The History of Fīrūz Shāh (Baranī) 1.30

1.30

The Sultan summoned all the forces of the neighbourhood where he was, and marched for Lakhnauti, his rage and shame causing him to disregard the rainy season. Proceeding into Oudh he ordered a general levy, and two lakhs of men of all classes were enrolled. An immense fleet of boats was collected, and in these he passed his army over the Saru. The rains now came on, and although he had plenty of boats the passage through the low-lying country was difficult, and the army was delayed ten or twelve days, toiling through the water and mud, and the pouring rain. Meantime Tughril had received intelligence of the advance of the Sultan. He then said to his friends and supporters, "If any one besides the Sultan had come against me, I would have faced him, and fought it out. But as the Sultan has left his duties at Dehli, and has come against me in person, I cannot withstand him." When intelligence of the passage of the Saru reached Tughril, he immediately prepared for flight, and as the Sultan's march was retarded by the rains he had plenty of time. Many people joined him through fear of the Sultan's vengeance; and he carried off with him treasure and elephants, a picked body of troops, his officers, relations, and adherents, with their wives and children. He also worked upon many people by holding out to them the terrors of the Sultan's vengeance, so that they collected their money and followed him.