The History of Shēr Shāh (Tārīkh-i Shērshāhī) 3.19.6

3.19.6

When they marched from Sárangpúr, Sher Sháh showed the whole array of his army to Mallú Khán, who was astounded, for he had never anywhere seen such an army before. At every stage they threw up an earthen entrenchment, and when he saw the labour and exertions of the soldiers, and the rigour of Sher Shah's discipline, Mallu Khan said to the Afghans, "You submit yourselves to wonderful labours and exertions, night and day you have no rest; ease and comfort are things forbidden to you." The Afghans replied—"Such is our master's custom. * * * It behoves a soldier, whatever service his chief may order, or whatever labour or exertion he may require, not to consider it a hardship. Ease is for women, it is shameful to honourable men." When Sher Shah went to Ujjain, he encamped at Kalidah. Sikandar Khan Miana came and made obeisance. Sher Shah assigned the country of Mandu to Shuja'at Khan; and when he reflected that Mallu Khan had submitted to him, * * * he pardoned him, and bestowed on him the sarkar of Kalpi. Mallu Khan, having brought his family out of Ujjain, considered that he was not equal to the labour and exertion which Sher Khan required, and that therefore it was better to escape by some contrivance from his camp. Accordingly, like a Hindu slave, he made up his mind to run away. Sher Sháh perceived his intention, and ordered Shuja'at Khán to arrest him.