The History of Fīrūz Shāh (ʿAfīf) 36: Eighteenth Mukaddama. — Conquest of Nagarkot [Kángra].

36

After his return from Lakhnautí, Sultán Fíroz determined upon a hunting expedition in the neighbourhood of Daulatábád, and started thither with a suitable train of attendants and tent equipage. He arrived at Bhayána, where he rested for a while, and State affairs then necessitated his return to Dehlí. Afterwards he marched with his army towards Nagarkot, and, passing by the valleys of Nakhach nuh garhi, he arrived with his army at Nagarkot, which he found to be very strong and secure. The Rai shut himself up in his fort, and the Sultán's forces plundered all his country. The idol, Jwálá-mukhí, much worshipped by the infidels, was situated in the road to Nagarkot. This idol is said to have been placed in a secluded room, where it was worshipped by the Hindus. Some of the infidels have reported that Sultán Fíroz went specially to see this idol and held a golden umbrella over its head. But the author was informed by his respected father, who was in the Sultán's retinue, that the infidels slandered the Sultán, who was a religious, God-fearing man, who, during the whole forty years of his reign, paid strict obedience to the law, and that such an action was impossible. The fact is, that when he went to see the idol, all the ráís, ránas, and zamíndárs who accompanied him were summoned into his presence, when he addressed them, saying, "O fools and weak-minded, how can ye pray to and worship this stone, for our holy law tells us that those who oppose the decrees of our religion will go to hell!" The Sultán held the idol in the deepest detestation, but the infidels, in the blindness of their delusion, have made this false statement against him. Other infidels have said that Sultán Muhammad Sháh bin Tughlik Sháh held an umbrella over this same idol, but this also is a lie; and good Muhammadans should pay no heed to such statements. These two Sultáns were sovereigns specially chosen by the Almighty from among the faithful, and in the whole course of their reigns, whenever they took an idol temple they broke and destroyed it; how, then, can such assertions be true? These infidels must certainly have lied!
The Rái of Nagarkot withdrew into the keep of his stronghold, which was invested by the royal forces in double, nay, even in tenfold lines. Manjaníks and 'arrádas were erected on both sides, and so many stones were discharged that they clashed in the air and were dashed to pieces. For six months the siege went on, and both sides exhibited great courage and endurance. At length fortune inclined to the Sultan. He was one day examining the fortress, when he perceived the Rai standing on the top of his citadel. There he stood, in an attitude of humility, and stretching forth his hand in sign of distress, he clasped his hands and bowed in subjection. When the Sultán observed this, he drew a handkerchief from his bosom, and, waving it kindly towards the Rái, he signed for him to come down. The Muhtm of the Rái assembled [and counselled surrender]. So the Rai, throwing off his pride, came down from his fort, and, making apologies, cast himself at the feet of the Sultán, who with much dignity placed his hand on the back of the Rai, and having bestowed on him robes of honour and an umbrella, sent him back to his fort. So the Rái returned laden with presents which he had received from the royal treasury, and accompanied by several fine horses which had been given to him. Thus, by the favour of God, the Sultán became master of Nagarkót. When he left the fort, to return to his capital, the Rai sent many offerings and horses of priceless worth. * * *