The History of Mubārak Shāh 5: Sultan Mahmud Shah, youngest son of Muhammad Shah.
Táríkh-i Mubárak Sháhí (extracts) 5
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Sultan Mahmud Shah, youngest son of Muhammad Shah.
5.1
"On the death of Sultan 'Alau-d din, otherwise known as Humayun Khan, several of the nobles, such as Ghalib Khan of Samana, Rai Kamal Main, Mubarak Khan, Malajun (?) Khawass Khan governor of Indri and Karnal, were about to leave the city and proceed to their respective territories, without taking leave of [Prince] Mahmud Shah. But Khan-i Jahan heard of their intention, and encouraged them to return to the city. On the 20th Jumada-l awwal, by the efforts of the amirs and maliks, and great men, Prince Mahmud was placed upon the throne in the Humayun palace," and the title Sultan Nasiru-d din Mahmud Shah was given to him. The office of wazir was confirmed to Khwaja-i Jahan, Mukarrabu-l Mulk became Mukarrab Khan, and was named heir-apparent of the Sultan. 'Abdu-r Rashid Sultani was entitled Sa'dat Khan, and received the office of Barbak. Malik Sarang was created Sarang Khan, and received the fief of Dibalpur. Malik Daulat Yar, the dabir (secretary), was created Daulat Khan, and received the office of 'Imadu-l mulk and 'ariz of the State. Through the turbulence of the base infidels, the affairs of the fiefs of Hindustan had fallen into confusion, so Khwaja-i Jahan received the title of Maliku-sh Shark (King of the East); and the administration of all Hindustan, from Kanauj to Bihar, was placed in his charge. In the month of Rajab, 796 H., he proceeded to Hindustan with twenty elephants;
5.2
and after chastising the rebels of Etawa, Kol, Kahura-kanil, and the environs of Kanauj, he went to Jaunpur. By degrees he got the fiefs of Kanauj, Karra, Oudh, Sandilah, Dalamau, Bahraich, Bihar, and Tirhut, into his own possession. He put down many of the infidels, and restored the forts which they had destroyed. God Almighty blessed the arms of Islam with power and victory. The Rai of Jajnagar and the King of Lakhnauti now began to send to Khwaja-i Jahan the elephants which they used to send [as tribute] to Dehli.
5.3
About the same time, Sarang Khan was sent to Dibalpur, to get possession of the fiefs, and to suppress the rebellion of Shaikha Khokhar. In the month of Sha'ban, he proceeded to Dibalpur, where he recruited and disciplined the soldiers and officers, and got possession of the fief (ikta'). In Zi-l ka'da, 796 H., having taken with him Rai Khul Chain Bhatti and Rai Daud Kamal Main, and the army of Multan, he crossed the Satladar (Sutlej) near the town of Tirharah, and the Biyah, near Duhali, and came into the country of Lahor. When Shaikha Khokhar heard of Sarang Khan's advance, he also collected his forces, and attacked the neighbourhood of Dibalpur, and laid siege to Ajodhan; but on being informed that Sarang Khan had passed Hindupat, and had sat down [against Lahor], he left Ajodhan in the night, and proceeded to Lahor. On the next day the hostile forces prepared for battle, and placed themselves in array at Samuthalla, twelve kos from Lahor. Sarang Khan obtained the victory, and Shaikha Khokhar went into Lahor. In the night, however, he collected his wives and children, and fled to the Jud mountains. On the following day, Sarang Khan obtained possession of the fort of Lahor, and giving his brother Malik Kandhu the title of 'Adil Khan, he left him there, and himself returned to Dibalpur. In the month of Sha'ban, the Sultan, taking with him Sa'dat Khan, went on an excursion to Bayana, leaving Mukarrab Khan at the capital, in charge of the elephants and royal family.
