Twilight of the Sultanate c7.s1.94

c7.s1.94

Sultan Mahmūd also made ready for the battle, although his preparations were much too inadequate for defeating a general like Tīmūr with his host of ninety thousand warriors. The entire Delhi army consisted of 10,000 cavalry, 40,000 infantry and 125 elephants.⁸⁶ He could not bank upon the support of neighbouring rulers. Khwājā Jahān of Jaunpur was busy in extending his territories in the east, and cared little to come to Delhi's rescue. Gujarat was far too distant, though it pretended loyalty.⁸⁷ Mewat was restive, and the contumacious Punjab lay low at the feet of the conqueror. Mahmūd had for some years under him only the old Delhi, the fortress of Sīrī and the Jahānpanāh. Though Mallū Khan was loyal to the Sultan; he had hardly any friends or supporters outside Delhi,⁸⁸ and the prospects of victory were few. Thus "the harvest was fully ripe for the bloody reaper Tīmūr".⁸⁹