التاريخ اليميني 19.24

19.24

وزحف السلطان في شهور سنة تسعين وثلثمائة إلى خلف بن أحمد وهو محتجز بحصار اصبهبذ- قلعة بينها وبين مجرى النجوم قاب قوسين، بل قيد سهمين، تحور عن مراماتها الأبصار، وتحار دون مساماتها الأطيار- فحاصره بها ممنوعا عن فسحة الاختيار، ممنوا بشدة الاضطرار، مفجوعا براحة القرار، ولذة الغرار ، حتى نخب الروع روعه، وودع الروح روحه، فاستشعر البخوع والطاعة، وأظهر الخشوع والضراعة، وسأل سؤال مسكين مستكين أن ينفس عن خناقه، ويرخي من حبل إرهاقه ، على أن يفتدي بمائة ألف [113 أ] دينار ، وبما يليق بها من خدمة ونثار، وتحف ومبار. فأجابه السلطان إلى ما استدعاه، ووكل به من اقتضى المال حتى استوفاه، وغادره كما هو في إسار الحصار، وخناق الوثاق، وفي نفسه قصد سجستان، لكنه أحب أن يجعل غزوة في الهند مقدمة لما توخاه، وصدقة بين يدي نجواه، تبركا بما يجري [على يديه من] ارتفاع راية الدين، واتساع ساحة اليقين، وإنارة كلمة الصدق، وإغارة قوة الحق.

Sultan Mahmud at first designed in his heart to go to Sijistan, but subsequently preferred engaging previously in a holy war against Hind, and he distributed arms prior to convening a council on the subject, in order to secure a blessing on his designs, of exalting the standard of religion, of widening the plain of right, of illuminating the words of truth, and of strengthening the power of justice. He departed towards the country of Hind, in full reliance on the aid of God, who guiding by his light and by his power, bestowed dignity upon him, and gave him victory in all his expeditions. On his reaching Purshaur (Peshawar), he pitched his tent outside the city. There he received intelligence of the bold resolve of Jaipal, the enemy of God, and the King (malik) of Hind, to offer opposition, and of his rapid advance towards meeting his fate in the field of battle. He then took a muster of his horses, and of all his warriors and their vassals from those in whose records it was entered, and then selected from among his troops 15,000 cavalry, men and officers, all bold, and strictly prohibited those who were rejected and not fit or disposed for war, from joining those who had been chosen, and who were like dragons of the desert and lions of the forest. With them he advanced against the wicked and accursed enemy, whose hearts were firm as hills, and were as twigs of patience on the boughs of affection.