The Cambridge History of India, Vol. III: Turks and Afghans v3.c20.500

v3.c20.500

Fīrūz Shāh’s return to Sind was unexpected, and the people, who were quietly tilling their fields, fled before him, destroyed that portion of Tattah which stood on the eastern bank of the Indus, and took refuge behind the fortifications of mud on the western bank. Fīrūz, hesitating to attempt the passage of the river under these defences, sent two officers with their contingents up the Indus, which they crossed at a considerable distance above the town and, marching down the western bank, made an unsuccessful attack on the town. After this failure they were recalled and the king sent to Delhi for reinforcements and, while awaiting their arrival, reaped and garnered the crops, so that his army was well supplied while the garrison of Tattah began to feel the pinch of famine. When the reinforcements arrived the Jām lost heart and sent an envoy to sue for peace. Fīrūz was inclined to leniency, and Bābaniya and the Jām, on making their submission to him, were courteously received, but were informed that they would be required to accompany him to Delhi and that an annual tribute of 400,000 *tangas*, of which the first instalment was to be paid at once, would be required. These terms were accepted and the Jām and Bābaniya accompanied Fīrūz to Delhi as guests under mild restraint. The rejoicings on the return of the army were marred by the lamentations of those who had lost relations during the disastrous retreat to Gujarāt, and Fīrūz, who had already, while wandering in the Rann, sworn never again to wage war but for the suppression of rebellion, now publicly expressed regret for having undertaken the expedition to Sind, and ordered that the estates and property of the deceased should descend, rent-free, to their heirs.