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Twilight of the Sultanate c10.s3: Anarchical Situation

Twilight of the Sultanate c10.s3

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Anarchical Situation

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The retreat of Shaikh 'Alī gave no respite to the Sultanate for Jasrat Khokhar was up in arms once again. His relatives had earlier joined Shaikh 'Alī and he too was keen on deriving the best advantage from the confusion created by Shaikh 'Alī's invasion.

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For many years past he had kept quiet (except in 1427 when he was badly defeated at Kangra). But now, when the Sultanate was grappling with Shaikh 'Alī, Jasrat thought it an opportune time to join hands with the latter and try his strength against the Sultanate once more. At his invitation⁶⁰ Shaikh 'Alī reappeared in Multan to help Jasrat as well as to avenge his last defeat. Meanwhile the rebel emerged from his mountain retreat of Talwara, and crossing the Chēnab, the Ravi and the Beas suddenly fell upon Sikandar Tuhfā near Jalandhar in November, 1431 (Rabiul Avval, 835 H).⁶¹ Sikandar was defeated and taken prisoner. Carrying his captive along with him, Jasrat dashed upon Lahore and invested it. Lahore was bravely defended by Saiyyad Najmuddīn, Sikandar's deputy, and another officer Malik Khushkhabr by name. Meanwhile Shaikh 'Alī again arrived in Multan and attacked Khatībpur and several other villages on the Chēnab, and on 23 November, 1431 (17 Rabiul Avval, 835 H) he sacked Tulamba even after he had promised amnesty to its inhabitants.⁶² About now Faulād Turkbachchā also marched out of Bhatinda, devastated the country of Rai Fīrōz and killed him in battle. The whole of the Punjab was now at the mercy of the rebels and invaders. The suffering of the people knew no bounds.

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⁶⁰ *Ibid.*, 225; Ferishta, I, 168.

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⁶¹ T.M.S., 223; Ferishta, I, 167.

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⁶² T.M.S., 224; T.A., I, 283; Ferishta, I, 168.

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Mubārak Shāh was completely confounded at the turn of events, but he acted with unusual decision and promptitude. He sent the Vazīr, Sarwarul Mulk, with a large force in advance and himself followed with the army to Lahore *en route* to Multan in January, 1432. The Sultan's movements had a salutary effect. On his arrival in Samana, Jasrat raised the siege of Lahore and retreated into Talwara carrying with him the precious prisoner, Sikandar Tuhfā. Shaikh 'Alī also evacuated Tulamba and retreated towards Marwāt⁶³ on his way to Kabul.⁶⁴ Because of these developments Mubārak Shāh proceeded no further. He bestowed the fiefs of Jalandhar and Lahore on Khan-i-Khanān Nusrat Khan Gurgandāz (the Wolf Slayer), and deputed Sarwarul Mulk to escort the family of Sikandar Tuhfā from Lahore to Delhi.

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⁶³ T.M.S., 225 has Bartot بارتوت and so has Hajīuddabīr, Z. W., III, 917. Many MSS. of T.A. also have Bartot while the Bib. Ind. text has Martot. (T.A. De, 316, n. 4.) Prof. Hodivala suggests that the place meant is, perhaps, Marot or Marwāt, now a tehsil in Bannū district in Western Pakistan. It contains the town of Lakki. Lakki-Marwat is now a Rly. station, 37 miles southeast of Bannu. Hodivala, 409. I.G., XVIII, 213. Constable, 24 Da.

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⁶⁴ Badaoni, Ranking, I, 390; Ferishta, I, 168.

