The History of Fīrūz Shāh (ʿAfīf) 39: Third Mukaddama. — Descent of Sultan Firoz on Thatta.

39

In these days the territory of Thatta was divided into two parts, one division lying on the hither (kirána) or Dehli side of the river Sindh, and the other on the farther (guzárá) or Thatta side; both of them populated by a numerous and warlike people. At that time the Jám, brother of Rái Unar, and Bábíniya, his brother's son, were masters of Thatta. They made great show of their prowess and [collecting their forces they prepared for resistance]. Mud forts had also been built in both divisions of Sind. The Jám, and Bábíniya the arrogant, made ready for battle; the Sultán also, having approached Thatta, arrayed his forces, and a battle seemed imminent from day to day. But grain became scarce in the army of the Sultán. A pestilence also broke out among the horses, which was a very grievous calamity, and greatly disheartened the troops of every rank. Of the whole 90,000 horses which had marched with the Sultan, only one-fourth, at the utmost, remained alive. The dearness of grain caused great dismay; the price rose from two to three tankas a man, and even beyond that. When the men of Thatta saw these sufferings of their adversaries, the Jám and Bábíniya resolved to seize the opportunity and to make an attack.