The Cambridge History of India, Vol. III: Turks and Afghans v3.c25.107

v3.c25.107

Mahmūd II of Mālwa was now pursuing a suicidal policy. He had sent a force to ravage the southern districts of the territories of the Rānā, he had so alienated by his sinister and deceitful course of conduct the nobles of Mālwa that some had taken refuge with the Rānā and others with Bahādur, and he was harbouring at his court a son of the late Sultān Muzaffar of Gujarāt, Chānd Khān, a pretender to Bahādur's throne, whose claims he was understood to favour. The old friendship between Mālwa and Gujarāt was thus entirely dissolved. Bahādur, less bigoted than his father, and sensible of Ratan Singh's claims on his friendship, which were based on Sangrama's reception of him when he was a fugitive, was inclined to deprecate wanton attacks on his territories, was bitterly resentful of the harbourage offered to Chānd Khān, and was inclined to regard Mahmūd, who owed his tenure of his throne to the capture of Māndū from rebellious Rājputs by Mahmūd Begarha, as a vassal: Mahmūd, on the other hand, was perturbed by Bahādur's harbourage of malcontents from Mālwa, and suggested a meeting at which differences could be settled. Bahādur haughtily replied that he had been awaiting a request for an interview at which Mahmūd could appear before him and explain matters. This had not been Mahmūd's intention, but he found it difficult to recede from his suggestion, and could hardly propose that Bahādur should wait upon him. He feigned to be eager to pay his respects to the sultan of Gujarāt but always discovered a pretext for evading a meeting. Ratan Singh of Mewār marched as far as Sārangpur and threatened Ujjain, to which city Mahmūd advanced. Bahādur entered Mālwa and awaited Mahmūd's arrival at his camp, but an envoy from Mahmūd made his excuses by explaining that his master had broken his arm whilst out hunting. In private he informed Bahādur that Chānd Khān was the real difficulty, as Mahmūd did not wish to surrender him, but feared to refuse. Bahādur bade the envoy reassure his master on this point, and marched slowly towards Māndū, accompanied by Muhammad Shāh of Khāndesh, expecting Mahmūd at each stage; but Mahmūd had washed his hands of kingship, and had withdrawn into his seraglio at Māndū, meeting the remonstrances of his courtiers with the answer that he knew that his reign was drawing to its close, and that he intended to enjoy life while it lasted. He had thoughts of abdicating and installing his son Ghiyās-ud-dīn, but seemed to be unable to execute any plan. Meanwhile Bahādur marched to Na'lcha and formed the siege of Māndū, being joined by many of the nobles and officers of Mālwa. The sloth and carelessness of Mahmūd infected his army, and on the night of March 17 the besiegers scaled an unguarded section of the wall and entered the city unopposed. Mahmūd formed the intention of imitating the Rājputs and performing the rite of *jauhar*, but, on receiving a message from Bahādur that his life and honour were safe, abandoned it and waited on Bahādur with seven of his officers. The *khutba* was recited at Māndū in the name of Bahādur, Mālwa was annexed to Gujarāt, and Mahmūd and his family were sent towards Chāmpāner, where Bahādur proposed to imprison them, but on April 12, 1531, the camp of Āsaf Khān, in whose custody the prisoners were, was attacked by Bhīls and Kolīs, and Mahmūd's guards, fearing a rescue, put him to death, and he was buried near Dohad. His seven sons were sent to Chāmpāner, where they were imprisoned.