The Dynastic History of Northern India (Early Mediaeval Period) v1.c16.454

Language: English

v1.c16.454.1

These two accounts make it abundantly clear that there was at this time no ruler in Bihar of any importance. The Gāhaḍavālas, who were masters of this region, must have retired from it after the fall of the Cāhamānas at Taraori in 1192 A.D. The centre of the power of the Senas, who occasionally raided this land, lay further east. The Pālas were no more. They must have been destroyed before the arrival of the Turk in Bihar. It thus appears that Magadha at this time was a no man’s land. The knowledge of the advancing tide of irresistible Turks had moved all able-bodied men to flee in all directions. Only old men and shaven-headed ascetics remained and what is described as the ‘fort of Bihar’ was only a fortified University-town. There is no evidence anywhere that any king fought with Muḥammad.³ Soon after his capture of Bihar Muḥammad presented himself to Quṭb ud-Dīn Aibak at Delhi in *c.* 1193 A.D. and was received with "great honour and distinction." Quṭb ud-Dīn "entrusted the rule of the country of Lakhnautī to him, and nominated him for the duty of conquering it."¹ In the meantime the fame of the intrepidity and the victories of Muḥammad had reached the court of Lakṣmaṇasena.

v1.c16.454.2

We are told by Minhāj that "Fear of him operated exceedingly in the hearts of the unbelievers of the different parts of the territories of Lakhaṇavatī and Bihār, and the countries of Bang and Kāmrūd." To the same historian we are indebted for an almost contemporary account of the advance of Islām into Bengal. His story which was collected largely from anecdotes current at his time, and is not free from exaggerations, may be summarised as follows: Rai Lakhmaṇīah was "a very great Rāi," and "had been on the throne for a period of 80 years." His seat of government was the city of Nūdīah. His father died when he was still in his mother's womb. "The crown was placed on the belly of his mother, and all girded up their loins in her service. The Rāis of Hind used to hold their family in great importance, and were wont to consider him in the position of Khalīfah by descent." When the birth of Lakhmaṇīah drew near, the astrologers represented that if the child should be born at that hour, it would never attain to sovereignty; but if it should be born two hours later, it would reign for 80 years. Whereupon the queen-regent kept herself suspended with her head downwards and legs bound together. When after two hours she was taken down, she gave birth to Lakhmaṇīah and immediately after died. Lakhmaṇīah reigned for 80 years; never did tyranny proceed from his hand;'' he was also famous for his magnificence.

v1.c16.454.3

After the conquest of Bihār "a number of astrologers, wise men, and counsellors of his kingdom" represented to him that it was written "in our books of the ancient Brahmans" that this country would fall into the hands of the Turks. They assured him that the Turks had subjugated Bihār, "and next year they will surely come into this country." Under the circumstances they advised the king to "be removed from the country in order that we may be safe from the molestation of the Turks.'' On the Rāi hesitating, they gave him the description of the conqueror, which on verification was found to agree with the physical appearance of Muḥammad ibn Bakht-yār. When they became assured of these facts, "most of the Brahmans and inhabitants of that place retired into the province of Sankanāt (سنکنات or سكنات), the cities and towns of Bang, and towards Kāmrūd ; but to begin to abandon his country was not agreeable to Lakhmaṇīah. In the following year Muḥammad caused a force to be prepared, and advanced upon Nūdiāh, so swiftly that no more than 18 horsemen could keep up with him, and the other troops followed after him.'' On reaching the gate, Muḥammad proceeded at once to the palace, and surprised its guards. The Rāi, who was at his table, fled bare-footed by the back part of his palace. In the meantime the rest of Muḥammad's army arrived, and the whole city was captured. Lakhmaṇīah, got away towards Sankanāt and Bang, and there the period of his reign shortly came to a termination.

v1.c16.454.4

His descendants, up to this time, are rulers in the country of Bang.'' Muḥammad in the meantime "left the city of Nūdiāh in desolation and the place which is now Lakhanavatī, he made the seat of his government.'' ¹ To this Niẓām ud-Dīn adds that the people, on the declaration of the astrologers, fled also to Jagannath. His account simply states that Muḥammad started from Bihar with a small force, and reached the city of 'Nudiar' by successive rapid marches. On his arrival Lakhmaṇīah "in great confusion embarked in a boat and escaped.'' The conqueror, we are told, then "devastated the city of Nudiar, and in place of it founded another city, which has become Lakhnauti, and made it his capital; and to-day that city is in ruins and is known as Gaur.'' ²