5.4
When the Sultan approached Gwaliyar (Gwalior), Malik 'Alau-d din Dharwal, Mubarak Khan son of Malik Raju, and Mallu Khan brother of Sarang Khan, formed a conspiracy against the latter; but he got information of it, and seizing Malik 'Alau-d din and Mubarak Khan, he put them to death. Mallu Khan fled, and took refuge with Mukarrab Khan in Dehli. The Sultan returning from his journey, encamped near the city, and Mukarrab Khan came forth to meet him. He received the honour of an interview, but fear and apprehension filled his heart, so he went back into the city and made ready for war. Next day the Sultan, having placed Sa'dat Khan over all the amirs, maliks, and elephants, approached the maidan gate in battle array. Mukarrab Khan shut himself up, and the fight began. For three months the war continued, till at length some of the Sultan's friends took him into the city, in the month of Muharram, 797 H. (November, 1394 A.D.). But then the elephants and royal horses, and all the paraphernalia of government, were left in the hands of Sa'dat Khan. The position of Mukarrab Khan was strengthened by the presence of the Sultan, and next day he assembled the soldiers and bazar people, and led them out in a sortie against the investing forces. Sa'dat Khan got timely notice of the sortie, and drew up his men in the maidan. Sharp fighting followed, but Mukarrab Khan was worsted, and obliged to retreat into the city, with his men, greatly disheartened.
5.5
Still Sa'dat Khan could not take the fort, and fell back. He encamped near the hauz-i khass; and finding the fortifications of Dehli impregnable, and the rainy season coming on, he raised the siege, and marched to Firozabad. He conspired with the amirs, who supported him, to raise some one of the sons of the late Sultan Firoz Shah to the sovereignty, and place him on the throne in Firozabad. Nusrat Khan, son of Fath Khan, son of Sultan Firoz Shah, was in Mewat. They brought him forward, and in the month Rabi'u-l awwal raised him to the throne, in the palace of Firozabad, under the title of Nasiru-d din Nusrat Shah. But he was a mere puppet, and all the direction of affairs was in the hands of Sa'dat Khan. Only a few days had passed, when some of the old Firoz Shahi slaves, and some of the elephant-keepers, attached themselves to Nasiru-d din, and while Sa'dat Khan was unsuspicious of danger, they placed Nasiru-d din upon an elephant, and suddenly attacked him, before he could gather his friends around him. Unable to resist, he escaped from the palace by the door of the harem. Some of his soldiers joined him, and with them he fled to Dehli, and presented himself to Mukarrab Khan, by whom, a few days afterwards, he was treacherously seized and killed.
5.6
The amirs and maliks who remained in Firozabad, such as Muhammad Muzaffar, wazir; Shahab Nahir, Malik Fazlu-llah Balkhi, and the old Firoz Shahi slaves, all joined Sultan Nasiru-d din [Nusrat Khan], and pledged their faith to him. Muhammad Muzaffar was made wazir, and received the title of Tatar Khan, Shahab Nahir became Shahab Khan, and Fazlu-llah became Katlagh Khan, and Malik Almas Sultani received the command of the royal slaves. He became sovereign in Dehli and Firozabad.
5.7
Mukarrab Khan had secured Bahadur Nahir and his adherents, and had placed him in charge of the fortress of Old Dehli. Mallu was entitled Ikbal Khan, and received charge of the fortress of Siri. At length fights came to be daily occurrences between Dehli and Firozabad, Musulmans shed the blood of each other, and neither party could obtain the mastery. The districts (shikk) in the Doab, and the fiefs (ikta's) of Sambhal, Panipat, Jhajhar, and Ruhtak, were in the possession of Sultan Nasiru-d din [Nusrat Khan], while Sultan Mahmud held no place except the forts above named. The amirs and maliks of the outlying territories (bilad-i mamalik) set themselves up as rulers, at their own pleasure, and kept all the wealth and revenue in their own hands. Things went on thus for three years. Deadly contests were of daily occurrence between Dehli and Firozabad, and of varying results. Sometimes the men of Dehli had to throw themselves into their fortress, sometimes they drove their adversaries into the fort of Firozabad.
