South India and her Muhammadan Invaders c12.39

c12.39

Muhammad in Gujarat, successful rebellion in Deogir.—Close upon the heels of Taghi the Sultan set forward and arrived at Nahrwala two or three days after. There he spent sometime in settling the affairs of Gujarat. ‘The Mukadams, the Ranas, and the Mahants of Gujarat came in and paid their homage and received robes and rewards. In a short time the inhabitants who had been scattered abroad returned to their homes and were delivered from the ravages of the rebel.’ While he was thus engaged at Nahrwala information came from Deogir that Hasan Kangu and other rebels, who had fled from Deogir towards Gulbarga, returned at the head of a large army, attacked Imadu-l-Mulk and slew him in battle, scattering his army. The remnant of the imperial army left Deogir and retreated towards Dhar. Hasan Kangu then proceeded victoriously to Deogir and was proclaimed king, his predecessor in that dignity resigning his title and retiring into private life. Intelligence of the whole transaction was conveyed to Muhammad. He could see very well that he had lost the affections of the people, and this made a very deep impression upon him. He still continued in Nahrwala and had summoned from head-quarters Ahmad Ayyaz and other nobles with an army with a view to sending them against Deogir. In the meanwhile information arrived that Hasan Kangu, the successful rebel at Deogir, had drawn together a very large army round him at Deogir. Prudently resolving to leave him alone for a time, the Sultan resolved to put down the traitor Taghi first, before he took any steps against Deogir, and moved forward with the reinforcements towards Karnal (Girnar). It was in these circumstances that the Sultan felt so depressed as to consult Barni in regard to what kings did in similar circumstances. Barni offered the advice, which was quite sound in the circumstances, that he should abdicate in favour of his heir-apparent, or should retire from active exercise of authority, leaving it to his ministers to carry on the business. The Sultan, however, in sheer desperation came to the opposite resolution, quite in keeping with his character, of continuing to scourge the people till he had chastened them by constant suffering. According to Barni the Sultan spent three years in Gujarat. The first he spent in settling the affairs of the country round Mandal and Teri. The second he passed near the fort of Karnal (Girnar) where the rebel Taghi was at the time. The Hindu chief of Karnal was about to surrender Taghi who having got wind of his host's intention, fled to the Sumera Rajputs of Thatta. After the rainy season of that year was over the Sultan took Karnal and brought all the coast under subjection to him. He passed from there to Kondal (Gondal) where he fell ill of fever and had to remain there for some time to recover. While there, he heard of the death of Malik Kabir who was his regent in Delhi. Sending forward Ahmad Ayyaz and Malik Makbul to take charge of the capital, he gathered as large a force as he possibly could at Kondal, and marched towards Thatta crossing the river by means of boats requisitioned from Deobalpur, Multan, Uch and Siwistan. When near Thatta he was joined by a contingent of Mughals under Altun Bahadur sent by the Amir of Farghana. While about three or four days march from Thatta he contracted a fever by eating some fish. The fever increased in violence during the last two or three days of his illness and before he could give final orders for the siege of Thatta, he died on the 21st of Muharram A.H. 752, A.D. March 1351.