The Foundation of Muslim Rule in India: A History of the Establishment and Progress of the Turkish Sultanate of Delhi, 1206–1290 A.D. c7.95

c7.95

Fakhre Mudir alone furnishes details of Aibak’s military activities during the next six years. The country across the upper Ganges, hitherto unaffected by Turkish operations in the Doab, sheltered a large number of Gahdvala emigre from the south; Budaun presumably still retained its Rashtrakuta dynasty. To this part Aibak seems to have directed his arms. In 594/1197-8, Budaun was captured, followed by a second occupation of Benares³. Next year, in 595, “Chantarwal” (Chandwar?) and Kanouj are reported to have been captured. His subsequent operations were in Rajputana where, after the reduction of the kingdom of “Siroh” (Sirohi?), Fakhre Mudir mentions, under the year 596/1199-1200 the conquest of Malwah⁴. This later fact however, needs confirmation. It is not improbable that the hold on Rajputana was sought to be extended, and the process caused a Chauhana migration from Nadol southwards. The foundation of the Chauhana ruling families of Bundi, Kotah and Sirohi are, at any rate, ascribed to this period of Muslim penetration⁵. Aibak’s acquisition in Rajputana, however, was not, as will be seen in the next chapter, destined to be permanent.