5.8
In the year 798 H. (1396 A.D.), Sarang Khan quarrelled with Khizr Khan, amir of Multan, and much fighting went on between them. At length some of the people (ghulam) of Malik Mardan Bhatti joined Sarang Khan, and with their assistance he got possession of the district (shikk) of Multan. Having assembled a considerable force, he in the month of Ramazan, 799 (May, 1397 A.D.), marched against Samana, and besieged the amir Ghalib Khan. When he was no longer able to hold out, Ghalib Khan fled, with a small party of horse and foot, to Panipat, to join Tatar Khan. As soon as Sultan Nasir Shah (Nusrat Khan) heard of this, he sent Malik Almas, commander of the slaves, with ten elephants and a small army, to Tatar Khan, with orders to march against Samana, expel Sarang Khan, and to reinstate Ghalib Khan. On the 15th Muharram, 800 H. (9th October, 1397 A.D.), a battle was fought at the village of Kotila, and Tatar Khan gained the victory. Sarang Khan fled towards Multan, and Tatar Khan pursued him as far as Talwandi, when he sent Rai Kamalu-d din Main in pursuit, and returned.
5.9
In the month of Rabi'u-l awwal, 800 (November-December 1397), Pir Muhammad, grandson of Amir Timur, King of Khurasan, crossed the river Sind with a numerous army, and laid siege to Uch. 'Ali Malik, who held Uch for Sarang Khan, sustained the siege for about a month, when Sarang Khan sent his naib Malik Taju-d din, and some other amirs with 4,000 horse, to his assistance. Pir Muhammad, on hearing of their approach, left Uch, and fell upon this force at the village of Tamtama, on the banks of the Biyah. The attack was unexpected, and resistance was unavailing; many perished by the sword, and many threw themselves into the river and were drowned. Taju-d din fled, with a small party of horse, to Multan. Pir Muhammad pursued him, and Sarang Khan, being unable to oppose him in the field, was obliged to shut himself up in the fortress. The siege went on for six months, and then want of forage and provisions compelled Sarang Khan to surrender in the month of Ramazan, 800. Pir Muhammad made Sarang Khan and his family and dependents, and all the people of the city, prisoners. He also took possession of the fortress, and encamped his army there.
5.10
In the month of Shawwal, Ikbal Khan joined himself to Sultan Nasiru-d din [Nusrat Khan], and a compact was made between them at the tomb of the Shaikhu-l mashaikh Nizamu-l hakk wau-s shara [Kutbu-d din Bakhtiyar Kaki]. He placed the Sultan [Nusrat Khan] upon an elephant, and conducted him into the Jahan-panah. Sultan Mahmud, Mukarrab Khan, and Bahadur Nahir, were shut up in Old Dehli. On the third day, Ikbal Khan treacherously attacked Sultan Nasiru-d din [Nusrat Khan], who, being unable to resist, fled, with a small party of men and elephants, to Firozabad. Ikbal Khan pursued with his forces, and all the elephants fell into his hands. The prince escaping to Firozabad, fled from thence with his family and dependents, crossed the Jumna, and went to Tatar Khan. Firozabad then came into the possession of Ikbal Khan. After this, fighting went on daily for two months between Mukarrab Khan and Ikbal Khan; but at length some amirs interfered, and made peace between them. Mukarrab Khan then entered Jahan-panah with Sultan Mahmud, and Ikbal Khan stayed in Siri. Suddenly Ikbal Khan proceeded with a party of his followers to the house of Mukarrab Khan, took him, and slew him without mercy. He then kept Sultan Mahmud in his power as a puppet, and himself directed all matters of government.
5.11
In the month of Zi-l ka'da, Ikbal Khan marched against Tatar Khan at Panipat. When information of this reached the latter, he left his baggage and materials of war in Panipat, and marched with a strong force against Dehli. Ikbal Khan invested Panipat, and captured the place in three days. Tatar Khan also attacked Dehli, but notwithstanding his efforts, he could not take it. When he heard of the fall of Panipat, he gave up the siege, and fled with his army to his father in Gujarat. Ikbal Khan took the elephants, horses, etc., from Panipat, and returned to Dehli. Malik Nasiru-l Mulk, relation (karib) of Tatar Khan, joined the victor, and received from him the title of 'Adil Khan, and a fief in the Doab. Ikbal Khan then devoted himself to affairs of State. In the month of Safar, 801 H. (October, 1398 A.D.), intelligence came that Amir Timur, King of Khurasan, had attacked Talina, and was staying at Multan, and that he had put to the sword all the soldiers of Sarang Khan, who had been taken prisoners by Pir Muhammad. This intelligence filled Ikbal Khan with dread and anxiety. Amir Timur continuing his march, besieged Bhatnir, took the rai Khul Chain prisoner, and put the garrison to the sword. From thence he marched to Samana, and many inhabitants of Dibalpur, Ajodhan, and Sarsuti, fled in terror to Dehli. Many prisoners were taken, and most of these received the glory of martyrdom. Then he crossed over the Jumna into the Doab, and ravaged the greater part of the country.
