The Dynastic History of Northern India (Early Mediaeval Period) v1.c16.454.1

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.