Twilight of the Sultanate c15.s1.63

c15.s1.63

The Sultan deputed Āzam Humayūn Sarwānī, governor of Kara, to march against Gwalior with 30,000 cavalry and 300 elephants.⁵⁹ Many other officers like Bhīkhan Khan, son of 'Ālam Khan Lodī, Sulaimān Farmūlī and Khan-i-Jahān were also sent to support Āzam Humayūn.⁶⁰ On arrival at Gwalior the royal commander laid siege to the fort. Raja Mān's son and successor Vikramāditya, was an illustrious son of a distinguished father. He strengthened the defences of the fort. The besiegers shot fireballs and rockets (*haqqahā*) into the outer citadel of Bādalgarh while the Rajputs retaliated by hurling at the enemy burning bags of cotton soaked in oil, and many were burnt to death on both sides.⁶¹ While the siege was in full swing Jalāl Khan, not to embarrass his host any more, left for Malwa.⁶² Meanwhile the royalists had mined the walls. They effected many breaches and with the help of *sabāts* entered the outer walls of the fortress.⁶³ Finding further resistance impossible, Vikramāditya started negotiations for peace. Ibrāhīm treated the Tomar chief well. Though he deprived him of Gwalior, he assigned to him the fief of Shamsābād.⁶⁴