The Dynastic History of Northern India (Early Mediaeval Period) v2.c32.s4.199

v2.c32.s4.199

The Muslim army thus returned to Ghaznī, seemingly without being seriously troubled by the pursuit of the victorious Cāhamānas. This was a great blunder. Pṛthvīrāja soon after his victory invested the fort of Tabarhindah, and after a siege of 13 months compelled the Qāzī of Tūlak to capitulate and hand it over. After this success Pṛthvīrāja pitched his camp ‘in the neighbourhood of Tarā'īn.’ In the meantime Mu'izz ud-Dīn had completely reorganised his forces, and ‘in the following year’ (*i.e.*, A.H. 588 = A.D. 1192) appeared in the field of Tarā'īn with a cavalry force one hundred and twenty thousand strong, ‘arrayed in defensive armour.’ Minhāj tells us that the Sulṭān left ‘the centre division of the army, the baggage, the standards and banners, his canopy of state and elephants,’ several miles in the rear. He then advanced in a leisurely manner with the more mobile section of his troops. “The light-armed and unencumbered horsemen he had directed should be divided into four divisions, and had appointed them to act against the infidels on four sides; and the Sulṭān had commanded, saying: ‘It is necessary that, on the right and left and front and rear, 10,000 mounted archers should keep the infidel host in play; and when their elephants, horsemen and foot advance to the attack, you are to face about and keep the distance of a horse's course in front of them.’¹ The Musalmān troops acted according to these instructions, and having exhausted and wearied the unbelievers, Almighty God gave the victory to Islām, and the infidel host was overthrown. Rāe Pithorā, who was riding an elephant, dismounted and got upon a horse and fled from the field until in the neighbourhood of (the) Sarsutī,² he was taken prisoner, and they despatched him to hell; and Govind Rāe of Dihlī was slain in the engagement. The Sulṭān recognised his head through those two teeth which had been broken. The seat of government, Ajmīr, with the whole of the (territory), such as Hānsī, Sursuti¹ and other tracts were subjugated. These events took place, and this victory was achieved, in the year 588 H.; and the Sulṭān placed Malik Kuṭb-ud-Dīn, Ibak, in the fort of Kuhṟām, and returned home.''²