Twilight of the Sultanate c10.s3.2

c10.s3.2

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.