The History of Fīrūz Shāh (ʿAfīf) 30: Twelfth Mukaddama. — Conclusion of Peace between Sultan Sikandar and Sultan Firoz, with the presentation of forty elephants.
Táríkh-i Fíroz Sháhí of Shams-i Siráj 'Afíf (extracts) 30
- Language
- English
Twelfth Mukaddama. — Conclusion of Peace between Sultan Sikandar and Sultan Firoz, with the presentation of forty elephants.
30.1
Sultan Sikandar and his people being in great distress, he consulted with his ministers as to the best course to be pursued to escape from their difficulties. They being unanimous, said that the people of Bengal had never been very friendly with the people of the Upper provinces, because the decrees of fate had so ruled; but if the Sultan would give his consent, they, his servants and well-wishers, would send a person to the ministers of Sultan Firoz Shah and make propositions of peace. Sultan Sikandar kept silence, and his advisers retired, observing that "Silence is one of the signs of assent." His ministers accordingly sent a clever, confidential agent to the ministers of Sultan Firoz to open negotiations for peace, representing that * * * the combatants on both sides were Muhammadans, and that these contentions were productive of evil to the professors of Islam; it therefore behoved the ministers of Sultan Firoz to make him disposed for peace, as Sultan Sikandar was already inclined.
30.2
When these overtures were made to the ministers of Firoz Shah, they assembled together, and, after carefully considering the matter, they agreed that the propositions were reasonable, and that they would recommend them to his acceptance. These wise men accordingly repaired to his presence, and made known to him the proposals of Sultán Sikandar. He entertained the proposal, and said that as his adversary was reduced to distress, and was disposed to peace, it behoved him to listen to the proposition in conformity to the Divine precept that "Peace is good," and so stop the sword in its ravages on the people of Islám. After some consideration he replied, that he would accept the proposition, on condition that the Khán-i 'azam, Zafar Khán, should be placed on the throne in Sunár-gánw. When the ministers heard this resolution of the Sultán, they * * * sent Haibat Khán as envoy, to settle the terms of peace.
30.3
The ministers of Sultán Sikandar met and received the envoy; but although Sultán Sikandar was fully acquainted with all the negotiations which had been carried on, he pretended to be in ignorance. Haibat Khán was, according to trustworthy statements, a countryman of his, and had two sons in his service. When he set forth the terms on which peace might be made, Sultán Sikandar replied, that Sultán Fíroz had been kind to him, and that he was very averse to carrying on war and slaughter with him. Haibat Khán conducted himself like an accomplished ambassador; what he had to say he said well, tenderly, and warmly. When he perceived that Sikandar also spoke in favour of peace, he said that the chief reason why Sultán Fíroz had undertaken the campaign was the establishment of Zafar Khán in the country of Sunár-gánw. Sultán Sikandar accepted the proposed terms, and agreed to surrender Sunár-gánw to Zafar Khán. But he added, that if this were the object of the campaign, much unnecessary trouble had been undertaken; for if an order had been sent to him from Dehlí, he would have placed Zafar Khán in possession of the place. Haibat Khán returned to Sultán Fíroz in high spirits, and made an exact report of all that had passed, including Sikandar's consent to allow Zafar Khán to occupy Sunár-gánw. The Sultán was satisfied, and expressed his desire to remain at peace with Sikandar, and to look upon him as a nephew.
30.4
Haibat Khán suggested that some presents should be given to Sultán Sikandar and] the Sultan sent into the fort of Ikdála, by the hands of Malik Kabúl, otherwise called Toráband, a crown worth 80,000 tankas, and 500 valuable Arab and Turki horses, with an expression of his wish that henceforth they might never again draw the sword. The Sultán then advanced two marches, while Malik Kabúl proceeded to the fort. It is credibly reported that the ditch of the fort of Iskandariya was twenty gaz broad. When Malik Kabúl reached it, to show his daring, he made his horse take a leap, and the high-spirited animal carried him over in safety, to the great amazement and admiration of the Bengális. When Malik Kabúl was received, he walked seven times round the throne of Sikandar, and placed the crown upon his head and the robes upon his breast [expressing in strong terms the hope of peace and friendship between the two kings]. Sultán Sikandar asked him what his name was, and he replied, in the Hindi language, "Toráband." The Sultan again spoke and asked if his master had other servants like him, and the Khán replied, that he was a slave in the second palace, and that 10,000 men as good as he kept night watch over the palace of his sovereign. At which Sultán Sikandar was much amazed.
30.5
Sultán Sikandar, to show his satisfaction, sent forty elephants and other valuable presents, expressing, at the same time, his desire that every year there might be a similar interchange of brotherly and friendly feeling between them. So long as these two sovereigns lived, presents and souvenirs were exchanged, as was well known to their subjects; but when they died, the people of the two kingdoms did the best they could (ráh-i khud giriftand). When the forty elephants were sent to Sultán Fíroz, the Sultán of Bengal sent one also for Malik Kabúl. Fíroz Sháh was greatly pleased, and, in gratifying language, he told Malik Kabúl that Sultán Sikandar had done well in restoring Sunárgánw to Zafar Khán, and that he did not intend to interfere further about it. He then sent for Zafar Khán, and directed him to proceed to Sunár-gánw, offering to remain for a time where he was, with his whole force to sustain him. Zafar Khán consulted with his friends, and they all agreed that it would be impossible for him to stay at Sunár-gánw, for all his relations and friends had perished. He therefore returned to the Sultán and said that he and his family were so happy and secure under the government of Dehli, that he had given up all desire of Sunár-gánw, and had resolved to retain his present position in peace. For all the Sultán's persuasion he would not return. Sultán Firoz then, to the joy of his friends, went back to his garden, and sent off dispatches to Khán-i Jahán.
30.6
After some time, the Sultán proceeded to Jaunpúr, and from thence he went towards Jájnagar, accompanied by the forty elephants from Lakhnautí.