The Cambridge History of India, Vol. III: Turks and Afghans v3.c25.76

v3.c25.76

Muzaffar now learnt that Mahmūd was at Chanderī, endeavouring to crush a rebellion of the Rājput troops under their leader, Medenī Rāi, and he once more changed his mind. For this second instance of vacillation two reasons are assigned. The first, more favourable to Muzaffar’s character, was the reflection that to attack a brother Muslim who was in straits owing to the misconduct of infidels would be both unlawful and ungenerous, and the second was the defeat of a detachment sent by him to Na‘lcha, which he regarded as an evil omen. The former reason may be accepted as the true one, first because it is conformable to the whole course of Muzaffar’s behaviour towards Mahmūd Khaljī, and secondly because the fact that his troops were defeated is not established. He retired to his own dominions and relieved the anxiety which oppressed Mahmūd, beset on all sides by difficulties.