History of the Khaljis, A.D. 1290–1320 c11.39

c11.39

The first raid of the Mughals occurred only a short while after 'Alāuddīn's accession. Dava the ruler of Mavar-un-Nahr sent an army of 100,000 strong under the command of Kadar. The raiders poured into the country from the north-west, burnt down the villages of the Gakkhars, descended into the plains of the Punjab, and began to ravage the environs of Lahore. Their advance, as usual, struck terror into the hearts of the people and 'Alāuddīn despatched a large army under his generals Ulugh Khan and Zafar Khan. A battle between the royalists and the Mughals was fought near Jullandhar,²⁷ in which the invaders were worsted. Some 20,000²⁸ of them died fighting and quite a large number of their officers were taken prisoner. They were put to death in the most cruel manner. Ulugh Khan sent the report of the victory to the sultan together with the heads of the Mughal soldiers, their women and children who had been captured and executed.