The history of Hindostan: from the earliest account of time, to the death of Akbar; translated from the Persian of Mahummud Casim Ferishta of Delhi: ... With an appendix, containing the history of the Mogul empire, from its decline in the reign of Mahummud Shaw, to the present times. By Alexander Dow. ... [pt.2]

PART IV. The History of HINDOSTAN, from the Invasion of TAMERLANE, to the final Conquest of that Country, by Sultan BABER; being a Period of one hundred and thirty years.

SECTION I. Of the Progress of AMIR TIMUR, or TAMERLANE, in Hindostan.

* 1.1* 1.2AMIR TIMUR, being informed of the commotions and civil wars of Hindostan, began his expedition into that country, in the eight hundredth year of the Higerah, and, on the twelfth of Mohirrim, in the following year, arrived on the banks of the Chule Jallali* 1.3. He immediately dispatched Amir Shech Noor ul Dien to dispossess Shab ul Dien Mubarick, who had, in charge, the defence of the frontier districts. When Shech Noor

* 1.4ul Dien had arrived within a few miles of Shab ul Dien Mubarick, he summoned him to submit to Timur. But as the imperial general had previously retreated into a strong hold, on the bank of the river, round which he had drawn a ditch, forming the place into an island, he determined to defend himself to the last.

Shech Noor ul Dien, however, found means, upon making his approaches, to fill up the ditch: but at night he suffered a consi∣derable loss, by a violent sally of the besieged; whom, in the end, he repulsed, and forced to take shelter within their walls. Amir Timur himself advanced against the enemy, with his whole army. Shab ul Dien intimidated, by the approach of Timur, stowed pri∣vately, in forty boats, his treasure and family, and fell down the river, being two days pursued in vain, by Shech Noor ul Dien, who was detached with a party after him. The garrison, after the departure of their leader, immediately surrendered.

Amir Timur proceeded down the river to the conflux of the Jimboo and Chinab, where there was a strong fort and town, known by the name of Tulmubini. He ordered a bridge to be laid across, by which his army might pass. * 1.5Having pitched his camp, without the town, he laid it under a heavy contribution. But whilst the inhabitants were very busy in collecting the sum demanded, a complaint being made in the camp, of the scarcity of provisions, orders were issued to seize grain wherever it should be found. The soldiers, upon this, hastened to search the town, but not being content to take provisions alone, the natural con∣sequence was, that a general plunder ensued. * 1.6The inhabitants, endeavouring to oppose this outrage, were massacred without mercy.

To besiege the citadel would but retard the designs of Timur. He therefore marched, the next day after the massacre, to a town called Shawnawaze, where he found more grain than was suffi∣cient

* 1.7to serve his whole army. * 1.8He therefore ordered, that what could not be carried away should be burnt; having previously cut off Jisserit, the brother of Shuha Giker, who had attempted to defend the place with two thousand men. Timur marched, on the third day, from Shawnawaze, and, crossing the Bea, came into a rich and plentiful country.

It may not be improper here to say something concerning the proceedings of Mirza Pier Mahummud, after his having, as has been already mentioned, taken Moultan. The Solstitial rains hav∣ing destroyed a great part of his cavalry, in the field, he was under the necessity of drawing his army into the city of Moultan. * 1.9There he was driven to the utmost distress by the inhabitants of the country, who had closely invested him. His cavalry, instead of being able to act against them, diminished daily in their numbers, for want of forage.

* 1.10In this untoward situation were the affairs of that prince, when his grandfather, Amir Timur, entered Hindostan, who immediately reinforced Mahummud with a detachment of thirty thousand chosen horse, and soon joined him with his whole army. The prince carried in his mind great animosity against the governor of Bat∣tenize, who had chiefly distressed him. Amir Timur himself, to chastise the governor, selected ten thousand horse, with which he marched directly towards him. When he reached Adjodin, he was shewn the tomb of Shech Ferid Shuckergunge, the poet, in respect to whose memory he spared the few inhabitants who remained in the place, the greater part having fled to Delhi and Battenize.

* 1.11Timur continued then his march to Battenize, crossing the river of Adjodin, and encamping at Chaliskole, from which place, in one day, he marched fifty crores to Battenize. Upon his arrival, the people of Debalpoor, and other adjacent towns, crowded into

* 1.12the place, in such numbers, that half of them were driven out, and obliged to take shelter under the walls. * 1.13They were there attacked, the first day, by the king, and some thousands of them slain. Raw Chillige, who was governor of the place, seeing the enemy so few in number, drew out the garrison, and formed them without the town, in order of battle. The Moguls, how∣ever, upon the first onset, drove him back within his walls, while the king himself pressed so hard upon the enemy's rear, that he possessed himself of the gates before they could be shut. Then driving the runaways from street to street, he became, in a few hours, intirely master of the place, except the citadel; to reduce which, he ordered a party immediately to dismount, and begin to undermine it.

* 1.14The garrison desired to capitulate, to which Timur agreed; and the governor, having had an interview with the king, presented him with three hundred Arabian horses, and with many of the va∣luable curiosities of Hindostan. Timur, in return, honoured him with a chelat; and after the conditions were settled, sent Amir So∣liman, Sheh, and Omar Ulla, to take possession of the gates, com∣manding them to slay all those who had taken refuge in the place, and had before been active against his grandson Mirza Pier Mahum∣mud. The rest, after being plundered, were ordered to be dis∣missed.

* 1.15In consequence of this inhuman order, five hundred persons, in a few minutes, were put to death. Those who remained still within the sort, were so struck with this massacre, that they set fire to the place, murdered their wives and children, and, in mere despair, sought after nothing but revenge and death. The scene now became terrible indeed! but the unfortunate inhabitants were, in the end, cut off to a man; they however revenged themselves amply, upon the rapacious and inhuman authors of their distress; some thou∣sands

* 1.16of the Moguls, having fallen by their hands. This so much exasperated Amir Timur, that firebrand of the world, that he or∣dered every soul in Battenize to be massacred, and to reduce the city itself to ashes.

* 1.17Timur, marching to Surusti, put the inhabitants of that place, also, to the sword, and gave the town up to pillage. Advancing to Fatteabad, he continued the same scene of barbarity, through that, and the adjacent towns of Rahib, Amirani, and Jonah. He de∣tached Hakîm Agherâck towards Sammana, with five thousand horse, and with the few that remained, he himself scoured the country, and cut off a tribe of banditti called Jits, who had lived for some years by rapine. His army, in the mean time, being di∣vided under different chiefs, carried fire and sword through all the provinces of Moultan and Lahore, but when they advanced, near the capital, he ordered a general rendezvous at Keitil, a town with∣in five crores of Sammana.

Timur himself soon joined his army, and having regulated the order of his march, advanced towards Delhi. When he reached Panniput, he ordered his soldiers to put on their fighting apparel* 1.18; and, that he might be the better supplied with forage, crossed the Jumna, took the fort of Lowni by assault, and put the garrison to the sword. * 1.19He then marched down along the river, and encamped opposite to the citadel of Delhi, posting guards to prevent all com∣munication. He immediately detached Amir Soliman Shaw, and Amir Jehan Shaw, to scour the country behind him to the south and south east of the city; * 1.20whilst he himself that very day, with seven hundred horse only, crossed the river to reconnoitre the citadel.

Mahmood Shaw and Mullu Eckbal Chan, seeing so few in the retinue of Timur, issued forth with five thousand foot and twenty-seven

* 1.21elephants against him. Mahummud Sillif, an Omrah of repute in Delhi, who led on the attack, was repulsed and taken prisoner by the Moguls. Timur ordered him to be immediately beheaded, and after having made the observations which he design∣ed, repassed the river and joined his army.

He next morning moved his camp more to the eastward, where he was told, by the princes and generals of his army, that there were then above one hundred thousand prisoners in his camp, who had been taken since he crossed the Sind; that these unfortunate persons had, the day before, expressed great joy, when they saw him attacked before the citadel; which rendered it extremely pro∣bable, that, on a day of battle, they would join with their country∣men against him. * 1.22The inhuman Timur, who might have found other means of prevention, gave orders to put all above the age of fifteen to the sword, so that, upon that horrid day, one hundred thousand men were massacred, in cold blood. This barbarity, to∣gether with his other actions of equal cruelty, gained him the name of Hillâk Chan, or the destroying Prince.

* 1.23Upon the fifth of Jemmad ul Awil, Timur forded the river with his army without opposition, and encamped on the plains of Firo∣seabad; where he entrenched himself, filling the ditch with buffa∣loes fronting the enemy, whom he fastened with ropes and picquets to their stations, placing, at the same time, strong guards, at proper distances, behind them.

Though the astrologers pronounced the seventh an unlucky day, the king marched out of his lines, and drew up his army in order of battle. Sultan Mamood and Mullu Eckbal Chan, with the ar∣my of Delhi, and one hundred and twenty elephants in mail, ad∣vanced towards him. But upon the very first charge of a squa∣dron, called the Heroes of Chighitta, the elephant-drivers were dis∣mounted,

* 1.24and the outrageous animals, deprived of their guides, ran roaring back, and spread terror and confusion among their own ranks. * 1.25The veteran troops of Timur, who had already conquered half the world, improved this advantage, and the degenerate Hin∣doos were, in a few minutes, totally routed, without making one brave effort for their country, lives, and fortunes. The conqueror pursued them, with great slaughter, to the very gates of Delhi, near which he fixed his quarters.

* 1.26The consternation of the fugitives was so great, that, not trust∣ing to their walls, Sultan Mamood and Mullu Eckbal Chan, de∣serted, in the night, their capital; the former flying to Guzerat, the latter taking the route of Berren. Timur, having intelligence of their flight, detached parties after them, one of which coming up with Sultan Mamood, killed a great number of his retinue, and took his two infant sons, Seif ul Dien and Choda Daad, prisoners. Timur received the submission of all the great men of the city, who crowded to his camp, and were promised protection upon paying great contributions; and, upon the Friday following, he ordered the Chutba in all the mosques, to be read in his own name. Upon the sixteenth of the same month he placed guards at the gates, and appointed the scriviners of the city, and magistrates, to regulate the contribution according to the wealth and rank of the inhabitants. Information was, in the mean time, lodged, that several omrahs and rich men had shut themselves up in their houses, with their de∣pendents, and refused to pay down their share of the ransom. This obliged Timur Shaw to send troops into the city, to enforce the au∣thority of the magistrates. A general confusion, uproar, and plun∣dering, immediately ensued, which could not be restrained by the Mogul officers, who, at the same time, durst not acquaint the king that their authority was contemned by the troops.

* 1.27Timur was then busy in his camp, in celebrating a grand festival, on account of his victory, so that it was five days before he received any intelligence of these proceedings. The first notice he had of them, was by the flames of the city; for the Hindoos, according to their manner, seeing their wives and daughters ravished and pol∣luted, their wealth seized by the hand of rapine, and they them∣selves insulted, beat, and abused, at length, by one consent, shut the city gates, set fire to their houses, murthered their wives and children, and ran out like madmen against their enemies.

* 1.28But little effect had the despair of the unfortunate upon the Mo∣guls, who soon collected themselves, and began a general massacre. Some streets were rendered impassable, by the heaps of dead; and, in the mean time, the gates being forced, the whole Mogul army were admitted. Then followed a scene of horror, much easier to be imagined than described.

* 1.29The desperate courage of the unfortunate Delhians, was at length cooled in their own blood. They threw down their weapons, they submitted themselves like sheep to the slaughter. They permitted one man to drive a hundred of them prisoners before him; so that we may plainly perceive, that cowardice is the mother of despair. In the city the Hindoos were, at least, ten to one, superior in num∣ber to the enemy, and had they possessed souls, it would have been impossible for the Moguls, who were scattered about in every street, house, and corner, laden with plunder, to have resisted the dreadful assault. But though the Hindoos had the savage resolution of im∣b•…•…ing their hands in the blood of their wives and children, we find them still the slaves of fear, and shrinking at the approach of that death, which they could so readily execute upon others.

* 1.30This massacre is, in the History of Nizam ul Dien Ahmud, other∣wise related. The collectors of the ransom, says he, upon the part

* 1.31of Timur, having used great violence, by torture and other means, to extort money, the citizens fell upon them, and killed some of the Moguls. This circumstance being reported to the Mogul king, he ordered a general pillage, and, upon resistance, a massacre to com∣mence. This account carries greater appearance of truth along with it, both from Timur's general character of cruelty, and the improbability of his being five days close to the city without having intelligence of what passed within the walls.

But the race of the Mogul prince take, to this day, great pains to invalidate this opinion, nor do they want arguments upon their side. The principal one is this, that, in consequence of a general plunder, the king would have been deprived of the ransom, which must have been exceedingly great, and for which he only received the elephants and regalia. Neither have we any account of his taking any part of the plunder from his army afterwards, though it must have been very immense.

* 1.32The king, after this horrid scene, entered the city, taking to himself one hundred and twenty elephants, twelve rhinoceroses, and a number of curious animals, that had been collected by Firose Shaw. The fine mosque, built by that prince, upon the stones of which he had inscribed the history of his reign, being esteemed a master-piece of architecture and taste, took so much the fancy of the conqueror, that he ordered stone-cutters and masons from Delhi to Samarcand, to build one upon the same plan.

* 1.33After having stayed fifteen days at Delhi, Timur took a sudden resolution of returning, and he accordingly marched out to Firo∣seabad, whither Bahadre Nahir sent him two white parrots, as cu∣riosities from Mewat, with prosessions of subjection. The king sent Seid Shumse ul Dien Turmuzi to bring him to the presence, which

* 1.34summons he immediately obeyed; and Chizer Chan, who had lain concealed in the hills, presented himself at court, and was fa∣vorably received.

* 1.35The king marching from Firoseabad arrived at Paniput, from whence he detached Amir Shaw Malluk, to besiege Merat, a strong fort, situated between the rivers, about thirty crores from Delhi. When Amir Shaw Malluk reached the place, upon reconnoitring its strength, and finding the garrison determined to defend it, he mentioned in a letter to the king, that they insulted him from the walls, by telling him he could succeed no better than Tirrim Seri Chan, the Mogul Prince, who had formerly attempted to take the place.

* 1.36This had the desired effect upon the king, who immediately marched his army against Merat, and, without delay, began to sink his mines, and carry on his approaches; advancing his sap towards the walls, at the rate of fifteen yards every twenty-four hours. Elias Adyhuni, the son of Moluna, Ahmud Jannasure, and Mulleck Suffi Kebire, defended the place with great resolution. But the Moguls having filled up the ditch, placed their scaling lad∣ders, and fastened their hook-ropes to the wall, in spite of all op∣position; and, without waiting for a breach, by means of the mines, stormed the place, and put every soul within it to the sword. The mines, however, being finished, the king ordered them to be sprung, which blew the walls and bastions into pieces.

* 1.37Timur continued his march to the skirts of the mountains of Sewalic, marking his way with fire and sword. Crossing, then, the Ganges, he subdued the country as high as where the river issues from the mountains; returning from thence, he repassed the river, and marched through the hills, where he was opposed by a zemindar called Zein Dund, whom he defeated and plundered.

* 1.38He then continued his rout, taking several small forts in his way; having arrived at Jimmugur, he fought the raja of that place, who was wounded, taken, and forced to become a Mussulman.

Jisserit, the brother of Shuha Gicker, who had fled to him after his being defeated by Timur Shaw, had by his brother been severely reprimanded for opposing the king; which having been represented to Timur, Shuha Gicker was admitted into his presence, and became a great favorite. But when the king had marched on to Delhi, he remembered not his obedience, and in the absence of Ti∣mur possessed himself of Lahore. * 1.39The king having returned to Jimbo* 1.40, Shuha Gicker refused to submit to his authority. The sultan sent part of his army to besiege Shuha Gicker in Lahore, which being taken in a few days, he was brought prisoner to the king, who ordered him to be instantly beheaded.

We do not find that Timur appointed any king to govern Hin∣dostan, which he had in a great measure subdued. He, however, confirmed the subas, who had submitted to him, in their govern∣ments; and, from this circumstance, we may suppose, that he in∣tended to retain the empire in his own name; though he left no troops behind him, except a small detachment in Delhi, to secure it from further depredations. While he remained at Jimbo, he appointed Chizer Chan viceroy of Moultan, Lahore, and Dibalpoor, then proceeded, by the way of Cabul, to Samurcand.

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SECTION II. The conclusion of the reign of MAHMOOD SHAW.

* 1.41THE city of Delhi had remained in anarchy for the space of two months, when it was taken possession of by Nuserit Shaw, with only two thousand horse, from Merat. Shab Chan and Mal∣leck Almass, with their troops and ten elephants, joined him soon after from the same place; Nuserit Shaw sent immediately Shab Chan, with his troops, towards Birren, against Eckbal Chan, who had there taken up his residence. But Shab Chan was attacked, in the night, upon his march, by the zemindars in the interest of Eckbal Chan, and slain; Eckbal Chan pursuing this advantage, took all the baggage of Shab Chan's army.

This success raising the reputation as well as spirits of Eckbal Chan, he, in a few days, thought himself in a condition to at∣tempt the capital, which he did with success; for Nuserit Shaw, upon his approach, fled to Merat; * 1.42and Eckbal Chan resumed the administration of affairs in the ruined city. The inhabitants, who had fled to different places, having still a natural hankering after their old abode, began to assemble again, and the place, in a short time, put on the appearance of populousness, especially the quarter called the New City.

* 1.43Eckbal Chan possessed himself soon of the country between the two rivers, which, with a small district round the city, was all that now held of the capital. * 1.44The subas had rendered themselves inde∣pendent, in their own governments, during the misfortunes and confusion of the empire. Guzerat was seized upon by Chan Azim Ziffer Chan;—Malava by Delawir Chan;—Kinnoge, Oud, Kur∣rah, and Jionpoor, by Sultan ul Shirk Chaja Jehan;—Lahore, Di∣balpoor,

* 1.45and Moultan, by Chizer Chan;—Sammana by Ghalil Chan;—Beana by Shumse Chan;—Mahoba by Mahummud Chan ben Malleck Zadda Firose; and so on with regard to the other pro∣vinces, the governors asserting their own independence, and stiling themselves kings.

* 1.46* 1.47In the month of Jemmad ul Awil, 803, Eckbal Chan marched with an army from Delhi towards Biana, and defeated Shumse Chan; whose troops joining him, he proceeded to Kittar, and after having levied a great contribution upon the territory of Narsingh, returned to Delhi. Intelligence was soon after brought him, that Chaja Jehan was dead at Jionpoor, and that his adopted son, Kir∣rinphil, having assumed the title of Sultan Mubarick Shaw, held that government. Eckbal Chan being in alliance with Shumse Chan, governor of Biana, Mubarick Chan and Bahadre Nahir of Mewat, marched the same year against Kirrinphil.

When he had reached the village of Pattiali, upon the banks of the Ganges, Rai Sere, and all the zemindars of that country, op∣posed him; but he defeated them, with great slaughter. After this victory, he marched to Kinnoge, with an intention to proceed to Jionpoor, and from thence to Lucknouti. * 1.48Upon his march, how∣ever, he was met by Mubarick Shaw, who opposed his crossing the Ganges so effectually, that, after repeated efforts for two months, he was forced to abandon the undertaking, and to return to his own country. * 1.49* 1.50But the perfidious Eckbal, entertaining some groundless suspicions of Shumse Chan and Mubarick Chan, assassinated them both upon their way back to their own governments.

* 1.51Sultan Mahmood Shaw, in the year 804, being disgusted with Ziffer Chan at Guzerat, fled from him to Malava, and soon after, by the invitation of Eckbal Chan, returned to Delhi. He, how∣ever, contented himself with a pension, fearing that his interfering

* 1.52in the government would prove fatal to him. Advice being arrived, that Mubarick Shaw was dead, at Jionpoor, Eckbal Chan, taking along with him Sultan Mahmood, marched again towards Kin∣noge; upon which Sultan Ibrahim, the brother of Mubarick Shaw, who had mounted the throne, advanced with the troops of the East to meet him.

* 1.53When the armies were near one another, Sultan Mahmood, dissa∣tisfied with his condition, and having the folly to imagine that Sultan Ibrahim would acknowledge him king, and abdicate the throne for his sake, escaped, one day, when he was out hunting, to the army of Ibrahim. But when that prince learned the intentions of Mah∣mood, he even with-held from him the necessaries of life, and inti∣mated to him to quit the camp. * 1.54Sultan Mahmood returned, in great distress, to Kinnoge, and was left, by Eckbal Chan, in the government of that city; the governor, who was formerly there on the part of Sultan Ibrahim, being driven out. Ibrahim, however, put up with this insult, and returned to Jionpoor, while Eckbal Chan retired to Delhi.

* 1.55* 1.56In the year 805, Eckbal Chan marched against Gualier, which had fallen into the hands of Narsing, during the invasion of Timur, and had now, upon Narsing's death, descended to his son, Byram Deo Rajaput. The fort being very strong, he could effect no∣thing against it, but plundering the district around, he returned to Delhi. Brooking ill, however, this disappointment, he, in a short time, marched a second time against Gualier. Byram Deo sallied out of the place, and engaged Eckbal Chan, but he was soon driven back into the fort, the siege of which Eckbal Chan was again obliged to raise; and having plundered the country as before, he returned to Delhi.

* 1.57* 1.58Eckbal Chan, in the year 807, drew his army towards Atava, and having, in several battles, defeated Rai Sibbiri, Rai Gualier, Rai Jallar, and others, who possessed that country, he raised con∣tributions there. * 1.59He then turned his arms against Sultan Mah∣mood, in Kinnoge. The Sultan shut himself up in the city, and Eckbal Chan invested it for some time, but, not being able to reduce the place, he raised the siege, and marched towards Sam∣mana.

* 1.60Byram Chan, a descendant of one of the Turkish slaves of Firose Shaw, had fixed himself in Sammana, and, upon the approach of Eckbal Chan, had fled to the hills of Budhoor; Eckbal closely pursuing him, encamped at the skirts of the mountains. Seid Alim ul Dien came to mediate matters, and a peace was soon patched up between the contending parties, and both joining their forces together, marched towards Moultan, against Chizer Chan. At Tilbundi they were opposed by Rai Daood, Camal Mai, and Rai Hubbu, who were defeated and taken prisoners. * 1.61The perfidi∣ous Eckbal Chan, after this victory, without any apparent reason, except a desire of aggrandizing himself, seized upon Byram Chan, and ordered him to be flay'd alive.

The death of Byram did not remain long unrevenged. Eckbal arriving near Adjodin, Chizer Chan met him, with the troops of Moultan, Punjaab, and Dibalpoor, and, upon the nineteenth of Jemad ul Awil the two armies engaged; * 1.62Eckbal Chan was slain, and the world was happily rid of a perfidious and cruel villain.

* 1.63Dowlat Chan Lodi and Actiar Chan, who commanded in Delhi, being informed of this event, called Sultan Mahmood from Kin∣noge. * 1.64The Sultan, coming with a small retinue to Delhi, reas∣sumed the throne; but, laying aside any further efforts to reduce Moultan, he sent Dowlat Chan with an army against Byram Chan,

* 1.65* 1.66who, upon the death of the former Byram Chan, possessed him∣self of Sammana. The emperor himself returned back, in the mean time, to Kinnoge; * 1.67Sultan Ibrahim marched against him, and, after some skirmishes, obliged him to retreat to Delhi. The Sultan's spiritless behaviour lost him the affections of his troops, and they accordingly, with one consent, dispersed themselves.

Sultan Ibrahim, having received intelligence of this desertion, crossed the Ganges, and marched towards Delhi, with great ex∣pedition. When he had reached the banks of the Jumna, he heard that Chan Azim Ziffer Chan of Guzerat, had taken Alip Chan, Suba of Mindu, and the country of Malava, and was then upon his march towards Jionpoor. Upon which he immediately re∣treated, to cover the capital of his dominions.

* 1.68* 1.69In the month of Rigib, 810, Dowlat Chan Lodi and Byram Chan, the Turk, came to battle near Sammana. Byram Chan was defeated, and surrendered himself to Dowlat Chan; but be∣fore the latter had enjoyed any fruits of his victory, he was him∣self beat back to Delhi, by Chizer Chan. Sultan Mahmood, in the following year, marched against Keiwan Chan, who, upon the part of Chizer Chan, commanded the fort of Firosa. The Sultan, after levying contributions, returned; * 1.70and Chizer Chan, upon advice of these transactions, marched against Delhi, and be∣sieged Sultan Mahmood, who was neither a warrior nor a politician, in Firoseabad. But fortune, for this time, supplied the want of abi∣lities in Mahmood, for Chizer Chan being in want of forage and grain, was obliged to raise the siege, and retire to Fattipoor.

* 1.71* 1.72Chizer Chan, in the beginning of the year 814, returned by the way of Rhotuck, a country then in the possession of Sultan Mah∣mood, where Malleck Ecteriz and Mubariz Chan, declining hosti∣lities, submitted to his pleasure. He plundered the town of Nar∣noul,

* 1.73and again advanced to Delhi; Mahmood Shaw shut him∣self up in the old citadel of Seri, which Chizer Chan immediately besieged. Achtiar Chan, who commanded in Firoseabad, seeing the affairs of Mahmood in a desperate situation, joined himself to Chi∣zer Chan, and admitted him into the place. They then, with all their troops, took possession of the country on the opposite side of the river, and prevented all supplies from Sultan Mahmood.

But that famine which they designed for the Sultan and his ad∣herents, recoiled upon themselves; for a great drought had occa∣sioned a scarcity of provisions between the rivers, and in the neigh∣bourhood of Delhi; * 1.74insomuch that Chizer Chan was, a second time, forced to raise the siege, and retire to Fattipoor. Mahmood Shaw being delivered from this imminent danger, took no pains to strengthen himself against a future attack. * 1.75He took the diversion of hunting in the neighbourhood of Keitul, where he was seized with a fever, and died in the month of Zecada; and with him the empire of Delhi fell from the race of the Turks, who were ad∣opted slaves of Sultan Shab ul Dien Ghori.

* 1.76The disastrous, interrupted, and inglorious reign of the weak Mahmood, lasted twenty years and two months. He was just as un∣fit for the age in which he lived, as he was unworthy of better times. God was angry with the people of Hindostan, and he gave them Mahmood, whose only virtue was, that his folly made him insensible, in a great measure, to those strokes of fortune, which abilities much greater than his could not, perhaps, avert. The omrahs, soon after his death, elected, in his stead, Dowlat Chan Lodi, a Patan by nation, and originally a private secretary, whom Sultan Mah∣mood had raised to the dignity of Aziz Mumalick* 1.77.

SECTION III. The reign of DOWLAT CHAN LODI.

* 1.78* 1.79DOWLAT CHAN LODI being received upon the throne, struck the currency in his own name, and began his admini∣stration in the month of Mohirrim, 816. He was immediately joined by Malleck Ecteriz, and Mubariz Chan, who abandoned the interest of Chizer Chan. He marched, in the first month of his reign, towards Kittar, and was met by Rai Narsingh, and other zemindars of those districts, who acknowledged his title. Arri∣ving at the town of Battiali, Mohabut Chan, of Budaoon, came to meet him.

Advices, in the mean time, arrived, that Sultan Ibrahim Shirki was besieging Kadir Chan, the son of Mahmood Chan, in Calpee, but as the sultan had not forces enough to march to his relief, he returned to Delhi to recruit his army. Chizer Chan, who had been preparing to invade the capital, advanced, in the month of Zihidge, with sixty thousand horse, and a third time laid siege to the citadel of Seri, whither Dowlat Chan had retired. * 1.80After a siege of four months, he obliged Dowlat Chan, upon the 15th of Ribbi ul Awil, in the year 817, to surrender himself and the citadel. The emperor was confined in the fort of Firosa, where he died soon after. He reigned one year and three months.

SECTION IV. The reign of CHIZER CHAN BEN SOLIMAN.

* 1.81* 1.82THE most accurate historians of those times affirm, that Chizer Chan was of the race of the Prophet, and conse∣quently, what the Islamites call a Seid. * 1.83His father, Malleck Soli∣man, being a person of some distinction, became the adopted son of Malleck Murdan Dowlat, a great omrah, and Suba of Moultan, in the reign of Firose Shaw. Malleck Murdan Dowlat was, upon his death, succeeded in his government by his own son Malleck Shech; and he soon dying, Malleck Soliman was appointed to that vice-royship, which descended to Chizer Chan from his father. Chizer being defeated, as we have already observed, by Saring Chan, and driven from his country, he waited upon Timur Shaw, after the conquest of Delhi, and, having gained his favor, was by him re∣instated in his former government, with the addition of Punjaab and Dibalpoor. This accession of strength enabled him to pave afterwards his way to the empire.

Chizer Chan, upon his accession, conferred the title Tage ul Malleck, upon Malleck Joppa, and made him Vizier; and that of Alla ul Malleck upon Abdul Rahim, the adopted son of Mal∣leck Soliman, with the government of Fattepoor and Moultan. * 1.84He thus distributed favors, governments, and dignities among his other omrahs, but would not assume the imperial titles to himself, hold∣ing forth, that he held the empire for Timur Shaw: and ordered the coin to be struck in his name. * 1.85The Chutba, during the life of Timur, was read in that conqueror's name in the mosques; and af∣ter Timur had travelled the way of mortality, in that of Mirza Sharock, mentioning the name of Chizer Chan after him. He even sent sometimes a tribute to Samarcand.

