The Dynastic History of Northern India (Early Mediaeval Period) v1.c11.221.3

v1.c11.221.3

Rāi Dan appears to have been no relative of the previous ruler, and seized the royal power with the assistance of his own retainers after the death of Sikandar. Sanjar is described as ‘a handsome man,’ who became king mainly through the prayers of a friendly Derwish. During his rule Sind was prosperous, and he appears to have taken steps to suppress bribery and increase the pay of his judicial and other public servants. He was succeeded by Jām Nizām ud-Dīn, also called Nanda. He is said to have reigned for 48 or 60 years. According to Mīr Ṭāhir he ascended the throne in 866 A.H. (1461 A.D.) and proved to be a very pure and virtuous ruler. During his rule the ‘Musulman discipline’ spread widely in Sind, and all the feudal princes of the land are described as belonging to this faith. Nanda is said to have been a contemporary of Sulṭān Ḥasan Lanāgh of Multan (A.D. 1456-1502).¹ Mīr Ṭāhir tells us that soon after his death 'all affairs of Sind fell into disorder.' Jām Fīrūz, the son of Nanda, 'was of tender age,' when he succeeded his father, and trouble soon ensued when the young man developed a fondness for pleasures. A rival for the throne appeared in the person of Ṣalāḥ ud-Dīn, a relative of Fīrūz, and occupied Thatta for a period of 8 months. Jām Fīrūz however recovered his power and ruled for some time till 916 A.H. (1581 A.D.), when Shāh Bēg Arghūn began to make encroachments on Sind. In 1521 the latter, being driven from Kandahar by Bābur, invaded and conquered Sind.