5.12
He made a halt at the town of Loni and there he put to the sword all the prisoners whom he had taken between the rivers Sind and Ganges, in all 50,000 men, more or less : God knows the truth. Such was the terror inspired by him, that Musulmans and Hindus fled before him, some to the mountains, some to the deserts, some to the waves of the rivers, and some to Dehli. In Jumada-l awwal, having crossed the Jumna, he halted at Firozabad, and next day he took up his position at the top of the Hauz-i khass. Ikbal Khan came out with his elephants, and gave battle to Amir Timur in the maidan. At the first charge, he was defeated by the warriors of Timur, and escaped through a thousand difficulties with his elephants into the city. But as they retreated into the city, many men were crushed under foot and died, and heaps of dead were left. When night came on, Ikbal Khan and Sultan Mahmud, leaving their wives and children behind, came out of the city. The Sultan fled to Gujarat, and Ikbal Khan crossed the river Jumna and went to Baran. Next day Amir Timur granted quarter to the city, and took the ransom money from the inhabitants. On the fourth day he gave orders that all the people in the city should be made prisoners, and this was done.
5.13
Some days afterwards, Khizr Khan, who had fled in fear of Timur to the mountains of Mewat, Bahadur Nahir, Mubarak Khan, and Zirak Khan, by the favour of Amir Timur, were admitted to an interview, but, with the exception of Khizr Khan, they were all put into prison. From Dehli, Timur returned by the skirts of the hills, and made prisoners of those people who had remained in the hills. When he arrived at Lahor, he plundered the city, and he made Shaikha Khokhar prisoner, with his wives and children, and all those who had taken refuge with him. This Shaikha Khokhar, through enmity to Sarang Khan, had early joined Timur, and had acted as his guide, in return for which he had received mercy and favour. Timur granted the fiefs of Multán and Díbalpúr to Khizr Khán, and sent him thither. Then he marched through Kábul to his own territories, and arrived at his capital, Samarkand.
5.14
After the departure of Tímúr, the neighbourhood of Dehlí, and all those territories over which his armies had passed, were visited with pestilence (wabá) and famine. Many died of the sickness, and many perished with hunger, and for two months Dehlí was desolate. In the month of Rajab, 801 (March, 1399 A.D.), Sultán Násiru-d dín Nusrat Sháh, who had fled from the malevolence of Ikbál Khán into the Doáb, advanced with a small force to Mírat, where he was joined by 'Ádil Khán, who brought four elephants. By craft he (Nusrat Khán) got him into his power, and took possession of the elephants. The people of the Doáb, who had obtained deliverance from the hands of the Mughals, began to rally, and he entered Fírozábád with about 2,000 horse. Dehlí, although ruined, came into his power. Shaháb Khán came from Mewát, with ten elephants and his adherents; Malik Almás also joined him from the Doáb. When a large force had collected round him, he sent Shaháb Khán to Baran to overpower Ikbál Khán. On his way, a party of Hindú footmen fell upon him in the night and killed him. His followers dispersed, and the elephants were abandoned. Directly Ikbál Khán heard of this, he hastened to the spot, and got possession of the elephants. His power and dignity increased daily, and forces gathered round him, while Sultán Násiru-d dín [Nusrat Khán] grew weaker and weaker.