* 1.86* 1.87In the first year of his reign he sent Tage ul Malleck, with an army, towards Kittar, which he subdued, and drove Rai Narsingh to the mountains; but upon paying a tribute Rai Narsingh was again put in possession of his country. Mohabut Chan, Suba of Badaoon, at the same time came to meet Tage ul Malleck, and pro∣mised allegiance; and from thence he marched towards Koes, Kumbul, and Chidewar, and levied the revenues which were due for some years before. After recovering Jellasar out of the hands of the Rajaputs of Chundwar, Malleck marched to Atava, which he brought under subjection, by changing the administration; and after these exploits returned to Delhi.

In the month Jemmad ul Awil of this year, a tribe of Turks, who were of the adherents of Byram Chan, assassinating Malleck Siddic, governor of Sirhind, took possession of his country. * 1.88Chi∣zer Chan sent Zirick Chan, with a powerful army, against them, and, upon his approach, the Turks crossed the Suttuluz, and re∣treated to the hills. Zirick Chan pursued them thither; but those mountains being a continuation of those of Nagracot, which were then possessed by powerful zemindars, who assisted the Turks, he could effect nothing material against them; and, in the end, he was obliged to retreat.

Intelligence was, in the year 819, received at Delhi, that Sultan Ahmud Shaw, of Guzerat, had advanced to Nagore. * 1.89Chizer Chan, mustering all his forces, marched against him, but Ahmud Shaw, declining battle, turned off towards Malava. When Chizer Chan had reached Hanir, Elias Chan, governor of that beautiful city, which had been built by Sultan Alla ul Dien Chilligie, came out to meet him, and was honorably received. The Sultan proceeded from thence to Gaulier, where he levied the tribute upon the Raja, and then continued his march to Biana, taking tribute from Kerim ul Mu∣luck. He after these transactions returned to Delhi.

* 1.90In the year 820, Taan, chief of those Turks who had assas∣sinated Malleck Siddie, lay at the head of a great army before Sirhind. * 1.91Zirick Chan, governor of Sammana, was immediately dispatched by Chizer, with a strong force, against the Turk who besieged Sirhind, and he was once more driven back to his hills; and a seasonable relief was accomplished for the empire. Zirick Chan having, in pursuit of the enemy, reached the village of Pael, Taan consented to pay tribute, and gave him his son as a hostage, expelling the murderers of Malleck Siddic. Upon this pacification he was left in possession of Jallender, and Zirick Chan returned to Sammana, sending the hostage and contributions which he had raised, to the royal presence.

* 1.92The sultan, in the year 821, sent Tage ul Malleck against Raja Narsingh. Malleck, without ending the war, plundered and laid waste the province of Kittar, and returned to Budaoon. Crossing then the river, he came to Atava, where he raised contributions, and from thence returned to Delhi. Chizer went, in person, against the rebels of Kittar, and, upon his march, chastised the ban∣ditti of Schole. He crossed the Rahib, laid waste the country of Simbol and Kittar, and, without coming to battle, returned to his capital.

He continued at Delhi a few days, and then moved towards Bu∣daoon, crossing the Ganges at Pattali. Mahabut Chan being alarmed at his approach, shut himself up in Budaoon, where the king be∣sieged him for six months. In the course of the siege, Cawam Chan, Achtiar Chan Lodi, and all the old friends of Mahmood Shaw, formed a conspiracy against the life of Chizer. * 1.93The sultan discovering the plot, decamped from before Budaoon, and returned towards Delhi. * 1.94He, on his way, prepared an entertainment, upon the 20th of Jem∣mad ul Awil, in 822, to which all the conspirators were invited, and the guards setting suddenly upon them, they were to a man as∣sassinated.

* 1.95* 1.96After the sultan returned to Delhi, he was informed, that an im∣postor had appeared at Matchewarrah, under the name of Saring Chan, and had, by that means, collected a great body of people to∣gether. The king ordered Maleck Sultan Sheh Lodi, who, with the title of Islam Chan, was, at that time, governor of Sirhind, against him. * 1.97The impostor was defeated, driven to the hills, and pursued by the joint forces of Maleck Taan, governor of Jallender, of Zirick Chan, governor of Sammana, and of Maleck Cheir ul Dien, governor of the country between the rivers. The impostor's army deserted him, each man skulking as best he could, and private∣ly retiring to his abode. The imperial forces having no further ser∣vice to do, separated, and returned to their respective stations.

* 1.98But, in the year following, Saring Chan, the impostor, issued again from his hills, and having made an alliance with Maleck Taan, governor of Jallender, they invested the fort of Sirhind, and ravaged the country as far as Munsurepoor and Pael. * 1.99The king sent a great army against them, who, giving them a total defeat, drove them out of the kingdom.

* 1.100In the year 824, Chizer Chan marched towards Mewat, taking and destroying the fort of Kotillah. Tage ul Maleck dying at that time, the vizarit was conferred upon his son. The sultan turned from thence towards Gualier, where he raised contributions, and then hastened to Attava, levying tribute on the son of Rai Sibbere, who then possessed that country. * 1.101Falling sick during his progress, he returned to Delhi, where he died on the 17th of Jemmad ul Awil, of this year. He reigned seven years, and a few months; and his death was greatly lamented by the people, being esteemed a just, generous, and benevolent prince, for that age.

SECTION V. The reign of MOAZ UL DIEN ABUL FATTE Sultan MUBARICK SHAW.

* 1.102WHEN Chizer Chan had, by the violence of his disorder, lost all hopes of recovery, he, three days before he expired, appointed his eldest son to succeed him in the empire. * 1.103Accordingly, two days after the sultan's death, Mubarick Shaw ascended the throne, by the title of Moaz ul Dien Abul Fatte. The new em∣peror made the usual appointments, raising Maleck Buddir, his cousin, to high honours; and Maleck Rigib ben Suldivi Nadir, to the government of Dibalpoor and Punjaab.

* 1.104In the month of Jammud ul Awil, he received advices, that Jis∣serit, the brother of Shecha Gicker, who had, the preceding year, defeated and taken Sultan Ali, king of Cashmire, upon his return from an expedition against Tatta, presuming upon his own power and valour, had taken a resolution to attempt the throne of Delhi. He, for this purpose, invited into his service Maleck Taan, who had fled to the mountains, and appointed him Amir ul Omrah, or com∣mander in chief of his troops. He soon over-run the countries of Punjaab and Lahore, seized upon Zirick Chan, governor of Jallen∣der, by persidious means, after which he took the place; and im∣mediately thereafter besieged Islam Chan in Sirhind.

* 1.105Sultan Mubarick Shaw, though the solstitial rains were then in their height, marched from Delhi, and upon his approach to Sir∣hind, Jisserit raised the siege, and retreated to Ludhana. Zirick Chan, at that place, sound means to escape from him, and join the king. The emperor advanced towards Ludhana and Jisserit, cros∣sing the Suttuluz, encamped on the opposite bank; having first pos∣sessed

* 1.106himself of all the boats upon the river, which circumstance obliged Mubarick to halt, till the water should fall at Kabulpoor, Jisserit, in the mean time, being determined to oppose his passage. Upon the 11th of Shuwal, Maleck Secunder Topha Vizier, Zirick Chan, Mahmood Hassen, Maleck Callu, and other omrahs, ac∣cording to the sultan's order, made a forced march, and forded the river, the Sultan himself following them close to support them with the body of the army. Jisserit, by this means, was thrown into confusion, and turned his face to flight. The Sultan kept close to his heels, slew, in the pursuit, a great many of the enemy, and took all their baggage.

Jisserit, after this defeat, took refuge in the mountains, in a very distressed condition. But Rai Bimé of Jimmu, having directed the king's army to Bile, a strong fort into which Jisserit had thrown him∣self, he fled to another place, but was pursued with great slaughter, * 1.107and Mubarick Shaw, in the Mohirim, of 825, directed his march to Lahore, ordered the ruined palaces and fortifications to be repaired, and, appointing Malleck Hassen governor, returned to Delhi.

* 1.108Jisserit, collecting his scattered forces, took the field again, and in∣vested Lahore for five months, without success. He then raised the siege, retired to Callanore, and fell upon Rai Bimé, for having given assistance to the king; but the action, which ensued between them, being undecisive, Jisserit went to the banks of the Bea, and began to recruit his army.

In the mean time, Malleck Secunder Topha, who had been sent to succour Lahore, joined by Malleck Rigib, governor of Debal∣poor, and by Islam Chan Lodi, governor of Sirhind, advanced to∣wards Jisserit, * 1.109and obliged him to cross the Ravi and Chinaab, and to take shelter among the hills. Secunder Topha marched along the Ravi to Callanore; and, upon the frontiers of Jimmu, Rai Bimé

* 1.110joined him, and leading the imperial troops through the hills, where the Gickers were concealed, some thousands of that unhappy peo∣ple were put to the sword, and Topha returned to Lahore.

These successes prevailed upon the king to appoint Topha vice∣roy of Lahore, and to recall Hassen. But, in the year eight hun∣dred and twenty six, the Sultan deprived him of the vizarit, and conferred it upon Surur ul Muluck, whom he dispatched against the Hindoos of Kittar. The emperor himself followed that general with a greater army. * 1.111The inhabitants of Kittar were sub∣dued, and a great tribute exacted from them. The Sultan having settled affairs with Mahabut Chan, governor of Budaoon, commanded him to march against the tribe of Toor, whom that general plundered, and took prisoners to a man. The Raja of Attava hav∣ing, at this time, withdrawn himself from the king's camp, Sultan Mubarick pursued him to that place, and besieged him there. But terms of peace were settled between them, and the Raja's son given as a hostage for his father's future good behaviour. The king, after these transactions, returned to Delhi.

Malleck Hassen was, about this time, appointed Buxshi, or pay∣master and commander in chief of the troops. Jisserit, unconquered by his misfortunes, raised again his head, and, having defeated and slain Rai Bimé, by a fresh acquisition of reputation and wealth, raised an army of Gickers, with which he again attempted the conquest of Delhi. Having ravaged the countries of Lahore and Debalpoor, he collected together very considerable plunder, but when Malleck Se∣cunder Topha advanced against him, he did not chuse to risque a battle, and therefore retired, with his spoils, to the hills, where he busied himself in recruiting his army for another attempt.

In the mean time, Jisserit made an alliance with Amir Ali, a Mogul Omrah, a subject of Mirza Sharoch, who resided at Cabul.

* 1.112He persuaded Amir Ali to make an incursion into the territories of Seistan, Backer, and Tatta, to draw off the king's attention from Delhi, and so to facilitate his own schemes. Malleck Alla ul Dien, regent of Moultan, dying about this time, and the news of Amir Ali's incursion being noised abroad, the sultan, without delay, sent Malleck Mahummud Hassen, with the army, towards Moultan. Sultan Hoshung, raja of Malava, had, in the same year, invested Gualier, which obliged Sultan Mubarick Shaw to raise all the forces of those provinces, and to march against him; levying, on his way, contributions upon Amir Chan, of Biana.

* 1.113Sultan Hoshung, upon the approach of Mubarick, crossed the Chumbul, and sat down on the opposite bank. Mubarick Shaw having, in the mean time, found another ford, crossed the river with great expedition, attacked Hoshung in his camp, took many priso∣ners, and a part of the enemy's baggage. The prisoners being found to be Mahommedans, were dismissed by the king. * 1.114Hoshung thought it then adviseable to compound all differences, by paying down a sum of money to the sultan; upon which he was permitted to withdraw towards Dhar. Mubarick Shaw having tarried for some time in that place, to levy contributions upon the neighbouring Ze∣mindars, returned, in the month of Rigib, eight hundred and twenty seven, to Delhi.

The sultan, next year, made a motion towards Kittar, where Rai Narsingh came to the banks of the Ganges, to pay his respects to him; but as he did not pay the revenues of his territory, for three years back, he was confined for a few days, till his accounts were settled, and then he was released. The sultan crossed the river, chastised some riotous Zemindars, and returned to Delhi. * 1.115He did not remain there many days, before he drew his army towards Mewat, from whence he drove the rebels to the hills, and ravaging their country, returned to Delhi; * 1.116and permitting his omrahs to re∣tire

* 1.117to their jagiers, he gave himself up to pleasure and fes∣tivity.

* 1.118But the inhabitants of Mewat, rendered more desperate and distressed by the king's bad policy, in ruining their country, were obliged to prey upon their neighbours, and to infest all the adja∣cent countries. This circumstance obliged the king, in the year eight hundred and twenty nine, to collect again an army to subdue them. Upon his approach, Jillu and Kiddu, the grandsons of Bad∣hader Nahir, retreated to the hills of Alwar, where they defended the passes with great bravery. Being, at length, reduced to great distress, they surrendered themselves, were imprisoned, their country was again ravaged, and the sultan returned to Delhi.

* 1.119But the distresses of the people of Mewat did not render them peaceable subjects. The sultan, after a recess of four months only, was again obliged to turn his arms against them, and to carry fire and sword through their whole country. He proceeded as far as Biana, where, after the death of Amir Chan, his brother Ma∣hummud held the chief sway. Upon the approach of the sultan, Mahummud shut himself up in the city, which he held out against the king sixteen days; but, upon the desertion of the greatest part of the garrison, he surrendered at discretion, and was, with a rope about his neck, brought into the presence. The sultan de∣livered the city to the care of Muckbul Chan, and sent Mahummud and his family to Delhi. To Malleck Cheir ul Dien Topha he gave in charge the town of Sikri, known now by the name of Fattipoor, marched to Gualier, raised contributions there, and re∣turned to Delhi. He removed, at that time, Mahummud Hassen from the government of Moultan to that of Firosa, bestowing the former upon Malleck Rigib Nadir.

* 1.120* 1.121During these transactions Mahummud Chan found means to escape, with his family, to Mewat, and collecting a considerable force, took the city of Biana, in the absence of Muckbul Chan, on an expedition to Mahaban. The sultan dispatched Malleck Mu∣bariz, whom he appointed to that government, to drive Mahum∣mud Chan from thence. Mahummud retired into the fort, when Malleck Mubariz took possession of the country. After a few days siege he left the defence of the place to some trusty friends, * 1.122and, issuing out himself, escaped to Sultan Ibrahim Shirki, who was ad∣vancing with an army against Calpee.

Kadir Shaw, governor of Calpee, upon this occasion sent ex∣presses to Delhi, for succours. Mubarick Shaw hastened to his re∣lief, and having reached Aterawli, detached Malleck Mahummud Hassen, with ten thousand horse, against Muchtiss Chan, the brother of Sultan Shirki, who was in motion with a considerable force to reduce Attava. This detachment, however, encountering Muchtiss, drove him back to his brother, and Mahummud Hassen returned to the army.

Sultan Shirki advanced along the banks of the Black River to Burhanabad, from thence to the village of Raberi, and so on to the banks of Kinhire, where he encamped. Mubarick Shaw, in the mean time, crossing the Jumna, near Chundwar, encamped within five crores of the enemy. Both armies remained in their trenches for the space of twenty-two days, during which time, slight skirmishes daily happened between them. * 1.123Sultan Shirki, however, upon the seventh of Jemmad ul Achir, marched out of his camp, and offered battle to the king. Mubarick Shaw, though he declined to risque his own person, ordered out his army to op∣pose Shirki, under the command of his Vizier Surur ul Muluck, Seid ul Sadit, and Seid Sallam.

* 1.124* 1.125The action commenced, with great fury, about noon, and night parted the combatants; both armies retreating to their respective camps. Sultan Shirki, however, marched off, in the morning, to∣wards Jionpoor, while Mubarick Shaw, contenting himself with the advantage he had gained, returned towards Gualier, crossing the river at Hitgaut. Having received there the usual presents, he turned off towards Biana, into which Mahummud Chan had again thrown himself, after the battle. He made a gallant defence, but was again obliged to capitulate, and had leave to go whithersoever he pleased. Mahummud Hassen was left in the government of that pro∣vince; * 1.126and on the fifteenth of Shaban, eight hundred and thirty one, Sultan Mubarick returned victorious and triumphant to Delhi. He there seized Malleck Kuddu Mewati, who had joined himself to Sultan Shirki, and ordered him to be put to death.

* 1.127In the month of Zicada the sultan received advices, that Jisserit had sat down before Callanore, after having defeated Malleck Se∣cunder, who had marched against him, and driven him back to Lahore. Mubarick Shaw sent an order to Zirick Chan, governor of Samana, and Islam Chan, who commanded at Sirhind, to join Malleck Secunder; * 1.128but, before their arrival, he had marched to∣wards Callanore, and defeated Jisserit in his turn; depriving him of all the plunder he had acquired in that province.

* 1.129Sultan Mubarick Shaw marched to Mewat, in the month of Mo∣hirrim, eight hundred and thirty two, and entirely subdued that country, obliging the inhabitants to pay a regular tribute. In the mean time advices arrived at Delhi, that Malleck Rigib Nadir was dead, upon which, the sultan conferred the title of Ameid ul Muluck upon Mahummud Hassen, who had settled the affairs of Biana, and sent him governor to Moultan. The sultan, in the fol∣lowing year, proceeded to Gualier, which country he ravaged, and carried off some thousands of the poor inhabitants into slavery.

* 1.130Turning then his forces towards Raberi, he wrested that country from the son of Hassen Chan, gave it to Malleck Humza, and after∣wards returned to Delhi. Seid Allum dying by the way, his eldest son had the title of Seid Chan conferred upon him, and the youngest that of Suja ul Muluck, together with all the wealth of their father, which was very great; though, according to the custom of Hin∣dostan, it should become the property of the king.

* 1.131These favours, however, did not secure the faith of the sons of Seid Allum, for they sent Fowlad, a Turkish slave, to Tibberhind, to stir up privately, in their name, an insurrection there. They had formed hopes, it is said, that they might be sent with a force to sup∣press the rebellion, and so have an opportunity to join the rebels. But the plot was discovered, and both imprisoned; while, in the mean time, Malleck Eusuph and Rai Ibbu, were sent to Tibberhind to confiscate their estates, and suppress the disturbance raised by Fowlad.

* 1.132Fowlad entering into a negotiation, lulled into a negligent secu∣rity the imperial generals, and sallying one night from his fort, sur∣prized their camp. He was, however, so warmly received by the king's troops, that he was soon driven back. This did not deter him from making another effort next night, at the same time making a great discharge of artillery from the works, which struck a panic into the imperial troops, who took immediately to their heels, leav∣ing their camp standing, with all their baggage. * 1.133Sultan Mubarick, upon receiving advice of that disaster, was constrained to march to∣wards Tibberhind in person. The rebel daily gathered strength, and the king was obliged to call Ameid ul Muluck from Moultan, and several other governors, to join him. Every thing for the expedi∣tion being prepared, the sultan stopped at Sursutti, and dispatched the greatest part of his army to invest the fort of Tibberhind. Fow∣lad sent a message to the imperial camp, importing, that he had

* 1.134great confidence in Ameid ul Muluck, and said, that if he should be sent with promise of pardon, he himself would deliver up the place. The sultan accordingly sent Ameid ul Muluck to Tibberhind, where Fowlad met him a little without the gate. Having accordingly re∣ceived assurances of pardon, he promised to give up the place the next day. But one of Ameid ul Muluck's attendants, who was of Fowlad's acquaintance, told him privately, that though Ameid ul Muluck was a man of strict honour, and would certainly adhere to his promise, yet the king might not be so tender of preserving his, and that it was very probable he might bring Fowlad to punishment. Fowlad, after the conference was over, revolved this intimation in his own mind, and repented seriously of his promise; and, therefore, as he had both money and provisions, he determined to hold out to the last.

* 1.135The sultan seeing that the taking of the place would be a work of time, and that there would be no occasion for so great an army to besiege it, he permitted Ameid ul Muluck to return with the forces of Moultan, and leaving Islam Chan Lodi, Cummal Chan, and Rai Firose, to carry on the siege, he himself retired to Delhi. Fowlad having held out six months, he was greatly distressed, and saw no means of extricating himself, but by an alliance with Amir Shech Ali, governor of Cabul, on the part of Mirza Sharoch, the Mogul king. He sent, for this purpose, messengers to him, with large pro∣mises for his assistance. * 1.136As Sultan Mubarick Shaw had taken no pains to keep upon good terms with the Mogul, the latter left Ca∣bul, and, being in his way joined by the Gickers, crossed the Bea, and ravaged the countries of those omrahs who carried on the siege; and advancing towards Tibberhind, the imperial army decamped and fled. Fowlad, for this signal service, gave to Shech Ali two lacks of rupees, and other presents; and having given to him all the charge of his family, exerted himself in repairing the fortifications, and laying in provisions and ammunition.

* 1.137* 1.138Amir Shech Ali, crossing the Suttuluz, committed cruel depre∣dations upon the unhappy country, acquiring of plunder twenty times the value of the subsidy which he had received from Fowlad. Advancing then to Lahore, he raised the usual tribute from Se∣cunder Topha, then returned towards Dibalpoor, desolating the country wherever he went; insomuch that forty thousand Hindoos were computed to have been massacred, besides a greater number carried away prisoners. Ameid ul Muluck posted himself to oppose Ali, at the town of Tilbanna, but he gave him the slip, and went to Chitpoor, when Ameid ul Muluck received the sultan's orders to retreat to save Moultan. * 1.139The flight of the imperial army encou∣raged the enemy to follow them beyond the Ravi, and to lay waste the country, to within ten crores of Moultan. Ali defeated there Islam Chan Lodi, who had been left to stop his progress.

From thence the Moguls advanced to Cheirabad, within three crores of the city, and the next day, which was the fourth of Ramzan, they made an assault upon the place, but were beat back. They continued, however, from their camp to make daily excursions towards the city, putting all whom they could meet to the sword.

* 1.140The sultan being informed of these transactions, sent Fatte Chan and Mubarick Chan of Guzerat, with Zirick Chan, Malleck Calla Shenipile, Malleck Eusoph, Kummal Chan, Rai Hibbu, and other omrahs of distinction, to succour Ameid ul Muluck; who, upon being joined by all these with their forces, went out, and offered battle to Ali. Ali did not decline it, and a furious conflict ensued, in the beginning of which the Moguls gained some advantage. * 1.141However, upon the death of Fatte Chan, the gale of fortune changed, and blew with the standards of Hindostan. Shech Ali, at one stroke, played away all his gains, escaping, with a few at∣tendants only, to Cabul, his whole army being either killed or drowned in the Gelum, in their precipitate flight.

* 1.142Ameid ul Muluck, having pursued the runaways to Shinnore, returned victorious to Moultan, and the omrahs, who had succoured him, repaired, by the king's orders, to Delhi; and soon after, the sultan, jealous of the success of Ameid ul Muluck, called him also to court. * 1.143Jisserit took advantage of his absence, crossed the Gelum, Ravi, and Bea, and fought Malleck Secunder Topha, near Jillen∣der, defeated and took him prisoner, with all his treasure and bag∣gage. * 1.144He forthwith advanced and besieged Lahore. Shech Ali, at the same time, at the instigation of Jisserit, made another incur∣sion towards Moultan, and, having taken Tilbunna, by capitulation, he broke his word, plundered the place, massacred all the men able to bear arms, and carried their wives and children into captivity, laying the town in ruins.

Fowlad, taking also advantage of these disturbances, marched out of Tibberhind, and invading the country of Rai Firose, defeated him. Sultan Mubarick Shaw thought it now high time to march from Delhi. * 1.145He, accordingly, upon the first of Jemmad ul Awil, eight hundred and thirty-five, took the route of Lahore, appointing Malleck Surûr, his vizier, governor of that place, and to command in the van of his army. Malleck Surûr arriving at Sammana, Jisserit raised the siege of La∣hore, and retreated to the hills. Shech Ali hastened back to Cabul, and Fowlad again shut himself up in Tibberhind. The Sultan, upon this, took the government of Lahore from the vizier, and gave it to Nuserit Chan Birkandaz; then returning, encamped near Panniput, on the banks of the Jumna, sending Ameid ul Muluck with a part of the army to suppress some insurrections about Gualier, and Mal∣leck Surûr to besiege Tibberhind; he himself returning to Delhi.

* 1.146In the month of Zihidge, Jisserit advanced again to Lahore, and commenced hostilities against Nuserit Chan, which obliged the sultan, in the year eight hundred and thirty-six, to march from Delhi as far as Sammana. Intelligence was brought to him in that place of the death

* 1.147of his mother, Muchduma Jehan, and he immediately returned, with a few attendants; and, after performing the funeral obsequies, went back to his army. After his arrival in the camp, he suddenly changed his resolution, and turned back towards Mewat, conferring the government of Lahore upon Malleck Alleh Daad Lodi, who pro∣mised to expel Jisserit. But Jisserit, upon hearing of the sultan's return, was joined by a great body of Gickers, who imagined that his af∣fairs bore a better aspect, so that he was in a condition to receive Al∣leh Daad Lodi, whom he defeated.

The sultan having received the news of this overthrow, and also that Shech Ali, governor of Cabul, was coming towards Tibberhind, took again the rout of Punjaab, sending before him Ameid ul Muluck to reinforce the omrahs who were besieging Tibberhind. * 1.148Upon his approach, Malleck Shech Ali, who stood in awe of him, laid aside his intentions of coming to Tibberhind, and turned away, by forced marches, towards Lahore, which he surprized, and began a horrid scene of massacre and depredation. But hearing that the sultan had reached Tilbundi, Ali left a garrison of two thousand men in the place, and retreated towards Cabul, ravaging the country in his way, and leaving his nephew, Muziffer, in the fort of Shinnore.

The sultan, a second time advanced Malleck Secunder Topha, who had ransomed himself, to the government of Lahore, Dibalpoor, and Jillender, upon which he advanced and laid siege to the city. * 1.149He took it by capitulation, and permitted the garrison to retire to Cabul. He immediately crossed the Ravi, near Tilbundi, and in∣vested Shinnore. * 1.150Malleck Muziffer held up in that place the stan∣dard of opposition for a whole month, but being hard pressed, he capitulated, by giving his daughter to the sultan, and paying a great ransom for his liberty. Mubarick left a great part of his army at Dibalpoor, and, with a select body, marched himself to Moultan to visit the tombs of the saints, from whence he returned in a few

* 1.151days to his camp. He, at this time, turned Secunder Topha again out of his government of Lahore, and gave it to Ameid ul Muluck, and returned with great expedition to Delhi. Being jealous of the power of Surûr ul Malleck, the vizier, he joined Kammal ul Dien with him in the vizarit; and, the latter being esteemed a man of superior abilities, he soon gained the favour of his sovereign and the people.

* 1.152Surûr ul Malleck became dissatisfied, and began to project treason. Having gained over Sidarin and Sidpal, two great Hindoo chiefs of the tribe of Kittrie, Miran Sidder, deputy to the Aziz Muma∣lick, Casi Abdul Summud, lord of the private chambers, and others, they watched an opportunity to assassinate the king.

About this time, Mubarick Shaw had ordered a city to be founded upon the banks of the Jumna, calling it Mubarick Abad, and made an excursion towards Tibberhind, as it were to take the diversion of hunting. Having, on the way, received advices that Tibberhind was taken, and being presented with the head of Fowlad, he re∣turned to Mubarick Abad. He there received intelligence that war was carrying on between Sultan Ibrahim Shirki, and Sultan Hoshung Malavi, near Calpie, which was a very agreeable piece of news to Mubarick Shaw, who sought an opportunity to expel Sultan Shirki from his dominions. He therefore gave orders to muster his army, and pitching his tent without the city, delayed a few days in regu∣lating and collecting his forces, during which time he continued to visit the new works without fear of danger, having never given of∣fence to his nobility, except in changing or turning them out of their governments when they misbehaved.

* 1.153Upon the ninth of the month of Rigib, in the year eight hundred and thirty-seven, according to his custom, he went to worship at a new mosque which he had built at Mubarick Abad, with only a few attendants. The conspirators rushed in, in armour, with drawn

* 1.154swords upon him, and basely assassinated him. Surûr ul Malleck having previously settled matters with Sultan Mahummud, one of the grandsons of Chizer Chan, raised that prince to the throne.

* 1.155Mubarick Shaw reigned thirteen years, three months, and six∣teen days. He was esteemed a man of parts, just and benevolent, and, though no great warrior, had he lived in a virtuous age, there is no doubt but he possessed talents which might render him worthy of a throne.

SECTION VI. The reign of Sultan MAHUMMUD SHAW BEN FERID CHAN BEN CHIZER CHAN.

* 1.156ACCORDING to the custom of the world, which cannot subsist without rule, the same day that Sultan Mubarick Shaw was sent to eternity, Mahummud Shaw was established upon the throne. The ungrateful assassin, Surûr ul Malleck, received the title of Chan Jehan, and seized upon the king's treasure, regalia, and other effects, discharging all the old omrahs from office, and appointing new ones, who might, in time, serve his ambitious views.

* 1.157Kummal ul Malleck, and other omrahs, who were in the camp, having consulted among themselves, upon hearing of the king's death, resolved, rather than kindle a civil war in the country, to bear with the times, to pay allegiance to the new king, and to wait a more proper and more certain opportunity of taking revenge upon the conspirators. They came into the city and paid their com∣pliments to Mahummud Shaw. The first preferments, which the

* 1.158* 1.159vizier gave away to facilitate his future schemes, was to appoint the two Hindoo conspirators to the governments of Biana, Amrohi, Narnoul, and Coram; and Miran Sidder, with the title of Moain ul Malleck, was presented with a very considerable jagier. The son of Seid Salem was dignified with the title of Chan Azim Seid Chan, and the government of several countries were conferred upon him. But the omrahs, and dependants of Mubarick Shaw, were, by tricks and false accusations, killed, imprisoned, banished, robbed, or turned out of office.

