[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) › 3.20 # The History of Shēr Shāh (Tārīkh-i Shērshāhī) 3.20 Táríkh-i Sher Sháhí of 'Abbás Khán Sarwání (extracts) 3.20 - **Language:** English ### [3.20.1](https://indike.org/pramana/in.darkages.sultanate.tarikh-i-shershahi~en-elliot.3.20.1) When Sher Shah left Mandu for Agra, Nasir Khan, brother of Sikandar Khan Miana, with 6000 horse, and 200 elephants, came against Shuja'at Khan. Shuja'at Khan had with him only 2000 horse. Nasir Khan said to his men: "Seize Shuja'at Khan alive, that I may retain him as a hostage for Sikandar Khan. When Sher Shah releases Sikandar Khan, I will release Shuja'at Khan." When Shuja'at heard that Nasir Khan was approaching, he went out to meet him, and gave him battle at Nilgarh. When the two armies were commingled together, part of Nasir Khan's and part of Shuja'at Khan's force were put to flight. Three men had sworn an oath to attack only Shuja'at Khan. One was Mian 'Umar, the second Saiyid Tahir, the third Koka. One of these wounded Shuja'at Khan in the neck with a dagger; the second wounded him in the nostril with a spear thrust, and broke his front teeth; the third, having wounded him with a sabre, caught hold of the hair of his head, to take him alive before Nasir Khan. Shuja'at Khan struck him with his sabre on the hand and cut it off, and so freed himself. Jajhar Khan, who was of Shuja'at Khan's own tribe, slew the second horseman; and Mubarak Khan Shirani killed the third. So Shuja'at was rescued, and raised again his standard which had fallen. Those of Shuja'at Khan's men who had fled returned, and rallying round him on all sides, gained the victory. Nasir Khan fled, and the 200 elephants fell into Shuja'at Khan's hands. ### [3.20.2](https://indike.org/pramana/in.darkages.sultanate.tarikh-i-shershahi~en-elliot.3.20.2) Almighty God made Shuja'at Khan victorious, and he returned from Nilgarh to Hindia. After this, Shuja'at Khan heard that Mallu Khan was approaching, and had surrounded Haji Khan, who had fortified himself in Mandu. Although Shuja'at's wounds were not well, yet, taking the 200 elephants with him, he went to the succour of Haji Khan, and encamped outside the walls. The next day at sunrise the two armies, drawn out in battle array, engaged in the open field. The Afghan army displayed such gallantry as is beyond all power of description; the victory remained with Shuja'at Khan, and Mallu Khan fled to Gujarat. When Sher Shah heard this intelligence, he called Haji Khan to his own presence from Mandu, and bestowed on him the command of 12,000 horse, and gave to Shuja'at Khan Ujjain, Mandu, Sarangpur, and Mansur in jagir; and the country of Sewas he gave to Shams Khan, Bihar Khan, and Mir Khan Niazi, who were of Shuja'at Khan's kindred; and Shuja'at Khan became ruler of all the country of Mandu. Sher Shah went from Agra in the direction of Bihar and Bengal, when he was attacked by fever and ague. During his illness he several times said: "I did wrong when I said I would go towards Bengal. If Almighty God will vouchsafe me a recovery from this fever, I will return with all speed; ### [3.20.3](https://indike.org/pramana/in.darkages.sultanate.tarikh-i-shershahi~en-elliot.3.20.3) and Puran Mal, who has enslaved the families of the Musulmans in Chanderi and has made dancing-girls of their daughters, and did not accompany my son Kutb Khan—him I will so punish that he may be a warning to others, that hereafter no unbelievers in Hind may oppress and injure the families of Musulmans." Almighty God vouchsafed to Sher Shah a recovery from that fever, and he quickly turned back towards Agra. When he arrived there, in all the pride of his state, he set off for the country of Mandu, in the year a.h. 950, and took the fort of Raisin. He ordered his noble son, Jalal Khan, to go on in advance with his victorious troops. When Jalal Khan came to the stage of Bhilsa, Sher Shah joined him. From this place Sher Shah, by forced marches, brought his conquering army into the vicinity of the fort of Raisin. Bhaia Puran Mal sent 600 elephants, but did not himself come out. Sher Shah laid siege to Raisin, when a report came from Khawas Khan that enmity had broken out between him and Haibat Khan, and requesting him to send for a representative from each of them. When Sher Shah knew of the quarrel between Khawas Khan and Haibat Khan Niazi, he sent for 'Isa Khan and Habib Khan, and confirmed Haibat Khan in the government of the Panjab, attaching Fath Jang Khan to him. ### [3.20.4](https://indike.org/pramana/in.darkages.sultanate.tarikh-i-shershahi~en-elliot.3.20.4) And whereas Fath Khan Jat had been in rebellion in Kayula, and in the time of the Mughals had plundered the whole country and laid it waste as far as Panipat, and the Biluchis had got into their power and possession the country of Multan, Sher Shah ordered Haibat Khan to expel these people from the country, and to punish them, and to restore to prosperity the city of Multan. Instantly on the receipt of this farman, Haibat Khan said to the vakil of Chakar Rind, who at that time was ruler of Satgarh, "Go, tell Chakar Rind that I shall halt within his confines, and he must have his forces ready, for I am going to seize