The Cambridge History of India, Vol. III: Turks and Afghans v3.c21.22

v3.c21.22

Hūshang, on learning that Mubārak was marching towards Dholpur, raised the siege and marched to the southern bank of the Chambal, so that when Mubārak reached the northern bank he found most of the fords held by the troops of Mālwa, but he discovered an unguarded ford, crossed the river, and permitted his advanced guard to attack some outlying parties of Hūshang’s army. A trivial advantage was gained and some prisoners and plunder were taken, but neither party desired a general engagement or a protracted campaign, and negotiations ended in the retreat of Hūshang to Māndū. Mubārak returned to Delhi in June, 1424, and in the following cold weather marched to Katehr, extorted three years’ arrears of tribute from the raja, Har Chand, plundered the country as far as the foot of the Kumāon hills, and, marching down the banks of the Rāmgangā, crossed the Ganges and entered the Doāb. It had been his intention to remain in the neighbourhood of Kanauj, and to establish his authority to the south of that district, but the country had suffered from famine and would neither repay rapine nor support the troops, and he was compelled to return. He turned aside with the object of crushing a rebellion in Mewāt, but the rebels laid waste their villages in the plains and retired into their mountain fastnesses, and the king was obliged to retire, but returned in 1425, when the rebels under Jallū, or Jalāl Khān, and Qaddū, or ‘Abd-ul-Qādir repeated their tactics of the preceding year. Mubārak on this occasion followed them into the hills, drove them from one stronghold, and pursued them to Alwar, where they surrendered. Jalāl Khān escaped, but Qaddū was carried prisoner to Delhi.