A slave of Surûr ul Malleck, whose name was Rana Shech, was sent collector of the revenues to Biana, but Eusoph Chan Lodi fought and slew him near that place. * 1.160At the same time some of the omrahs of Mubarick Shaw and of Chizer Chan, who saw that there was a design on foot to deprive them of their jagiers, parti∣cularly Malleck Chimun, governor of Budaoon, Malleck Alleh Daad Lodi, who commanded at Simbol, Meer Ali of Guzerat, and Amir Shech, the Turk, erected the spear of rebellion, upon which the vizier, deceived by the behaviour of Kummal ul Malleck, gave him the command of the army, and sent Chan Azim Sidarin, and his own son Eusoph, along with him, to suppress the rebels. But when they came to the village of Birren, Kummal ul Malleck in∣tended to take revenge on Sidarin and Eusoph, for the murder of the king. He therefore acquainted Malleck Allah Daad Lodi of his resolutions, who, for that reason, made no motion towards them. This design being, however, discovered to the vizier, he sent Malleck Hoshiar, his own slave, with a great army, under pretence of succours, with private instructions, to prevent the effects of the plot. Kummal ul Malleck, however, had, at Ahare, joined his forces with Malleck Alla Daad Lodi, before the rein∣forcement, under the vizier's slave, arrived. * 1.161Hoshiar, hearing of this junction, thought that there was no safety for him, and he, therefore, fled, with Eusoph and Sidarin, to Delhi. Kummal ul

* 1.162Malleck immediately sent to call the disaffected omrahs, who joined him without delay, * 1.163so that, upon the last of Ramzan, he moved, with a great army, towards Delhi.

* 1.164The vizier shut himself up in the citadel of Seri, which he held out three months; but as the party of Kummal ul Malleck daily gained strength and reputation, he was driven to great distress. * 1.165Sultan Mahummud Shaw, perceiving that his own affairs would be ruined, if he should adhere to the vizier, endeavoured to conciliate matters with the besiegers, and, at the same time, sought an oppor∣tunity of making his escape, or cutting off the vizier.

The vizier discovering this plot, designed to be beforehand with the sultan; accordingly, upon the eighth of Mohirrim, with the sons of Miran Sidder, and with some of his own adherents, he broke into the king's apartment. * 1.166But Mahummud, having suspected him of such intentions, had privately a guard at hand, who, on a signal given, rushed upon the conspirators. They immediately betook themselves to flight; * 1.167but the vizier was cut to pieces, as he was rush∣ing out of the door, and thus met the fate which he designed for his lord. The sons of Miran Sidder, and the rest of the assas∣sins, were taken, and put to death, while Malleck Hoshiar and Malleck Mubarick, who were parties concerned, were publickly executed. The Kittries, and other adherents of Surûr ul Malleck, afraid of themselves, rose up in arms. The king was obliged to shut himself up, ordering the Bagdat-gate to be thrown open to the besiegers, who, rushing in accordingly, began a dreadful mas∣sacre among the rebels, till they entirely subdued them. * 1.168Such as remained alive were bound and sacrificed at the tomb of Sul∣tan Mubarick Shaw.

* 1.169Kummal ul Malleck, and the other omrahs, swore allegiance the next day, for the second time, to Mahummud Shaw; Malleck

* 1.170having the title of Kummal Chan, with the vizarit conferred upon him, Malleck Chimun being dignified with the title of Ghazi Mal∣leck, and a jagier. The other omrahs were confirmed in their former offices, governments, and estates.

* 1.171When matters were completely settled at Delhi, the king, by the advice of his counsellors, made a campaign towards Moultan, and encamping near Mubarickpoor, gave orders to draw together his army from all the provinces. Many of the omrahs, being in∣timidated, delayed to repair to the imperial standard till Ameid ul Muluck arrived from Moultan, adding power to enforce the royal commands, by a numerous army, which he brought with him. All the other provincial omrahs hastened to the camp, and were honored with dresses, and other marks of favor and distinction. The sultan moved towards Moultan, to make a parade with his army, and, having visited the tombs of the saints, returned to his capital.

* 1.172In the year eight hundred and forty, he marched towards Sam∣mana, and detached a part of his army against Jisserit, the Gicker, who was raising disturbances. * 1.173The country of Jisserit was plundered, and the king returned to Delhi, where he gave himself up entirely to pleasure, neglecting all the cares and necessary affairs of government. The accounts of the sultan's luxurious indolence soon affected the state. * 1.174Dissatisfaction began to appear first in Moultan, where a tribe of Patans, called Linga, rose in rebellion. At the same time, Malleck Beloli Lodi, who, after the death of his uncle, Islam Chan, became governor of Sirhind, without any orders, possessed himself of the city and districts of Lahore and Debalpoor, with all the country back to Panniput.

* 1.175The sultan receiving intelligence of this revolt, sent his whole army against him, who drove him back to the hills. In the retreat many chiefs of distinction were put to the sword, but Malleck Be∣loli

* 1.176recruited his army, and, when the sultan's forces were with∣drawn, he again possessed himself of all the countries from which they had driven him. The sultan, this time, sent Hissam Chan, the vizier's deputy, against him, who was defeated, and beat back to Delhi; upon which, Malleck Beloli wrote to the sultan, that if he would put Hissam Chan to death, who, by his intrigues, had been the occasion of this rebellion, he would lay down his arms.

* 1.177The sultan was weak enough to listen to this arrogant proposal, and accordingly gave orders for the death of Hissam Chan. He also deprived Kummal Chan of the vizarit, and conferred it upon Ha∣mid Chan, appointing another person deputy, with the title of His∣sam Chan. * 1.178The governors of the provinces observing this pusillani∣mous and impolitic behaviour of the king, predicted his destruction, and endeavoured to secure their own independency; * 1.179while the sub∣jects and zemindars, foreseeing the convulsions that must have insued in the state, with-held their rents, in hopes that they might be passed over, in the general confusion.

* 1.180Sultan Ibrahim Shirki possessed himself of several districts adjoin∣ing to his dominions, and Sultan Mahmood Chillegi, king of Malava, made an attempt on the capital; and, in the year eight hundred and forty four, advanced within two crores of the city. Mahummud Shaw, struck with terror in this urgent situation of affairs, imprudently sent an embassy to Malleck Beloli Lodi, to beg his assistance. Beloli ac∣cordingly, with twenty thousand Persian horse, came to Delhi; * 1.181Mahummud Shaw, though his army was greatly superior to the enemy, was afraid to take the field by himself, but committed the charge of the whole to his omrahs, and reposed himself in the Ha∣ram. The omrahs, according to orders, advanced with the army against the enemy, Malleck Beloli leading the van.

* 1.182When Sultan Mahmood Chilligi was given to understand, that the king of Delhi was not present, he thought it was meant as an affront to him; and, to be on a footing with Mahummud, he com∣mitted the charge of his army to his sons Yeaz ul Dien and Kuddir Chan. * 1.183The two armies having engaged, the troops of Delhi gave way, and left Malleck Beloli alone to dispute the field, which he maintained with invincible resolution, till the fugitives, ashamed of their behaviour, returned to the action. Night, however, coming on, the victory was left undecided. Sultan Mahmood Chilligi be∣ing greatly frightened by a dream that night, and having heard, in the morning, that Sultan Ahmed, of Guzerat, was advanced as far as Mundo, he was more and more intimidated, and began to be desirous of making peace: but shame prevented him from expressing his wishes. * 1.184At the same time, Sultan Mahummud, with less rea∣son, and contrary to the advice of all his counsellors, gave himself up to base fear, and sent ambassadors with presents to his rival to beg peace.

* 1.185Sultan Mahmood Chilligi was overjoyed at these proposals, which saved the appearance of his reputation, and immediately accepting them, marched from the field. Malleck Beloli, who now began justly to despise them both, and to aspire to the empire, marched out of the city with his own troops, and pursuing Sultan Mahmood Chilligi, attacked him upon his march, defeated him, and took all his baggage. * 1.186The weak sultan, who did not hitherto see through his palpable intentions, gave him the title of Chan Chanan, and adopted him for his son.

* 1.187In the year eight hundred and forty five, the sultan marched to Sam∣mana, giving the governments of Lahore and Debalpoor to Malleck Beloli, and ordering him to expel Jisserit. He himself returned to his capital. Malleck Beloli, by this means, became extremely powerful, and recruited a great army of Afghans; but, instead of

* 1.188fighting Jisserit, he brought him over to his party, and began to seize upon several districts, without any orders from the king. At length, without any apparent reason, but his ambition, he drew his army against Delhi, which he besieged for some months, but, in in the end, was obliged to abandon his enterprize.

* 1.189The king's power was greatly weakened, and began to decay very rapidly. The zemindars of Biana put themselves under the go∣vernment of Sultan Mahmood Chilligi. * 1.190In the mean time, Sultan Mahummud fell sick and died, in the year eight hundred and forty nine, * 1.191leaving behind him the character of a weak, dissolute, and unwarlike prince; owing to the ambition of others a throne, upon which he could not sit with dignity himself. He reigned twelve years and some months, and his son Alla ul Dien succeeded him in the empire.

SECTION VII. The reign of Sultan ALLA UL DIEN BEN MAHUMMUD SHAW.

* 1.192WHEN Sultan Alla ul Dien had placed his foot upon the musnud of Delhi, all the omrahs, excepting Malleck Beloli Lodi, came and swore allegiance to him. This contempt of Beloli, the new sultan was in no condition to chastise. But having collected an army, in the beginning of the year eight hundred and fifty, he marched to recover Biana. When he was upon the way, there was a rumor propagated, that the king of Jionpoor was advancing to∣wards Delhi, which, though false, brought back the sultan to his capital; though he was told by Hissam Chan, the vizier, how ridi∣culous it would appear in a king to be guided by a vague report. This reprimand brought upon the vizier the sultan's displeasure.

* 1.193* 1.194This step, however, proved ruinous to the sultan's reputation, and the meanest of the people feared not to say publickly, that he was a weaker man, and a greater fool, than his father. * 1.195He marched in the following year to Budaoon, where he remained some time, laying out gardens, building pleasure-houses, and making entertain∣ments, and then returned to Delhi. Pretending that the air of Bu∣daoon agreed better with his health, he expressed an inclination of making that city his residence, to divert him from which, the vizier took much pains, but only incurred more and more his displeasure.

* 1.196All Hindostan was, at this time, divided into separate states; for in the Decan, Guzerat, Malava, Jionpoor, and Bengal, there were princes who assumed the stile and dignity of kings; * 1.197while Punjaab, Debalpoor, and Sirhind, even to Panniput, was possessed by Mal∣leck Beloli Lodi. Merowli, and all the country to the Serai of Lado, within seven crores of Delhi, were in the hands of Ahmed Chan of Mewat; Simbol, close to the walls of the city, was possessed by De∣ria Chan Lodi; Kole, by Isah Chan; Rabari, by Cuttub Chan, the Afghan; Cumpela and Pattiali, by Rai Partab; Biana was subject to Daood Chan Odi; so that the city of Delhi, and a few small dis∣tricts, remained only to the king.

* 1.198Malleck Beloli made, about this time, another attempt upon the city, but was not more successful than he was before. The sultan, relieved from this danger, began to consult the means to re∣cover part of his lost empire, advising with Cuttub Chan, Isa•…•… Chan, and Rai Partab. These chiefs, desirous to weaken him still more, told him, that the omrahs were all disgusted with his vizier; that, should he be turned out of office, and imprisoned, they were ready to pay him due allegiance, and made no doubt but the affairs of the empire would put on a more favorable aspect. The weak Alla be∣came the dupe of those traitors, and accordingly imprisoned and dis∣graced

* 1.199his vizier. He immediately ordered preparations to be made for removing his court to Budaoon, from which not all the remon∣strances of his best friends could restrain him; though they repre∣sented, in a strong light, how impolitic it would be, at such a junc∣ture, to change his capital.

* 1.200Alla accordingly, in the year eight hundred and fifty two, set out for Budaoon, leaving Hissam Chan in the government of Delhi. When the sultan arrived at this new capital, Cuttub Chan and Rai Partab waited upon him, and told him, that as long as the vizier was alive, the omrahs could not be brought to trust themselves at court. * 1.201The weak king was prevailed upon to command him to be put to death; * 1.202but the vizier's brother having notice given him of this bloody purpose, found means, with the assistance of some of his friends, to release him, and to escape to Delhi. He there took immediate possession of all the sultan's effects, and turned his haram out of the city.

* 1.203The sultan put off the time by ridiculous procrastinations, and vain excuses of the weather, and unlucky times, till the vizier had called Malleck Beloli to take upon him the empire. Beloli, glad of the op∣portunity, amused the sultan, by writing to him, that he was coming to chastise the vizier, till he arrived and took possession of the city, taking upon himself the title of Sultan Beloli. He, however, gave place to the name of Sultan Alla ul Dien, in the Chutba, in the year eight hundred and fifty four.

He gave the city in charge to his son, Chaja Baezid, marched in person to Debalpoor, and collected together a great army of Afghans. He wrote, at the same time, to Sultan Alla ul Dien, that, upon his account, he had expelled the vizier; and he received for answer, from that weak prince, that as his father had adopted Beloli as his son, he would esteem him his brother; he moreover

* 1.204* 1.205promised to cede to him the empire, upon condition that he would permit him to live quietly in the possession of Budaoon.

Sultan Beloli threw immediately the name of Alla out of the Chutba, and spread the umbrella of empire over his own head. Sultan Alla ul Dien remained at Budaoon till his death, which hap∣pened in the year eight hundred and eighty three; his reign in Delhi being seven years, and his government of Budacon near twenty eight.

SECTION VIII. The reign of Sultan BELOLI LODI.

* 1.206BELOLI LODI was an Afghan, of the tribe of Lodi, which people, forming themselves into a commercial society, carried on a trade between Persia and Hindostan. In the time of Sultan Firose Shaw, Malleck Ibrahim, the grandfather of Beloli, being possessed of wealth, made his way at the court of Delhi, and raised himself to the government of Moultan. Malleck Ibrahim had five sons, Malleck Sultan Shech, Malleck Culla, Malleck Firose, Mal∣leck Mahummud, and Malleck Chaja, who, on the death of their father remained in Moultan.

When Chizer Chan was appointed to that government, Sultan Shech received the command of all his Afghan troops. In the action which Chizer Chan had with Eckbal Chan, Sultan Shech had the good fortune to kill Eckbal, by which means he became a great favorite with Chizer Chan. He was accordingly appointed by that prince governor of Sirhind, with the title of Islam Chan, while his brothers partook of his fortune. One of whom, Malleck Calla, the father of Sultan Beloli, had a district bestowed upon him by his

* 1.207brother. * 1.208The wife of Calla, who was his own cousin, being smo∣thered by the fall of a house, when with child, the father in∣stantly ripped up her belly, and saved the life of the infant, who afterwards held the empire, by the title of Sultan Beloli.

* 1.209Calla being killed in an action with the Afghans of Neaz, Beloli went to his uncle, Islam Chan, at Sirhind, and upon his distinguishing himself in a battle, his uncle gave him his own daughter in marriage. Islam Chan was, at this time, so powerful, that he retained twelve thousand Afghans, mostly of his own tribe, in his service.

* 1.210Islam Chan, at his death, though he had children of his own come to maturity, recommended Beloli to succeed him. The troops upon this divided into three parties, one of which adhered to Beloli, one to Malleck Firose, brother to Islam Chan, who had been made an omrah by the king of Delhi, and the other to Cuttub Chan, the son of Islam Chan. But Malleck Beloli, who was the most artful of the three, found means to weaken his rivals, and en∣crease his own power.

* 1.211Cuttub Chan repaired to Delhi, and acquainted Sultan Mahum∣mud Shaw, that the Afghans of Sirhind were establishing a power, which, unless it was soon prevented, would shake the empire. The sultan immediately dispatched Secunder Topha, with a powerful army, to bring the chiefs of the Afghans to court, and if they dis∣obeyed, to expel them from Sirhind.

* 1.212Jisserit was also instigated to take arms against them, by which means they were, in the end, driven to the hills; but upon a pro∣mise of peace, and of their future good behaviour, Malleck Firose left his son Shai Chan and Malleck Beloli with his army, and, with some attendants, went to Jisserit and Malleck Secunder Topha.

* 1.213They, notwithstanding their promise, by the advice of Cuttub Chan, imprisoned him and slew all his attendants. They also dis∣patched part of their army to reduce Beloli, but he retreated to a place of safety, with the women and children. Before he could join Shai Chan, he was attacked and defeated, and a great part of his army slain.

* 1.214When Jisserit had retired to Punjaab, Beloli collected the re∣mains of his tribe, and began to raise contributions, or plunder wherever he could, and as he was extremely generous in dividing the spoil among his followers, he soon became very powerful. Some time after Malleck Firose fled from Delhi, and joined him; and Cuttub Chan, repenting of his former behaviour, found means to be reconciled to Beloli. Beloli soon after invaded Sirhind, and possessed himself of that province. Upon receiving intelligence of these transactions, Sultan Mahummud Shaw sent Hissam Chan, his vizier, with a great army against him. Malleck Beloli took the field, and giving the vizier battle, defeated him, by which his power and reputation greatly encreased.

* 1.215We are told, that when Beloli was yet a youth in his uncle's service, one day he was permitted to pay his respects to a fa∣mous Dirvesh of Sammana, whose name was Sheidai. When he sat in a respectful posture before him, the Dirvesh cried out, in an enthusiastick manner,

"Who will give two thousand rupees for the empire of Delhi?"

Upon which Malleck Beloli told him, he had only one thousand six hundred rupees in the world, which he ordered his servant to bring immediately and present to the Dirvesh. The Dirvesh accepted the money, and, laying his hand upon the head of Beloli, saluted him king.

The companions of Beloli ridiculed him very much for this ac∣tion; but he replied,

* 1.216"That, if the thing came to pass, he had

made a cheap purchase; if not, the blessing of a holy man could do him no harm."

Upon a mind naturally ambitious, and in an age of superstition, this prediction of the Dirvesh might have great effect, in promoting its own end; for when a man's mind is once bent upon the at∣tainment of one object, the greatest difficulties will be often sur∣mounted, by a steady perseverance. But to return from this di∣gression.

* 1.217After Beloli had defeated the vizier, he wrote to the sultan, as before related, laying the whole blame of his rebellion upon the vizier's conduct towards him. When the sultan basely complied with his desire of cutting off the vizier, Beloli, according to his promise, waited upon the king, that he might be better able to carry on his intrigues at court. He managed his affairs at Delhi so well, that he got the government of Sirhind, and other districts near it, confirmed to him in jagier; which were the means that enabled him to mount the musnud, as we have already seen, in the former reign.

* 1.218He had, at the time of his accession, nine sons, Chaja Baezid, Nizam Chan, who was afterwards Sultan Secunder; Barba Shaw, Mubarick Chan, Sultan Alla ul Dien, Jemmâl Chan, Miah Jacob, Miah Musah, and Jellâl Chan; and of omrahs of renown, who were related to him, there were thirty six in the empire.

* 1.219As Hamid Chan, the vizier, who conferred the empire upon him, had great influence still in the state, he treated him for some time with honor and respect. Being one day in Hamid Chan's house, at an entertainment, he ordered the companions whom he carried with him, to make themselves appear as foolish and ridiculous as possible, that the vizier might consider them as

* 1.220silly fellows; that so he might be less upon his guard against them. When they accordingly came into company, some tied their shoes to their girdles, and others put them up in the niches of the apartment.

Hamid Chan asked them the reason of that extraordinary custom. They replied, that they were afraid of thieves. When they had taken their seats upon the carpet, one of them began to praise the flowers, and brightness of the colours, saying, He would be extremely glad to have such a carpet, to send home to his own country, to make caps for his boys. Hamid Chan laughed, and told him, he would give him velvet or brocade for that purpose. When the plates and boxes of perfumes were laid before them, some began to rub the finest otter of roses all over them, others to drink it, and others to devour whole festoons of flowers, while the beetle stood no chance, but was eat up, cover and all; some, who had eat large pieces of chunam, by having their mouths burnt, made a terrible outcry; and, in this kind of foolery every one was endeavouring to outdo another, while the king and the vizier were almost bursting with laughter.

The vizier, imagining that this behaviour proceeded from the king's humour, who had a mind to make merry in his house, was extremely pleased, and had no suspicion of men given to so much mirth. The next visit the king paid to Hamid Chan, a greater number of his attendants were admitted; but as Hamid Chan had still a greater number of his own friends within the court, it was necessary to gain admission for some more of the king's people, who were stopped without by the guards. The king having before in∣structed them how to proceed in this case, they began loudly to wrangle with the guard, and threw out bitter invectives against the king, for permitting them to be so unworthily treated. They even swore that they respected the vizier, and would see him.

* 1.221The vizier hearing this, ordered the doors to be thrown open, and as many to be admitted as the court could contain. This point being gained, the king gave the signal, and all his people drawing at once, told Hamid Chan's servants to remain quiet, and they should come to no harm. * 1.222Upon which two or three seized the vizier, and bound him. The king then told him, that gratitude was a security for his life, but that it was necessary he should retire from business, and spend the rest of his days in the cares of a future state. After this the king ruled without fear or controul.

* 1.223The same year, the eight hundred and fifty fifth of the Higera, he left Delhi, under the charge of his eldest son, Chaja Baezid, and marched towards Moultan to recruit his army, and to regulate all these western provinces. Some of his omrahs being dissatisfied at this time, left him, and joined Sultan Mahmood Shirki, of Jionpoor, who, * 1.224during the absence of Beloli, in the beginning of the year eight hundred and fifty six, advanced with a great army, and said siege to Delhi. Sultan Beloli hastened from Debalpoor, march by march, nor halted till he reached Perah, within thirty miles of Delhi.

* 1.225Sultan Mahmood send thirty thousand horse, and thirty elephants, under the command of Fatti Chan Herevi against him. When the action began, Cuttub Chan, who excelled in archery, having sunk an arrow in the forehead of one of Fatti Chan's elephants, the animal became outrageous, and broke the lines. Cuttub Chan, in the mean time, advancing against Diria Chan Lodi, one of the disaffected omrahs, who had joined Sultan Mahmood, cried out—

"For shame! Diria Chan, where is your honor, thus to wage war against your own kindred, and to invest your wife and family in the city of Delhi, when you ought rather to defend them against your natural enemies?"

"Pursue me not," said Diria Chan, "and I am gone;"

and he immediately wheeled off, followed by all the Patans, or Afghans, in Fatti Chan's army.

* 1.226The other troops being thus deserted, gave way, and Fatti Chan was taken prisoner; but having, with his own hand, just killed the brother of Rai Kirren, that omrah, in revenge, struck off his head, and sent it to the sultan. * 1.227Upon receiving the news of this defeat, Sultan Mahmood raised the siege of Delhi, and retreated with great precipitation to Jionpoor.

* 1.228The sultanit of Beloli became firmly established, and he began to turn his thoughts upon new acquisitions. His first movement was towards Mewat, where Hamid Chan submitted himself to his au∣thority. The sultan took seven pergunnahs from him, and per∣mitted him to hold the remainder in fee. Beloli from thence marched to Birren, and Diria Chan Lodi, governor of Simbol, presented him with seven more pergunnahs, and submitted in like manner. He then took the rout of Koli, and confirmed Isah Chan in that government. He continued his progress to Barhana∣bad, and gave that province to Mubarick Chan, while Bowgaw was delivered over to Rai Partab. But when he advanced to Raberi, Cuttub Chan Ben Hassin Chan shut himself up in the fort, but the sultan took it in a few days by capitulation, and again settled him in the same government. Beloli marching from thence to Attava, he regulated that government, and confirmed the former Suba.

Jonah Chan quitted, about this time, the court in disgust, and joined Sultan Mahmood Shirki, from whom he received the go∣vernment of Shumseabad. * 1.229Jonah instigated Sultan Mahmood to make another attempt upon Delhi, who, for that purpose, took the route of Attava, where he met Sultan Beloli. * 1.230The armies, the first day of their appearance in sight, on both sides sent out parties to skirmish, but nothing remarkable was done, and, the next day, they began to treat, when it was agreed, that Sultan Beloli should keep possession of all the countries possessed by Mubarick Shaw, and that Sultan Mahmood should hold all that was in the possession

of Sultan Ibrahim, of Jionpoor; that the former should give up all the elephants taken in the engagement with Fatti Chan, and the latter turn Jonah Chan out of his government.

Sultan Mahmood, immediately after this pacification, returned to Jionpoor, and Sultan Beloli went to Shumseabad to take possession of it. * 1.231This latter expedition of Beloli greatly offended Sultan Mah∣mood, and he immediately returned to Shumseabad, where Cuttub Chan and Diria Chan Lodi surprized his camp in the night. But during the attack, the horse of Cuttub Chan having trod upon a tent-pin, threw him, and he was taken by the enemy, and his party re∣treated to their own camp. * 1.232Sultan Beloli drew out his army in the morning, but received advice that Sultan Mahmood had just ex∣pired, and that the omrahs had set up his son Mahummud Shaw; and, by the mediation of Bibi Raja, the young king's mother, who probably had received previous assurances, a peace was immediately concluded. Mahummud Shaw returned to Jionpoor, and Sultan Beloli took the rout of Delhi.

Before the sultan arrived at the capital, he received a letter from Shumsh Chatoon, the sister of Cuttub Chan, conjuring him, in the most tender manner, not to suffer her brother to remain in captivity. This prevailed upon Beloli to break up the peace he had just con∣cluded, and to march towards Jionpoor. Mahummud Shaw met him near Sirsutti. The younger brother of Mahummud Shaw, Has∣sen Chan, fearing his brother's resentment for some trespass, took this opportunity of marching off, with all his adherents, to Kinnoge. Sittal Chan, his other brother, soon followed him, but the detach∣ment which Sultan Beloli had sent after Hassen Chan, met Sittal Chan on the way, and took him prisoner. The sultan determined to keep him as a ransom for Cuttub Chan.

* 1.233In the mean time, the omrahs conspired against Mahummud Shaw, and having assassinated him, advanced Hassen Chan, who had fled to Kinnoge, to the throne. Sultan Beloli, for what reason we know not, took no advantages of these disorders, but now en∣tered into a truce with Sultan Hassen Chan for the space of four years; Cuttub Chan and Sittab Chan being interchangeably re∣leased.

Beloli returned towards Shumseabab, whither Bir-Singh, the son of Rai Partab, came to pay his compliments. * 1.234But as his father had taken a standard and a pair of drums formerly from Deria Chan in an action, that base man thought to wipe off that dishonour by assassi∣nating Bir-Singhi. Cuttub Chan, the son of Hassen Chan, Muba∣riz Chan, and Rai Partab, differing with the cruel traitor about this murder, were obliged to fly to Sultan Hassein. Beloli, after these transactions, returned to Delhi.

But, upon account of the rebellion of the viceroy of Moultan, and the disorders in Punjaab, he marched towards that quarter. Upon his way, he heard that Sultan Hassein Shirki was advancing, in his absence, with a great army, to take Delhi. * 1.235He therefore, through necessity, returned, and leaving Delhi in charge of Cuttub Chan and Chan Jehan, he went out to meet the enemy. The two armies having met at the village of Chundwar, hostilities continued without intermission for seven days. * 1.236A peace was at length patched up for the term of three years.

At the expiration of this truce, Sultan Hassein invested Attava, took it, and drew over Ahmed Chan of Mewat, and Rustum Chan of Koli, to his interest, while Ahmed Chan of Selwan, the gover∣nor of Biana, struck money, and read the chutba in his name. * 1.237Has∣sein, with one hundred thousand horse and a thousand elephants, marched from Attava towards Delhi; and Sultan Beloli, no ways

* 1.238intimidated by that great force, marched out boldly to meet him. * 1.239The two armies having advanced to Battevara, encamped for some time in sight of each other, and after some skirmishes, in which there was no superiority of advantage on either side, they again struck up a peace.

But this pacification was not permanent. * 1.240Sultan Hassein advanced again towards Delhi some months after, and was opposed at the vil∣lage of Sinkar, and obliged to depart upon peaceable terms.

Much about this time, the mother of Sultan Hassein, Bibi Raja, died at Attava, and the Raja of Gualier and Cuttub Chan Lodi, went to console him upon that occasion. When in discourse, Cut∣tub Chan perceived that Hassein Chan was a bitter enemy of Beloli, he began to flatter him after this manner:—Beloli is one of your dependants, and cannot think of contending long with you. If I do not put you in possession of Delhi, look on my word as nothing. He then, with much art, got leave to depart from Hassein's court, and returned to Delhi, and there he told to Sultan Beloli that he had escaped with a great deal of difficulty from the hands of Sultan Has∣sein, who was meditating a fresh war against him.

* 1.241About this time Sultan Alla ul Dien* 1.242 died at Budaoon, upon which Sultan Hassein went to settle matters at Budaoon, and, after the funeral ceremonies were over, he took that country from the children of Alla. * 1.243Marching from thence to Simbol, he imprisoned Mubarick Chan, governor of that province, then marching towards Delhi, in the year eight hundred and eighty three, he crossed the river Jumna near Gutter••itch. Sultan Beloli, who was at Sirhind, upon receiving intelligence of this invasion, returned with all expedition to save his capital. Several slight actions ensued, in which Sultan Hassein had, in general, the advantage.

* 1.244Cuttub Chan dispatched a person to Hassein, informing him, that Sultan Beloli was ready to relinquish all the countries beyond the Ganges, upon condition he should leave him in possession of all the provinces on this side of that river. These terms being accepted, they reversed their hostile spears, and Sultan Hassein marched homeward. * 1.245But Sultan Beloli, in a perfidious manner, broke the peace, and pursuing Hassein, attacked him upon his march, killing a great number, and taking forty omrahs prisoners, besides part of his treasure and equipage. Beloli pursued his victory, and took several districts belonging to Sultan Hassein, such as Campul, Pattiali, Shumseabad, Sickite, Marhera, Sittali, and Koli, appointing agents to manage them under him. But when he had pursued Hassein as far as Arumbidger, the latter stood his ground, and engaged Beloli. The victory being dubious, a peace was patched up between them, the village of Doupamou being settled as the boundary between the empires. After this pacification, Sultan Hassein proceeded to Ra∣beri, and Sultan Beloli returned to Delhi.

