Twilight of the Sultanate c10.s2.11

c10.s2.11

The fears of the Sultan turned out to be true. Driven to bay, Paulād sent emissaries to Shaikh ’Alī, the governor of Kabul, soliciting his help against ready money. Greatly tempted, Shaikh ’Alī marched with a large army from Kabul to help Paulād, and in the month of February-March, 1431 (Jamadiul Ākhir, 834 H)⁴² he arrived on the banks of the Jhelum. A’īnuddīn, a Khokhar chief, joined him from Tilwara (this Tilwara is situated opposite Deopalpur) and Shaikh ’Alī’s nephew Amīr Muzaffar⁴³ arrived with a large contingent from Shorkot (Seor).⁴⁴ Passing through Qasūr, Shaikh ’Alī crossed the Beas at the ford of Būhī and ravaged the country of Rai Fīrōz who rushed to it from the siege of Bhatinda. Shaikh ’Alī took particular care to ravage the districts of those nobles who were investing the fort of Bhatinda⁴⁵ with a view to unnerving them. He succeeded in his tactics, because before he arrived within twenty miles of Bhatinda, the royal commanders had raised the siege. Faulād emerged from the fort, paid Shaikh ’Alī the stipulated amount of two lac silver *tankas*⁴⁶ for his assistance and then busied himself in preparations for a stronger defence.⁴⁷