History of the Khaljis, A.D. 1290–1320 c21.55

c21.55

Khusrau Shāh on his part also prepared to fight a last desperate battle. He brought out all the treasures from Kīlughari and Delhi, gave his soldiers two and a half months' salary in advance, and tried all means to prevent any sort of disaffection from spreading among his troops. But so confident had the people become of Ghāzī’s victory that many a soldier who had accepted Khusrau’s gold gave up all idea of fighting and went home. Indeed the demoralised army of Delhi was no match to the sturdy soldiers who followed in the wake of Ghāzī Malik “and to whom the present war seemed to be nothing short of a Jihād.”³⁸ In his extreme despondency and nervousness Nāsiruddīn burnt all records and account books of the imperial treasury. He held a council of war and consulted his supporters regarding the course of action to be adopted. It was decided to fight to a finish. The sultan marched out of Sīrī with his nobles and followers and encamped near the Hauz-i-‘Alāī. ‘Isāmī details the marshalling of Khusrau’s army. The sultan, the Khān-i-Khānān and Maldeva,³⁹ Raja of Chittor, took up positions in the centre. Sumbal, who had received the title of Hātim Khan and the post of Amīr-i-Hājib, commanded the right wing with Sūfi Khan as second in command. The left was in the charge of Shayasta Khan, Talbagha Nagori and Randhol.⁴⁰ Having thus organised his forces Nāsiruddin took up a position of great advantage, not far from Indrapat where the Ghāzī had pitched his tents. Behind him stood the gigantic fort of Delhi on which he could rely for provisions in case of emergency, and in front of him were a large number of groves and gardens to save him from terrific assaults. But the advantage of his position was marred by the betrayal of 'Ainulmulk, who took the road to Dhar and Ujjain on the eve of the day of battle. His desertion broke the heart of Khusrau Shah who saw around him naught but despondency.