Sultan Hassein could not, however, forget the perfidy of Beloli. He recruited his army, and some time after marched against him, and met him at the village of Sinhar, when an obstinate battle en∣sued, in which Sultan Hassein was defeated, and lost all his treasure and baggage; which, together with an addition of reputation, greatly promoted the affairs of Beloli. Sultan Hassein having re∣treated to Raberi, he was followed thither by Beloli, and upon standing a second engagement, he was again totally defeated. After the battle, he retreated towards Gualier; the raja of Gualier brought him some lacks of rupees, elephants, horses, camels, and a fine set of camp equipage, and accompanied him to Calpie.

Sultan Beloli went, in the mean time, to Attava, where he be∣sieged Ibrahim Chan, the brother of Sultan Hassein, and took the place by capitulation. He, however, generously made him a present

* 1.246of the fort, and proceeded to Calpie; Sultan Hassein met him upon the banks of the river, where they remained for some months. But Rai Muluck Chand of Buxar, coming over to Sultan Beloli, shewed him a passable ford in the river, by which he crossed, and attacking Sultan Hassein, defeated him, and drove him to Jionpoor, upon which Sultan Beloli turned off to the left towards Kinnoge. Sultan Hassein again met him near that city, but he was once more defeat∣ed with great slaughter. His regalia and equipage were taken, and also the chief lady of his seraglio, Bibi Conzah, the daughter of Sultan Alla ul Dien, who was treated with great respect. Sultan Beloli returned, after this victory, to Delhi.

Having recruited and regulated his army, he advanced the spear of hostility again towards Jionpoor. He conquered that country, and gave it to Mubarick Chan Lohani, leaving Cuttub Chan Lodi, Chan Jehan, and other omrahs, at Migouli, to secure his conquests. He himself went to Budaoon, where he soon after heard of Cuttub Chan's death. Chan Jehan, Mubarick Chan, and other omrahs, though they kept up the appearance of fidelity, were, after the death of Cuttub, concerning measures to throw off the sultan's yoke.

Beloli being apprized of their intentions, marched towards Jion∣poor, and drove away Hassein, who had made an attempt to recover it, and placed Barbee Shaw, one of his own sons, upon the throne of Jionpoor. He himself returned to Calpie, which he took, and gave to his grandson, Azim Hamaioon Ben Baizied. He directed then his march to Dolepore, raising a tribute upon the raja of that place, who began to rank himself among Beloli's subjects. The sultan went from thence to a place in the districts of Rintimpore, which he plundered, and soon after returned to Delhi.

* 1.247Beloli being now extremely old, and infirmities beginning daily to increase upon him, he divided his dominions among his sons, giving

* 1.248Jionpoor to Barbeck Shaw; Kurrah and Manikpore, to Mubarick Chan; Byrage, to his nephew Shech Mahummud, famous by the name of Kalla Par, or the Black Mountain; Lucknore and Calpee, to Azim Humaioon, whose father, Baezid, was assassinated a little before by his own servant; Budaoon to Chan Jehan, one of his old omrahs, and a relation; and Delhi, with several countries be∣tween the two rivers, to his son Nizam Chan, known afterwards by the name of Sultan Secunder, whom he appointed his successor in the imperial dignity.

Some time after this division the sultan proceeded to Gualier, and raising a tribute of eighty lacks of rupees from the raja of that place, came to Attava, from whence he expelled Sickit Sing, and then turned his face towards Delhi. * 1.249Falling sick upon his march, many of the omrahs were desirous that he should alter his former will, with re∣spect to the succession, which, they said, was the undoubted right of Azim Humaioon, his grandson. The sultana, upon this, wrote to her son, Nizam Chan, who, having heard of his father's illness, was setting out from Delhi, by no means to come, otherwise he might be impri∣soned by the omrahs: At the same time the sultan, by the advice of some omrahs, ordered public letters to be sent him, to hasten him to camp, that he might see him before his death. Nizam Chan was greatly perplexed how to act upon this nice occasion. He, at length, was advised by Cuttuluk Chan, the vizier of Sultan Hassein Shirki, who was then prisoner at Delhi, to pitch his tents without the city, and to advance by very slow marches. * 1.250In the mean time, the king's disease overcame him, and he died at Malauli, in the pergunnah of Sikite, in the year eight hundred and ninety four, having reigned thirty eight years, eight months, and seven days.

* 1.251Beloli was, for those days, esteemed a virtuous and mild prince, executing justice to the utmost of his knowledge, and treating his courtiers rather as his companions than his subjects. When he

* 1.252came to the empire, he divided the treasure among his friends, and could be seldom prevailed upon to mount the throne, saying,

"That it was enough for him, that the world knew he was king, without his making a vain parade of royalty."

He was extremely temperate in his diet, and seldom eat at home. Though a man of no great literature himself, he was fond of the company of learned men, whom he rewarded according to their merit. He had given so many proofs of personal bravery, that none could doubt it; at the same time, he was often cautious to excess, never chusing to trust much to chance, and delighting greatly in negotiation.

SECTION IX. The reign of Sultan SECUNDER BEN SULTAN BELOLI.

* 1.253* 1.254THE omrahs, immediately upon the death of Beloli, formed themselves into a council, in which some appeared to be attached to the interest of Azim Humaioon, some to Barbeck, the eldest son of the sultan then living, and some to Secunder, in con∣sequence of his father's will. * 1.255When they were debating, the mo∣ther of Secunder, whose name was Rana, originally a goldsmith's daughter, but raised to the sultan's bed, by the same of her beauty, came behind the curtain, in the great tent, and made a speech to the omrahs, in favor of her son. Upon which Isah Chan, the nephew of Beloli, answered her, in a disrespectful manner, and con∣cluded with saying, that a goldsmith's offspring was not qualified to hold the empire.

* 1.256Chan Chanan Firmilli, a stout daring man, took him up, and told him, That the sultan was yet scarce cold in his hearse, and that the man who threw such ungenerous aspersions upon his family ought

* 1.257to be despised. Isah Chan replied, That silence would better become him, who was only a servant of the state. Upon which the other rose up, in a rage, and told him, he was, indeed, a servant of Sultan Secunder, and would maintain his right against all who durst oppose it. He rushed out of the council, followed by all his party, and carried off the body of the deceased king to Jellali, * 1.258where he was met by Sultan Secunder, who there ascended his father's throne.

* 1.259Secunder sending the corpse of his father to Delhi, marched against Isah Chan, and having defeated him, afterwards forgave his offence. Returning then to Delhi, he, in the manner of his father, con∣ferred favors upon all his kindred.

Secunder had, at this time, six sons, Ibrahim Chan, Jellâl Chan, Ishmaiel Chan, Hassein Chan, Mahmood Chan, and Shech Azim Humaioon; and likewise fifty three omrahs of distinction in his service.

* 1.260Some time after his accession, Secunder marched towards Ra∣beri, and besieged his own brother, Allum Chan, in the fort of Chundwar, for some days. Allum evacuated the place, and fled to Isah Chan Lodi, at Pattiali. Sultan Secunder gave Raberi to Chan Chanan, went, in person, to Attava, and calling Allum Chan, his brother, to court, gave him possession of that country. * 1.261He then advanced to Pattiali, engaged Isah Chan, wounded, and defeated him; after which Isah Chan threw himself upon Secunder's mercy, was pardoned, and soon after died of his wound.

Sultan Secunder, about that time, sent a trusty person to Barbeck Shaw, his brother, king of Jionpoor, desiring he would do him homage, and order his name to be read first in the chutba all over his do∣minions. * 1.262Barbeck rejected these proposals, and Secunder marched against him. Barbeck Shaw and Calla. Par came out in order of

* 1.263battle to meet him. An action ensued, in which Calla Par, charg∣ing too far among the troops of Delhi, was taken prisoner. * 1.264Sultan Secunder, upon seeing him, alighted from his horse, and embraced him, saying, that he esteemed him as his father, and begged he would look upon him as his son.

Calla Par, confounded at this honor done him, replied, that, except his life, he had nothing to make a recompence for such kindness, desiring to get a horse, that he might show himself not wholly unworthy of his favor. He was accordingly mounted, and he perfidiously sold his honor for a compliment, turning his sword against Barbeck Shaw; which circumstance, in some measure, con∣tributed to the success of Secunder. * 1.265The troops of Barbeck seeing Calla Par charging them, imagined that all his forces were also gone over to the enemy, and betook themselves to flight. Barbeck Shaw did all that bravery could perform, but finding himself de∣serted, he fled to Budaoon, while Mubarick Chan, his son, was taken prisoner.

* 1.266Sultan Secunder pursuing him close, invested Barbeck Shaw in Budaoon, who, soon driven to distress, capitulated, and was receiv∣ed with great kindness and respect. The sultan carried Barbeck with him to Jionpoor; but as Sultan Hassein Shirki was still a powerful prince in Behar, he thought Barbeck would be the pro∣perest person to check him, and accordingly confirmed him as before in the government of Jionpoor; leaving, however, some trusty friends at his court, upon whom he bestowed jagiers and pergunnahs, to keep them firm in his own interest.

* 1.267Secunder returning to Calpie, took the place from Azim Humai∣oon, and gave it to Mahmood Chan Lodi. He marched from thence to Kurrah, and the governor, Talar Chan, paying him homage, he confirmed him in his office, and turning towards the fort of Gualier,

* 1.268he sent Chaja Mahummud with an honorary dress to Raja Maan, who dispatched his nephew with presents to accompany the king to Biana.

Sultan Sherrif met the emperor, upon friendly terms, at Biana. The king ordered him to give up Biana, and he would appoint him governor of Tellasar, Chandwar, Marrara, and Sekite. * 1.269Sherrif took Omar Chan Serwani with him to put him in possession of the sort, but when he had got within the walls, he shut the gates upon Omar Chan, and prepared to defend himself.

* 1.270The sultan despairing of reducing the place, went to Agra, where Hybut Chan Serwani, who held that fort for Sultan Sherrif, shut the gates against him, contrary to his expectation. This insult en∣raged the sultan to that degree, that he determined, let the event be what it would, to reduce Sultan Sherrif to his obedience. He accordingly, leaving part of his army to besiege Agra, returned himself, with the utmost expedition, towards Biana, which he im∣mediately besieged. * 1.271The siege proved long and bloody; however, Sultan Sherrif, in the end, was obliged to capitulate, in the year eight hundred and ninety seven, when that government was given to Chan Chanan Firmilli.

* 1.272The fort of Agra falling, about the same time, into the sultan's hands, he returned to Delhi, * 1.273where, in a few days, he received advices of an insurrection at Jionpoor, among the zemindars, to the number of one hundred thousand horse and soot; and that they had already slain Sheri Chan, the brother of Mubarick Chan. Muba∣rick Chan himself being driven from Kurrah, was taken prisoner by Rai Bhede, of Batrea, and Barbeck Shaw obliged to go to Barage, to sollicit the assistance of Calla Par; so that the sultan, after twenty two days respite at Delhi, was under the necessity of marching towards Jionpoor. When he arrived at Dilmow, he was joined by Barbeck Shaw; and Rai Bhede hearing of the sultan's approach, released

* 1.274* 1.275Mubarick Chan, and the zemindars dispersed themselves. The sul∣tan carried Barbeck Shaw to Jionpoor, and having left him there to punish the offenders, he spent a month in hunting about Oud.

* 1.276At Oud intelligence was brought to Secunder, that the zemindars had risen again, and besieged Barbeck Shaw, in Jionpoor. He or∣dered immediately that Calla Par and Azim Humaioon Serwani, and Chan Chanan Lowani, by the way of Oud, and Mubarick Chan, by the way of Kurrah, should march against them, * 1.277and send Bar∣beck Shaw prisoner to the presence. His orders were accordingly executed, and Barbeck was given in charge to Hybut Chan and Omar Chan Serwani, being esteemed an improper person for the government, and too dangerous to be trusted with his liberty.

The sultan, after these transactions, marched towards Chinar, which was held for Sultan Hassein Shirki; upon his approach, the garrison made a sally, and were driven back into the fort; but the sultan, upon reconnoitring the place, looked upon it as almost im∣pregnable, and immediately left it, marching his army towards Bat∣tea. * 1.278Rai Bhede came out of Battea, and paid him homage, upon which the king confirmed him in his dominions, and returned to Areil, ordering Rai Bhede to accompany him; but Rai Bhede sus∣pecting some design against himself, left all his retinue, and deserted the camp alone. The sultan sent him back his effects. He, how∣ever, permitted his troops to plunder the country of Areil, and cross∣ing the river, by the way of Kurrah, went to Dilmow, where he married the widow of Sheri Chan.

From Dilmow the sultan marched to Shumseabad, where he re∣mained six months, and then went to Simbol; but returning from thence, in a few days, to Shumseabad, he plundered the town of Mudeo-makil, where a band of banditti resided. Secunder spent the rainy season at Shumseabad.

* 1.279* 1.280In the year nine hundred, the sultan made another campaign to∣wards Battea, defeating Bir Singh, the son of Rai Bhede, at Car∣rangatti, who fled to Battea; but, upon the sultan's approach, Rai Bhede took the route of Sirkutch, and died upon his march. The sultan, after this victory, proceeded to Sezdewar; but provisions growing scarce in his camp, he was obliged to return to Jionpoor, having, in this expedition, lost a great part of his cavalry by fa∣tigue, bad roads, and the want of forage.

Lickim Chund, the son of Rai Bhede, and other zemindars, wrote to Sultan Hassein, of Bekâr, that the cavalry of Secunder was now in a wretched condition, and that it was an excellent opportunity for him to take satisfaction for his former defeats. * 1.281This induced Sultan Hassein to put his army in motion, and march directly against Sul∣tan Secunder. Secunder hearing of his intentions, put his army upon the best footing possible, and crossed the Ganges to meet him, which he did eighteen crores from Benaris: * 1.282An obstinate battle was fought, in which Sultan Hassein was defeated, and fled to Battea.

Sultan Secunder leaving his camp with a proper guard, pursued the fugitives for three days, with a party of horse; but hearing Sul∣tan Hassem was gone to Behar, he stopped, and upon the ninth day returned to his camp. * 1.283He then marched with his whole army to∣wards Behar, but upon his approach, Sultan Hassein lest Malleck Cundu to guard the city, and fled himself to Calgaw, in the domi∣nions of Lucknouti* 1.284. Sultan Alla ul Dien, king of Bengal, called Hassein to his court, and treated him with the greatest respect dur∣ing the remainder of his days, which he passed with him; so that with Hassein the royal line of Jionpoor was extinguished.

* 1.285Sultan Secunder, from his camp at Deopar, sent a division of his army against Malleck Cundu, who evacuated the city and fled,

* 1.286leaving the whole country open to the enemy. * 1.287The sultan left Mo∣habut Chan with a force in Behar, and marched towards Turhat, the raja of which submitted himself to his clemency, and laying down a large sum, agreed to pay an annual tribute. To collect the tribute, the sultan left Mubarick Chan, and returned to Dervesh∣poor, and from thence went to visit the tomb of Shech Sherrif at Behar, and distributed presents to the dirveshes who lived there upon the charity of pilgrims.

Secunder having regulated his army, marched towards Bengal, but when he had reached Cuttlishpoor, Sultan Alla ul Dien sent Danial his son to oppose him. Sultan Secunder detached Zere Zichme, one of his generals, to acquaint him, that he had no inten∣tion to subdue the country, but as their dominions now bordered upon each other, it became necessary to know upon what footing he must esteem Alla, before he left that country. * 1.288The king of Bengal gladly accepted of a peace, wherein it was stipulated, that neither monarch should permit any of their governors to invade each other's dominions, and that neither of them should give protection to the other's enemies.

The sultan returned to Dirveshpoor. Mubarick Chan at that time dying, the care of Turhat was given to Azim Humaioon, the son of Chan Jehan, and Behar was bestowed upon Deria Chan, the son of Mubarick. * 1.289There happened, at this time, a great dearth in the country, but all duties being taken off by the sultan's order, that calamity was in a great measure mitigated. Secunder, in the mean time, reducing the districts of Sarin, which were then in the hands of some zemindars, gave the lands in jagiers to some of his omrahs; then returning by the way of Movilligur to Jionpoor, he resided there six months.

* 1.290The sultan having asked the daughter of Sal Bahin, Raja of Bat∣tea, in marriage, the father refused to comply with his request. * 1.291Secunder, to revenge this affront, put his army in motion against the Raja, in the year nine hundred and four, and marching to Bat∣tea, sacked it. After having ravaged the country round Bandugur, he returned to Jionpoor, where he spent some time, in the civil regulations of the empire.

* 1.292About this time, the accounts of Mubarick Chan Lodi being inspected for the time of his administration in Jionpoor, and a great ballance being found due to the royal revenue, the king ordered it to be levied upon him. * 1.293This severity greatly disgusted the omrahs, among whom Mubarick Chan was very much esteemed. A faction accordingly arose in the army, which first discovered itself by private quarrels. For, one day, as the sultan and his court were playing a party at club and ball, on horseback, the club of Hybut Chan, by accident, or design, fractured the scull of one Soliman. Chizer, the brother of Soliman, came up, and returned the compliment to Hybut Chan; * 1.294so that, in a few minutes, the parties on either side, joined in the quarrel, and the whole field was in one uproar and confusion.

* 1.295The sultan, fearing a conspiracy, fled to the palace, but nothing of that kind transpiring, he made another party at the same game, some days thereafter, and a quarrel of the same nature ensued, for which Shumse Chan, who begun it, was disgraced, and bastinadoed. But the sultan would not be satisfied but that there was some plot in agitation, and therefore ordered his guards to be selected, and to keep upon the watch.

* 1.296The king's jealousies were not groundless; for at that time, Hybut Chan, and two other chiefs, had proposed to Fatti Chan, the king's brother, to cut off the sultan, who, they said, was now disliked by

* 1.297the generality of the omrahs, and to place Fatti upon the throne. Fatti Chan desiring some time to consider of it, disclosed the secret to Shech Cabuli, and to his own mother, who advised him against so horrid an action; and, lest the affair should, by any other means, transpire, she desired him to acquaint the sultan of their proposal. This he did accordingly, and the conspirators were detached upon different services, where they were put to death by the sultan's orders.

* 1.298Secunder, in the year nine hundred and five, marched to Simbol, where he spent four years in pleasure, and in transacting civil affairs. But hearing of some bad administration of Asghir, the governor of Delhi, he sent an order to Chawass Chan, governor of Matchiwarri, to march to Delhi, and send Asghir prisoner to court. The go∣vernor receiving advice of this order, left Delhi, and threw himself at the sultan's feet, but not being able to form any excuse for his bad practices, he was ordered into confinement.

* 1.299At this time there happened a remarkable instance of reli∣gious zeal and persecution. A Brahmin, whose name was Bhodin, upon being abused by a Mahommedan, for his idolatry, happened to make a very moderate, but what proved to him a fatal reply. The reply was this:

"That he esteemed the same God to be the object of all worship, and, therefore, believed the Mahomedan and Hindoo religions to be equally good."

The bigotted Ma∣hommedan, for what he thought the impiety of this answer, sum∣moned the Brahmin immediately before the easy. The affair making some noise, by the various opinions of the public, the king called together all the Mahommedan doctors of fame in the empire, to decide the cause. After many long disputes, the doctors brought in their verdict, that the Brahmin should be forced to turn Mahom∣medan, or be put to death. The Brahmin, however charitable he might have been to all opinions upon religion, refused to apostatize,

* 1.300and accordingly died a martyr to his faith, which reflects no small dishonor upon the sultan and his inquisitors.

When Chawass Chan entered Delhi, he found an order from the emperor to proceed immediately to court, with which he instantly complied. * 1.301At the same time, Seid Chan Sirwani came from Lahore, who was a man of a very factious disposition, and com∣menced some treasonable projects, for which he, Tattar Chan, and Mahummud Shaw, were banished to Guzerat.

In the nine hundred and seventh of the Higera, Rai Man Sing, of Gualier, sent Nehal to the king with rich presents; * 1.302but as this em∣bassador talked in too high a strain, the emperor ordered him to depart, and declared war against his master. * 1.303But he was prevented from the execution of his purpose, for some time, by the death of Chan Chanan Firmilli, governor of Biana, and by those disturbances in that province, which succeeded his death. The government of Biana having devolved upon Ameid Soliman, the son of Chan Chanan, who was yet too young and unexperienced for such a charge, the king gave that appointment to Chawass Chan. Sifdir Chan was sent with a force to reduce Agra, which belonged to the province of Biana, and had then revolted; another detachment being sent, at the same time, to reduce the fort of Dolipoor, which was in the possession of Raja Benaecdeo, who had begun to make warlike preparations. Here Chaja Bein, a warrior of great fame, fell by the sword, which so irritated the sultan, who had a great esteem for him, that he marched himself against that place. Upon his approach Rai Be∣naecdeo left some friends in the fort, and fled towards Gualier, but the garrison, the next night, evacuated the place, and left the sultan to take possession of it.

* 1.304He tarried there about a month, and then marched to Gualier. The raja of which place, changing his haughty stile, now humbly

* 1.305sued for peace, sending him Seid Chan, Baboo Chan, Rai Ginish, and others, who had, at different times, fled from the sultan, and taken protection under him. At the same time, he sent his own son, Bickermagit, with presents, who had the address to procure peace.

The sultan returned to Dolipoor, which he again bestowed upon Rai Benaecdeo; * 1.306then marching to Agra, he, for the first time, made that city imperial, by fixing his residence there, and aban∣doning the city of Delhi. Here he remained during the rains, and, in the year nine hundred and ten, marched towards Munderael, which he took, and destroyed the Hindoo temples, ordering mosques to be built in their stead. Secunder returning to Dolipoor, removed the raja from his office, and gave it to Shech Kimir ul Dien. He passed from thence to Agra, giving his omrahs leave to return to their respective estates.

* 1.307* 1.308In the following year, upon Sunday the third of Siffer, there was a violent earthquake in Agra, so that the mountains shook on their broad bases, and every lofty building was levelled with the ground, some thousands being buried in the ruins. The sultan, in the same year, moved towards Gualier, and stopped by the way some time at Dolipoor, where he left his family, and, with an unincumbered army of horse, proceeded to the hills, to plunder some Hindoo rajas, from whom he took great spoils, and ravaged their peaceful habitations. Just as the sultan was passing by the town of Javer, in the dominions of the raja of Gualier, he was attacked by a resolute body of men, who had laid in ambush for him; but, by the bravery of Awid Chan and Ahmed Chan, the sons of Chan Jehan, the Hindoos were defeated, and a great number of rajaputs put to the sword.

* 1.309* 1.310The sultan returned to Agra; and, in the year nine hundred and twelve, he went towards the fort of Awintgur; and, as he had des∣paired of reducing Gualier, he bent his whole strength to the re∣duction of this place. It was accordingly, in a short time, taken, and all the rajaput garrison put to the sword, the temples destroyed, and mosques ordered to be built in their places. This government was conferred upon Bickin, the son of Mujahid Chan, when some envious persons gave the king information that Mujahid Chan had taken a bribe from the raja of Awintgur, when they were marching against him, in order to divert the king from that resolution. This being proved, Mujahid Chan was imprisoned at Dolipoor; after which the king, returning towards Agra, on the way lost eight hundred men, in one day, for want of water.

* 1.311The sultan, eyeing from his march the ruins of Agra, moved towards Narvar, a strong fort, in the district of Malava, then in the possession of the Hindoos. He ordered Jellal Chan, governor of Calpie, to advance before him, and invest the place, which was ac∣cordingly done. When the sultan arrived before Narvar, Jellal Chan drew up his army, out of respect, that the king might review them as he passed. This circumstance proved very hurtful to Jellal, for, from that time, the king became jealous of his power, and determined to ruin him.

The sultan surrounded the place, which was eight crores in cir∣cumference, and began to carry on the siege. The siege was now protracted eight months, when the sultan received intelligence, that a treasonable correspondence was carried on between some of his omrahs and the garrison, for which Jellal Chan and Sheri Chan were imprisoned in the fort of Awintgur. * 1.312The garrison, soon after, was obliged to capitulate, for want of provisions, and the king re∣mained, for the space of six months, at Narvar, breaking down

* 1.313temples, and building mosques. He there also established a kind of monastery, which he filled with divines and learned men.

Shab ul Dien, the son of Nasir ul Dien, king of Malava, being at this time discontented with his father, proposed to meet Secun∣der. The sultan immediately sent him a dress, and promised to sup∣port him in the government of Chinderi, against the power of his father. But circumstances so fell out, that it became unnecessary to take that unnatural step.

The sultan, in the month of Shuban, nine hundred and fourteen, marched from Narvar; but after he had advanced to the river, he began to consider that it would be proper to surround that fortress with another wall. He therefore ordered that work to be immediately begun, and then he himself took the rout of Lohar. At that place he bestowed Calpie, in jagier, upon Niamut Chatoon, the wife of Cuttub Chan Lodi, and daughter of the prince Jellâl Chan. He then directed his march towards the capital, and arriving at Hitgat, sent a detachment against some rebels in that country, and destroyed all their habitations, placing small garrisons at proper distances to overawe them. About this time he received advices, that Ahmed Chan, the son of Mubarick Chan Lodi, governor of Lucknore, had turned idolater; upon which orders were dispatched to send him pri∣soner to court, and that his second brother, Sud Chan, should take the administration of affairs in his stead.

In the year nine hundred and fifteen, the king marched to Doli∣poor, and ordered caravanseras to be built at every stage. Mahum∣mud Chan Nagori having defeated Ali Chan and Abu Bicker, who had conspired against him, they fled to the sultan for protection. Mahummud Chan, fearing they would bring the sultan against him, sent presents by way of prevention, and ordered the chutba to be

* 1.314read in Secunder's name. * 1.315The sultan, pleased with his submission, sent him a dress of confirmation, and returned to Agra.

* 1.316He spent some months there in building, making spacious gardens, and in hunting, then returned to Dolipoor, ordering Miah Soliman, the son of Chan Chanan, to succour Hussen Chan. Soliman very imprudently told the king, that he could not prevail upon himself to leave the presence. This expression threw the sultan into a violent rage, and he forthwith ordered him from his service and camp by next morning at day-light, or that otherwise all his effects should be given to the soldiers as public plunder.

* 1.317Much about this time, Bogit Chan, governor of Chinderi, who held that place of the king of Malava, seeing the weakness of his own prince, turned his face to Sultan Secunder. That monarch sent Amad ul Muluck to support Bogit in his rebellion. He soon after returned to Agra, and issued a proclamation bearing the sub∣mission of Bogit Chan, and his own consequent right to that coun∣try. He sent more troops and omrahs to Chinderi, who entirely settled it as an appendage of the empire. Bogit Chan found matters carried on in his government in such a manner, that he was con∣strained to resign his office, and come to court.

After this, we find no transactions worthy of memory in the em∣pire, till the year nine hundred and twenty two. Ali Chan Nagori, ••uba of Suisuper, in that year prevailed upon Dowlat Chan, gover∣nor of Rintimpore, which he then held of Malava, to deliver the fort to Sultan Secunder, if that monarch should come in person to take possession of it. The sultan, with great joy, closed with the proposal, and set out towards Biana, to which place the governor of Rintimpore came to meet him, and was graciously received. * 1.318But Ali Chan, who had been disappointed in some favors which he ex∣pected for bringing this matter to bear, resolved still to prevent the

* 1.319accomplishment of it. He had so much influence upon the gover∣nor, that he made him retract his promise about giving up the fort, though he had put himself in the sultan's power. * 1.320The sultan hav∣ing found out the cause of this change, disgraced Ali Chan, and deprived him of his government, but was obliged to return to Agra without succeeding in his design upon Rintimpore, setting the gover∣nor at liberty, notwithstanding he had so egregiously deceived him.

To Agra the sultan summoned all the distant omrahs together, with an intention to reduce Gualier. * 1.321But he was, in the midst of his preparations, in the year nine hundred and twenty three, taken ill of a quinsey, of which he died, having reigned, with great repu∣tation and ability, twenty eight years and five months.

SECTION X. The reign of SULTAN IBRAHIM BEN SULTAN SECUNDER.

* 1.322SULTAN Secunder dying at Agra, his son Ibrahim immediately succeeded him in the throne. * 1.323This prince, contrary to the manners and policy of his father and grandfather, behaved himself with insupportable pride and arrogance to his friends and family. One foolish expression of his was, that king's had no relations, but that every body should be the slaves of royalty. The omrahs, who were always before honored with a seat in the presence, were now constrained to stand by the throne, with their hands crossed before them. They were so much disgusted with this insolence, that they privately became his enemies.

* 1.324A conspiracy therefore was formed, in which it was agreed to leave Ibrahim in possession of Delhi, and a few dependent provinces,

* 1.325* 1.326and to place the prince Jellal Chan, his brother, upon the throne of Jionpoor. Jellal Chan marched from Calpie, by the aid and advice of the disaffected omrahs, and mounted the throne of Jionpoor. He appointed Fatte Chan his visier, who brought over all the om∣rahs of these parts to his interest.

Chan Jehan Lohani came at that time from Beri, to congratulate Sultan Ibrahim upon his accession, and, in a very high strain, be∣gan to blame the omrahs for dividing the empire, which, he said, would be attended with many evil consequences. * 1.327The omrahs, sensible of the impropriety of their conduct, determined, as Jellal Chan could not yet be well established, to call him back, and so divest him of his new-assumed royalty. They accordingly sent Hybut Chan, with deceptious letters, to recal him, saying, that there was a scheme for him in agitation, and that it was necessary he should speedily come to support it.

