Twilight of the Sultanate c7.s1.17

c7.s1.17

Havin nt down the citadel of Shihābuddīn, Tīmūr resumed his march along the banks of the Jhelum. On Thursday, 3 October, 1398 (21 Muharram, 801 H), he arrived at Shorkot on the confluence of the Jhelum and the Chenab²⁴ which he crossed on 9 October.²⁵ He encamped on the other bank facing the town of Tulamba, 52 miles north-east of Multan.²⁶ He demanded from the inhabitants a ransom of two lacs; the 'Ulema and the Shaikhs were to be exempted from its payment. Soon quite a large proportion of the demand had been paid. While the balance was being realised, the soldiers poured into the town and sacked it, sparing only the Shaikhs and Saiyyads.²⁷ The unscrupulous conduct of the invader opened the eyes of others who had already submitted to Pīr Muhammad. They now changed their mind and became hostile towards him.