The Dynastic History of Northern India (Early Mediaeval Period) v1.c14.149.2

v1.c14.149.2

In the beginning of his reign Harisiṁha appears to have ruled over Tirhut from his capital Simraon. Removed from the great highways of the Islamic armies, the Karṇāṭakas of Tirhut long succeeded in maintaining their independence. But in the reign of Harisiṁha an unexpected move on the part Ghiyāth ud-Din Tughluq Shāh (1320-25 A.D.) brought them into conflict with the Sulṭāns of Delhi. In 1324 Ghiyāth ud-Dīn undertook an expedition to Bengal. On his way back he passed through Tirhut.⁴ Firishta supplies the following account of the incidents on his journey. "It is related that as the Sultan was passing near the hills of Tirhoot, the Raja appeared in arms, but was pursued into the woods. Finding his army could not penetrate them, the king alighted from his horse, called for a hatchet, and cut down one of the trees with his own hands. The troops on seeing this applied themselves to work with such spirit that the forest seemed to vanish before them. They arrived at length at a fort, surrounded by seven ditches full of water and a high wall. The king invested the place, filled up the ditches, and destroyed the wall in three weeks. The Raja and his family were taken, and great booty obtained, while the government of Tirhoot was left in the hands of Ahmud Khan, the son of Mullik Tubligha, after which the king returned towards Dehly."¹ That this 'Raja of Tirhoot' was Harisiṁha appears to be suggested by the traditional date N.S. 444 (A.D.