The Cambridge History of India, Vol. III: Turks and Afghans v3.c26.17

v3.c26.17

The raja of Kherla, since he had been made prisoner by Hūshang in 1422, had acknowledged him as his overlord and paid him tribute, thus giving offence to his former suzerain, Ahmad Shāh Bahmanī of the Deccan, who still claimed his allegiance and, in 1428, besieged Kherla, but on Hūshang's marching to its relief retired southwards for three stages, closely followed by Hūshang. He then halted to receive Hūshang's attack, which at first succeeded, but his army was attacked, at the moment when victory seemed assured, by Ahmad Shāh Bahmanī, who had been lying in ambush, and was put to flight. Its rout was so complete that the ladies of Hūshang's harem fell into the hands of the victors, while the army of Mālwa fled headlong to Māndū. The scrupulous and pious Ahmad sent his prisoners to their lord under an escort of 500 horse.