The Dynastic History of Northern India (Early Mediaeval Period) v2.c28.145

v2.c28.145

Both the accounts bear evidence to the military power of the Candella ruler, on whom had now fallen the task of resisting the encroachments of Islam in the Ganges-Jumna valley. According to Niẓām ud-Dīn there was no fight between the two armies. *Nandā*, as he lay encamped is said to have become alarmed, and fled at night 'with a few special companions, leaving the army, and all the munitions of war behind.' I am rather disposed to place more credence on the earlier account of the *Kāmil*, and believe that there was a fierce though indecisive battle between the armies before the Candella beat a strategic retreat under cover of the night.² This version to me seems to be more consistent with the Muslim account of Bīdā's power and prestige. According to Ibn ul-Athīr, when Maḥmūd found 'the land deserted,' each party of the Hindu army 'having gone a different way,' he plundered the Candella camp and went in pursuit of the Hindu army. He is said to have overtaken them 'in forests and thickets,' and slain and captured a large number; but 'Bīdā escaped single-handed and Yamīn ud-Daulah returned victorious to Ghazna.' An instance of the exaggerations of later historians is afforded by Niẓām ud-Dīn's account of the spoils that fell into the hands of Maḥmūd after this victory. According to the *Kāmil* Maḥmūd found 'treasures and weapons,' in the Hindu camp. According to the *Ṭabaqāt-i-Akbarī* 'immense quantities of booty,' including 580 elephants, 'fell into the hands of the army of Islām.'