5.15
In the month of Rabí'u-l awwal, Ikbál Khán left Baran, and proceeded with his army to Dehlí; the Sultán [Nusrat Khán] then left Fírozábád, and went into Mewát. Dehlí fell into the power of Ikbál Khán, and he took up his abode in the fort of Sírí. Some of the people of the city who had escaped the Mughals, came back and resumed their habitations. In a short time the fortress of Siri became populated. The districts (shikk) in the Doab, and the fiefs in the neighbourhood of the capital, came into the possession of Ikbal Khan; but the territories in general remained in the power of the amirs and maliks who held them. Thus Gujarat, and all its districts and dependencies, was held by Zafar Khan Wajihu-l Mulk; the shikk of Multan, Dibalpur, and parts of Sind, by Khizr Khan; the shikk of Mahoba and Kalpi, by Mahmud Khan, son of Malik-zada Firoz; the fiefs (ikta's) on the side of Hindustan, such as Kanauj, Oudh, Karra, Dalamau, Sandila, Bahraich, Bihar, and Jaunpur, were held by Khwaja-i Jahan; the shikk of Dhar, by Dilawar Khan; the shikk of Samana, by Ghalib Khan; and the shikk of Bayana, by Shams Khan—into so many portions were the territories of Dehli divided.
5.16
In the month of Rabi'u-l awwal, Ikbal Khan marched towards Bayana against Shams Khan, who was at the town of Nuh o Batal. A battle followed, and fortune (ikbal) favoured Ikbal Khan. Shams Khan fled into Bayana, leaving two elephants in the hands of the victor. Then Ikbal Khan marched against Katehr, and after exacting money and tribute from Rai Singh, he returned to Dehli. In the same year, Khwaja-i Jahan died at Jaunpur, and his adopted son, Malik Mubarak, became king in his stead, assuming the title of Mubarak Shah, and taking possession of all the fiefs (ikta's).
5.17
In Jumada-l awwal, 803 (December, 1400), Ikbal Khan again marched towards Hindustan, and was waited upon by Shams Khan, of Bayana, and Mubarak Khan, [son of] Bahadur Nahir. He carried them with him, and in the same month he reached Pattiali, on the banks of the black river. Here he encountered Rai Sir and other infidels, with a numerous army. On the following day a battle took place, and God, who defends the Muhammadan religion, gave the victory to Ikbal Khan. The infidels fled, and he pursued them to the confines of Etawa, killing many, and making many prisoners. From thence he proceeded to the district (khitta) of Kanauj, and Sultanu-sh Shark Mubarak Shah came up from Hindustan. The river Ganges flowed between the two armies, and neither was able to cross. This state of affairs continued for two months, when each party retired to his own home. On his journey, Ikbal Khan became suspicious of [Mubarak Khan and] Shams Khan, and having got them into his power [he put them to death].
5.18
In this year Taghi Khan Turkchi Sultani, son-in-law of Ghalib Khan, amir of Samana, assembling a considerable force, marched towards Dibalpur, against Khizr Khan. When intelligence of this was brought to Khizr Khan, he prepared for the attack, and marched with a large force into the khitta of Ajodhan. A battle was fought there on the 9th Rajab, on the banks of the Dahanda. Khizr Khan was victorious, and Taghi Khan fled to the town of Asahuhar. Ghalib Khan, and other amirs who were with him, then treacherously killed him.
5.19
In the year 804 H. (1401), Sultan Mahmud left the khitta of Dhar, and proceeded to Dehli. Ikbal Khan came forth to give him a formal reception, and the Sultan went to the Humayun palace in Jahan-panah. But the reins of government were in the hands of Ikbal Khan, and so hatred sprang up between him and the Sultan. Ikbal Khan again went to Kanauj, and took the Sultan with him. In this year Sultan Mubarak Shah (of Jaunpur) died, and his brother, Ibrahim Shah, succeeded him as king, under the title of Sultan Ibrahim. On hearing of the approach of Sultan Mahmud and Ikbal Khan, he marched out to meet them with a large force. When the two armies were near to each other, and the battle was imminent, Sultan Mahmud left the army of Ikbal Khan, on the pretence of hunting, and went to join Sultan Ibrahim, but Ibrahim paid him not the slightest attention, so he departed, and went into the khitta of Kanauj. There he expelled Malik-zada Harbu, who had held the place for Mubarak Shah, and installed himself in his place. Ikbal Khan returned to Dehli, and Ibrahim Shah went to Jaunpur. At Kanauj all ranks of people joined the Sultan, and the scattered guards and dependents rallied round him. The Sultan himself was content with this ikta' of Kanauj.
