The Foundation of Muslim Rule in India: A History of the Establishment and Progress of the Turkish Sultanate of Delhi, 1206–1290 A.D. c7.88

c7.88

From Ajmer, early next year, Aibak led his forces towards Anhilwara to avenge the treacherous attack. Passing through south-west Rajputana he arrived to find the Chalukya army under Dharavarsha of Abu and Kelhana of Nadol², drawn up at the foot of the mountain where Muizzuddin had suffered his first defeat. Realising the strength of their position Aibak showed open hesitation to attack. Mistaking this prudence for fear the Chalukyas came out in the open where the Turkish horse could manoeuvre to the best advantage. In the resulting battle, superior mobility and shock tactics decided the issue³. Having obtained a clear victory Aibak found the way open to the capital, Anhilwara, from where the reigning king Bhima II, fled⁴. The expedition was intendd to be a purely punitive measure but easy success probably tempted the victor to turn it into an occupation. The city was subjected to a thorough plundering and according to Ferishta, a Muslim officer was placed in charge of the country⁵. Its hazardous distance from Delhi, however was bound to make it a liability; the imperfect hold on Rajputana became a serious obstacle. The conquest, in any case, was soon nullified. Contemporary Chalukya inscriptions boastfully record the expulsion of the Turks; Ibnul Asir’s informant speaks of Aibak himself eventually restoring the country to its Hindu rulers¹. The Chalukya king is epigraphically proved to have retained his independent sovereignty down to 1240 with his hold on Abu remaining unimpaired².