History of the Qaraunah Turks in India c6.48

c6.48

He sought refuge in flight. But he was arrested and killed by his men. The people of Siwistan compelled their Amir, Muhammad Shah, to join forces with those of Ghazi Malik. Strangely enough, 'Ain-al-Mulk Multani adopted an attitude of neutrality and offered to pay homage to the man who acquired possession of Dihli. Khusrau Khan was informed of these proceedings by Malik Lakhi, governor of Samana, who forgot the injuries that he had received at his hands, and gave his adhesion to the party in power. The Malik marched towards Dipalpur, but he was overpowered by Ghazi Malik and was finally killed by the people of Samana. This news alarmed Khusrau, and he began to organise his forces. The command of the army was conferred upon Yusuf Khan surnamed Yusuf Sufi. Both were inexperienced men, and the task of opposing a warrior, whose might had made the Mughals of Khorasan and Mughalistan tremble, was without doubt beyond their capacity. The army of Dihli, demoralised by indolence and debauchery, was no match for the sturdy Muslims who followed in the wake of Ghazi Malik, and to whom the present war, seemed to be nothing short of a Jihad. Lack of experienced generalship, added to want of discipline, made the cause of Khusrau from the outset hopeless. They marched towards Sirsuti, but having failed to capture it they proceeded towards Dipalpur to encounter Ghazi Malik. The latter had just been reinforced by Bahram Aiba, governor of Ucch, who joined with horse and foot to assist the cause of justice. He marched from Dipalpur, passed by the town of Dabhali²⁸ and taking the river in the rear encamped in an open field between Sirsuti and Dipalpur.