5.20
In Jumada-l awwal, 805 H. (Dec. 1402), Ikbal Khan marched against Gwaliyar (Gwalior), the fort of which place had been treacherously wrested from the hands of the Musulmans during the Mughal invasion by the accursed Nar Singh. When Nar Singh died, his son, Biram Deo, succeeded him in the possession of the fort. It was very strong, and it was impossible to take it by assault; so Ikbal Khan returned, after plundering the country, to Dehli. Next year he again marched against it. The son of Biram Deo advanced to meet Ikbal Khan, and fought with him at the fort of Dholpur, but he was defeated, and driven into the fort. Many of the infidels were slain, and during the night he evacuated the fort, and went off to Gwalior. Ikbal Khan pursued him to Gwalior, and after plundering the open country, he returned to Dehli. In the year 806 H. (1403-4) Tatar Khan, son of Zafar Khan, amir of Gujarat, basely seized his own father, and sent him prisoner to Asawal (Ahmadabad). He then made himself king with the title of Sultan Nasiru-d din Muhammad Shah. He collected a large army, with the object of attacking Dehli. On his march thither he was poisoned by Shams Khan and died. His father Zafar Khan was brought from Asawal by night, and the whole army submitted to him.
5.21
In 807 H. (1404 A.D.), Ikbal Khan marched against Etawa. Rai Sarwar, the Rai of Gwalior, the Rai of Jalandhar, and other rais, had come there and were shut up in Etawa. The siege was carried on against them for four months, but at last they gave tribute and four elephants, on account of Gwalior, and so made peace. In the month of Shawwal, Ikbal Khan proceeded from Etawa to Kanauj, and fought against Sultan [Mahmud], but the place was strong, and he could not take it, so he returned to Dehli disappointed.
5.22
In the month of Muharram, 808 H. (July, 1405 A.D.), Ikbal Khan marched against Samana. Bahram Khan Turk-bacha, who had fought against his nephew the son of Sarang Khan, fled through fear to the mountains of Badhnor. Ikbal Khan proceeded to the town of Arubar in these mountains, and there halted. Finally, Makhdum-zada Shaikh 'Alamu-d din, grandson of Hazrat Saiyid Jalal Bukhari, interposed, and relying upon him, Bahram Khan came to Ikbal Khan, and had an interview. From thence Ikbal Khan marched towards Multan. When he reached Talwandi, Rai Kamalu-d din arrived. Here he seized Bahram Khan, Rai Daud Kamal Main, and Rai Himu [son of] Khul Chain Bhatti. On the third he flayed Bahram Khan, and securing the others, he carried them with him. When he reached the banks of the Dahanda, near the khitta of Ajodhan, he was met by Khizr Khan and a large army. On the 19th Jumada-l awwal, 808 H. (12th November, 1405), a battle was fought between them. At the first charge, Ikbal Khan was defeated, and fled. He was pursued, and his horse fell upon him and wounded him, so that he could not escape. He was killed, and his head was cut off and sent to Fathpur.
5.23
Daulat Khan, Ikhtiyar Khan, and other amirs, sent a deputation to Sultan Mahmud, urging him to take the government. In the month Jumada-l akhir, the Sultan left Kanauj with a small force, and proceeded to the capital, where he assumed the sovereignty. The family and dependents of Ikbal Khan were removed from Dehli, and sent into the khitta of Kol. Daulat Khan was made faujdar of the Doab; and Ikhtiyar Khan received the gift of the palace of Firozabad. Iklim Khan Bahadur Nahir brought two elephants as an offering, and joined the Sultan. In the month of Jumada-l awwal, 809 H. (October, 1406), the Sultan went to Kanauj, and Daulat Khan was sent with an army to Samana. As the Sultan approached Kanauj, Sultan Ibrahim threatened the city, and crossing the Ganges, sat down against it. But after a time he retired to Jaunpur, and the Sultan returned to Dehli. As he proceeded homewards, his army dispersed; the men going off to their respective fiefs (ikta's). Ibrahim Shah (heard of the Sultan's retreat) as he was journeying homewards, and immediately returned to Kanauj, and there besieged Mahmud Tarmati, who had been left in command by Sultan Mahmud. He held out for four months, but when no one came to the rescue, he of necessity surrendered. The fief of Kanauj was then given to Ikhtiyar Khan, grandson of Malik Yar Khan Kampila.
