The Dynastic History of Northern India (Early Mediaeval Period) v2.c31.590

v2.c31.590

According to the *Kīrti-kaumudī*, Bhīma II was still young when he ascended the throne. The Jain chroniclers usually pass over his reign, or only supply the most meagre details of it. The violent reaction of the royal family towards Śaivism and the persecution of prominent Jain monks must have alienated the sympathies of the Jain writers from the reigning house of Anhilvad. Yet there is reason to believe that this long reign of more than half a century was not devoid of important incidents, which had far-reaching effects on the whole history of Gujarat. It seems that in the very year in which Bhīma ascended the throne Gujarat was faced with the invasion of Turuṣkas under the formidable leadership of Sulṭān Mu'izz ud-Dīn Ghūrī. The *Tabaqāt-i-Nāṣirī* relates that in the year 574 (A. D. 1178), the Sulṭān “marched an army towards Nahrwālah by way of Ūchchah and Multān. The Rāe of Nahrwālah, Bhīm Dīw, was young in years, but had numerous forces and many elephants, and when the battle took place, the army of Islam was defeated and put to rout, and the Sulṭān-i-Ghāzi returned again without having accomplished his designs.¹ Niẓam ud-Dīn tells us that “in the year 574 A.H. he again came to Uchch and Multan, and thence marched towards Gujrat through the desert. Rai Bhīm Deo, who was the ruler of the country, gave him battle ; and after a severe struggle, the Sulṭān was defeated, and after much trouble he returned to Ghaznīn and rested there for a short time.”² Firishta also repeats a similar story. We are told that “in the year 574, he again marched to Oocha and Moultan, and from thence continued his route through the sandy desert to Gujerat. The prince Bhīm-dew advanced with an army to resist the Mahomedans, and defeated them with great slaughter. They suffered many hardships in their retreat, before they reached Ghizny.”³