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Having somehow settled the affairs in the west, Mubārak Shāh returned to Delhi, on the way ordering 'Imādul Mulk to chastise the "rebels" of Bayana and Gwalior, obviously to collect revenue. But hardly had he turned his back on the Punjab, than Jasrat reappeared from his stronghold, and sacking the districts on the way attacked Lahore in August, 1432 (Zilhijja, 836 H).⁶⁵ At the news of Jasrat's renewed activity Mubārak Shāh marched towards Samana, but when he learnt that the rebel had been defeated by Nusrat Khan and had consequently retreated, the Sultan returned to Panipat. From there he hastened to the death-bed of his mother, Makhdūma-i-Jahān. After mourning her loss and performing the last rites, he rejoined the army at Panipat after ten days. From there he sent Malik Sarwarul Mulk, Islām Khan and Kahun Raj⁶⁶ to Bhatinda against Faulād Turkbachchā, who had grown stronger from the riches he had obtained from the country of Rai Fīrōz.⁶⁷ He also transferred Jalandhar and Lahore from the charge of Nusrat Khan to that of Allahadād Kālā Lodī,⁶⁸ and himself proceeded to Mewat. Jasrat Khokhar could hardly miss a chance of trying his strength with the new governor, and as Malik Allahadād was proceeding to take charge of his fief, Jasrat marched to Bajwara, defeated Allahadād, and compelled him to seek shelter in the foot hills of Kothi.⁶⁹

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⁶⁵ T.M.S., 225.

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⁶⁶ *Ibid.*, 226 has کهون راج. T.A. does not give the name.

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⁶⁷ *Ibid.*, 226.

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⁶⁸ Ferishta, I, 168. Badaoni has Kālū Lodī.

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⁶⁹ T.M.S., 227. T.A., I, 284, has foothills of Kothi Bajwārā. Badaoni does not give the name of the foothill.

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A little after this, it was reported that Shaikh 'Alī was once again advancing to the aid of Faulād Turkbachchā, who was being besieged at Bhatinda by the royalists. Greatly worried lest the fear of Shaikh 'Alī should prompt the royalists to abandon the siege, the Sultan immediately sent Malik 'Imādul Mulk to reinforce the besieging army and his arrival there indeed emboldened and strengthened the royal officers and men.⁷⁰ But concentration of troops at one place made the work of the governor of Kabul all the more easy. He issued from Shorkot, plundered the villages along the banks of the Ravi, took a number of prisoners from Sahaniwal or Sahiwal⁷¹ (Montgomery) and arriving in Lahore began its investment. Malik Yūsuf, son of Sarwarul Mulk, Malik Ismaīl, nephew of Zīrak Khan, and Malik Raja, son of Bahār Khan, commanders of the Lahore garrison, either because of lack of confidence in themselves or because of lack of trust in the city people,⁷² fled towards Deopalpur, and Shaikh 'Alī occupied Lahore without any opposition. He plundered the citizens, desecrated the mosques,⁷³ and then leaving a garrison of 2,000 troops, he marched out to attack Deopalpur to which Malik Yūsuf had retired. But the wretched Yūsuf having heard of the move of Shaikh 'Alī, began to plan to abandon the fort of Deopalpur just as he had abandoned that of Lahore. This was the result of promoting incompetent men. Yūsuf had never shown any talents and his rise had been due only to his intriguing father, the Vazīr. When 'Imādul Mulk, who was still besieging Bhatinda, came to learn of Yūsuf's intentions, he despatched his brother Malik Ahmad with a large force to hold Deopalpur. Shaikh 'Alī had been badly mauled by 'Imādul Mulk on a former occasion and the dread of the latter's name dissuaded him from attacking the place, but he took possession of all the towns between Deopalpur and Lahore.⁷⁴

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⁷⁰ T.M.S., 228.

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⁷¹ The Sāhiwāl of the present maps, 31° 58′ N. 87° 40′ E, does not fall on the route from Shorkot to Lahore. Professor Hodivala, 409, suggests, "This Sahaniwal may be Sāhiwāl, the old name of the modern town of Montgomery which was founded in 1865 and lies between the Ravi and the Sutlej". Also *I.G.*, XVIII, 419.

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⁷² T.A., I, 285.

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⁷³ T.M.S., 228-29.

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⁷⁴ T.A., I, 285; T.M.S., 229.

