The Dynastic History of Northern India (Early Mediaeval Period) v2.c31.187

v2.c31.187

According to Ibn Athīr Maḥmud after plundering the temple drove away Bhīma, the chief of Anhilwāra, from the fort of Kandahat,¹ and then proceeded on his way to Manṣūra. But the *Zain ul-Akhbār*, our earliest authority on the subject, tells us that from Somnath Maḥmūd took a guide and marched direct by way of Manṣūra. The reason for this course was that Param (Bhīma?)² Deo, the king of the Hindus was ‘in the way.’ This statement is also found in the *Ṭabaqāt-i-Akbarī*. According to these authorities, therefore, Maḥmūd did not return by way Anhilvada, because he wanted to avoid a conflict with Bhīma, ‘the most powerful of the Rajas of Hindūstān.’ It is therefore doubtful whether Ibn Athīr was right in making Bhīma the opponent of Maḥmūd at Kandahat. Our suspicion seems to be confirmed by the statement of Khond Amīr, who tells us that after the glorious victory at Somnath, Maḥmūd ‘reduced a fort in which the governor of Naharwāla had taken refuge.’³ Firishta states that the relieving force which nearly snatched the fruits of victory from Maḥmūd in the battle of the temple was sent by Param⁴ (Bhīma) Deo, the Rāja of Naharwāla. This king, we are told, “had cut off above 3,000 of the faithful,” and “after the taking of Somnāth, instead of proceeding to Nehrwāla shut himself in the fort of Gundaba.”⁵ It is clear that Firishta means that Bhīma was present in the battle, in which he is said to have caused such havoc on the Muslims. This is confirmed by his statement that when the battle was raging "two Indian princes Param¹ (Bhīma) Deo and Dabishleem with other reinforcements joined their countrymen during the action." The statement of Firishta that Bhīma personally fought at Somnath does not find support from any existing authority. Evidently there is a confusion in the Muslim tradition about the details of this episode. I am however disposed to believe that Maḥmūd, in his anxiety to avoid Bhīma's armies in the neighbourhood of Anhilvada, avoided that route, and with the assistance of guides tried to find out a shorter and less frequented road to Sind.² During these movements he defeated, as Khond Amīr says, a section of Bhīma's army, which may have been sent from Anhilvada to Cutch to block that line of retreat.