Twilight of the Sultanate c7.s1.46

c7.s1.46

Bhatnīr (or Hanūmāngarh) was a Rajput stronghold, and people considered it impregnable⁴⁸ as it was surrounded by a desert for about 50 *kos* around in which no water could be obtained. The citadel itself was supplied with water throughout the year by a reservoir which was replenished during the rainy season. A large number of refugees from Deopalpur and Ajodhan had come there to seek asylum. The chief of the fort, Rao Daljīt,⁴⁹ had made adequate preparations to meet the invader, but Tīmūr sought to strike terror among the garrison by massacring all those who had not been able to gain entrance into the fort because it was overfull. Then he delivered the assault from all sides. Having carried the outer wall, he rushed towards the citadel. A hand-to-hand fight ensued. "Jahān Malik fought like a lion, and Saiyyad Khwājā cut down several of the enemy."⁵⁰ When Daljīt had lost all hopes of saving the fort, he sent Shaikh Sa'aduddīn of Ajodhan to Tīmūr to intercede on his behalf. Tīmūr agreed to the proposal of peace and withdrew his men from the fort. On the morning of Friday, 8 November (28. Safar) Rao Daljīt with the Shaikh waited upon Tīmūr⁵¹ with presents consisting of 27 Arab horses with gold mounted harness and several sporting hawks. Tīmūr received the Rao with kind consideration.