The Dynastic History of Northern India (Early Mediaeval Period) v1.c11.209.3

v1.c11.209.3

During his rule Sulṭān Maḥmūd (Tughluq) invaded Sind, but could not do anything effective, as he "died in the neighbourhood of Bhakkar"¹ (A. H. 752). Sulṭān Fīrūz Shāh, who succeeded him, was harassed by this Jām for some stages when the former started for Delhi.² The period thus described appears to have been one of considerable confusion, and it is curious that these two princes (Nos. 3 and 4 of *Ta'rīkh-i-Ṭāhirī*) are omitted by Ab'ul Faẓl. It should be also noted that Mīr Ṭāhir does not mention the reign periods of these two rulers. It was probably during this period that Shihāb-ud-Dīn, king of Kashmir (1359-1378), invaded Sind and defeated its Jām on the banks of the Indus.³ The next prince, called Bābiniya by Mīr Ma'ṣūm, is perhaps to be identified with Banhatiyah, the third prince on Abu'l Faẓl's list. According to Mīr Ma'ṣūm this prince was ruling in Sind when Sulṭān Fīrūz Shāh invaded that country. This statement is supported by Shams-i-Sirāj, the contemporary historian of the period. He tells us that 'at this time the Jām, brother of Rāī Unar and Bābiniya, his brother's son, were masters of Thatta.' This Jām who probably came to the throne after the period of turmoil referred to above appears from *Ta'rīkh-i-Fīrūz Shāhī* to have been completely overshadowed by Bābiniya; that is probably the reason why he has been omitted by Abu'l Faẓl and Mīr Ma'ṣūm.