The Cambridge History of India, Vol. III: Turks and Afghans v3.c22.16

v3.c22.16

Bahlūl, on reaching Delhi, was dismayed by the imminence of his peril and hastily sent a mission to Mahmūd Khaljī II of Mālwa, imploring him to come to his aid and promising to cede to him the whole country west of Bayāna, but Husain had reached the banks of the Jumna, a short distance to the south-east of Delhi, before a reply could be received from Mahmūd, and Buhlūl attempted to purchase peace by the most humiliating submission. Were he allowed, he said, to retain Delhi and the country for thirty miles around it he would cheerfully hold it in Husain's name. The offer was haughtily rejected and Buhlūl marched forth at the head of 18,000 Afghān horse, to meet his powerful enemy. The armies were encamped on opposite banks of the Jumna and for several days neither ventured to cross the river in force to attack the other until one day Husain who, in his contempt of his opponent neglected all military precautions, permitted the whole of his army to disperse for the purpose of plundering the fertile lands of the Doāb. His camp was left unprotected, and Buhlūl crossed the river by a ford and fell upon it. Even now Husain's insensate pride blinded him to his danger and it was not until the Afghāns were actually plundering his tents that he sought safety in flight, then the only course left open to him. The ladies of his harem, including his wife Jalīla, were captured by Buhlūl, who generously sent them unharmed to Jaunpur.