Mahla." \* \* \* Early in the morning news came that Haibat Khan had arrived. Chakar went out to welcome Haibat Khan, but was in a state of great alarm. As soon as Haibat Khan saw him, he said, "I shall take your muster at Dipalpur, lest in the delay Fath Khan should escape." Within two days Haibat Khan arrived at the Pattan of Kutb 'Alam Shaikh Farid. Fath Khan fled, and Haibat Khan pursued him. As Fath Khan had his family and women with him, he perceived he was unable to escape from Haibat Khan. There was near Karor and Fathpur a mud fort; he took possession of it, and Haibat Khan coming up in pursuit, laid siege to it. Fath Khan held out the fort for some days; at last, being reduced to extremities, he sent Shaikh Ibrahim, son of Kutb 'Alam Shaikh Farid, to Haibat Khan as an intercessor. ### [3.20.5](https://indike.org/pramana/in.darkages.sultanate.tarikh-i-shershahi~en-elliot.3.20.5) He came before Haibat Khan, who said to him, "I am a servant of Sher Shah's, what my master orders that I must do." He put Fath Khan in prison. In the night, Hindu Biluch with 300 men came out of the mud fort, and attacking the besiegers fiercely, cut their way through by their valour. When it was day, the Afghans occupied the fort. The women of the better sort had been mostly slain by the Biluchis, and the rest the Afghans made slaves; and they took Hindu Biluch and Bakshu Langah prisoners. Haibat Khan then went to the city of Multan, which the Biluchis had laid waste. Haibat Khan restored it to its former state, and the inhabitants who were scattered abroad he again collected together, and he wrote letters to Sher Shah reporting the true condition of the country, and concerning the capture of Fath Khan, Hindu Biluch, and Bakshu Langah. Sher Shah was exceedingly rejoiced, and made him a Masnad 'Ali and gave him the title of 'Azam Humayun. He also gave him a red tent, and wrote to him to repeople Multan, and to observe the customs of the Langahs, and not to measure the land, but take a share of the produce. He ordered him to put Fath Khan and Hindu Biluch to death, to keep Bakshu Langah or his son always with him, but to confirm his districts to him. As soon as 'Azam Humayun received this order at Multan, he left Fath Jang Khan in Multan and came to Lahore, and put Fath Khan and Hindu Biluch to death. ### [3.20.6](https://indike.org/pramana/in.darkages.sultanate.tarikh-i-shershahi~en-elliot.3.20.6) Fath Jang Khan so repeopled Multan, and showed such benevolence to the people, that Multan flourished more than it had done, even under the Langahs, and in the country of Multan he founded a city which he called "Shergarh." Sher Shah, while besieging the fort of Raisin, gave orders that no Afghan should approach it; for that he would take the fort by the exercise of his skill and prudence. One day, certain followers and retainers of the Afghans were sitting together, when the conversation turned on the gallantry and valour of Bhaia Puran Mal's soldiers. Most of those present said, that no one in those days was a match for Puran Mal's soldiers in these qualities, who daily came out of the fort and said : " There is no one in the army of Sher Khán who can fight with us," and that it was from fear that none of the Afghans approached them. When the Afghans amongst these retainers pondered on these remarks, the reproach thus thrown upon Afghan honour overcame them, and they said, " Though Sher Sháh should cut our throats or banish us from his kingdom, yet we will for once encounter the soldiers of Púran Mal, that we may test their gallantry and valour." ### [3.20.7](https://indike.org/pramana/in.darkages.sultanate.tarikh-i-shershahi~en-elliot.3.20.7) The next day before sunrise, 1500 horsemen assembled at an appointed place, and drawing up in order of battle, sent to Púran Mal, saying : " Your men every day boast of their valour. We, 1500 horse, against Sher Sháh's command, have come and are drawn up in order of battle ; do you also collect your men, and come out of the fort, that we may fight, and the valour of either side may be made manifest." Bháía Púran Mal had great reliance on the valour and gallantry of his men, and did not think the Afghans were at all equal to them in bravery. He sent out to answer the challenge the most famous of his soldiers, veterans in battle, and he himself took his seat above the gateway. The Afghans and Rájputs joined battle, and the fight continued till the first watch of the day, up to which time neither party had succeeded in driving the other from their ground. At length the Afghans got the advantage, and began to make the Rájputs give ground, when such bravery was displayed on both sides as surpasses all description. In the end, Almighty God gave the victory to the Afghans, and they drove the Rájputs from their position to near the gate of the fort. The Rájputs again made a stand near the gate of the fort, but the Afghans made a headlong charge upon them, which they were unable to resist, and fled within the gate; and the Afghans returned triumphant to their camp. --- Source: [https://indike.org/pramana/in.darkages.sultanate.tarikh-i-shershahi~en-elliot.3.20](https://indike.org/pramana/in.darkages.sultanate.tarikh-i-shershahi~en-elliot.3.20) · Pramāṇa