5.24
Having passed the rainy season in Kanauj, he (Ibrahim Shah) marched against Dehli in the month of Jumada-l awwal, 810 H. (October, 1407). Nusrat Khan Gurg-andaz, Tatar Khan son of Sarang Khan, and Malik Marhaba ghulam of Ikbal Khan, deserted Sultan Mahmud, and joined Ibrahim Shah. Asad Khan Lodi was besieged (by Ibrahim Shah) in the fort of Sambhal. On the second day he surrendered, and the fort was given by Ibrahim to Tatar Shah. From thence Ibrahim Shah marched towards Dehli, intending to cross the Jumna at the ford of Kicha. But intelligence was brought to him that Zafar Khan had conquered the territory of Dhar, and having made Alp Khan, son of Dilawar Khan, prisoner, he intended to proceed to Jaunpur. Starting from the ford of Kicha, he (Ibrahim Shah) returned by regular marches to Jaunpur, leaving Marhaba Khan with a small force in the fort of Baran. In the month of Zi-l ka'da, Sultan Mahmud marched from Dehli against Baran. Marhaba Khan came forth to meet him, and a battle followed, in which the Khan was worsted and driven into the fort. The Sultan's men pursued, and entering the fort they killed Marhaba Khan. The Sultan then proceeded to Sambhal, but before he came to the banks of the Ganges, Tatar Khan evacuated the fort and went off to Kanauj. The Sultan left the place in charge of Asad Khan, and returned to Dehli.
5.25
Daulat Khan Lodi had been sent against Samana, which, after the murder of Bahram Khan Turk-bacha, had been taken possession of by Bairam Khan. On the 11th Rajab, 809, a battle was fought between them about two kos from Samana, and Daulat Khan was victorious. Bairam Khan fled to Sirhind, but after a time, Daulat Khan forgave him and patronized him. Bairam Khan had previously made an engagement with Khizr Khan, and had promised to serve him, so when Khizr Khan heard of the capture of Samana, he proceeded with a strong force against Daulat Khan. On his reaching Fathabad, Daulat Khan fled across the Jumna, and all the amirs and maliks who had been connected with him joined Khizr Khan. He confided the shikk of Hisar Firozah to Kiwam Khan, and the fiefs of Samana and Sannam were taken from Bairam Khan and granted to Zirak Khan, the fief of Sirhind and some other parganas were given to Bairam Khan, and Khizr Khan then returned to Fathpur. Bayana, the Doab, and the fief of Ruhtak, were all that now remained in the possession of Sultan Mahmud.
5.26
In the month of Rajab, 811 H. (December, 1408), Sultan Mahmud went to Hisar Firozah, and besieged Kiwam Khan in the fort. After some days Kiwam Khan made proposals of peace, and sent his son to the Sultan with tribute. The Sultan then returned through Dhatrath to Dehli. Khizr Khan, when he heard of this, marched quickly to Fathabad and chastised the people who had joined the Sultan. On the 11th Ramazan, he (Khizr Khan) sent Maliku-sh Shark Malik Tuhfa with a strong force to attack Dhatrath, and Fath Khan fled with his household into the Dokh. Many of the people who remained there were plundered and made prisoners. Khizr Khan proceeded through Ruhtak to Dehli, and besieged it; Sultan Mahmud being in the fort of Siri, and Ikhtiyar Khan in the palace of Firozabad. A scarcity of forage ensued, and Khizr Khan withdrew across the Jumna into the Doab, but meeting with resistance there, he re-crossed the river and marched to Fathpur.