* 1.328But Hybut Chan having over-acted his part, by flattery and im∣portunity, Jellal Chan suspected a plot against himself, and wrote them a genteel excuse. They, however, not discovering his jea∣lousy, sent Shah Zadda Mahummud Firmilli, Malleck Ismaiel Sel∣wani, Casi Mudgeid ul Dien Hadjib, and Sissil Hadjib, to enforce the request of Hybut Chan; but Jellal took no notice of their sol∣licitations or intrigues.

Sultan Ibrahim, and his omrahs, finding that these baits would not take with Jellal, issued a proclamation, declaring all the om∣rahs, who should join him, traitors to the state; at the same time sending presents and envoys to all the principal officers in those parts. These means had the desired effect, and the omrahs, on the side of Jellal, were brought over from his interest, by degrees.

* 1.329* 1.330The affairs of Jellal Chan declining in this manner, he saw that nothing but a resolute attempt could retrieve them. He accord∣ingly marching to Calpie, secured his family in that fort; and, collecting all his strength, assumed the title of Sultan Jellal ul Dien, and was determined to try his fortune in the field. He sent, at the same time, a trusty ambassador to Azim Humaioon, who hold Callinger for Sultan Ibrahim, and had a great army in pay, to beg his assistance. * 1.331Azim was prevailed upon to join him; and a resolu∣tion was formed, first to settle the countries about Jionpoor, and af∣terwards to think of affairs of still greater moment. They accord∣ingly marched, with all expedition, against Mubarick Chan Lodi, suba of Oud, whom they drove to Lucknore.

Sultan Ibrahim hearing of these transactions, marched his army to that quarter, sending his other brothers, in confinement, to Hassi, where he pensioned them for life. * 1.332Upon his march towards Oud, he was informed that Azim Humaioon had deserted Jellal ul Dien, and was now upon his way to meet him, which gave him great joy. He sent some omrahs to escort him to his camp, where he was very favorably received. A number of other omrahs, of those parts, joined Ibrahim; and he dispatched the greatest part of his army, under the command of Azim Humaioon Lodi, against Jellal ul Dien. * 1.333But before Azim could come up with Jellal, he threw a garrison into Calpie, and, with thirty thousand horse, gave him the slip, and marched directly towards Agra; while Azim Humaioon laid siege to Calpie.

Jellal ul Dien had it now in his power either to take possession of, or to plunder, the treasury. But he seems to have been perfect∣ly infatuated. * 1.334Malleck Adam, who was in the city with a small garrison, not only prevailed upon him to relinquish that advantage, but amused him with hopes of his brother's favor, till he sent him all his ensigns of royalty. Adam went so far as to promise to Jellal

* 1.335the government of Calpie, and other advantages, without having any powers of treating from the king.

Malleck Adam sent the whole to Ibrahim, and acquainted him of every particular. But the sultan having now taken Calpie, and the treaty being concluded without his authority, he took no notice of it, but marched against Jellal ul Dien, * 1.336who, now deserted by his army for his pusillanimity, was obliged to fly to Gualier, and solicit the protection of the raja of that place. Ibrahim came to Agra, where he remained to regulate the affairs of the government, which, since the death of Secunder, had fallen into great confusion. Karim Daad Twa was sent to take charge of Delhi, and Shah Zadda Mungu to Chunderi.

About this time, the king, without any apparent reason, con∣ceived a disgust at Miah Boah, who was formerly visier to Secunder, and put him in chains, conferring at the same time great honours upon his son. * 1.337He then formed a resolution of reducing Gualier, or∣dering Azim Humaioon to march from Kurrah against it, with thirty thousand horse, and three hundred elephants. Seven other omrahs, with armies, were sent to reinforce Azim.

Jellal Chan, who had taken refuge in Gualier, being intimidated, fled to the king of Malava. * 1.338The imperial army arriving before Gualier, invested the place, and in a few days Raja Maan Singh, who was a prince of great valour and capacity, died, and his son Bickermagit succeeded him in the rajaship. After the siege had been carried on some months, the army of Ibrahim at length pos∣sessed themselves of an outwork at the foot of the hill, upon which the sort, called Badilgur, stood. They found in that place a Brazen Bull, which had been a long time worshiped there, and sent it to Agra; from whence it was afterwards conveyed to Delhi, and placed at the gate of Bagdat.

* 1.339* 1.340The unfortunate Jellal, who had gone over to Sultan Mahmood of Malava, not being well received there, fled to the raja of Kury∣katka, but was seized upon by the way, and sent prisoner to Ibra∣him's camp. * 1.341Ibrahim pretended to send him prisoner to Hassi, but gave private orders to assassinate him upon the way, which was ac∣cordingly done.—What are those charms in power, which could in∣duce a man to shed the blood of a brother?

* 1.342Nor was Ibrahim satisfied with the death of Jellal; he imbrued his hands in the blood of several omrahs of great distinction. * 1.343He called Azim Humaioon Sirwani from Gualier, when just upon the point of taking the place, imprisoned him and his son Fatte Chan, turning out his other son Islam Chan from the subaship of Kurrah. * 1.344But when Islam had heard of his father's and brother's imprison∣ment, and of his own disgrace, he erected the standard of rebellion, defeating Ahmed Chan who was sent to take his government.

The sultan having received advices of the reduction of Gualier, which had been for a hundred years in the hands of the Hindoos, he had leisure to turn all his power to suppress the rebellion at Kurrah. Azim Humaioon Lodi and Seid Chan, after the reduction of the place, were permitted to go to their jagiers at Lucknore; where, joining the interest of Islam Chan, they stirred up more disturb∣ances.

Ibrahim placing very little dependence upon the fidelity of the troops which he had near him, issued orders for those of the distant provinces to repair to his standards. * 1.345He, in the mean time, confer∣red great favours upon Ahmed Chan, the brother of Azim Hu∣maioon Lodi, and giving him the command of the army, sent him against Islam Chan. Ahmed having arrived in the environs of Kin∣noge, Eckbal Chan, a dependent of Azim Humaioon Sirwani,

* 1.346rushed out from an ambush with five thousand horse, and having cut off a number of the imperial troops, made good his retreat.

The sultan was greatly exasperated against Ahmed, upon receiv∣ing intelligence of this defeat. He wrote to him not to expect his favor, if he did not quickly exterminate the rebels; at the same time, by way of precaution, sending another army to support him.

The rebels were now about forty thousand strong in cavalry, be∣sides five hundred elephants, and a great body of infantry. When Ahmed Chan had received the reinforcement which we have mentioned, and the two armies came in sight of each other, Shech Raja Bochari, who was esteemed the first man for parts in that age, was desirous of bringing affairs to an amicable accommodation. * 1.347Overtures being made, the rebels consented to dismiss their army, upon condition that Azim Humaioon should be set at liberty. Ibrahim would not hearken to these terms. He sent orders to Diria Chan Lohani, suba of Behar, to Nisir Chan Lohani, and Shech Zadda Mahummud Firmilli, to advance from that quarter, against the rebels. The insurgents foolishly permitted themselves to be amused till the armies from Behar joined. * 1.348The treaty being then broke off, they were reduced either to fly or fight upon equal terms.

They resolved upon the latter, and accordingly drew up in order of battle. Urged on by despair and resentment, they did justice to valor, and were upon the point of defeating the imperialists, when Islam Chan was killed, and Seid Chan dismounted and taken. * 1.349These unfortunate accidents discouraging the troops, they stopped short, and soon after turned their face to flight. Their dominions, treasure, and baggage fell at once into the hands of the king.

* 1.350* 1.351Ibrahim now gave full scope to his hatred and resentment against the omrahs of Secunder, and many of them were barbarously put to death. Azim Humaioon Sirwani, Miah Boah, and others, who were in confinement, were, at the same time, assassinated, and fear and terror took possession of every heart. These cruelties and as∣sassinations gave rise to another rebellion. Diria Chan Lohani, suba of Behar, Chan Jehan Lodi, and Miah Hassen Firmilli, turned their heads from the yoke of obedience. The sultan having re∣ceived intelligence of this defection, sent a private order to the shechs of Chunderi, to take off Miah Hassen Firmilli, suba of that country, and these holy persons accordingly assassinated him in his bed. This fresh instance of Ibrahim's baseness and tyranny served only to create him more enemies.

Diria Chan, suba of Beria, died about this time, and his son of the same name, assumed the title of Sultan Mahummud, with all the ensigns of royalty. * 1.352He was joined by all the discontented omrahs, and found himself at the head of a hundred thousand horse, with which he took possession of all the countries as far as Simbol, defeating the sultan's troops in repeated engagements.

Ghazi Chan Lodi came about this time with the army from Lahore, by the sultan's orders. But having heard of his tyrannies, by the way, he was apprehensive of danger to himself, and returned to his father, Dowlat Chan, at Lahore. Dowlat, seeing no safety but in extremes, revolted from the sultan, and sollicited Baber, who then reigned in Cabul, to come to the conquest of Hindostan. The first thing, however, that Dowlat did, was to obtain from Sultan Baber, Alla ul Dien, the brother of Ibrahim, now in the service of Cabul. Supporting him, as a cover to his measures, with his whole force, he reduced the country as far as Delhi. Alla was joined by the omrahs of those parts, so that his army now consisted of upward of forty thousand horse, with which he invested Delhi.

* 1.353Ibrahim resolved to march against him, but when he came within six crore of Alla ul Dien's army, he was surprized by that prince in the night. A confused and tumultuous fight was maintained to day-light, when Ibrahim found that he was deserted by some of his omrahs, who had joined Sultan Alla ul Dien. Sultan Ibrahim ob∣serving, in the morning, that the troops of Alla ul Dien were dis∣persed, in plundering his camp, rallied a number of his troops, and the greatest part of his elephants, returned to the attack, and drove him off the field, with great slaughter. Ibrahim entered Delhi in triumph, and Alla ul Dien, seeing no hopes of reducing it, re∣treated to Punjaab.

In the year nine hundred and thirty two, Zehir ul Dien Ma∣hummud Baber drew his army against Ibrahim, as will be hereafter related at large, overthrew him in the field of Panniput, deprived him of his life and kingdom, and transferred the empire to the family of Timur. Sultan Ibrahim reigned twenty years.

SECTION XI. The history of ZEHIR UL DIEN MAHUMMUD BABER, be∣fore his invasion of Hindostan.

* 1.354AL•…•… SEID MIRZA dying in Ayrack* 1.355, left eleven sons, Mirza Sultan Ahmed, Mirza Sultan Mahmood, Mirza Sultan Mahummud, Mirza Sh•…•…ch, Mirza Aligh Beg, Mirza A•…•…er Sh••ch, Mirza 〈…〉〈…〉, Mirza Sultan Murad, Mirza Sultan Chil•…•…, Mirza Sultan Wi•…•…, and Mirza Sultan Amer. Four of the sons of Mirza

* 1.356arrived to the dignity of kings; Mirza Aligh Beg to the throne of Cabul; Mirza Sultan Ahmed to the kingdom of Samarcand; Mirza Amer Shech to the united thrones of Indija and Firghana; and Mirza Sultan Mahmood to those of Kundiz and Buduchshan.

Eunus Chan, king of Mogulstan, gave to each of those four kings one of his daughters in marriage, excepting to Aligh Beg. * 1.357Mirza Amer Shech, by Catlick Negar, the daughter of Eunus Chan, had a son, whom he named Baber, born in the year eight hundred and eighty eight. * 1.358The relation between Timur* 1.359 and Abu Seid, the grand∣father of Baber, is this: Sultan Abu Seid was the son of Sultan Mahummud, the son of Miran Shaw, the son of Timur, Lord of Ages.

* 1.360Mirza Baber, when as yet but twelve years old, discovered a capacity so uncommon at that age, that Mirza Amer gave him the kingdom of Indija; * 1.361and, when his father, upon Monday, the fourth of Ramzan, in the eight hundred and ninety ninth of the Higera, fell from the roof of a pigeon-house, and was killed, Mirza Baber was advanced to the throne, and assumed the title of Zehire ul Dien.

* 1.362Mirza Sultan Ahmed, and Sultan Mahmood, his uncles, led their armies against him, to be revenged of him, in his nonage, for the war of his father against them, hoping by the advantage which the accession of a child might afford, to appropriate his kingdoms to themselves. But an accident defeated their ambitions designs. * 1.363After besieging him in the capital of Indija, there happened so great a mortality among their troops and cavalry, that they were glad to enter into treaty, and to raise the siege. Sultan Ahmed died upon his way to Samarcand.

* 1.364* 1.365The kings of Cashgar and Chutun soon after drew a great army towards the borders of Orgund, and made war upon Baber; but he obliged them to retreat. He, at this time, appointed Hassen Ja∣coob governor of Indija, who was not faithful to his trust. He rebel∣led in the year nine hundred, but Baber marched against him, and obliged him to fly towards Samarcand. In the same year, Ibrahim Sarid, the governor of Ashira, rebelled, and read the chutba in the name of B•…•…isinker. Baber marched against him, and besieged him in Ashira, which he reduced in the space of forty days; and the rebel was obliged to come forth with a sword and coffin before him. Baber, however, forgave him, and marched to Chojind, and from thence to Sharuchia, to meet Sultan Mahmood, with whom he re∣mained a few days, and returned to Indija.

* 1.366Baisinker, king of Samarcand, having possessed himself of Artaba, which was a long time the property of Omar Shech, Baber re∣solved to retake the place, and marched accordingly with his army against it, the very next season. Shech Zulnoon, who held it on the part of the king of Samarcand, made a resolute defence, till the ap∣proach of winter obliged Baber to raise the siege, and return to to Indija.

* 1.367Baber, in the year following, drew his army towards Samarcand, being in alliance with Sultan Alli, the brother of Baisinker Mirza, and king of Bochara; for the former endeavoured to recover from the latter the kingdom of Samarcand. * 1.368The confederate kings not being able to reduce Samarcand that year, they returned home for the winter season, and made great preparations for another campaign.

Both the kings, accordingly, in the year nine hundred and two, in the beginning of the spring, took the route of Samarcand. Sul∣tan Alli reached Samarcand first, and Mirza Baisinker advanced without the city, and encamped before him; but, upon Baber's ar∣rival,

* 1.369he retreated within his walls in the night. Eulu Chaja, who was going the rounds of Baber's camp, discovered the retreat of Baisinker, and falling upon his rear, put a great number to the sword. Baber laid siege to a fort, called Ashira, at a small distance from the city, and took it. * 1.370The confederates, after this success, attacked Samarcand, which was defended with great bravery, * 1.371till winter obliged them to raise the siege, and retire to quarters, till the ensuing season.

Sultan Alli returned to Bochara, and Baber to a place called Cha∣jadidar. Shubiani Chan, upon his march from Turkistan, to join the king of Samarcand, came before Baber, but he thought proper to make the best of his way for Samarcand. Shubiani and Baisin∣kir quarrelled soon after, and the former returned to his own coun∣try. This circumstance so much distressed Baisinkir, that, with a small retinue, he went in person to beg the assistance of Chusero Shaw, king of Kunduz, * 1.372while Baber, seizing this opportunity, hastened to Samarcand, and, in the year nine hundred and three, entered the city without opposition, and mounted the throne, being acknowledged by the greatest part of the omrahs.

* 1.373But as Baber had taken the place by capitulation, and forbad all manner of plunder, the army, to whom he was greatly in arrears, and who served him only for the hopes of booty, began to disperse. The Moguls, who were commanded by Ibrahim Chan Begehuck, went off in a body, and were followed by several other chiefs, with their whole dependents, to Achsi, where Jehangire, the brother of Baber, commanded. Jehangire, by the aid of the deserters, and that of a prince, called Ozin Hassen, declared himself king of In∣dija. He wrote, by way of sneer to his brother, that as Baber had subdued the kingdom of Samarcand, he begged to be indulged with that of Indija.

* 1.374Baber having received this message, gave way to his passion, and, in blaming the persidy of those chiefs who had deserted him, im∣prudently threw some reflections upon those who remained. * 1.375The omrahs resented this behaviour, by abandoning him, and joining his brother. Baber, in the utmost distress, sent Eulu Chaja to endea∣vor to reconcile the omrahs to him again, but they sent a party to way-lay the embassador, and cut him to pieces.

Ali Doost and Molana Casi, in the mean time, threw a garrison into the fort of Indija, and continued to hold it out for Baber. The faithful omrahs sent advice to Baber of their situation; * 1.376but, unfor∣tunately at this time, he was taken so extremely ill, that, not able to swallow any thing, he barely existed by having moistened cotton applied to his lips. When he had recovered his health, and found the pressing situation of his affairs in Indija, he determined to run the risque of losing Samarcand, rather than his paternal dominions, and accordingly directed his march homewards. * 1.377But Ali Doost, and his friends in Indija, having heard that Baber was certainly dead, had capitulated, and given up the place to Jehangire. This traitor assassinated Molana, and, mounting the throne, read the chutba in his own name.

* 1.378This disagreeable intelligence, and other advices, that the Sama∣candians had revolted, were, at once, brought to Baber, upon his march, which threw him into the utmost distress, having now lost both kingdoms. He sent, as his last resource, Amir Casim Cudgi to Tashcund, to entreat the assistance of Mahmood. That sultan hastened to Jilka, where he and Baber met; but an emissary, at the same time, came to Mahmood, from Jehangire, who managed matters so well, that Sultan Mahmood left his two nephews to settle their own differences, and returned to Tashcund. This unexpected blow had such an effect upon the affairs of Baber, that they now

* 1.379* 1.380appeared so desperate, that of all his army, in a few days, only forty horsemen remained with him, to conquer two kingdoms.

In this forlorn situation he retreated to Chojind. He wrote from thence to Mahummud Hassein Gorgan Doghelat, at Artaba, acquaint∣ing him, that the place in which he was then could not protect him from the fury of his enemies; * 1.381he therefore earnestly solicited him to permit him to pass the winter at Bishaer. Mahummud Hassein consented to this request; and Baber accordingly took up his quar∣ters there. He began to recruit a new army, writing to all the friends he could think of, to join him.

* 1.382After a few were gathered round his standard, he considered that his future fortune depended entirely upon the reputation of his arms, and resolved to employ them against his enemies. He, therefore, hastened to Barnilack, where he took some forts by assault, and some by stratagem. But these petty exploits were of little service to him, for his affairs bore still a very ruinous aspect, which threw him into great perplexity. * 1.383He received, in the mean time, agreeable tidings from Alli Doost Tighai, begging his forgiveness, and in∣forming him, that he was in possession of the garrison of Marinaan, and if Baber should come to take possession of it, he would number himself among his slaves.

Baber did not hesitate to accept this offer, and arriving at the place, he met Alli Doost at the gate, who put him into possession of the sort, and supplied his finances. Baber immediately sent Amer Cassim Codgi towards the mountains of Indija, and Ibrahim Sara and Viss Laghiri towards Achsi, to endeavor to bring over friends to his party. * 1.384This measure had the desired effect, for the mountaineers of Indija were gained to the interest of Baber, while Ibrahim Sara and Viss Laghiri settled matters with the governor of the sort of Baab, and two or three more, who declared for Baber.

* 1.385The negotiations of that prince succeeded, at the same time, at the court of his uncle, Sultan Mahmood Chan, of Bochara, who march∣ed to join him.

* 1.386Jehangire, having received intelligence of the proceedings at Marinaan, and of the efforts of Baber to raise an army, marched with his forces towards that place, and sat down before it. He detached, at the same time, part of his army towards Achsi, who, falling in with Mahmood Chan, were defeated, with great slaugh∣ter. * 1.387When Jehangire and Ozin Hassen received these advices, they were struck with embarrassment, and retreated to Indija. * 1.388But Na∣sirbeg, the son-in-law of Ozin Hassen, who had now the govern∣ment of that city, seeing the favorable aspect of Baber's affairs, by the junction of Sultan Mahmood, and several parties of Usbecks, determined not to admit Jehangire, and immediately sent a mes∣senger to hasten Baber to take possession of the place. * 1.389This check ruined the affairs of Jehangire, for immediately his army began to disperse, while he himself took the way to Ost, and Ozin Hassen that of Achsi.

* 1.390Baber, by this time, advanced to Indija, and took possession of that city, conferring honors upon his friends; and thus the capital of Firghana was, in the year nine hundred and four, restored to its former administration. Upon the fourth day after the arrival of Baber, he set out for Achsi, where Ozin Hassen capitulated, and was permitted to retire to Hissaar, Casim Ogib being appointed governor of the place. The king returned to Indija, with the greatest part of Ozin Hassen's troops, who inlisted themselves under his victorious banners.

But the forces of Hassen having, upon a former occasion, plun∣dered several persons, then in the king's army, of their effects, a com∣plaint was made to Baber, and orders were issued to restore the

* 1.391plunder to the proper owners. * 1.392The Moguls, unwilling to comply with this order, mounted their horses, and, to a man, set out for Orgund, where they joined Mirza Jehangire and Ahmed Timbul, by which they were again in a condition to march against Indija. * 1.393The king sent Casim Cougi to oppose them, who was defeated with great slaughter, many of the king's principal omrahs being slain, and several taken prisoners.

The enemy advanced with all expedition, and laid siege to Indija for the space of thirty days, but as they could effect nothing against it, they marched towards Ouse. The king having recruited his army, marched, in the year nine hundred and five, towards Ouse, * 1.394while the enemy, by another road, made a push towards Indija. Baber, how∣ever, trusting to his friends in that city, and the strength of the place, marched to Badwerd, a strong fort in the possession of Chilili, brother to Ahmed Timbul. Chilili defended the place with great resolution, but at length was forced to a capitulation, by the terms of which, he was exchanged for the king's friends, who had fallen into the enemy's hands.

* 1.395Ahmed Timbul, in the mean time, made an attempt to scale the walls of Indija in the night, but was repulsed with great loss. Ba∣ber, by this time, returning to that place, took a strong post by the banks of the river. He encamped before the enemy for the space of forty days, and then determined to attack their camp, though with great disadvantage. * 1.396After an obstinate and bloody re∣sistance, the rebels were driven out of their trenches, and dispersed. The king, after the victory, entered the city in triumph.

Baber was informed in Indija, that six thousand horse from Mah∣mood Chan, whose policy it was to weaken both parties, had come to the assistance of Jehangire, and had sat down before Cashan: The king, though it was now the middle of winter, in severe frost and

* 1.397* 1.398snow, marched that way, upon which the allies retreated to their own country. Ahmed Timbul, who was upon his march to join the rebels, fell in accidentally with the king, in a situation where he could not escape, had not the night favored his retreat; by which means he went off with little loss. The king pursued him under the walls of Bishare, and encamped in sight.

* 1.399Upon the fourth day, Ali Doost and Cumber Alli, prevailed upon the king to make proposals of accommodation. The terms were immediately agreed upon; that Mirza Jehangire should keep pos∣session of all the country between the river Chajand and Achsi; and that the kingdom of Indija, and the districts of Orgund, should re∣main to Baber; that if the latter should ever recover the kingdom of Samarcand, he should give up Indija to Jehangire.

After these terms of pacification were solemnly ratified by mutual oaths, the brothers had an interview, and the prisoners upon both sides were set at liberty. * 1.400The king returned to Indija, where Alli Doost, who was a man of great wealth and power, had began to exert unbounded authority. He banished some, and imprisoned others, without the king's permission; while his son, Mahummud Doost, took a princely state upon himself. The king, upon ac∣count of his great influence, and the numerous enemies which envi∣roned his dominions, was constrained to dissemble his resentment.

In the mean time, Mahummud Mazidlir Chan, an omrah of Sultan Alli Mirza of Samarcand, apprehensive of danger from his master, joined Bijaan Mirza, the son of Sultan Mahmood, and carried him against Samarcand. Bijaan Mirza was defeated, returned, and sent an embassador to Baber, inviting him to the conquest of that king∣dom. * 1.401Baber embraced the proposal, and drew his army towards Samarcand. Mahummud Mazidlir Chan having joined Baber upon his march, it was resolved in council to send a person to sound Chaja

* 1.402Cuttub ul Dien Eiah, who had almost the whole power of Samar∣cand in his hands. He returned them for answer, that they might march towards the city, and whatever was found then most advise∣able, should be done.

In the mean time, Sultan Mahmood Dildai, who commanded a tribe in Baber's camp, left his post without any apparent reason, fled to Samarcand, and acquainted the enemy of the correspondence with Chaja Eiah, which disconcerted their measures. His veteran troops crowded to the king's standard, making complaints against Alli Doost. * 1.403Baber, therefore, determined to dismiss him from his presence, so that he and his son went over to Ahmed Timbul, but in a few days he died.

At this time Shabiani Chan had taken Bochara, and was upon full march to conquer Samarcand, which Sultan Alli Mirza was ad∣vised to relinquish to him. * 1.404Baber, upon hearing this news, went to Kish, and from thence to Hissar, where Mahummud Masidlir Chan, and the omrahs of Samarcand, despairing of taking that city, left him, and went to Chasero Shaw. Baber, after this desertion, was obliged to take the way to Sirtack, over rocks, stones, and rug∣ged paths, by which his army suffered exceedingly, having lost most part of his camels and horses. * 1.405This circumstance dispirited his troops to such a degree, that they all deserted him by the time he reached Barnilack, except two hundred and forty men.

Any man but Baber would have now despaired of success in his designs; but though he had left a kingdom to which he might have still returned, his •…•…ion prompted him to run the 〈◊〉〈◊〉 of a young adventurer for another. * 1.406He accordingly marched directly for Samarcand, with th•…•… small retinue, with an intention to get into that city, without being discovered. His hopes were, that he could raise a faction among his friends, while yet the city was in disorder.

* 1.407He entered Samarcand in the dusk of the evening, and went to Eurit Chan's house, but in a few minutes his arrival was whispered about, and the whole city began to be in an uproar. * 1.408Baber, as his scheme was not ripe for execution, thought it high time to make his escape, which he did accordingly, without any loss.

After he had got clear of the city, he looked back and repented of his precipitate flight. He immediately stopped in a grove, where, being wearied with the fatigue of the day, he laid himself down upon the ground to sleep, as did the greatest part of his retinue. * 1.409In about an hour he awaked from a dream, in which he imagined he saw Nasir ul Dien Abdalla, a dirvesh of great repute, coming to∣wards his house. He thought that he invited the dirvesh to sit down, upon which his steward spread a table cloth before him, at which the dirvesh seemed greatly offended* 1.410, and rose to go away. The king begged he would excuse him, as the offence was com∣mitted by a servant. The dirvesh, upon this, took him by the arm, and held him up towards the sky, upon which he awoke, and call∣ing up his attendants, related his dream, and determined to make an attempt immediately upon Samarcand.

* 1.411Baber's small party having mounted their horses, returned and reached the bridge about midnight. He detached eighty of his men before to a low part of the wall, near the Lover's Cave, which they scaled by the help of a hook-rope, and coming round to the gate and falling upon the guard commanded by Casiter Chan, killed and dispersed them. They immediately set open the gate, and admitted the king and his small party. The city was alarmed; but the party proclaiming the name of Baber as they passed through the streets, all who were his friends flocked to him, while his enemies, not

* 1.412knowing his strength, ran distracted from place to place to join their leaders.

In a short time the alarm reached the house of Chaja Cuttub ul Dien Eiah, where seven thousand Usbecks were quartered. They rushed out and joined Shubiani Chan, who, with eight thousand Ushecks, lay in the citadel of Didar. Shubiani, with one hundred and fifty men, commanding the rest to wait for orders, set out for the iron gate, but seeing he could do nothing with that handful, he retreated. Baber, in the mean time, attended by some thousands, who rent the sky with acclamations, followed him so close, that Shubiani Chan could not, either by words or example, make one of the Usbecks stand his ground * 1.413He therefore followed them out at the opposite gate, and fled towards Bochara, and Samarcand imme∣diately submitted to Baber.

This action, if we consider the strength of the place, the troops it contained, the alarm that had been spread in the evening, the small number who attempted it, the uncertainty of being joined by the citizens, and many other difficulties, we must esteem it equal to the boldest enterprize in history. The authors who relate it, very justly give it the preference to any of the exploits of Timur.

Mahummud Musidter Chan took this opportunity of wresting the forts of Kirshi and Heraz from the Usbecks; while Abul Hassen Mirza, from Muracuss, came and took Kole. Sultan Baber sent ambassadors to Sultan Hassein Mirza, and other neighbouring princes, his relations, to request their alliance, to drive Shubiani Chan out of Maver ul Nere. They either paid no regard to Baber's ambassy, or sent such pitiful supplies, as served no purpose. Shu∣biani, by this means, recovered strength during the winter, taking Karacole, and other districts.

* 1.414* 1.415Sultan Baber, in the month of Shawal, nine hundred and six, collected his whole force, and marched out of Samarcand, to engage Shubiani. He came up with him in the environs of Caridzin, and fought him. Baber exhibited, upon this occasion, all the good qualities of the general and brave soldier, but he was deserted by his allies, and soon after by his own troops. Only fifteen brave friends remained at last by his side, with whom, seeing it in vain to contend any longer with fortune, he made good his retreat to Samar∣cand. He lost in this action his principal omrahs, Ibrahim Tirchan, Ibrahim Saar, Abul Assim Ko, Hyder Cassim, Amir Kiam Cudgi, Choda Birdi, Chilili, the brother of Ahmed Timbol, and other princes of note.

