Twilight of the Sultanate c8.s1.55

c8.s1.55

With such problems staring him in the face, Iqbāl Khan could not just sit quiet. He was compelled to be active. The prospects of expansion in the east or west being almost entirely closed, he occupied himself in subduing the independent chiefs of the Doab, it being incumbent upon any ruler of Delhi to occupy that region at least. In A. D. 1404 (807 H), therefore, he marched against Rai Sumēr, Rai Vīrama Deva of Gwalior and Rai Jalbahār⁴⁵ who had formed a coalition and had shut themselves up in the fortress of Etawah.⁴⁶ After a siege of four months, peace was made with them but without any decisive gains to Iqbāl Khan.⁴⁷ From Etawah, Iqbāl Khan proceeded to Qannauj against Sultan Mahmūd in April, 1405 (Shawwāl, 807 H), but the fort being too strong he returned to Delhi after fighting only a few skirmishes.⁴⁸