Twilight of the Sultanate c7.s5.10

c7.s5.10

But even in the deepest darkness light persists. Tīmūr's gruesome invasion had a silver lining. Hindus and Muslims all stood up to a man to fight him wherever he went. The days of Mahmūd of Ghaznī were a story of the past, and Tīmūr met resistance everywhere. The people of India were known for their disunity in the face of a foreign invader. But they stood united against Tīmūr. At Tulamba, Ajodhan, Deopalpur, Bhatnīr, Meerut and Delhi—nay everywhere—the Hindus and Muslims fought shoulder to shoulder against the invader. Shaikh Sa‘āduddīn interceded with Tīmūr on behalf of the Hindu chief of Bhatnīr. At Meerut, Ilyās Afghān, a Muslim, burnt his womenfolk in the fire of *jauhar*. During Tīmūr's visitation the Hindus and Muslims learnt to sink their differences and stand united.