* 1.416Shubiani advanced, and laid siege to the city; the king taking up his quarters at the college of Aligh Beg, as being the most cen∣trical place for sending orders, or assistance. The siege was con∣tinued with great obstinacy for many days, numbers being killed on both sides; during which time, Kutch Beg, Loma Kokultass, and Kelnizer Taghai, gave extraordinary examples of bravery. Four months had now passed in attacking and repulsing, when a dreadful famine began to rage in the city. The inhabitants eat their horses, and even the most unclean animals, while those who could not procure other provisions, subsisted upon the bark of trees.

Though the king, at the commencement of the siege, had sent ambassadors to the kings of Cho••rassan, Kundez, Buckolan, and Mogulistan, all princes of the house of Timur, for succours, he received no hopes of their aid. * 1.417He was, therefore, under the cruel necessity of abandoning his capital and kingdom, with about one hundred friends, in a dark night, in the beginning of the year nine hundred and seven. He escaped to Tashcund, whither his brother, Mirza Jehangire, came to pay him his respects. His uncle, Sultan Mahmood, comforted him in his distress, entertained him in

* 1.418a princely manner, and gave him the city of Artaba to reside in during the winter.

* 1.419But in the beginning of the spring, he was again attacked by Shubiani Chan, who, not being able to effect any thing against the city, plundered the country, and retreated to Samarcand. * 1.420In this manner, the sultan, unable to raise his head from his misfortunes, lived for some time, Ahmed Timbol having taken possession of the kingdom of Indija, which Baber had resigned to his brother Jehan∣gire, upon his taking Samarcand.

* 1.421Sultan Mahmood Chan, and his brother, Sultan Ahmed Chan, were at length prevailed upon to support Baber in an attempt to recover the kingdom of Indija from Ahmed Timbol. When the confederates had reached the boundaries of Ferghana, Ahmed Timbol marched out to oppose them. It was agreed, that Sultan Baber, with a small detachment of Moguls, should march towards Osh, to raise a party there, whilst his uncles opposed Ahmed Tim∣bol. Baber accordingly took Osh, and was joined by some of the inhabitants of Orgun and Marinan, who expelled the garrisons of Ahmed Timbol. The king immediately marched towards Indija; and Ahmed Timbol decamped from before the confederate princes, and hastened back to cover Indija.

* 1.422Timbol happened, by accident, to fall in with Baber's camp, when the troops were out foraging, and defeated him. The king escaped, wounded, to Osh, while Ahmed Timbol threw himself into Indija, and prepared for a defence. * 1.423The next day, the allied army of Sultan Mahmood and Sultan Ahmed appeared in sight, and sat down before the place, where they were joined soon after by Sultan Baber. Some time after, the inhabitants of Achsi called the king, and put him in possession of that place; * 1.424but the allied princes, not being able to reduce Indija, raised the siege.

* 1.425In the mean time, Shubiani Chan, fearing the success of Baber, advanced from Samarcand with a very great army, towards Achsi. Baber immediately joined his allies, and they prepared to receive him. * 1.426But in this action, which was very obstinate and bloody, the fortune of Shubiani Chan prevailed, and both the uncles of Baber were taken prisoners. The King escaped to Mogulistan, and the king∣dom of Tashcund fell into the hands of Shubiani Chan, which greatly augmented his power.

* 1.427Shubiani, some time after, released the two brothers, but Sultan Mahmood retired, and fell into a deep melancholy. When one of his friends told him, that Shubiani Chan had poisoned him, and begged to supply him with some famous Theriac of Chitta, as a powerful antidote against poisons; the prince replied,

"Yes! Shu∣biani Chan has poisoned me, indeed! he has taken my kingdom, which is not in the power of your Theriac to restore."

Sultan Baber left Mogulistan, and came to Shudma, and from thence proceeded to Turmuz, where Amir Mahummud Backer, prince of that place, who was uneasy at the great power of the Us∣becks, glad of Baber's alliance, who still had the command of an army, received him with great kindness and respect, and gave him large presents. * 1.428Baber said to him, upon this occasion. That being a long time the foot-ball of fortune, and like a piece of wood on a chess-board, moved from place to place, vagrant as the moon in the sky, and restless as a stone upon the beach, he would therefore be glad of his friendly advice, as he had been so unsuccessful in his own resolves. Meer Mahummud Backer replied, That, however inca∣pable he was to advise him, he would not withold his opinion, which was, that, as Shubiani Chan was now in full possession of Baber's kingdom, and many others, which rendered him extremely powerful, it would be more adviseable for him to pursue his fortune

* 1.429elsewhere, particularly in Cabulistan, which was now in a state of anarchy.

The king followed this advice, and, in the year nine hundred and ten, marched towards Cabul. * 1.430Passing, in his way, through the do∣minions of Chusero Shaw of Kunduz, he was entertained by him with great hospitality, for which, we are sorry to relate, our hero made a very bad return. During the time that Baber resided there, he stirred up a faction in Chusero's court, and gained over seven thousand of his troops to his own interest. This plot being disco∣vered, Chusero, with a few servants, was obliged to abandon his capital and fly to Biddiulzeman Mirza, leaving his troops, his trea∣sure, and every thing in the possession of Baber.

* 1.431Baber did not fail to avail himself of these advantages. He march∣ed immediately towards Cabul, which had been in possession of Mirza Abdul Rysaac, the son of Mirza Aligh Beg, Baber's uncle, who was then in his minority. One Zicca, exerting too much authority in the country at that time, disgusted the other omrahs, who assassinated him in the month of Zihidge. * 1.432This circumstance occasioned great convul∣sions in the kingdom; for Mahummud Mokîm, the son of Amir Zulnôn, Prince of Garrimsere, took advantage of the intestine divi∣sions of the Cabulians, and invaded them, forcing Mirza Abdul Ry∣sac to take shelter among the Afghâns: * 1.433he himself took possession of that country, and married the sister of the former prince.

Affairs being in this situation, Sultan Baber arrived upon the borders of Cabul, and driving Mahummud Mokîm out of the field, forced him to take refuge in his capital, which Baber besieged and took. He then applied himself to regulate and improve that coun∣try, as dominions belonging to himself.

* 1.434* 1.435In the year nine hundred and eleven, Cabulistan was thrown into great consternation by dreadful earthquakes which laid most of the cities in ruins. Baber endeavoured to alleviate this public calamity in such a manner, by his unwearied care and extensive benevolence, that he gained the love and fidelity of all his new subjects.

The restless genius of Baber could not lie quiet. His aspiring dis∣position began to extend his views to conquest. * 1.436He accordingly led an army against the Argôns of Kandahar, and deprived them of the strong sort of Kiliát, establishing an alliance with Mirza Baddiulze∣mân of Herât. He marched in the same year to Kussluckát, which he brought into subjection, and gave the government of Ghizni, which, from a great empire, was diminished into an inconsiderable province, to his brother Jehangire.

* 1.437In the year nine hundred and twelve, Baber marched towards Chorrasân to join Sultan Hussein Mirza, who, ashamed of his former behavior, and irritated, by fresh injuries from Shubiani Chan, now proposed to Baber, that they should join in alliance against him. But when Baber had reached Nîmrosa, he heard of Sultan Hussein's death. He proceeded, however, to Chorrassân, and endeavored to stir up the princes and omrahs against the Usbecks. He was not able to effect his purpose, and he therefore returned, by the way of Herât, towards Cabul. The snows were, at that time, very deep, and prevented his passage over the hills, which obliged him to cantoon his troops in Hazara.

* 1.438When Baber was thus constrained to remain at Hazara, Mahum∣mud Hassein Gurgan, Birlass, and other Mogul omrahs, joining with Chan Mirza his cousin, raised him to the throne of Cabul, by promoting false intelligence of the sultan's death. But when the news of his return reached the people, they rebelled against the new government, and as soon as the season permitted his approach,

* 1.439flocked to his standard, put all the garrisons into his hands except the capital, where Chan Mirza and his adherents sustained a short siege, and then capitulated. * 1.440The principal persons concerned in the revolt, were expelled the country. About this time Nasir Mir∣za, the sultan's youngest brother, who held the government of Baduchshan, being defeated, by one of the generals of Shubiani Chan, took refuge at Cabul, and, as Mirza Jehangire had killed himself by hard drinking, his government of Ghizni was now con∣ferred upon Nasir Mirza.

In the year nine hundred and thirteen, Baber marched against the Afghans of Ghalingi, who infested his country, and took from them one hundred thousand sheep, and some thousands of other cattle, and returned. * 1.441The omrahs of the house of Argôn, being greatly oppressed by the Usbecks, wrote to Baber, at this time, that if he would march that way, they would put him in possession of Candahar. The sultan did not hesitate to comply with their request. He immediately set out, and, as he was pas∣sing Kilât, Chan Mirza begged the favor of being admitted into his presence, and, receiving his pardon, accompanied him. When he had reached the borders of Candahâr, he wrote to Shaw Beg and Mahummud Mokêm, that he was so far upon his way, ac∣cording to their desire, and that, therefore, he expected to see them in his camp.

Since the time of their writing to Baber, some alterations in their politicks, had made them repent of the application they had made, so that instead of receiving the sultan in a friendly manner, they prepared for war, and desired he would return home. But the sultan determined not to suffer such an indignity with impunity. * 1.442He marched forward, and engaged them at the village of Gil∣lishack, near the city of Candahar, defeated them with great slaughter, and cutting off their retreat from the city, Shaw Beg fled

* 1.443to Saul, and Mahummud Mokîm towards Dawir. Baber imme∣diately laid siege to the city, and took it, with all the wealth of the family of Zulnôn, which he divided, by weight, amongst his officers and troops, according to their respective stations. He left Nasir Mirza in the government of Candahar and Dawir, and then returned in triumph to Cabul.

Mahummud Mokîm having, this very year, complained to Shu∣biani Chan, prevailed upon him to engage in his behalf, and to march towards Candahar. Nasir Mirza, upon receiving this intel∣ligence, shut himself up in the town, and sent expresses to his brother for assistance. Baber wrote him to defend the place as long as he could, but if he should be driven to great distress, to capitulate, and come to him at Cabul; for that, at this time, he was in no condition to dispute the field with Shubiani Chan, whose forces and finances were greatly superior; besides, that a defeat might ruin him for ever, and overset all the projects he had formed of raising himself a kingdom in Hindostan. * 1.444Nasir Mirza, accord∣ing to these instructions, after he could hold out no longer with propriety, capitulated, and came to the sultan at Cabul. Shubiani Chan, after taking the place, gave it back to the sons of Zulnôn, and marched with his army towards Chorrassân. But no sooner had Shubiani evacuated Candahar, than the Arguniahs made an in∣cursion, and possessed themselves of the place. This was an agree∣able piece of news to Sultan Baber, as they formed a barrier be∣tween him and the Usbecks.

* 1.445This year, upon the fourth of Zicât, Sultan Baber had a son born to him, in Cabul, whom he named Humaioon, who after∣wards became emperor of Hindostan. The sultan, in the follow∣ing year, took the field against the Memind Afghans, * 1.446and, during his absence, the Mogals of Chusero Shaw, who had been left to defend Cabul, revolted, and set up Abdul Rys•…•…, the son of Aligh

* 1.447Beg, upon the throne. * 1.448The sultan was immediately deserted by the greatest part of his army, for hearing of the rebellion in Cabul, they hastened home, to protect their families, insomuch that out of upwards of ten thousand horse, which he carried to the field, Baber had now scarce five hundred remaining in his camp.

* 1.449Notwithstanding of these misfortunes, Baber boldly resolved to advance towards Cabul, with the few trusty friends he had left. Abdul Rysaac, upon the sultan's approach, came out of the city with an army ten or twelve thousand strong. The sultan, with his small troop, advanced towards them, and when he came near, ordered them to halt. He himself rode close up to the rebel-army, and challenged Adbul Rysaac to fight; * 1.450but, as he seemed to decline the combat, five omrahs, one after another, engaged him, and fell by his hand. The names of the omrahs were Alli Shubcore, Alli Seistani, Nis••r Bahadur Usbeck, Jacoob Tez Jung, and Usbeck Bahadar.

This heroic behavior struck the rebels with so much admiration and astonishment, that they refused to sight, by which means the usurper was taken. But so great was the sultan's clemency, that he pardoned him; but soon after, beginning to raise more distur∣bance, he suffered the just reward of a traitor.

* 1.451The country of Chusero Shaw having fallen into the hands of the Usbecks, who took no proper means of keeping it in subjection, a number of independent chiefs sprung up in Buduchshan, of whom the principal was Zeiper. Chan Mirza, upon this, by the advice of his mother, Sha Begum, who traced her genealogy to the great Secunder* 1.452, began to entertain hopes, and to take measures to raise himself to that kingdom. Having previously obtained leave of the sultan, he this year left Cabul; and, having raised a small

* 1.453army, advanced towards the borders of Buduchshan. But his mo∣ther, who came up in the rear, was attacked by a body of Kashgars, and carried off prisoner, while Chan Mirza himself was defeated, and obliged to give himself up to Zeiper, who kept him under guard. Eusoph Alli Kockultash, who had been an old servant of Mirza, formed a conspiracy against Zeiper, and assassinated him, and Chan Mirza was raised to the throne by the people.

In the year nine hundred and sixteen, Shaw Ismaiel Suffavi, king of Iran, wrote to Shubiani Chan to withdraw his troops from some of the skirts of his dominions, upon which he had begun to en∣croach, to root up the tree of contention, which produced bitter fruits, and to plant that of friendship, whose blossoms shed the most grateful perfume. Shubiani Chan replied, That it was only for those who were descended from kings to entertain thoughts of empire; that it was true, that Shaw Ismaiel, though the son of a Turkuman Fa∣kier, had raised himself to a kingdom, when there was no lord of seven nations around him, to oppose him; that therefore, it would be now adviseable for him to retire to his former obscurity, and that, for that purpose, he sent him a staff and a beggar's dish for his inheritance; for that Shubiani only was worthy of possessing the bride of royalty, who durst kiss her through opposing swords.

Ismaiel Suffavi answered, That if empire was an inheritance, by what means was it so often violated, till it sell to his lot? for his own part, he had always considered the right of kings as sounded upon power, and that the longest sword was the best title. That, with the latter, he was, at all times, ready to dispute with Shubiani; and that, though he himself had no opinion of contemptuous ostentation, yet in return for Shubiani's present, he had sent him a gridiron and spinning-wheel for his amusement. As for the rest, that Ismaiel would be his own messenger.

* 1.454Having dispatched this message, Ismaiel immediately collected his army, and, marching eastward, subdued Chorrassân, and advanced to Murve, before Shubiani Chan could make the least opposition. Shubiani not being then prepared to engage Ismaiel, in the field, he shut himself up in Murve. But being severely reproached by Shaw Ishmaiel, he marched out and gave him battle, in which he was defeated. In his flight he had the misfortune to get into a park, with about five hundred princes and principal officers, from whence he could find no outlet. * 1.455He was attacked there by Shaw Ishmaiel, and seeing no hope of escape left, he and his followers fought, re∣fusing quarter, till every man of them was laid dead on the field.

Chan Mirza immediately dispatched this important news from Buduchshan to Sultan Baber, and went himself to Kunduz; inform∣ing him, that now was the time for recovering his former domi∣nions. * 1.456Baber accordingly, in the year nine hundred and seventeen, marched, with all expedition, towards Hissar, crossing the Amu* 1.457 with Chan Mirza. But a great army of Usbecks being encamped near that city, they were obliged to retreat to Kunduz.

* 1.458Shaw Ishmaiel, at this time, sent Chan Zad Begum, the sultan's sister, who had been taken in Samarcand, by Shubiani Chan, and afterwards married by him, with all her effects, to Kunduz; where she gave so favorable an account of the generous behavior of Shaw Ishmaiel, that Baber was induced to hope for his assistance in re∣instating him in his hereditary kingdom. * 1.459He, for this purpose, sent him an ambassador, with proper presents. In the mean time, in order to keep up the spirit of enterprize, he marched towards Hissar, where he still found the Usbecks greatly superior in force to him. He therefore declined to attack them, till he should recruit more forces. This being done, he advanced to their encampment, and offered them battle, which they accepted, and Baber obtained

* 1.460* 1.461a complete victory, to which the bravery of Chan Mirza greatly contributed.

He was, in a few days after, joined by Ahmed Sultan Suffi, Alli Chan Ostagelo, Sharock Chan Afshar, and a fine body of ca∣valry on the part of Shaw Ishmaiel, by which his army amounted to sixty thousand horse. * 1.462With this reinforcement he marched towards Bochara, and, after several successful actions with Abdulla Chan, and Jani Beg Sultan, possessed himself of that kingdom. * 1.463Upon the fifteenth of Regib of the same year, he marched from Bochara to Samarcand, which city surrendered to him the third time, and ac∣knowledged him sovereign.

Baber fixed his residence at Samarcand, and appointed Nasir Mirza, his brother, to the government of Cabul, giving leave to the troops of Shaw Ishmaiel to return home. But he had not possessed this throne above nine months, before the Usbecks, who had fled to Turkestan, advanced, under Timur Sultan, who had succeeded to Shubiani Chan, Jani Beg Sultan, and Abdulla Chan, who had di∣vided Bochara between them. Upon receiving these advices, the sultan marched to defend Bochara, where he engaged these conse∣derate princes, but being defeated, was obliged to shut himself up within the walls. * 1.464He was, in the end, forced to abandon the city, and to retreat to Samarcand. Here he was again besieged, and ob∣liged to fly to Shadman.

About this time, Nigim Jani, of Ispahan, general of the Kissil∣baches of Iran, advanced with an intention to possess himself of Ba∣lich. * 1.465Baber, ever watchful to grasp at every thing favorable to the ruling passion of his soul, formed an alliance with him for the reco∣very of his dominions. Nigim Sani having taken the fort of Kirish from the Usbecks, put the garrison, consisting of fifteen thousand, to the sword. He then laid siege to Gudgdewan, in conjunction

* 1.466with the sultan, whither the princes of the Usbecks advanced against them, from Bochara, with a great army; * 1.467and fortune being still the adversary of Baber, Nigim Sani, with a great part of his army, was slain, and the sultan obliged to fly to Shadman, with a few at∣tendants.

* 1.468Nor did the misfortunes of Baber rise from the enemy alone. His attendants conspired against his life, for having blamed some of them for bad behavior. They rushed, in the night, into his tent, but being alarmed by the noise, he made his escape, naked, and reached the fort of Arick before morning, without one attendant; and the conspirators plundered his camp, and dispersed themselves. * 1.469In this situation of affairs, the sultan saw no further hope in those northern regions, and therefore set out for Cabul with a small retinue, and upon his arrival appointed Nasir Mirza to the government of Ghizni.

In the year nine hundred and twenty four, he marched towards Sawad and Bejoar, possessed by the Afghans of Eusoph Zehi, who had been infesting his country. Having defeated those mountaineers, and carried some thousands of them into captivity, he gave the go∣vernment of that country to Chaja Kallan.

SECTION XII. The history of SULTAN BABER, from the year nine hun∣dred and twenty four, to his decisive victory over SULTAN IBRAHIM LODI.

WHEN Sultan Secunder, the king of Hindostan, died, he was succeeded, as we have already related, by Sultan Ibrahim, in whose reign the Patan omrahs became so factious, that they to∣tally broke the power of that empire. Sultan Baber reckoned this

* 1.470a good opportunity to establish himself in Hindostan, * 1.471the conquest of which he had long meditated, though he was always embroiled in other affairs.

* 1.472Baber accordingly, in the year nine hundred and twenty five, marched his army as far as the Nilaab, or Sind. * 1.473He subdued all the countries in his way, and crossing the river, advanced to Berah in Punjaab, raising heavy contributions for with-holding his troops from plunder. He sent from Berah, Moulana Murshid with an embassy to Sultan Ibrahim, acquainting him, that as that country had been for many years in the possession of the house of Timur, it was proper he should now relinquish his pretensions to it, and so prevent the war from being carried further into his country.

At this place Baber received advice of the birth of another son, whom he named Hindal Mirza. * 1.474He appointed Hassen Beg, go∣vernor of the conquered countries as far as Chinaab, and marched in person against the Gickers, and besieged the fort of Pirhala, whither Hati their chief had retired. The Gickers were, one day, tempted to take the field, and were defeated by Doost Beg, the sul∣tan's general, while he himself cut off their retreat to the fort, and obliged them to fly to the mountains. * 1.475The fort, in which there was a considerable treasure, fell by this means into his hands, which sa∣tisfied Baber for this expedition, and he returned to Cabul.

* 1.476In the latter end of the same year, Baber returned again to Hin∣dostan, with an intention to take Lahore, and in his way chastised some Patans of the tribe of Eusoph Zehi, who disturbed his march. He built a fort at Peshawir, and then advanced to the Sind. He there received intelligence, that Sultan Seid, Chan of Kashgar, was marching into Buduchshân, which obliged him to return, leaving Mirza Mahummud Sultan, one of the descendents of Timur, with four thousand horse, to support his authority in that country. He

* 1.477had not, however, reached Cabul, before he heard that Sultan Seid Chan had been obliged to retreat. Baber, therefore, turned his face towards the Afghans, of the tribe of Chizer Cheil, who began to make depredations upon Cabulistan in his absence, and severely chastised them for their insolence, spoiled their country, and returned to Cabul.

* 1.478Baber, in the year nine hundred and twenty six, marched a third time towards Hindostan, chastising the Patans in his way, till he reached Salcot, the inhabitants of which country submitted, and saved their possessions. But the people of Seidpoor, erecting the standard of defence, were, in the end, put all to the sword, their wealth given up to depredation, and their children and wives car∣ried away captive. Baber was here alarmed, by intelligence from Cabul, that obliged him to return, for the Kandharians had invaded his country. * 1.479He marched against them, drove them out of the field, and invested their capital.

He, in the mean time, received advice of the death of Chan Mirza, in Buduchshan, and appointed his son Humaioon to that go∣vernment. Shaw Beg, the prince of Candahar, held out with great bravery against Baber for the space of three years, during which time the siege lasted. * 1.480But in the year nine hundred and twenty eight, Baber, who was obstinate in his resolution, at length reduced it, and all the country of Garrumsere, appointing prince Camirân to the government.

Soon after the surrender of Candahar, Dowlat Chan Lodi, ap∣prehensive of Sultan Ibrahim, sent a deputation to Sultan Baber, at Cabul, begging his protection. * 1.481Baber, in the year nine hundred and thirty, augmented his army, and advanced within six crores of Lahore, where Par Chan Lodi, Mubarick Chan Lodi, and Bicken Chan Lohani, who were powerful omrahs of Punjaab, joined their

* 1.482forces, and opposed him; but they were defeated with great slaugh∣ter. * 1.483Baber, in person, marched to Lahore, and took it, setting fire to the Bazar, according to a superstitious custom of the Moguls.

The king remained four days only in Lahore, and then advanced against Debalpoor. * 1.484He summoned the place to surrender, but as the garrison forced him to risque an assault, in which he was successful, he put them all to the sword. Dowlat Chan Lodi, with Alli Chan, Ghazi Chan, and Delawir Chan, his three sons, joined him at Debalpoor, and the father was appointed to the govern∣ment of Jallender, Sultanpoor, and other districts of Punjaab, which rendered him very powerful.

* 1.485This Dowlat Chan Lodi was a descendant of the race of that name who heretofore reigned at Delhi. He gave to Sultan Baber information, that Ismaiel Jelwani, Mai Jelwani, and other Afghans, were collected at Kharah; that it would, therefore, be adviseable to dispatch a force against them. The sultan agreed to this pro∣posal, and prepared to send a detachment that way. * 1.486In the mean time, Delawir Chan, the youngest son of Dowlat Chan, acquainted Baber, with whom he was a great favorite, that his father and brother wanted to divide his troops, to put some plan which they themselves had concerted, in execution. * 1.487The sultan, after being convinced of the truth of this information, ordered Dowlat Chan Lodi, and his son Ghazi Chan, into confinement. He then crossed the Suttuluz, advanced to Sirhind, and there released the prisoners, and gave them jagiers. * 1.488But when they had reached Sultanpoor, they deserted the camp, and fled to the hills. The sultan, upon this, gave to Delawir Chan the title of Chan Chanan, and both their jagiers; but as the father and son's desertion greatly affected Baber's interest in Hindostan, he thought it no ways adviseable to proceed to Delhi this year. He, accordingly, returned to Lahore,

* 1.489and, having appointed governors to the different countries in his possession in Hindostan, set out for Cabul.

During Baber's absence, Dowlat Chan Lodi found means to seize his son, Chan Chanan, who had betrayed him, and put him in chains; * 1.490then marching with a formidable army to Debalpoor, fought Sultan Alla ul Dien and Baba Kiska, and defeating them, subdued that country. Sultan Alla ul Dien fled to Cabul, and Baba Kiska to Lahore. Dowlat Chan sent five thousand Sirwani Afghans against Salcot, but Mir Abdul Aziz, of Lahore, immediately march∣ed, with what forces he had, to the assistance of Kokiltash, who held the government of Salcot, and meeting with this detachment of Afghans, defeated them, and returned to Lahore.

* 1.491Much about this time, an army, on the part of Sultan Ibrahim, of Delhi, marched against Dowlat Chan and his son. Dowlat turned his army to give them battle, and, having met them at Bidjwarrah, found means to stir up a faction in his own favor in the imperial camp, insomuch that such as were not disaffected were obliged to fly the camp, and return to Ibrahim.

* 1.492Sultan Alla ul Dien, who had lost his government of Debalpoor, and had fled to Cabul, now arrived in Lahore, with orders from Baber to all his omrahs of those parts, to join him with all their forces, and march towards Delhi, and that he would support them in person as soon as his affairs at home would permit. Dowlat Chan and Ghazi Chan Lodi, hearing of this order, wrote to the Mogul omrahs, that they were glad to find that Sultan Baber espoused the cause of Alla ul Dien, who was the very person they themselves would chuse to raise to the throne of Delhi; that if they would, therefore, send him to them, they would undertake to place him upon the Musmid.

* 1.493* 1.494The omrahs, having first obtained a grant for Sultan Baber, of all the countries beyond the Sind, permitted Alla ul Dien to join the Lodis himself, without complying further with the sultan's or∣ders. * 1.495When accordingly he arrived in their camp, Dowlat Chan and his son supplied him with the greatest part of their force, with which he marched towards Delhi, and invested it, as before re∣lated, with forty thousand horse. In the mean time, Sultan Ibra∣him advanced against him from Agra, and was surprized, in the night, when he had reached near the city; * 1.496but, by the irregular behavior of Sultan Alla ul Dien's army, who, in the morning, dis∣persed themselves to plunder, they were fallen upon by Sultan Ibra∣him, and defeated in their turn, which obliged Alla to retreat, in great distress, to Punjaab. When Sultan Baber heard of the defeat of Alla ul Dien, he awoke from the dream of indolence and lux∣ury, which he had indulged for some time in Cabul, * 1.497and, in the beginning of the spring, of the year nine hundred and thirty two, marched the fifth time towards Hindostan. He was joined by his son Humaioon, with a good force, from Buduchshan, and Chaja Callan, with the troops from Ghizni. He took the rout of Lahore, and in the way used to hunt rhinoceroses, with which that country abounded, and so had an opportunity of putting the personal bravery of most of his omrahs to trial, as that was a dangerous and warlike exercise. Many of those animals were killed, and some taken alive in toils.

* 1.498Upon the first of Rubbi ul Awil, Baber crossed the Sind, and upon the banks of that river, mustered his army, which consisted of only ten thousand choice horse. Crossing then the Behat, he ad∣vanced to Salcot, where Sultan Alla ul Dien met him, and likewise Mahummud Alli Jung-jung, governor of Cullanore, and Chaja Hassin, the dewan for those provinces.

* 1.499Dowlat Chan and Ghazi Chan, who reckoned themselves pub∣lickly in the service of Alla ul Dien, now lay upon the banks of the Ravi, near Lahore, with an army of forty thousand men; * 1.500but when Baber advanced towards them, they fled; Dowlat to the fort of Milwit, and Ghazi Chan to the skirts of the hills. * 1.501Sultan Baber invested Milwit, and Dowlat Chan, after a few days, capitulated. It seems, that some days before, he put on two swords, and boasted what he would do to Sultan Baber. Baber now ordered those two swords to be hung round his neck, and in that manner Dowlat was brought to his presence; but notwithstanding his behaviour, the sultan forgave all his crimes, and took him into favor.

When the gates of the fort were opened, the troops pressed in in an irregular manner, and began to plunder. Baber, upon this, mounted his horse, and entering, was under the necessity of using violence, to prevent their outrages. He killed, upon this occasion, a principal officer of his son Humaioon's retinue, with an arrow, for which he was extremely grieved, as it happened by mistake. The sultan, by this means, saved the honor of Dowlat Chan's family, who were all in the place, and preserved a noble library which he had collected, Dowlat Chan being a poet and a man of learning. Baber marched from thence the next day, and pursued Ghazi Chan, when Chan Chanan, Ghazi Chan's brother, found means to escape to him, and was honorably received. * 1.502Chapihoon Chan, who was detached in front, having fallen in with Ghazi, defeated him, and pursued him so close, that he was obliged to fly to Sultan Ibrahim Chan, at Delhi. Dowlat Chan died upon this march.

Baber having, in several actions, perceived the inferiority of the Patan troops to his own, determined to delay no longer his final at∣tempt upon the empire. * 1.503He accordingly marched towards Delhi, having some letters of encouragement, at the same time, from a few of the malcontents at the court of Sultan Ibrahim. When he had

* 1.504reached the banks of the Giger, he heard that Hamid Chan, go∣vernor of Firosa, was waiting to oppose him in front, with the troops of those parts. * 1.505Baber, therefore, sent Humaioon, Kallan Beg, Sultan Duldi, Jehan Beg, Chusero Beg, Hindo Beg, Abdul Aziz, and Mahummud Alli Jung-jung, to drive Hamid from his post, which they effected, and returned victorious to the army. As this was the first battle in which prince Humaioon commanded, his fa∣ther was greatly rejoiced, and gave him the countries of Firosa and Jallender. Two days after, Meian, an omrah of the party of Ibrahim, appeared in fight, and desired to join Baber's colours, with three thousand Patan horse, and was accordingly entertained in his service.

