The Dynastic History of Northern India (Early Mediaeval Period) v1.c11.215

v1.c11.215

For his campaign in Sind, Fīrūz Shāh had to muster an army of '90,000 cavalry and 480 elephants.' The strength of the Jām can be gauged by the fact that his troops amounted to about '20,000 cavalry and 400,000 infantry.'¹ The war dragged on for two years and a half and occasioned considerable sufferings to the Sulṭān. According to Abu'l-Faẕl, Sulṭān Fīrūz Shāh on three different occasions led an army from Delhi against 'Banhatia.'² But in the end the Jām and Bābiniya surrendered and accompanied the royal troops to Delhi; while "the son of the Jām, and Tamāchī brother of Bābiniya were placed over Thatta, and titles were conferred upon them. They paid four *lacs* of *tankas* in cash, by way of marking their allegiance, and agreed to pay several *lacs* of *tankas* in money and goods yearly."³ The Jām and Bābiniya lived at Delhi for some time in their dwelling known as the 'palace of Thatta,' and each used to receive an annual allowance of two *lacs* of *tankas* in cash from the royal treasury. Shams-i-Sirāj further tells us that "after some years Tamāchī, the brother of Bābiniya, rebelled at Thatta, and the Sulṭān sent the Jām there to repress the outbreak. On his arrival the Jām sent Tamāchī to Delhi where Bābiniya remained in attendance on the Sulṭān. On the accession of Sulṭān Tughluq Shāh (1388 A.D.) he was presented with an umbrella, and was sent to Thatta, but died on the road."⁴ According to *Ta'rīkh-i-Ma'ṣūmī* Bābiniya after remaining for some time at Delhi 'became the object of royal favour...and was reinstated in the government of Sind,' while his brother Tamāchī, a man of 'ease and enjoyment,' died of the plague after a reign of 13 years. Firishta appears to support Mīr Ṭāhir, for he also says that the Jām Bany after passing some time in Delhi was taken into favour by Fīruz, who sent him back to restore his government.¹ Jām Bany is most probably the same as Bābiniya of the other chronicles, but Firishta introduces an element of confusion by stating that he was the son of Jām Afra, a person unknown to other works.