultan Sikandar was staying in the district of Sambhal, he passed most of his time in playing at chaugan. One day, when the Sultan went forth to amuse himself at chaugan, the bat of Darya Khan Sarwani struck Sulaiman's head and broke it. This caused a quarrel amongst them. Khizr, Sulaiman's brother, to avenge his brother, seized the bat and struck Haibat Khan's head, so that there arose a great tumult and uproar. The Khan-khanan consoled Haibat Khan, and took him home. The Sultan quitted the field, and returned to the palace. Four days after he again went to play at chaugan. In the middle of the road he found Shams Khan, a relative of Haibat Khan, standing furiously enraged; who, when he saw Khizr, Sulaiman's brother, struck him over the head with the bat. For this, Shams Khan was severely beaten by order of the King, who then turned back home. After this he became suspicious of the Afghan chiefs. ### [5.2.7](https://indike.org/pramana/in.darkages.sultanate.tarikh-i-daudi~en-elliot.5.2.7) Certain loyal nobles were in the habit of keeping guard over His Majesty every night; but twenty-two individuals of rank and name conspired together, and formed treacherous and malicious designs. They proposed to raise Prince Fath Khan, the son of Sultán Bahlol, to the throne, and mutually swore to effect this. The aforesaid Prince related the circumstance to Shaikh Taha and to his own mother, and made known the names of the conspirators. Shaikh Tahá and the Prince's mother, by means of good advice, dissuaded the Prince from engaging himself in the plot; and it was agreed that he should take the list of names to the King, and thus cleanse his skirt from the accusation of rebellion. He did so, and gave Sultán Sikandar information of the evil intentions of those people. The King, with the aid of his ministers, ferreted them out, exiled them to different parts of his dominions, and thus put an end to their seditious designs. ### [5.2.8](https://indike.org/pramana/in.darkages.sultanate.tarikh-i-daudi~en-elliot.5.2.8) It is related in the Akbar Sháhí, that there came a Brahman, by name Laudhan, who dwelt in the village of Kaner, who had one day asserted in the presence of Musulmans that Islam was true, as was also his own religion. This speech of his was noised abroad, and came to the ears of the 'Ulamá. Kazi Piyara and Shaikh Badr, who resided at Lakhnautí, gave fatwas which did not coincide respecting the merits of the case. Consequently 'Azam Humáyún, the governor of that district, sent the Brahman, the Kazi, and Shaikh Badr, all three into the King's presence at Sambhal. Sultan Sikandar took great pleasure in disputations on religious questions, and on this occasion summoned all the wise men of note from every quarter. Mulla 'Abdu-lla, the son of Mulla Ilahdád, Saiyid Muhammad, and Mian Kádan, from Dehlí, all the Mullás in short of his empire, were summoned to Sambhal, and the assembly of the learned who were always attached to the stirrup of His Majesty were also present on this occasion. After investigating the matter, the 'Ulama determined that he should be imprisoned and converted to Muhammadanism, or suffer death, and, since the Brahman refused to apostatize, he was accordingly put to death by the decree of the 'Ulama. The Sultan, after rewarding the learned casuists, gave them permission to depart. ### [5.2.9](https://indike.org/pramana/in.darkages.sultanate.tarikh-i-daudi~en-elliot.5.2.9) In that year, the Sultan sent Khawas Khan to take possession of the fort of Dhulpur. The Raja of that place advanced to give battle, and daily fighting took place. The instant His Majesty heard of the firm countenance shown by the rai of Dhulpur in opposing the royal army, he went there in person; but on his arrival near Dhulpur, the rai made up his mind to fly without fighting; and, after leaving a body of his retainers in the fort, he went to Gwalior. Those Hindus who remained in the fort, finding themselves unable to maintain their position, quitted the fort at midnight and fled, and Sultan Sikandar entered the place at sunrise. He offered up suitable thanksgivings for his success, and the royal troops spoiled and plundered in all directions, rooting up all the trees of the gardens which shaded Dhulpur to the distance of seven kos. Sultan Sikandar stayed there during one month, erected a mosque on the site of an idol temple, and then set off towards Agra. When he arrived at that seat of government, he allowed all the chiefs to depart to their jagirs. About this period, on Sunday the 3rd of Safar, 911 H. (July, 1505 A.D.), a dreadful earthquake occurred at Agra, the very hills trembled, and large and substantial buildings were utterly destroyed. The living thought that the day of judgment had arrived, and the dead that their resurrection was at hand. A poet has written some verses on the subject of this earthquake; this is one of them: ### [5.3.1](https://indike.org/pramana/in.darkages.sultanate.tarikh-i-daudi~en-elliot.5.3.1) "In 911 an earthquake rendered the Agra territory a desert" Such an earthquake had never been witnessed in