* 1.506Baber having arrived within two stages of Shawabad, received in∣telligence that Sultan Ibrahim, with a great army, had marched out of Delhi to oppose him, and that Daood Chan and Hatim Chan, formed his vanguard with twenty seven thousand horse. The sul∣tan immediately detached Chin Timur Sultan, Muedi Chaja, Ma∣hummud Sultan Mirza, Adil Sultan Mirza, with all the troops of the left wing, and the squadrons of Sultan Juneid Birlass, and Shaw Hassein Birlass, against this advanced post. * 1.507They accordingly fell in with them the next morning at sun-rise, and after an obstinate conflict, put Daood Chan and Hatim Chan to slight, but the latter sell in the pursuit. The victors took seven elephants, and a great number of prisoners, with whom they returned to Baber; but he, we are sorry to relate such barbarity, put them to death, by way of striking terror into his enemies.

* 1.508Baber advancing to the field of battle, encamped there six days, ordering chains to be made to link the carriages of his guns together, to prevent the horse breaking through them. The army of Sultan Ibrahim, by this time, consisted of one hundred thousand horse, and a thousand elephants; that of Sultan Baber, of thirteen thousand only. When Sultan Ibrahim had advanced near, Baber ordered five

* 1.509thousand horse to storm his camp in the night; but finding the enemy upon their guard, this detachment returned without attempt∣ing any thing.

This retreat hastened Sultan Ibrahim to action, and accordingly he marched next morning to Panniput. Baber, at the same time, ad∣vanced within six crores of Ibrahim's encampment. Upon the day after, being the seventh of Rigib, the two armies came in sight of each other. * 1.510Baber divided his troops into two lines, and four grand divisions, with a body of reserve in the rear of each, and a few light horse to skirmish in front. The first division on the right was com∣manded by Prince Humaioon, with the squadron of Chaja Cullan Beg, Sultan Mahummud Dewilde, Hindo Beg, Willi Beg Chazin, and Pier Kulli Seistani. The first on the left was under the orders of Mirza Mahummud Sultan, with the squadrons of Meridi Chaja, Ghazi Sultan, Sultan Suneid Birlass, and Shaw Hassein Birlass. The second, on the right towards the center, was commanded by Chin Timur Sultan, Mirza Mahummud Kokultash, and Shaw Munsoor. The second, to the left towards the center, by Meer Chalifa, Tirdi Beg, and Mihib Alli Chalifa. Chusero Kokultash, Mahummud Alli Jungjung, and Mirza Soliman, were appointed to command the light horse, or herawils, in the front. Abdul Aziz and Bar Tirrah, in the rear of the right, and Kirrah Keri Bahadur and Willi Kizil, in the rear of the left. Besides which, there was a reserve in the rear of both lines, that on the right commanded by Malleck Casim, and that on the left by Alli Bahadur. The king himself took his post in the centre of the first line, after having personally given or∣ders to his generals.

* 1.511The emperor Ibrahim, ignorant of the art of war, observed no regular order of battle, but drew up his army in one great line, or column, of unequal depth, * 1.512and ordered them to charge the Mogul army, vainly imagining that he could bear them down by numbers.

* 1.513But he found himself soon fatally deceived. * 1.514So formidable were the Moguls to the Patans, from their known courage and steady order, that the emperor's unweildy column began to break and turn thin, before they came up to the charge, which was directed at the center of the Mogul army. Those who advanced were repulsed with great bravery, but when they sought to retreat, they found themselves surrounded; for the two bodies of reserve, in the rear of the Mogul line, had wheeled round their flanks, and meeting in the center, fell upon the rear of those who had advanced to the charge, by which means the Afghans were almost all cut to pieces. The reserve having performed this service, retired to their post in the rear, and the Mogul lines advanced, sustaining various irregular charges from the Indian army, whom they repulsed with great slaughter.

* 1.515Sultan Ibrahim, at last roused with shame and indignation, ad∣vanced in person, followed by the flower of his army, and gave such a violent shock to the Mogul line, as threw it into disorder. Nothing now but personal bravery was left to decide the day; but in this, and the compact form in which the Moguls whole force was wedged, they were still superior to the Indians. * 1.516Five thousand fell with Sultan Ibrahim in one small spot of ground. * 1.517The Patan ar∣my, when their king was slain, recoiled like surges from a rocky shore, and the torrent of flight rolled towards the banks of the Jumna, dying the course of that river with blood; for so far did Sultan Baber continue the pursuit; but being wearied with slaughter, he gave hope to fear, and respite to death.

According to the most moderate accounts there were sixteen thousand Afghans killed in this action, though most of the Indian authors say fifty thousand. Of the loss of Baber we have no infor∣mation; conquerors having it always in their power to conceal the number of their slain. * 1.518We may date from this battle, the fall of the Patan empire, though that race, afterwards made many efforts,

* 1.519and recovered it, for a few years, as we shall see in the life of Humaioon.

Sultan Baber did not fail to make the best use of his victory. He immediately after the battle detached Humaioon, and three of his principal omrahs, to Agra, before they could have time to recover from their consternation, or to remove their wealth. He also sent Mahummud Sultan, and three other omrahs, to Delhi, to take possession of that capital, while he himself came up in the rear, * 1.520and, on the twelfth of Rigib, entered that city. The chutba was read in his name, by Zein Sidder; and, after having surveyed the city, and visited the tombs of the saints and heroes, * 1.521he set out for Agra, where he arrived the twenty fifth of the same month, and imme∣diately invested the fort, which was in possession of the former go∣vernment, garrisoned by the troops of Raja Bickermagit, of Gualier, who had been killed in the action. * 1.522But so much had the terror of his arms now taken possession of every mind, that they immediately desired to capitulate, and sent him, by way of ransom, a perfect diamond weighing two hundred and twenty four ruttys* 1.523, which was formerly the property of Sultan Alla ul Dien Chilligi. Sultan Baber presented it to his son Humaioon. Thus, upon the fifth day after his arrival, he was put in possession of the place, in which he found the mother of Sultan Ibrahim, who was treated with becoming respect, and permitted to carry away all her wealth.

* 1.524This conquest of Hindostan, as Baber himself writes in his Com∣mentaries† 1.525, was certainly superior to that of any former conqueror. Sultan Mahmood of Ghizni was not only a powerful emperor, but the country was, at that time, divided into a number of kingdoms, which greatly facilitated his enterprizes. Shab ul Dien Ghori brought an army of one hundred and twenty thousand men with him, when the king∣dom

* 1.526was not so powerful. The like may be said of Timur, who ra∣vaged Hindostan when it was torn to pieces by civil commotions. But the army of Sultan Baber was but a handful in proportion to that of Sultan Ibrahim, who possessed all the countries between the Sind and Behar, and could bring five hundred thousand men to the field; while Baber only possessed the poor countries of Cabul, Buduchshan, and Candahar, the revenues of which were very inconsiderable.

To what then can we attribute this extraordinary conquest, in a natural light, but to the great abilities and experience of Baber, the bravery of his few hardy troops, trained up to war, for their sub∣sistance, and now fired with the hopes of glory and gain? But what contributed most to weigh down the scale of conquest, was the de∣generacy of the Patans, effeminated by luxury and wealth, and dead to all principles of virtue and honor, which their corrupt factions and civil discords had totally effaced; it being now no shame to fly, no infamy to betray, no breach of honor to murther, and no scandal to change parties. When, therefore, the fear of shame and the love of fame were gone, it was no wonder that a herd, without unanimity, order, or discipline, should fall into the hands of a few brave men. This is the general tendency of wealth in all governments, if the reins are not held fast, the laws punctually executed, and the progress of corruption checked both by private and public oeconomy.

* 1.527Upon the twentieth of Rigib, Baber went into the treasury, which was very rich. He reserved not a single dinar for himself, but divi∣ded it among his omrahs and troops; the share of the former com∣ing to two lacks of rupees each; and those of others were pro∣portionable to their rank and stations. A part was sent to Cabul, to be divided among Baber's subjects, which yielded to each a silver sha∣roch* 1.528, besides presents, which he sent to Samarcand, Chorrassan,

* 1.529Kashgur, Ayrac, Mecca, Medina, Kirbilla, Negif, Mushad, and other holy places, in charity. This generosity, which bordered upon prodigality, got Baber the name of a Collinder, whose custom it is to keep nothing for to-morrow.

* 1.530As the Patans were in great terror of the Moguls, and had a natural antipathy to their government, they still refused to submit, and appeared every where in arms, strengthening their forts, and erecting the standard of defiance in their different provinces; Ca∣zim, in Simbol; Alli Chan Formalli, in Mewat; Mahummud Zeitôn, in Dolepoor; Tatar Chan, in Gualiêr; Hussein Chan Lo∣hani, in Rhaberi; Cuttub Chan, in Atava; Allum Chan, in Calpee; Nizim Chan, in Biana; besides Nasir Chan Lohani, and Maroof Furmalli, on the other side of the Ganges. All these omrahs refu∣sed to acknowledge Baber's authority. * 1.531But as it was necessary to form an alliance for their mutual defence, they unanimously appoint∣ed Par Chan, the son of Diria Chan Lodi, their general, or, rather, king, by the title of Sultan Mahummud; and, rendezvousing at Kin∣noge, advanced towards Agra. At the same time, Mai, the Afghan chief, who had joined Baber, now deserted him, with all his adhe∣rents: even the inhabitants of the country round Agra, cut off his foraging parties, and rendered it very difficult for him to support his cavalry, or supply his troops with provisions: Add to this, the in∣tolerable heat of the weather, by which a great many Moguls, not being accustomed to such a climate, died.

* 1.532In this situation of affairs, Baber received an address from all his omrahs, advising him to return to Cabul; to which he replied, That a kingdom which had cost him so much pains in taking, was not to be wrested from him but by death alone. * 1.533He, at the same time, issued a proclamation, that he was determined to abide his fate in Hindostan; but if any person was desirous of returning to Cabul, preferring safety to glory, and ignoble ease to the manly toils and

* 1.534dangers of war, they might retire in peace, and leave him only those whose valor would reflect honour on themselves, and glory on their king and country.

The omrahs hearing this, were ashamed of their former beha∣vior, and, striking their breasts, swore they would never forsake him; all, except Chaja Callân, whose bravery was too well esta∣blished to be disputed, though he was advised, being at the point of death, to retire to recover his health. He was appointed governor of Cabul and Ghizni, for the great services which he had rendered to the king. * 1.535When it was known that Baber had determined not to leave Hindostan, as his ancestor Timur had done, some om∣rahs, who were willing to be first in favor, began to come over to him; first, Shech Gurin, with three thousand horse, from between the rivers, offered his service, which was accepted. The next was Alli Chan Formalli, from Mewat, to redeem his sons who had been taken in the battle; then Firose Chan and Shech Baizid Chirmali, with their whole dependents.

* 1.536Much about this time, an address was received from Casim, of Simbol, that Bein, an Afghan, was besieging him in his fort, and that if the sultan would send him succours, he would list himself among his servants. The king sent Kokultash, with a detachment, that way, who engaged Bein, the Afghan, and defeated him, after which Casim put the Moguls in possession of the fort. * 1.537The king then sent his son Humaioon, with the greatest part of his army, against the confederate omrahs, whose forces amounted to fifty thousand horse; but, upon Humaioon's approach, they retreated from Kinnoge to Jionpoor. Humaioon having prevailed upon Fatie Chan, the former emperor's vizier, to join him, sent him to the king at Agra, who treated him with the utmost respect and favor, which induced several other Afghan chiefs to come over to his interest.

* 1.538Nizam Chan, governor of Biana, though he was now hard pres∣sed by Rana Sinka, who wanted to make himself master of that province, still refused to submit to the king's authority, which obli∣ged Baber to send Baba Kuli against him with a detachment, which was defeated. * 1.539But Rana Sinka soon after reduced Nizam to such extremities, that he sent a deputation to Sultan Baber, begging par∣don for his offence, and requesting he would support him, for which he was ready to pay him due allegiance. The king, glad of the opportunity, made no hesitation to embrace the offer, and, sending a force to drive off Rana, Nizam was put in possession of the place, which was settled upon him, with all its dependencies, for the an∣nual payment of twenty lacks of rupees.

* 1.540Tatar Chan and Saring Chan, who were in possession of the fort of Gualiêr, being besieged by Muckit Roy, raja of that country, in the same manner addressed the king for succours. Baber dispatched Rehim Daad and Shech Gurin, with a detachment, which defeated the raja, but Saring Chan recalled his promise, and refused to deli∣ver up the place. There was in the fort, at that time, a philoso∣pher whose name was Shech Mahummud Gose, who had a great number of students under him, and who wrote to Rehim Daad, to endeavour to get permission to come himself into the fort, and that he would find means of accomplishing the rest of his desires.

* 1.541Rehim Daad, for this purpose, begged leave, as he had enemies all around him, to bring his troops under protection of the garrison, for fear of a night assault, and that he might be permitted the ho∣nor of paying the philosopher a visit in the garrison. This being agreed to, Rehim Daad was received into the sort with a few at∣tendants. He, from time to time, pretended occasion to send fre∣quent messages in and out; till the officer of the guard troubled the governor so often for leave, that he desired Rehim Daad to send one

* 1.542of his own servants, to point out such necessary people as he might want to have free ingress and egress.

The officer of the guard, who was a disciple of the philosopher, and who had been let into the plot, availed himself of this order, and permitted every body Rehim Daad's servant pointed out, to pass, by which means all the chosen men of the detachment were within the garrison before the entertainment was ended. Saring Chan was told to give up the place, and threatened with instant death, in case of refusal; so having satisfied himself of the circum∣stances, he made a virtue of necessity, and replied, That had he not intended giving up the place to the king, he would never have been so unguarded as to permit his party to take this advantage, and ac∣cordingly submitted without resistance, going in person to Agra, and entered into the king's service. Mahummud Zeiton, at the same time, arrived from Dolepoor, and had a command conferred upon him.

Not long after these transactions, Hamid Chan, Saring Chan, and other Afghans, raised, by a family quarrel, a great disturbance in the castle of Firosa. The king sent Chin Timur Sultan, Abul Fatte Turkuman, and others, against them, who chastised both parties.

In the year nine hundred and thirty three, Chajagi Assid, who had gone ambassador from Cabul to Shaw Tamas of Irack, returned, accompanied by Solimân, and brought various curiosities. But that which pleased the king most, was two beautiful female slaves, just come to maturity, of whom he became greatly enamoured. * 1.543The mother of Sultan Ibrahim, who had been before the greatest favo∣rite in the seraglio, incensed at this change in the sultan's affections, conspired with the taster and cook to poison him. The poison was accordingly administred in some hare-soup; but the king, after eat∣ing

* 1.544a few spoonfuls, nauseated the taste, and immediately vomited, which saved his life. After proper enquiry had been made, the taster and cook denying their knowledge of any such thing, the king ordered a dog to be brought, who having eat of the soup, was soon seized with convulsions, and died. * 1.545Two of the under cooks being also brought to the trial, expired in the same manner: upon which the taster and head cook, with several of their assistants, were put to the torture. The plot was discovered, and the mother of Sultan Ibrahim cast into prison, and all her wealth confiscated. One of Sultan Ibrahim's sons was sent, at the same time, to Cabul, where he remained in banishment.

* 1.546Prince Humaioon, having defeated the omrahs at Jionpoor, left Sultan Sumeid Birlass to keep those provinces in awe, and returned himself to court, having, upon his way, conciliated matters with Allum Chan, governor of Calpee, who now accompanied him, and was received with great respect.

* 1.547The king was, at this time, suddenly alarmed by advices that Rana Sinka, Hassen Chan Mewati, Raw Dedive of Backeri, Medini Raw of Chunderi, Mahmood Chan, the son of Sultan Secunder Lodi, and other omrahs and rajas in alliance, whose force exceeded one hundred thousand horse, were preparing to attack him. * 1.548Ba∣ber, having no dependence on the Patan omrahs, who had joined him, detached them to defend different provinces, and with his own Moguls, hastened towards the enemy. * 1.549His van guard falling in with their's, upon the frontiers of Biana, after a sharp conflict, were repulsed by the enemy with great loss, which struck unusual terror into the sultan's small army. Hybat Chan Neazi sled to Simbol, Hassen Chan joined the enemy, * 1.550and every day brought disagreeable intelligence from all quarters. Nor did the predictions of Mahummud Sherif a little add to the general consternation.

* 1.551This pretended wizard averred, that Brisput* 1.552 was in the east, and consequently, that whoever marched from the west should be over∣thrown.

* 1.553The king perceiving this panic, called, immediately, a council of war. The greatest part of the officers gave it, as their opinion, that, as the superiority of the enemy was evident, it was adviseable to leave a strong garrison in Agra, and to retreat with the bulk of the army to Punjaab.

Baber, with a discontented aspect, fixed his eyes, in silence, upon the ground. He, at length, sternly asked the omrahs, What would the world say of a monarch, whom the fear of death should oblige to abandon such a kingdom?

* 1.554"The voice of glory," said he, "is loud in my ear, and forbids me to disgrace my name, by giving up what my arms have, with so much difficulty, acquired. But, as death is at last unavoidable, let us rather meet him with honor, face to face, than shrink back, to gain a few years of a miserable and ignominious existence; for what can we inherit but fame, beyond the limits of the grave."

The whole assembly, as if inspired by one soul, cried out, at once,

"War! War!"

* 1.555The sultan, having been formerly much addicted to wine, made a vow never to drink any more, should he, upon this occasion, prove victorious. Orders were immediately issued to prohibit the sale of wine in the camp: not so much from superstition, as to keep the mind cool for action.

Upon the ninth of Jimmad ul Sani, of the year nine hundred and thirty three, which happened to be Norose† 1.556, Baber formed his line of battle, with his guns and rockets in his front. In that order

* 1.557* 1.558he moved towards the enemy, who lay at the distance of three crores. But after he had advanced one crore he halted, and en∣camped his army. Several young warriors, fond of distinguishing themselves, issued out, under the command of Mahummud Casim, to skirmish with the enemy's scouts and advanced guards, among whom they did great execution.

The sultan, next day, advanced another crore, and marked out his camp at the village of Kava, but his tents were scarcely pitched, * 1.559when he perceived the enemy advancing upon him. He formed his line with great expedition, in the manner which he had practised for some days before, and, in a few minutes, was able to receive the shock of battle. The army was chiefly drawn up by Nizam ul Dien Chalipha, whom Baber reckoned his ablest general; and this order of battle being, on account of circumstances, different from the former, we shall relate it at large in this place.

* 1.560The line which, upon this occasion was single, consisted of six brigades, exclusive of the king's life guards in the center, where Baber posted himself. Before each of the brigades, a few paces in front, the sultan placed a squadron of light horse, which formed another kind of line with great intervals. In front of the whole, the artillery and rocket-waggons were drawn up in three divisions, the right, left, and center. The guns were chained together, so that there was a kind of fortification formed against the enemy's cavalry.

* 1.561The brigade immediately to the right of the center, was com∣manded by Chin Timur Sultan, consisting of his own tribe, and the troops of Soliman Shaw, Shaw Munsur Birlas, Durvesh Mahum∣mud Sarban, Abdulla Kitabdar, and Dost Aisheck Aka. The bri∣gade to the left of the center was under the immediate orders of Allum Chan, the son of Sultan Beloli, and composed of his own

* 1.562troops, and those of Sheick Zein Chani Siddir, Mahummud Ali Tirdi-Beg, Shere Afgan, Araish Chan, and Chaja Hassein. * 1.563The two brigades of the right wing were commanded in chief by Prince Humaioon, and of these the right hand brigade consisted of the troops of Casim Hassein Sultan, Ahmed Eusoph, Hindo Beg Cochin, Chusero Cokultash, Mallec Casim, Kawam Beg, Awird Shaw, Willi Chazin, Mirza Combuzli, Peer Kulli Seistani, Chaja Pulwan Bu∣duchshi, Abdu Shukur, Soliman Aka, the ambassador of Irack, and Hassen, the envoy of Seistan. The left hand battalion of Prince Humaioon's division was made up of the troops of Seid Meer Shech, Mahummud Kokultash, Chajagi Assid, Chan Chanan, the son of Dowlat Chan Lodi, Malleck Daood Kirrani, and Shech Gurin.

* 1.564The two brigades of the left wing were commanded by Seid Chaja; the left hand battalion of whose division was composed of the troops of Mahummud Sultan Mirza, Adil Sultan Adbul Aziz, Mahummud Alli Jung-jung, and Kuttulack Kaddim. The right hand brigade was made up of the troops of Amir Angi Mogul, Jan Beg Atka, Sittal Chan, Kumal Chan, of the race of Alla ul Dien, Sultan Alli Chan, Shech Zadda Chermilli, and Nizim Chan Biana. The light horse of the left wing were commanded by Tirdi Beg, Mumin Atka, and Rustum Turkuman; and those of the left wing by Mahmood Casim, Jisserat Chan, and Chan Bahadur. * 1.565Sultan Mahummud, Buchshi* 1.566, took post before the king, with all his yessawils† 1.567, and a choice body of horse.

* 1.568About ten o'clock in the forenoon the action was commenced by the artillery. The left of the enemy, charging the right of the Mo∣guls, soon fell in hand to hand, with the battalions of Kokultash and Malleck Casim, and made them give ground. But Chin Timur, by the sultan's orders, inclining to the right with his brigade, took

* 1.569up their ground, and falling upon the assailants with great fury, put them to flight, the light horse pursuing them with great slaugh∣ter, quite through their own line. * 1.570The enemy, in the mean time, being so numerous, extended their flanks far beyond the wings of the sultan, and came down upon him from all sides. Baber ordered his right and left wing to fall back, by which means his army was thrown into a circle. In this position he resisted the repeated as∣saults of the Patans till three o'clock, Alla Kuli Rumi, who com∣manded the artillery, making great slaughter among them.

Baber finding the enemy fatigued by their repeated assaults, deter∣mined to act offensively, to drive them quite out of the field. * 1.571He therefore put himself at the head of the brigades of Chin Timur and Allum Chan, and charging them like a lion rushing from his forest, after an obstinate resistance put their whole army to flight. Hassen Chan, of Mewat, was killed with a cannon shot, and Raw Luddive Rai, Chunder Ban Chohan, Mannuk Chand Chohan, Kirim Sing, all powerful princes of the enemy, were numbered among the dead.

* 1.572The sultan, immediately after the victory, assumed the title of Ghazi* 1.573; and, as a monument to perpetuate the memory of the bat∣tle, he ordered a pyramid to be built upon an eminence near the field, which, according to the custom of his age and nation, was stuck round with the heads of the slain. The astrologer, after being severely reprimanded for his false prediction, was presented with a lack of rupees, and banished from the kingdom.

* 1.574Baber, from this fortunate field, marched towards Mavat, where Nihar Chan, the son of Hassen Chan, seeing no other means of safety, submitted himself and the country to the king. The go∣vernment of Mavat was conferred upon Chin Timur Sultan.

* 1.575* 1.576After these transactions, Baber returned to Agra, from whence he sent his son Humaioon to Cabul, with orders to add Balich to that province, and to rule both in his own name. Mahummud Alli, Tirdi Beg, and Kotch Beg, were ordered against Hassein Chan and Diria Chan, who still kept possession of Chandwar and Raberi. But upon the approach of the Moguls, they fled, and Hassein Chan was drowned in crossing the Jumna, while Diria Chan escaped. Ma∣hummud Sultan Mirza was detached at the same time to Kinnoge, against Bein Afghan, who fled from thence to Cheirabad.

Upon the twenty ninth of Zihidge, in the year nine hundred and thirty four, the king marched to hunt towards Kole and Simbol. Having diverted himself with the chace for some time, he returned to his capital, and was taken ill of a fever, of which however he soon recovered. * 1.577He then marched towards Chinderi, where Me∣deni Rai had shut himself up with a strong garrison of Rajaputs. * 1.578The place was invested, and the Rajaputs sallied out, and attacked the king, but they paid dear for their rashness, and lost six thousand men upon the field. * 1.579Those who returned after this defeat into the fort, seeing no hopes of defending it longer against the enemy, ac∣cording to their dreadful custom, murdered their wives and children in the following manner. They placed a sword in the hand of one of their chiefs, and he slew the unhappy victims, who, one after another, bent, of their own accord, their necks before him; they even contended among themselves about the honor of being first slain. * 1.580The soldiers then threw a yellow powder upon their gar∣ments, as on a day of festivity, and throwing loose their hair, issued sorth with their swords and shields, and sought after that death, which they all obtained. The empty fort sell into the hands of the Moguls.

* 1.581Advices were, about this time, received, that a detachment, which had been sent against the omrahs of the East, was defeated. The

* 1.582king, therefore, left Ahmed Shaw, the son of Mahummud Shaw, and grandson of Sultan Nasir ul Dien Malavi, who had now joined him, in the government of Chinderi, and marched in person to∣wards Kinnogi. He met his defeated troops at Raberi, and arriving at the river, he threw over it a bridge of boats. Chin Timur was ordered to cross in the front, the enemy being then on the opposite shore. After a faint resistance, the Patans gave way; but Chin Timur pursuing them, took part of their baggage, and a great num∣ber of their women and children.

* 1.583The king, after this victory, hunted, for a few days, upon the banks of the Gang, and then returned to Agra. He appointed Mahummud Zeman Mirza, the son of Budeli ul Zeman Mirza, of Balich, governor of the city, and, in the year nine hundred and thirty five, marched himself to survey the country. * 1.584He first took the route of Gualiêr, and viewed there the fortifications, the stone elephant, and the palace of Raja Man Sing. He then visited the gardens of Rehim Daad, and ordered some flowers and plants, of an uncommon kind, to be transplanted to Agra. * 1.585He went to wor∣ship in the great Musgid, built by Sultan Shumse ul Dien Altumsh, for whose soul he ordered prayers to be read, and returned, by ano∣ther way, to Agra.

* 1.586The sultan, soon after his return to Agra, was seized with an in∣termitting fever, which continued upon him for eight months. Some superstitious people advised him, during his sickness, to write a poem in praise of Chaja Abud Ahrar, one of the saints, to induce him to intercede with God for his health. Baber, though it is highly probable he did not give much credit to the power of the saint, actually wrote the poem, in the measure of Mowlani Jami, or Rimel Mussiddiss.

* 1.587* 1.588The king recovered from his disorder about the eighth of Ribbi ul Awil. He offered up public thanks to God for the restoration of his health, and made a great feast upon the occasion. He distribu∣ted magnificent presents among the omrahs and foreign ambassadors, and bestowed large sums to gladden the hearts of the poor. During this festival, Chandamire, the author of the Habib al Sier, Mow∣lana Shab Mammai, and Mirza Ibrahim Canooni, who came from Herât, and were esteemed the greatest geniusses of that age, were introduced to the king: * 1.589He loaded them with his favors, and or∣dered them places near his own person.

* 1.590Mirza Ashkari, who governed Moultan, was, this year, ordered to court, and having exhibited the tokens of obedience, he was commanded to go against Nuserit Shaw. Nuserit, hearing of the approach of the Moguls, sent an ambassador to the king, subjecting himself to the royal authority. Barhan Nizam Shaw Beri, prince of Ahmednagur, at the same time sent to congratulate Baber on his good fortune, and proffered obedience.

* 1.591Baber, towards the close of this year, received advices that Sul∣tan Mahmood, the son of Secunder Lodi, had possessed himself of the province of Behar, and that Bellocha had erected the standard of rebellion in Moultan. * 1.592The king sent orders to his omrahs in the north-west, concerning the affairs of Moultan, and marched in per∣son towards Behar. When he arrived at Kurrah, Sultan Jellal ul Dien Shirki prepared a royal entertainment for him, and was ho∣nored with his presence. Mahummud Zeman Mirza was detached from Kurrah to the conquest of Behar. * 1.593He soon drove Sultan Mahmood out of the field.

But a few months after, the Afghans of Behar, collecting them∣selves together a second time, advanced to the Gang, opposite to Hi∣deri. The king detached Ashkari Mirza with a division of the

* 1.594troops to oppose them, and next day followed that officer with the whole army. When he came to the banks of the river, and saw the enemy on the opposite bank, he was preparing boats to cross; but Chin Timur begged permission to go before. As soon as he made his landing good with eighty horse, Mirza Ashkari, who had crossed at another place, appeared in the enemies rear; and they imme∣diately took to flight. The king, after this action, left Sultan Ju∣nied Birlass to prosecute the war in conjunction with Nuserit Shaw, and returned to pass the rainy season in Agra. He visited, upon his way, Shech Eiah, at Monier, the father of Shech Sherrif Mo∣niri, and carried him to court.

* 1.595Humaioon having left Mirza Hindal to govern in his absence, re∣turned about this time from Cabul to visit his father. Sultan Seid Chan of Argund, took this opportunity of invading Buduchshan, and sent Mirza Hyder Dughelaff, to attack Minkilla. Hindal, upon the approach of the enemy, retreated into the fort of Ziffer, where he was besieged. Sultan Seid of Argund, finding that he could not reduce the place, and that the inhabitants would not join him, ravaged the country, and returned home. But as the news of his retreat had not reached Agra, the government of Buduchshan was bestowed upon Soliman Mirza, who set out immediately for that province with a letter from the king to Sultan Seid Chan, expressing his surprize at hostilities, for which he could not account, but by some misbehavior of Mirza Hindal; that, therefore, he had sent another person, who was allied to them both, to supply his place. When Soliman Mirza arrived, he found the country in perfect tran∣quillity, and took possession of the government, which his family have kept to this day. Mirza Hindal returned to Agra.