5.27
In the year 812 H. (1409 A.D.), Bairam Khan Turk-bacha turned against Khizr Khan, and joined himself to Daulat Khan. On hearing of this defection, Khizr Khan proceeded to Sirhind. Bairam Khan sent his family into the mountains, and proceeded himself with his forces to join Daulat Khan at the ford of the Jumna. Khizr Khan pursued him, and halted on the bank of the river. Bairam Khan having no hope of escape, felt himself vanquished and helpless, so he went [and submitted] to Khizr Khan, who restored to him his parganas. Khizr Khan then returned to Fathpur. During this year the Sultan remained in the capital, and made no excursion. In the year 813 H. (1410 A.D.), Khizr Khan marched to Ruhtak, and besieged Idris Khan in the fort. The war went on for six months, but at length being reduced to extremity, Idris Khan sent out a large sum of money as tribute, and his son as a hostage, and so making peace, he bound himself by engagements to Khizr Khan. After this Khizr Khan returned through Samana to Fathpur. Sultan Mahmud went to Katehr, and after hunting there, returned to the capital. The whole business of the State was fallen into the greatest disorder. The Sultan gave no heed to the duties of his station, and had no care for the permanency of the throne; his whole time was devoted to pleasure and debauchery.
5.28
In 814 H. (1411 A.D.), Khizr Khan proceeded to Rohtak. Malik Idris and Malik Mubariz Khan his brother, received the khitta of Hansi, and were honoured by being allowed to kiss the feet. They received many other favours. After this Khizr Khan plundered the town of Narnaul, which was in the possession of Iklim Khan and Bahadur Nahir. Then he went to Mewat, and plundered the towns of Tajarah, Sarath, and Kharol, and having pillaged other places in Mewat, he returned, and proceeding to Dehli, he invested the fort of Siri. Sultan Mahmud was in the fort, and Ikhtiyar Khan held the palace of Firozabad for him. The contest went on till Ikhtiyar Khan joined Khizr Khan, who then removed from before Siri, and took possession of the fort of Firozabad. Thus he became master of the fiefs of the Doab, and of the neighbourhood of the capital. As grain and forage were scarce, in Muharram, 815 H. (April, 1412 A.D.), he proceeded by Panipat to Firozpur. In Jumada-l awwal, Sultan Mahmud went to Katehr, and after spending some days there hunting, he returned to Dehli. On his way home he was seized with illness in the month of Rajab, and died. He reigned, through all these many vicissitudes and misfortunes, twenty years and two months. After the death of the Sultan, the amirs and maliks, and royal servants, pledged their faith to Daulat Khan. Mubariz Khan and Malik Idris abandoned Khizr Khan, and went over to Daulat Khan. During this year, Khizr Khan remained in Fathpur, and did not go to Dehli.
5.29
In Muharram, 816 H. (April, 1413), Daulat Khan went to Katehr, where Rai Har Singh and other rais came to wait upon him. When he reached Pattiali, Muhabat Khan, amir of Badaun, joined him. Intelligence was now brought that Sultan Ibrahim was besieging Kadir Khan, son of Sultan Mahmud Khan [in Kalpi], but Daulat Khan had not sufficient forces to attempt to relieve him. In Jumada-l awwal, Khizr Khan led his forces out of Dehli, and when he went to Hisar Firozah, all the amirs and maliks of that country gathered round him. Siege was laid to the fort of Ruhtak, in which Idris Khan was living, and Khizr Khan passing near, went into Mewat. Jalal Khan, nephew of Iklim Khan Bahadur Nahir, came to wait upon him. Turning back from thence, he went into Sambhal, and laid the country waste. In the month Zi-l hijja he proceeded to Dehli, and posted himself in front of the gate of Siri. At length Malik Lona and some partisans of Khizr Khan in the city conspired together, and [gave him such assistance that] he obtained possession of the gate of the naubat-khanah. When Daulat Khan saw that his position was desperate, he begged for quarter. Khizr Khan gave him an interview, and then consigning him to the charge of Kiwam Khan, he sent him to the fort of Hisar Firozah. Khizr Khan thus obtained possession of Dehli on the 8th Rabi'u-l awwal, 817 H. (23rd May, 1414 A.D.)