The Dynastic History of Northern India (Early Mediaeval Period) v1.c12.184.1

v1.c12.184.1

It is surprising however that the contemporary historian ‘Utbī gives not the slightest hint about this confederacy. He simply states that “ Ānandapāl came to confront him (Maḥmūd) with a numerous army.” Niẓām ud-Dīn is also silent on the point. Under the circumstances it is perhaps reasonable to doubt the accuracy of this historian of the 17th century. In later times Maḥmūd was regarded as a champion of Islam, and it is not impossible that Firishta has exaggerated the amount of opposition which faced Maḥmūd. At any rate there is no evidence outside Firishta that this common danger galvanized the Indian states of Northern India into common action. According to ‘Utbī the battle took place on the banks of the Wāhind (Und ; Indus). Firishta says that the two armies “arrived in sight of each other on a plain on the confines of the province of Peshawar.”¹ The same authority says that the two armies “remained encamped forty days without coming into action,” and “the troops of the idolaters daily increased in number.” The following account of the battle is taken from *Ta'rīkh-i-Firishta*: “Maḥmūd……ordered 6,000 archers to the front to endeavour to provoke the enemy to attack his entrenchments.