The Cambridge History of India, Vol. III: Turks and Afghans v3.c20.165

v3.c20.165

Bahrām was friendless, for the crafty Nizām-ul-Mulk, who had assumed the mask of loyalty for the purpose of destroying an enemy, so dexterously concealed his betrayal of Sunqar's plot that he retained the confidence of the Forty, whose resentment against Bahrām was so strong that it was not even temporarily allayed by the invasion of a foreign enemy who deprived the kingdom of a province. The Mughuls, who had expelled the Qarlugh Turks from Ghaznī, now appeared before Multān under their leader, Bahādur Tāir, the lieutenant of Chaghatai Khān and of his grandson Hulāgū. Kabīr Khān Ayāz, who had expelled Saif-ud-dīn Hasan Qarlugh and re-established himself in Multān, confronted them with such resolution that they turned aside and marched to Lahore, a more tempting prey. The citadel was ill-furnished with stores, provisions, and arms and the citizens were not unanimous in opposition to the invaders, for the merchants, who were accustomed to trade in Khurāsān and Turkistān, were largely dependent on the goodwill of the Mughuls and held their passports and permits, which were indispensable in those countries and might even protect them at Lahore. The garrison was weak and the governor relied on assistance from Delhi which never reached him.