Hindustan. From the days of Adam to the time of Sultan Sikandar, no one could remember a similar one; and from that period earthquakes have been frequent in Hind. Sultán Sikandar passed the rainy season of that year at Agra. After the rising of the star Canopus, he assembled his army, and set forth to take possession of Gwalior and the territories belonging to it. In a short space of time he took most of the Gwálior districts; and after building mosques in the places of idol-temples, returned towards Agra. But the troops were much harassed by the narrowness and unevenness of the roads, and at one spot where he was compelled to halt, in order to admit of the people passing at their leisure, the want of water was so severely felt, that, both on that account, and the crowding together and jostling of a vast number of cattle, many people perished. It is said, that on that day a jar of water sold for fifteen tankas. Some people, when in their excessive thirst they found water, drank to such an extent that they died, whilst others expired from the want of it. They were counted by order of the Sultán, and found to number 800 persons. Sultan Sikandar, after the lapse of two years, in 913 A.H. ### [5.3.2](https://indike.org/pramana/in.darkages.sultanate.tarikh-i-daudi~en-elliot.5.3.2) (1507 A.D.), wrote a farmán to Jalál Khán, the governor of Kálpí, directing him to take possession of the fort of Narwar, and to assemble his troops and besiege it with all possible expedition. It was the custom of Sultán Sikandar, whenever he appointed an army to proceed on a distant expedition, to send daily two farmáns to it; one used to arrive in the morning, directing the troops to march and to halt at a certain place indicated; towards evening another used to arrive, pointing out what they were to do where they were encamped. When the army was at a distance of even 500 kos, this rule was never infringed, and post-horses (dák-chaukí) were always kept ready at each saráí. Jalál Khán Lodí, by the Sultán's command, besieged Narwar, where Sultán Sikandar also joined him with great expedition. On the second day the King rode forth to see the strength of the besieged fortress, and the operations carrying on against it. Jalál Khán divided his men into three divisions, and placed them in the King's way, that he might be satisfied with the appearance of his troops ; one division of foot, another of horsemen, a third of elephants. Sultán Sikandar inspected them, and was not a little astonished at their numbers. He consequently made up his mind gradually to subvert the power of Jalál Khán, and remove him from his government. The siege of the fort was protracted for one year; it was no less than eight kos in length. Men were daily slain on either side. ### [5.3.3](https://indike.org/pramana/in.darkages.sultanate.tarikh-i-daudi~en-elliot.5.3.3) After the time above mentioned, the defenders of the place were compelled, by the want of water and scarcity of grain, to ask for mercy, and they were allowed to go forth with their property ; but the Sultán destroyed their idol-temples, and erected mosques on their sites. He then appointed stipends and pensions for the learned and pious who dwelt at Narwar, and gave them dwellings there. He remained six months encamped below the fort. The Sultán having satisfied himself that the citadel of Narwar was a very formidable stronghold, one that could not be retaken if it fell into the hands of an enemy, he raised another fortified wall all round it, so as effectually to preserve it from the attempts of a foe. And having thus freed his mind from the apprehension of danger, he turned his face towards the fort of Agra. On his return march, Ni'amat Khatun, the consort of Kutb Khan, Sultan Bahlol's cousin, arrived, in company with Prince Jalal Khan, in the camp of Sultan Sikandar, who went to visit them, and tried to gain their good-will. Some days after, he appointed the sarkar of Kalpi to be the Prince's jagir, and at the time of his departure favoured him with a present of 120 horses and fifteen elephants, together with dresses of honour and ready money; he then dismissed the Prince and Khatun, and directed them to proceed to Kalpi, after which he continued his route in the direction of Agra. ### [5.3.4](https://indike.org/pramana/in.darkages.sultanate.tarikh-i-daudi~en-elliot.5.3.4) During his reign everything was cheap, and safety and security prevailed. He was busied with affairs from daybreak until evening and sleeping time. During his reign the hand of oppression was not stretched out over the zamindars of Hind, and all obeyed and submitted to him. The reign of Sikandar was an extraordinary one, and the people of that age were born under a fortunate star to possess such a ruler as the Sultan. "Upon every nation of which God approves He bestows a virtuous ruler. If He desires to render a land desolate, He places it in the grasp of a tyrant." --- Source: [https://indike.org/pramana/in.darkages.sultanate.tarikh-i-daudi~en-elliot.5](https://indike.org/pramana/in.darkages.sultanate.tarikh-i-daudi~en-elliot.5) · Pramāṇa