The Cambridge History of India, Vol. III: Turks and Afghans v3.c27.101

v3.c27.101

Hūshang Shāh of Mālwa had already, in 1422, furnished him with a *casus belli* by disregarding the position which Narsingh of Kherla had accepted in 1399, and compelling him to swear allegiance to Mālwa. In 1428 Hūshang prepared to invade Kherla, to enforce payment of tribute, and Ahmad, in response to Narsingh’s appeal, marched to Ellichpur. Hūshang nevertheless opened the siege of Kherla, and Ahmad marched against him, but was perplexed by scruples regarding the lawfulness of attacking a brother Muslim on behalf of a misbeliever, and contented himself with sending a message to Hūshang begging him to refrain from molesting Narsingh. As he immediately retired to his own dominions, Hūshang attributed his conduct to pusillanimity, and marched against him with an army of 30,000 horse, but Ahmad, on reaching the Tāptī, decided that he had suffered enough for righteousness' sake, and resolved at least to defend his kingdom. Hūshang came upon his army unexpectedly, and was taken by surprise, but the troops of Mālwa fought bravely until their discomfiture was completed by a force which had lain in ambush, and under the leadership of Ahmad himself attacked their right flank. They broke and fled, leaving in the hands of the victors all their baggage and camp equipage, 200 elephants, and the ladies of Hūshang's harem. Narsingh issued from Kherla, fell upon the fugitives, and pursued them into Mālwa. Ahmad advanced to Kherla, where he was sumptuously entertained by Narsingh, and thence sent to Mālwa, under the immediate charge of his most trusted eunuchs and the protection of 500 of his best cavalry, the ladies who had fallen into his hands.