The History of Fīrūz Shāh (ʿAfīf) 48: Twelfth Mukaddama. — Malik 'Imádu-l Mulk and Zafar Khán cross the Sindh and fight a battle with the Sindians.

48

When the Sultán was posted on the hither side (kirána) of the river Sindh, the enemy, in great numbers, was on the opposite side (utsárá), and occasionally crossing over skirmishes occurred. The Sultán determined to send a force over the river and harass the enemy. 'Imádu-l Mulk and Zafar Khán were appointed to the command, and were directed to cross the river. A body of Sindians, in strong force and with great bravery, disputed the passage of the river, and resisted the crossing of men in boats. After much examination and exertion the transit was found to be impracticable. Consultations were held, and it was then determined that Malik 'Imádu-l Mulk and Zafar Khán, with a strong force, should fall back, as if proceeding towards Dehlí. The fleet of boats also was directed to accompany them. The plan of operations was that they were to proceed a hundred and twenty kos up the near bank of the Sindh, and effect a crossing just below Bhakkar. After the passage, they were to march back on the opposite side of the river, and give battle to the enemy. The plan succeeded, and the force marched down into the territory of the enemy. Upon this the enemy, horse and foot, came forth from their forts in great numbers, and a fierce battle (Jang) ensued which cannot be described.
Sultan Firoz was a very cautious man. The fort of Thatta was visible (from his side of the river), but from the great breadth of the stream, the land on the opposite side was not discernible. Therefore, it could not be seen how the fight with the army progressed. Sultán Firoz stood watching in expectation, his eyes now lifted to heaven and now strained over the river, in order to learn what was passing. By divine inspiration he sent a trusty man across the river in a boat with orders directing his forces to desist from battle and return to him. The combatants on both sides were Musulmáns, and if the fighting went on, many innocent persons would be slain. They were accordingly directed to return by the same way they had gone. When the messenger delivered these commands to 'Imádu-l Mulk and Zafar Khán, they retreated with their whole force — marching the 120 kos up the farther or Thatta side of the river to Bhakkar, where they crossed back and rejoined the main army. The Sultán then said to 'Imádu-l Mulk, where can this handful of Thattians fly to, unless they creep into an ant-hole like a snake. My army shall remain here, and we will build a large city.