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The conduct of the officers who had relinquished Lahore had greatly annoyed Mubārak Shāh. He was now determined to deal with Shaikh 'Alī whatever the cost, and moved out of Delhi in February, 1433 (Jamadiul Ākhir, 837).⁷⁵ At Samana, Malik Kamāluddīn, who had been away towards Etawah and Gwalior, joined him. The Sultan then proceeded via Sunam to Talwāndī, where 'Imādul Mulk and Islām Khan arrived from Bhatinda for consultations. Sending instructions to the other Amīrs at Bhatinda not to abandon its siege,⁷⁶ the Sultan moved towards the Ravi. Alarmed by Mubārak Shāh’s movements and his all-round preparations, Shaikh ’Alī began to pack up for the return march. When Mubārak Shāh reached Deopalpur, Shaikh ’Alī had already crossed the Chenab.⁷⁷ ’Imādul Mulk was sent in pursuit of the fleeing Shaikh ’Alī, while Malik Sikandar Tuhfā, who had secured his release from Jasrat Khokhar on payment of a heavy ransom,⁷⁸ was given the title of Shamsul Mulk, and ordered to invest Lahore which was held by the garrison left by Shaikh ’Alī. The Sultan himself proceeded to deal with his nephew Amīr Muzaffar at Shorkot. He crossed the Ravi at Tulamba and arriving at the fort, laid siege to it. Shorkot capitulated to the Sultan after a month’s resistance in May, 1433 (Ramzān).⁷⁹ Muzaffar made complete submission, married his daughter to the King’s son,⁸⁰ paid a large tribute and vacated the fort the next month. In the meantime ’Imādul Mulk, who was chasing Shaikh ’Alī, succeeded in capturing a number of his horse and a good amount of his goods.

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⁷⁵ T.M.S., 229; T.A., I, 285.

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⁷⁶ T.M.S., 230 ; Ferishta, I, 168 and T.A., I, 285. The language of Yahyā and Ferishta is quite clear امرای دیگر را فرمان داد تا از گرد حصار دور نشوند (Directed the other nobles not to abandon the siege of the fort.) But Nizāmuddīn Ahmad uses the words برخیزند (rise, that is, raise the siege) in place of دور نشوند (not to get away), and this has misled both Sir Wolseley Haig and B. De, the translator of the *Tabqāt-i-Akbari*, into believing that the Amīrs were ordered to leave the neighbourhood of Tabarhind. T.A., De’s trs. 319 ; C.H.I., III, 219. Later events also show that Yahyā and Ferishta are correct and the mistake of Nizāmuddīn is probably only of the scribe.

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⁷⁷ T.A., I, 286.

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⁷⁸ Ferishta, I, 168 line 6 from below.

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⁷⁹ T.M.S., 230.

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⁸⁰ T.M.S., 230 ; T.A., I, 286. Ferishta, I, 168 line 13 from below says, Muzaffar “gave his daughter to the King”. Badaonī, Ranking, I, 392 has “gave his daughter, together with a large amount of money and valuables, to the prince”.

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Mubārak Shāh had at last succeeded in putting an end to the disorder in the North-Western part of his kingdom. His achievement gave him mental relief too. In all happiness and gratitude he went on a pilgrimage to the tombs of the holy saints at Multan. Incidentally he also checked up on the management of public affairs in those parts, and then returned to Deopalpur. To guard against further incursions of Shaikh 'Alī, Mubārak Shāh placed Lahore and Deopalpur under the charge of 'Imādul Mulk,⁸¹ and his district of Bayana was bestowed upon Shamsul Mulk Sikandar Tuhfā.⁸² Leaving the army under the charge of Kamālul Mulk, the monarch returned in all happiness to celebrate the, 'Īd⁸³ in the capital city where he arrived on the auspicious day itself.

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⁸¹ Here Basu's translation of the T.M.S. is defective and confused. He is inclined to think that Lahore was bestowed upon Shaikh 'Alī himself. T.M.S., 231, Basu's Trs., 238.

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⁸² T.M.S., 231 ; Badaonī, Ranking, I, 392.

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⁸³ Badaonī has 'Id-i-Qurbān or Festival of Sacrifice. This falls on the 10th day of Zilhijja. It is the 'Id-i-Kabīr as distinguished from 'Id-i-Fitr in which is celebrated the termination of the fast of Ramzān. Ranking, I, 392 and n ; T.P. Hughes, *Dictionary of Islam*, 192, 196.

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