The Dynastic History of Northern India (Early Mediaeval Period) v1.c12.140

v1.c12.140

Firishta informs us that during the lifetime of Alp-tigīn (c. 933-963 A.D.), his general Sabuk-tigīn had already commenced predatory excursions in the provinces of Lamghān and Multan. In my chapter on Sind I have indicated how these invasions led to the organisation of an alliance between the *Sāhis* and the Amirs of Multan.⁶ Before the accession of Sabuk-tigīn (*c.* 977 A.D.), he aided Pīrey in 973 A.D. to defeat "a body of infidels who had advanced out of Hind for the purpose of seizing Ghaznin."¹ This was probably one of the first fruits of the alliance referred to above. When Sabuk-tigīn became king he succeeded through diplomacy in detaching Shaikh Ḥamīd Lodī from the side of the *Śāhis*.² Then, "girding up his loins for a war of religion he endeavoured to desolate the territories of Rājā Jaypāl........the ruler of Hindustan."³ These attacks appear to have been utterly unprovoked by any acts of hostility on Jayapāla's part, and resulted in the conquest of "many castles and strongholds," which no doubt "augmented the boundaries of his kingdom. But when Jaypāl, king of Hindustan, observed these things and saw the line of his frontier continually diminishing, and immeasurable fractures and losses every moment caused in his States, that grievance rendered him disturbed and inconsolable......He saw no remedy, except in beginning to act, and to take up arms. He assembled, therefore, all his princes, feudatories, nobles, and allies and with a great army approached the Musalmān territory. When Nasir-ud-Dīn perceived this he marched from Ghazni against Jaypāl. They came together upon the frontiers of each state. Each army mutually attacked the other, fought and resisted in every way, until the face of the earth was stained red with the blood of the slain, and the lions and warriors of both armies and nations were worn out and reduced to despair. Then...........(Prince Maḥmūd) remarked that all skill and intelligence was unequal to the subjugation of this fort, and that all human power fell short against it."⁴ In this crisis a snowstorm came as a godsend to the Muhammadans. The atmosphere suddenly changed and "from the sharpness of the extreme cold, drew over itself a grey mist, so that patience could no longer endure such sufferings, and they were near unto the fate of death." The Indian army, which was mainly recruited from the plains, naturally suffered most,¹ and negotiations for peace were opened by Jayapāla. In the course of these parleys the *Śāhi* monarch is said to have sent the following characteristic message to Sabuk-tigīn.