[Pramāṇa](https://indike.org/pramana/) › [Indian literature](https://indike.org/pramana/in) › [Dark Ages](https://indike.org/pramana/in.darkages) › [Delhi Sultanate (1206–1526)](https://indike.org/pramana/in.darkages.sultanate) › [Tuḥfa-yi Akbarshāhī](https://indike.org/pramana/in.darkages.sultanate.tarikh-i-shershahi) › [Tarikh-i Sher Shahi of 'Abbas Khan Sarwani (extracts)](https://indike.org/pramana/in.darkages.sultanate.tarikh-i-shershahi~en-elliot) › 3.10 # The History of Shēr Shāh (Tārīkh-i Shērshāhī) 3.10 Táríkh-i Sher Sháhí of 'Abbás Khán Sarwání (extracts) 3.10 - **Language:** English ### [3.10.949](https://indike.org/pramana/in.darkages.sultanate.tarikh-i-shershahi~en-elliot.3.10.949) As soon as Mir Dad had come to Sher Khan, and had told him that it was agreed to give him up the fort and treasure, and that he should marry Lad Malika, and when he had admitted him at once into the fort, they immediately proceeded to celebrate the marriage between Lad Malika and Sher Khan. She gave him a present consisting of 150 of the most exceedingly valuable jewels, and seven tiians of pearls, and 150 mans of gold, and many other articles and ornaments. Sher Khan subsequently got into his power and possession the parganas near the fort of Chunar; and after this, he strengthened his resources still further by inheriting sixty mans of gold from Guhar Kusain, widow of Nasir Khan. His power was now firmly established, as he was master of a fort and of much of the treasure of the kingdom, and had collected a large force, both horse and foot. After this Sultan Mahmud, the son of Sultan Sikandar, whom Hasan Khan Mewatti and the Rana Sanga and certain Afghans had set up as king, engaged the second Jamshid the Emperor Babar in an action near Sikri, in which Hasan Khan, son of 'Adil Khan Mewatti, and the Raja of Dungarpur, Rawal by name, were slain, and Sultán Mahmud and the Rána Sangá being defeated fled to Chitor. Sultán Mahmud remained for a season in that neighbourhood, and afterwards came towards Patna. Masnad 'Alí 'Azam Khán Humáyún Sání (whose son-in-law Sultán Mahmud was), Masnad 'Alí 'Ísá Khán, son of Haibat Khán, the son of Masnad 'Alí 'Umar Khán Kalkapuria, who had formerly been governor of Lahore, and Ibráhím Khán, son of Ahmad Khán, son of Mubáriz Khán Yúsuf-khail, and Mián Babin, son of Mián Atta Sáhú-khail, governor of Sirhind, and Mián Báyazíd Farmulí, had at that time assembled themselves together and threw obstacles in the way of the Mughals. Mián Babin and Mián Báyazíd were the leaders of a large force, and had very often fought against the Mughals, and had obtained a great name for their valour. These nobles invited Sultán Mahmud to Patna, and made him king. When Sultán Mahmud came with these nobles unto Bihár, Sher Khán found it impossible to offer any resistance, as they possessed so considerable a force, and he himself was not held in sufficient repute among the Afgháns to admit of such an attempt. He was therefore necessitated to present himself before Sultán Mahmud. The Afgháns portioned out among themselves the kingdom of Bihár, but the king said to him, "When I get possession of Jaunpúr, I will give to you the kingdom of Bihár which you conquered after defeating the army of the King of Bengal. Be not at all uneasy, as Sultán Sikandar bestowed the kingdom of Bihár upon Daryá Khán, so will I bestow it on you." Sher Khán requested a farmán to this effect, and Sultán Mahmud assented, and ordered one to be executed, and so Sher Khán received a farmán for the kingdom of Bihár from the king; and having taken several months' leave, returned to his Jágír to prepare his forces. When Sultán Mahmud had equipped his army, he marched towards Jaunpúr, and issued a mandate directing Sher Khán to join him immediately. On the receipt of this order, Sher Khán wrote back in reply, that he would come as soon as he could complete the arrangements about his force. When the nobles about the king knew the purport of Sher Khán's reply, they represented that Sher Khán was in confederacy with the Mughals, and was merely finessing and making pretences, and that the king ought not to trust what he wrote or said, but to compel him to accompany the army. 