Twilight of the Sultanate c10.s2.6

c10.s2.6

On receipt of the news of Faulād's insurrection, Mubārak Shāh imprisoned the sons of Saiyyad Sālim, who were with him in the camp,³⁸ and sent Malik Yūsuf, son of Sarwarul Mulk,³⁹ and Rai Hansū (Hansrāj) Bhaṭṭī⁴⁰ to deal with the rebel and seize the treasure. But Faulād proved too clever for them and while posing to negotiate for a settlement, he threw them off their guard, attacked and completely routed them. They fled towards Sirsutī, pursued by Faulād, who captured all their cash, goods and tents. At this Mubārak Shāh himself proceeded to Sirsutī, and also sent word to Imādul Mulk at Multan to join him. In the meantime Zīrak Khan, Malik Kalū, Islām Khan and Kamāl Khan, who had been ordered to march and besiege Bhatinda, had begun the investment of the fort. Hard pressed, Faulād had an interview with Imādul Mulk and agreed to make his submission to the Sultan, but a rumour current in the camp that the Sultan meant to put him to death so scared him that he broke off the negotiations. But Mubārak Shāh did not want to force the issue probably because he had got an inkling that the rebel, who was in possession of an immense treasure, was trying to purchase help from beyond the Indus. To gain time Mubārak Shāh ordered Imādul Mulk back to Multan and leaving Islām Khān, Kamāl Khan and Rai Fīrōz Maīn to carry on the investment, himself returned to Delhi in November, 1430 (Safar, 834 H).⁴¹