'Azam Humáyún Sarwáni said: "It will be easy to bring Sher Khán along with us. Put your mind at ease. Let us march in the direction of his jágír, and go wherever Sher Khán may be. As punishment for his delay, let us exact from him a large and handsome reception, and then let us compel him to join us." Sultán Mahmúd and his nobles were greatly pleased at 'Azam Humáyún's advice, and praised his sagacity. They proceeded by regular marches to Sahsarám, where Sher Khán then was. Sher Khán hearing that Sultán Mahmúd was come with all his followers, and would compel him to join them, whether he would or no, was much vexed, and said to his friends, "The plan I had devised has not succeeded. Of the nobles who are with the king, two — the one named 'Azam Humáyún, and the other 'Ísá Khán Sarwáni — are clever and wise men, and have much experience in public affairs. They have joined this army for the honour of the Afgháns and from regard to their kindred; albeit, they are aware that the army will do no good, for the nobles who are in it are not at unity among themselves, and without unity they can accomplish nothing. \* \* \* I can no longer excuse myself, I must go along with the army. Do you tell your troops to prepare for marching with all haste, while I go out to meet the king and his army myself, and put them in good humour, make my own excuses, and bring them with me; for my guests are my own kin, and do you make all preparations for entertaining them." Sher Khán then went out to welcome the king, and having prepared rich entertainments of divers kinds, sent them to the quarters of the various nobles and chiefs, who were his friends, according to their rank; and also gave large presents and a magnificent entertainment to Sultán Mahmud, so that all parties were pleased and delighted with him. Sher Khán requested Sultán Mahmud to halt a few days, while he equipped his forces. Sultán Mahmud acceded to this request, and after a halt of some days, Sher Khán having made his preparations, marched in company with Sultán Mahmud. When they approached Jaunpur, the Mughals who were there abandoned the place and fled. Sultán Mahmud delayed some days at Jaunpur, but sent on his army in advance and occupied Lucknow and other districts. On hearing this intelligence, the Emperor Humáyun set off from Agra for Lucknow, whither Sultán Mahmud arrived also from Jaunpur. The two armies met near Lucknow, and daily skirmishes ensued. Warriors on either side came out and engaged one another. Sher Khán perceiving that there was no unanimity among the Afghans, but that every one acted as he thought best, wrote to Hindu Beg, and said, "The Mughals raised me from the dust. These people have brought me with them by force; but in the day of battle I will not fight, and will go off the field without engaging. Tell the Emperor Humáyun the true state of my case, and that I will serve him in the day of battle, and will cause the defeat of this army." When Hindu Beg showed Sher Khán's letter to the Emperor, the latter ordered him to write to Sher Khán, "Be at your ease as to your accompanying these people; act as you have written; if you do, it will be for your advancement." After some days had elapsed, the two armies joined in a general engagement, and Sher Khán drew off his forces at the critical moment of the battle, and retreated without engaging. This caused Sultán Mahmud's defeat. Ibrahim Khan Yusuf-khail made desperate exertions, and showed great gallantry in that engagement, nor did he quit his post while life remained; he repulsed every Mughal force which was opposed to him; but was at last slain. As Mian Bayazid had drunk more wine than than he could bear, and had got drunk and careless, he also was slain in that battle. Sultan Mahmud and the other chiefs being defeated, fled to the kingdom of Bihar. The Sultan had neither money nor territory to entertain a force of his own, and his nobles who had placed him on the throne were most of them killed in the battle at Lucknow, while the few who remained were from their quarrels dispersed. Sultan Mahmud was greatly given to dancing women, and passed most of his time in amusing himself; and as he had no power to oppose the Mughals, he abdicated his royalty, and went and settled himself in the province of Patna, and never again attempted the throne. He died in A.H. 949. ### [3.10.p2](https://indike.org/pramana/in.darkages.sultanate.tarikh-i-shershahi~en-elliot.3.10.p2) When Humayun had overcome Sultan Mahmud, and had put the greater number of his opponents to death, he sent Hindu Beg to take Chunar from Sher Khan, but Sher Khan declined to give it up to him. When he heard this, Humayun commanded his victorious standards to be set in motion towards Chunar. Sher Khan leaving Jalal Khan (who after the death of Sher Khan succeeded him under the title of Islam Shah), and another Jalal Khan, son of Jalu, in Chunar, withdrew with his family and followers to the hills of Nahrkunda. The army of Humayun besieged Chunar, and daily fighting ensued, in which both Jalal Khans displayed valour great beyond description, and from their gallantry gained great renown. Sher Khan's custom was to despatch spies to all the neighbouring countries, in order to inquire into their actual condition. --- Source: [https://indike.org/pramana/in.darkages.sultanate.tarikh-i-shershahi~en-elliot.3.10](https://indike.org/pramana/in.darkages.sultanate.tarikh-i-shershahi~en-elliot.3.10) · Pramāṇa