* 1.596In the year nine hundred and thirty six, the sultan fell sick, and his disorder continued daily to gain strength, in spite of the power of medicine. Despairing at last of life, he recalled his son Hu∣maioon,

* 1.597who was then besieging the fort of Callinger, and ap∣pointed him his successor. * 1.598Upon Monday, the fifth of Jemmad ul Awil, in the year nine hundred and thirty seven, he resigned in peace that life which he had so often exposed in war. According to his will, his body was carried to Cabul, and interred in a holy se∣pulchre.

* 1.599What shall we say of Baber, the wonder of the age in which he lived! He mounted a throne at twelve years of age, and, with va∣rious turns of fortune, reigned thirty eight. * 1.600He was a prince of great humanity, and he carried his generosity to such excess, that it bordered upon prodigality. With respect to the first, he so often pardoned ingratitude and treason, that he seemed to make a princi∣ple of rendering good for evil. He thus disarmed vice, and made the wicked the worshipers of his virtue.

* 1.601He was of the sect of the Hanifites, in whose doctrine and tenets he was perfectly versed; yielding more to the evidence of reason, than to the marvellous legends of superstitious antiquity. He was not, however, forgetful of that rational worship which is due to the great Creator, nor a despiser of those laws and ceremonies which are founded on found policy for the benefit of the superficial judges of things. * 1.602He was a master in the arts of Poetry, Writing, and Music. He wrote his own Commentaries in the Mogul language, with such elegance and propriety, that they are universally admired. This work was translated, in the reign of Ackbar, by Chan Chanan, into the Persian language, and from it we have abridged the preceding history of the life of Baber.

In his person, he was something above the middle size, nervous, and well formed. His countenance was pleasant, and in dispo∣sition he was easy, facetious, and affable.

* 1.603* 1.604To establish his reputation for justice and honor, we shall relate one instance out of many. When he was prince of Ferghana, a rich caravan of Chitta and China, which was crossing the mountains of Indija, was buried in the snow. He ordered all the goods to be collected, and sent messengers to China to proclaim the accident, and bring the owners, or their heirs, to his court. Upon their ar∣rival, at the end of two years, he entertained them hospitably, and returned them all their goods, not only refusing to accept a present, but even to be reimbursed for his expences.

* 1.605Notwithstanding his great vigor in war, he was much addicted to wine and women, and all the fashionable pleasures of courts. He sometimes used, when he had an inclination to make merry, to fill a fountain with wine, upon which was inscribed a verse to this pur∣pose:

"Jovial days! Blooming springs! Old wine, and young maidens! Enjoy freely, O Baber, for life is not twice to be en∣joyed!"

He then would sit down in the midst of his friends, drink freely, and feast his eyes on the daughters of beauty who danced before him.

Whithersoever he marched, or rode, he always had the road measured after him. This custom obtains with the emperors of Hin∣dostan to this day. He made a statute concerning the measurement of distances, which has hitherto remained in force. He appointed a hundred tinnabs to one crore, each tinnab being forty guz* 1.606.

* 1.607With respect to his military character, he seems to have had few that could equal him. He rendered the most dangerous enterprizes easy, by his undaunted courage and perseverance, which rose above all difficulties, and made him much more the object of admiration in his adversity, than in the height of his prosperity. Nor did he for∣get

* 1.608himself in the latter, but always behaved with that moderation and equanimity which characterizes a great soul.

* 1.609We have already traced Baber's descent from Timur; but as he was the founder of a great dynasty, it will be proper to follow his ge∣nealogy further back into antiquity. The great Chingez Chan, the son of Pissuka, the son of Pirna, had four sons of renown, who were all kings, and the fathers of nations. Their names were Oktai Chaân, Chigittai Chan, Judgi Chan, and Tooli Chan. Though Oktai Chaân was not the eldest son, yet he was, by his father, appointed his successor, and ruled in Kirrakerim and Kilwarân, which were the original territories of Chingez Chan. Oktai Chan died, by ex∣cess of wine, in the year six hundred and thirty nine.

Chigittai Chan, the second son, possessed the kingdoms of Maver∣ulnere, Tarkistân, Balich, and Buduchshan, and became the greatest of the family. Kirrachar Nuain, who was the fifth ancestor of Timur, was one of his omrahs, and, at length, captain general of all his forces. * 1.610The genealogy of Kirrachar runs thus: Timur, the son of Amir Jiraghai, the son of Amir Birkit, the son of Alingar Ba∣hadur, the son of Abhil Luiân, the son of Kirrachar Nuian, the son of Sagungi, the son of Ibumgi Berlass, the son of Katchuli Badahur, the son of Jumnai Chan, the son of Bacsinker Chan, the son of Kidu Chan, who, by the mother's side, was descended from Basinger, a lady, from whom Chingez Chan derived his pedigree.

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Notes

• * 1.1

  A. D. 1397. Higerah 800.
• * 1.2

  Tamerlane invades Hindostan.
• * 1.3

  A river on the frontiers of Hindostan.
• * 1.4

  A. D. 1397. Hig. 800.
• * 1.5

  Tamerlane lays Tulmu∣bini under contribution.
• * 1.6

  The inhabi∣tants massa∣cred.
• * 1.7

  A. D. 1397. Hig. 800.
• * 1.8

  Shawnawaze pillaged.
• * 1.9

  Mirza Pier Mahummud blockaded in Moultan.
• * 1.10

  Is relieved by Timur.
• * 1.11

  who 〈◊〉〈◊〉 at Battenize.
• * 1.12

  A. D. 1397. Hig. 800.
• * 1.13

  and invests it.
• * 1.14

  The city taken.
• * 1.15

  and the inha∣bitants put to the sword.
• * 1.16

  A. D. 1397. Hig. 800.
• * 1.17

  Several cities taken by Ti∣mur, and the inhabitants massacred.
• * 1.18

  Coats stuffed thick with cotton, worn instead of armour.
• * 1.19

  Arrives be∣fore Delhi,
• * 1.20

  which he re∣connoitres.
• * 1.21

  A. D. 1397. Hig. 800.
• * 1.22

  He massacres 100,000 pri∣soners in cold blood.
• * 1.23

  Crosses the Jumna,
• * 1.24

  A. D. 1397. Hig. 800.
• * 1.25

  totally de∣feats the enemy.
• * 1.26

  who desert the city.
• * 1.27

  A. D. 1397. Hig. 800.
• * 1.28

  A general massacre.
• * 1.29

  The unparal∣leled misfor∣tunes of the Delhians.
• * 1.30

  Nizam ul Dien ac∣•…•…nt of the 〈◊〉〈◊〉 in Delhi.
• * 1.31

  A. D. 1397. Hig. 800.
• * 1.32

  Timur enters Delhi.
• * 1.33

  Resolves to return. Marches to Firoseabad,
• * 1.34

  A. D. 1397. Hig. 800.
• * 1.35

  and to Pani∣put.
• * 1.36

  Besieges and takes Merat.
• * 1.37

  His progress towards the 〈◊〉〈◊〉 of the Ganges.
• * 1.38

  A. D. 1397. Hig. 800.
• * 1.39

  Shuha Gic∣ker refuses to submit to Timur. Timur takes Lahore.
• * 1.40

  A fort in Punjaab, three days journey north of Lahore.
• * 1.41

  A. D. 1397. Hig. 800.
• * 1.42

  Eckbal Chan recovers Delhi.
• * 1.43

  A. D. 1399. Hig. 802
• * 1.44

  The Subahs revolt from the empire.
• * 1.45

  A. D. 1399. Hig. 802.
• * 1.46

  A. D. 1400. Hig. 803.
• * 1.47

  Eckbal Chan defeats Shumse Chan.
• * 1.48

  Frustrated in his designs upon the pro∣vince of Jou∣poor.
• * 1.49

  A. D. 1401. Hig. 804.
• * 1.50

  His persidy.
• * 1.51

  Sultan Mah∣mood returns to Delhi.
• * 1.52

  A. D. 1401. Hig. 804.
• * 1.53

  His folly.
• * 1.54

  Made gover∣nor of Kin∣noge.
• * 1.55

  A. D. 1402. Hig. 805.
• * 1.56

  Eckbal Chan marches a∣gainst Gua∣lier,
• * 1.57

  A. D. 1404. Hig. 807.
• * 1.58

  Atava,
• * 1.59

  and Kinnoge.
• * 1.60

  Byram Chan.
• * 1.61

  is flay'd alive.
• * 1.62

  Eckbal Chan slain.
• * 1.63

  A. D. 1406. Hig. 809.
• * 1.64

  Sultan Mah∣mood restor∣ed.
• * 1.65

  A. D. 1406. Hig. 809.
• * 1.66

  Flies from Kinnoge.
• * 1.67

  Pursued by Sultan Ibra∣him.
• * 1.68

  A. D. 1407. Hig. 810.
• * 1.69

  Byram Chan defeated by Lodi.
• * 1.70

  The Sultan besieged in Feroseabad.
• * 1.71

  A D. 1411. Hig. 814.
• * 1.72

  Chizer Chan besieges Mahmood in Delhi.
• * 1.73

  A. D. 1413. Hig. 816.
• * 1.74

  But retires.
• * 1.75

  Mahmood dies.
• * 1.76

  His charac∣ter.
• * 1.77

  An officer something similar to our Secretary of state.
• * 1.78

  A. D. 1413. Hig. 816.
• * 1.79

  Dowlat Chan Lodi elected emperor.
• * 1.80

  Is taken and deposed by Chizer Chan.
• * 1.81

  A. D. 1414. Hig. 817.
• * 1.82

  Chizer Chan succeeds.
• * 1.83

  His family.
• * 1.84

  Does not as∣sume the name of emperor.
• * 1.85

  Pretends to hold of Ti∣mur.
• * 1.86

  A. D. 1414. Hig. 817.
• * 1.87

  Subdues Kit••ar.
• * 1.88

  The Turks expelled from Sirhind.
• * 1.89

  Chizer Chan's ex∣pedition against Ah∣mud.
• * 1.90

  A. D. 1417. Hig. 820.
• * 1.91

  Turks again expelled from Sirhind.
• * 1.92

  Chizer in∣vades Kittar.
• * 1.93

  Discovers a a plot against his life.
• * 1.94

  The conspi∣rators assassi∣nated.
• * 1.95

  A. D. 1419. Hig. 822.
• * 1.96

  An impostor appears at Matchewar∣rah.
• * 1.97

  Is defeated.
• * 1.98

  He again ap∣pears,
• * 1.99

  and is over∣thrown.
• * 1.100

  Chizer Chan's expe∣dition to Mewat.
• * 1.101

  Dies.
• * 1.102

  A. D. 1421. Hig. 824.
• * 1.103

  Sultan Ma∣burick as∣cends the throne.
• * 1.104

  J•…•… in∣vades the em∣p••re.
• * 1.105

  The sultan marches a¦gainst 〈◊〉〈◊〉. Obliges him to fly.
• * 1.106

  A. D. 1421. Hig. 825.
• * 1.107

  Mubarick rebuilds La∣hore, and re∣turns to Del∣hi.
• * 1.108

  Jisserit be∣sieges La∣hore without success.
• * 1.109

  is obliged to take shelter in the moun∣tains.
• * 1.110

  A. D. 1421. Hig. 825.
• * 1.111

  Sultan Mu∣barick in∣vades Kittar.
• * 1.112

  A D. 1423. Hig. 827.
• * 1.113

  Defeated by Mubarick.
• * 1.114

  Sues for peace.
• * 1.115

  Mubarick re∣duces Mewat,
• * 1.116

  and dismisses his army.
• * 1.117

  A D. 1423. Hig. 827.
• * 1.118

  Disturbances in Mewat.
• * 1.119

  Mewat again reduced.
• * 1.120

  A D. 1423. Hig. 827.
• * 1.121

  Mahummud Chan escapes, and raises disturb∣ances.
• * 1.122

  Flies to Sul∣tan Ibrahim Shirki.
• * 1.123

  Sultan Shirki advances against Mu∣barick.
• * 1.124

  A. D. 1427. Hig. 831.
• * 1.125

  The armies engage. A drawn bat∣tle.
• * 1.126

  Mubarick returns to Delhi.
• * 1.127

  Jisserit be∣sieges Calla∣nore,
• * 1.128

  is defeated.
• * 1.129

  Sultan Mu∣barick sub∣dues Mewat.
• * 1.130

  A. D. 1429. Hig. 833.
• * 1.131

  Ingratitude of the sons of Seid Allum.
• * 1.132

  Rebellion of Fowlad.
• * 1.133

  Mubarick marches against him.
• * 1.134

  A. D. 1429. Hig. 833.
• * 1.135

  Besieges him.
• * 1.136

  The siege raised by the Moguls.
• * 1.137

  A. D. 1429. Hig. 833.
• * 1.138

  who ••avage the country.
• * 1.139

  March to Moultan.
• * 1.140

  The sultan sends an ar∣my against them.
• * 1.141

  The Moguls overthrown.
• * 1.142

  A. D. 1430. Hig. 834.
• * 1.143

  Jisserit in¦vades the em∣pire.
• * 1.144

  Besieges La∣hore.
• * 1.145

  Sultan Mu∣barick raises the siege.
• * 1.146

  Mubarick marches against Jisse∣rit.
• * 1.147

  A. D. 1432. Hig. 836.
• * 1.148

  Shech Ali takes Lahore,
• * 1.149

  which is re∣taken by Mu∣barick.
• * 1.150

  Shinnore ca∣pitulates.
• * 1.151

  A. D. 1432. Hig. 836.
• * 1.152

  A conspiracy formed against the sultan.
• * 1.153

  He is assasi∣nated.
• * 1.154

  A. D. 1433. Hig. 837.
• * 1.155

  His charac∣ter.
• * 1.156

  Mahummud Shaw mounts the throne.
• * 1.157

  The omrahs disguise their discontent.
• * 1.158

  A. D. 1433. Hig. 837.
• * 1.159

  The vizier's tyranny.
• * 1.160

  The omrahs rise in arms.
• * 1.161

  The vizier's army revolts,
• * 1.162

  A. D. 1433. Hig. 837.
• * 1.163

  and march to Delhi.
• * 1.164

  The vizier besieged in the citadel.
• * 1.165

  The sultan plots against him.
• * 1.166

  His counter∣plot.
• * 1.167

  Is slain.
• * 1.168

  Punishment of the 〈◊〉〈◊〉 of Mu∣barick.
• * 1.169

  The omrahs swear alle∣giance to Mahummud Shaw.
• * 1.170

  A. D. 1434. Hig. 838.
• * 1.171

  The sultan marches to¦wards Moul∣tan,
• * 1.172

  and to Sam∣mana.
• * 1.173

  Gives him∣self up to in∣dolence and pleasure.
• * 1.174

  A revolt in Moultan.
• * 1.175

  Malleck Be∣loli defeats the imperial army.
• * 1.176

  A. D. 1438. Hig. 842.
• * 1.177

  The sultan's concessions to the rebels,
• * 1.178

  alienate the 〈◊〉〈◊〉 of his subjects.
• * 1.179

  Confusions in the empire.
• * 1.180

  A. D. 1440. Hig. 844.
• * 1.181

  The 〈…〉〈…〉 beha∣viour of the king.
• * 1.182

  A. D. 1441. Hig. 845.
• * 1.183

  A drawn bat∣tle.
• * 1.184

  A peace con∣cluded.
• * 1.185

  Mahmood Chilligi at∣tacked and defeated by Beloli.
• * 1.186

  Beloli adopt∣ed by the sul∣tan.
• * 1.187

  He marches against Delhi.
• * 1.188

  A. D. 1446. Hig. 850.
• * 1.189

  The king's power de∣clines.
• * 1.190

  He dies.
• * 1.191

  His charact∣er.
• * 1.192

  Alla mounts the throne.
• * 1.193

  A. D. 1447. Hig. 851.
• * 1.194

  Loses his re∣putation.
• * 1.195

  His luxury.
• * 1.196

  The state of Hindostan.
• * 1.197

  Decayed condition of the empire.
• * 1.198

  Malleck Be∣loli makes an unsuccessful attempt upon Delhi.
• * 1.199

  A. D. 1448. Hig. 852.
• * 1.200

  Fixes his re∣sidence at Budaoon.
• * 1.201

  Orders the vizier to be put to death,
• * 1.202

  who escapes to Delhi,
• * 1.203

  and places Sultan Beloli upon the throne.
• * 1.204

  A. D. 1450. Hig. 854.
• * 1.205

  Alla abdi¦cates in fa∣vour of Be∣loli.
• * 1.206

  Beloli's fa∣mily.
• * 1.207

  A. D. 1450. Hig. 854.
• * 1.208

  Account of his birth.
• * 1.209

  Distinguishes himself in an action.
• * 1.210

  Islam Chan recommends B••loli to the government of Sirhind.
• * 1.211

  Cuttub Chan complains at the court of Delhi.
• * 1.212

  Perfidy of the 〈…〉〈…〉.
• * 1.213

  A. D. 1450. Hig. 854.
• * 1.214

  Beloli be∣comes pow∣erful.
• * 1.215

  Is promised 〈…〉〈…〉 by a Dirvesh.
• * 1.216

  Refl•…•… upon that tale.
• * 1.217

  A. D. 1450. Hig. 854.
• * 1.218

  His sons and relations.
• * 1.219

  His strata∣gem against Hamid Chan.
• * 1.220

  A. D. 1450. Hig. 854.
• * 1.221

  A D. 1451. Hig. 855.
• * 1.222

  The vizier seized in his own house.
• * 1.223

  Beloli regu∣•…•…es the west∣ern provin∣ces.
• * 1.224

  Delhi be∣sieged.
• * 1.225

  Beloli defeats the army of Sultan Shir∣ki.
• * 1.226

  A. D. 1452. Hig. 856.
• * 1.227

  The siege of Delhi raised.
• * 1.228

  Beloli's pro∣gress through several pro∣vinces. Their sub∣mission.
• * 1.229

  Sultan Shirki 〈…〉〈…〉 upon Delhi.
• * 1.230

  A 〈…〉〈…〉.
• * 1.231

  Shirki, of∣fended at Beloli, marches against him.
• * 1.232

  Dies.
• * 1.233

  Beloli marches against Mahummud, who is assas∣sinated.
• * 1.234

  Treachery of Diria Chan.
• * 1.235

  Beloli marchers against Sultan Hassein.
• * 1.236

  A peace.
• * 1.237

  Hassein marches to 〈…〉〈…〉.
• * 1.238

  A. D. 1478. Hig. 883.
• * 1.239

  A peace.
• * 1.240

  Hassein ad∣vances to∣wards Delhi.
• * 1.241

  Sultan Alla dies.
• * 1.242

  The abdicated emperor.
• * 1.243

  Hassein marches to Delhi.
• * 1.244

  A. D. 1478. Hig. 883.
• * 1.245

  Beloli's per∣fidy.
• * 1.246

  A. D. 1478. Hig. 883.
• * 1.247

  Beloli, being old and infirm, divides his domini¦ons among his sons.
• * 1.248

  A. D. 1488. Hig. 894.
• * 1.249

  He falls sick.
• * 1.250

  Dies.
• * 1.251

  His charac∣ter.
• * 1.252

  A. D. 1488. Hig. 894.
• * 1.253

  A. D. 1488. Hig. 894.
• * 1.254

  The omrahs variously inclined.
• * 1.255

  Debate about a successor to Beloli.
• * 1.256

  Firmilli's boldness.
• * 1.257

  A. D. 1488. Hig. 894.
• * 1.258

  Secunder mounts the throne.
• * 1.259

  Defeats and pardons Isah Chan.
• * 1.260

  Marches against his brother Allum.
• * 1.261

  Again defeats Isah Chan.
• * 1.262

  Marches against his brother Bar∣beck.
• * 1.263

  A. D. 1488. Hig. 894.
• * 1.264

  His policy.
• * 1.265

  Barbeck defeated,
• * 1.266

  and taken; used with kindness and respect.
• * 1.267

  Secunder marches to Calpie.
• * 1.268

  A. D. 1490. Hig. 896.
• * 1.269

  Sultan Sher∣rif refuses to give up Biana.
• * 1.270

  Secunder marches to Agra.
• * 1.271

  Reduces Biana,
• * 1.272

  and Agra.
• * 1.273

  An insurrec∣tion at Jion∣poor.
• * 1.274

  A. D. 1491. Hig. 897.
• * 1.275

  The insur∣gents disperse upon Secun∣der's ap∣proach.
• * 1.276

  They rise a second time.
• * 1.277

  Barbeck Shaw imprisoned.
• * 1.278

  Rai Bhede submits.
• * 1.279

  A. D. 1494. Hig. 900.
• * 1.280

  Secunder marches against Battea.
• * 1.281

  Hassein sets upon Secun∣der,
• * 1.282

  but is over∣thrown.
• * 1.283

  Secunder marches to Behar.
• * 1.284

  Bengal.
• * 1.285

  Behar eva∣cuated and taken.
• * 1.286

  A. D. 1494. Hig. 900.
• * 1.287

  Secunder marches to Bengal.
• * 1.288

  A peace con∣cluded be∣tween Secun∣der and Alla.
• * 1.289

  A dearth in Hindostan.
• * 1.290

  A. D. 1498. Hig. 904.
• * 1.291

  Battea taken and destroy∣ed.
• * 1.292

  Mubarick Chan Lodi's accounts in∣spected.
• * 1.293

  The omrahs dissatisfied.
• * 1.294

  Quarrels in the camp.
• * 1.295

  The sultan suspects a conspiracy.
• * 1.296

  A plot dis∣covered.
• * 1.297

  A. D. 1499. Hig. 905.
• * 1.298

  The sultan retires for four years to Simbol.
• * 1.299

  A remarka∣ble instance of religious persecution.
• * 1.300

  A. D. 1501. Hig. 907.
• * 1.301

  Some fac∣tious omrahs banished.
• * 1.302

  Secunder's designs against Gua∣lier.
• * 1.303

  Disturbances in Biana.
• * 1.304

  Secunder marches to Gualier.
• * 1.305

  A. D. 1504. Hig. 910.
• * 1.306

  Makes Agra the royal re∣sidence.
• * 1.307

  A. D. 1505. Hig. 911.
• * 1.308

  An earth∣quake at Agra.
• * 1.309

  A. D. 1506. Hig. 912.
• * 1.310

  Secunder be∣sieges Awint∣gur, which is taken.
• * 1.311

  Secunder marches against Nar∣var,
• * 1.312

  which he takes.
• * 1.313

  A. D. 1509. Hig. 915.
• * 1.314

  A. D. 1509. Hig. 915.
• * 1.315

  The sultan returns to∣wards Agra.
• * 1.316

  Secunder's transactions at Delipoor.
• * 1.317

  Reduces Chinderi.
• * 1.318

  Disappointed in his designs upon Rin∣timpore.
• * 1.319

  A. D. 1516. Hig. 922.
• * 1.320

  Returns to Agra.
• * 1.321

  Dies.
• * 1.322

  Sultan Ibra∣him mounts the throne.
• * 1.323

  Proud and arrogant.
• * 1.324

  A conspi∣racy.
• * 1.325

  A. D. 1516. Hig. 922.
• * 1.326

  The empire divided.
• * 1.327

  Designs to reunite it.
• * 1.328

  The omrahs endeavour in vain to inveigle Jel∣lal from Jion∣poor.
• * 1.329

  A. D. 1517. Hig. 923.
• * 1.330

  Jellal has re∣course to arms.
• * 1.331

  Is joined by Azim Hu∣maioon,
• * 1.332

  who deserts him.
• * 1.333

  〈…〉〈…〉 to Agra.
• * 1.334

  〈…〉〈…〉 by 〈◊〉〈◊〉 Adam,
• * 1.335

  A. D. 1518. Hig. 924.
• * 1.336

  and flies to Gualier. Ibrahim re∣turns to Agra.
• * 1.337

  Sends an ar∣my against Gualier.
• * 1.338

  Gualier be∣sieged.
• * 1.339

  A. D. 1519. Hig. 925.
• * 1.340

  Jellal taken,
• * 1.341

  and assassi∣nated.
• * 1.342

  Ibrahim's cruelty.
• * 1.343

  Gualier taken.
• * 1.344

  The rebel∣lion of Islam Chan.
• * 1.345

  Ahmed is sent against the 〈◊〉〈◊〉.
• * 1.346

  A. D. 1519. Hig. 925.
• * 1.347

  They treat about a peace.
• * 1.348

  which 〈◊〉〈◊〉 broke off.
• * 1.349

  The rebels overthrown.
• * 1.350

  A. D. 1519. Hig. 925.
• * 1.351

  Ibrahim's tyranny and cruelty.
• * 1.352

  Another re∣bellion.
• * 1.353

  A. D. 1525. Hig. 932.
• * 1.354

  Of 〈…〉〈…〉
• * 1.355

  One of the provinces of Persia.
• * 1.356

  A. D. 1525. Hig. 932.
• * 1.357

  Mirza Amer, the father of Baber,
• * 1.358

  lineally de∣scended from Timur.
• * 1.359

  Tamerlane.
• * 1.360

  Baber's un∣common ge∣nius.
• * 1.361

  Succeeds his father.
• * 1.362

  Besieged by Mirza Ah∣med, &c.
• * 1.363

  They are obliged to retreat.
• * 1.364

  A. D. 1495. Hig. 901.
• * 1.365

  Baber re∣duces some rebellious governors.
• * 1.366

  Besieges Ar∣taba to no purpose.
• * 1.367

  Marches to∣wards Sa∣marcand.
• * 1.368

  Returns
• * 1.369

  A. D. 1496. Hig. 902.
• * 1.370

  Besieges Sa∣marcand.
• * 1.371

  The siege raised.
• * 1.372

  Baber takes Samarcand.
• * 1.373

  Deserted by part of his army.
• * 1.374

  A. D. 1496. Hig. 902.
• * 1.375

  Deserted by his whole army.
• * 1.376

  His misfor∣tunes.
• * 1.377

  Indija taken.
• * 1.378

  Samarcand revolts.
• * 1.379

  A. D. 1496. Hig. 902.
• * 1.380

  Baber, in the utmost di∣stres••,
• * 1.381

  flies to Bi∣shaer.
• * 1.382

  He takes the field with a few.
• * 1.383

  Baber invited to Marinaan.
• * 1.384

  His affairs began to wear a favorable aspect.
• * 1.385

  A. D. 1498. Hig. 904.
• * 1.386

  Jehangire be∣sieges him in Marinaan.
• * 1.387

  Retreats.
• * 1.388

  Denied ad∣mittance into Indija.
• * 1.389

  The affairs of Jehangire ruined.
• * 1.390

  Baber reco∣vers his do∣minions.
• * 1.391

  A. D. 1499. Hig. 905.
• * 1.392

  Is deserted by a great part of his army.
• * 1.393

  The deserters defeat Casim Cougi.
• * 1.394

  Indija be∣sieged.
• * 1.395

  The enemy again at∣tempt Indija,
• * 1.396

  are over∣thrown by Baber.
• * 1.397

  A. D. 1499. Hig. 905.
• * 1.398

  who railes the siege of Cashan.
• * 1.399

  A peace be∣tween Baber and his bro∣ther Jehan∣gire.
• * 1.400

  The inso∣lence of Ali Doost.
• * 1.401

  Baber's ex∣pedition to Samarcand.
• * 1.402

  A. D. 1499. Hig. 905.
• * 1.403

  Ali Doost dies.
• * 1.404

  B••ber desert∣ed by his whole army.
• * 1.405

  except two 〈◊〉〈◊〉 and forty men.
• * 1.406

  His daring attempt upon Samarcand.
• * 1.407

  A. D. 1499. Hig. 905.
• * 1.408

  Obliged to retreat.
• * 1.409

  His dream.
• * 1.410

  The Orientals never eat abroad without a formal invitation; besides, these inde∣pendent dirveshes live upon rice and water, and will not condescend to be entertained by princes.
• * 1.411

  Returns to Samarcand which he surprize.
• * 1.412

  A. D. 1500. Hig. 906.
• * 1.413

  Samarcand submits.
• * 1.414

  A. D. 1501. Hig. 907.
• * 1.415

  Baber de∣feated by Shubiani.
• * 1.416

  Besieged in Samarcand.
• * 1.417

  Forced to quit the city without hun∣dred men.
• * 1.418

  A. D. 1502. Hig. 908.
• * 1.419

  Besieged at Artaba by Shubiani.
• * 1.420

  His misfor∣tunes.
• * 1.421

  Aided by his uncles.
• * 1.422

  Defeated by Timbol.
• * 1.423

  The confede∣rates besiege Indija.
• * 1.424

  The siege raised.
• * 1.425

  A. D. 1502. Hig. 908.
• * 1.426

  Totally de∣feated by Shubiani.
• * 1.427

  Sultan Ba∣ber's uncles released.
• * 1.428

  He asks ad∣vice of Ma∣hummud Backer.
• * 1.429

  A. D. 1504. Hig. 910.
• * 1.430

  Baber's in∣gratitude to Chusero Shaw.
• * 1.431

  Marches to∣wards Cabul.
• * 1.432

  Confusions of that coun∣try.
• * 1.433

  Baber seizes upon Cabul∣istan.
• * 1.434

  A. D. 1506. Hig. 912.
• * 1.435

  A dreadful earthquake.
• * 1.436

  Baber in∣vades Canda∣har.
• * 1.437

  Marches to Chorrasân.
• * 1.438

  Disturbances in Cabul.
• * 1.439

  A. D. 1507. Hig. 913.
• * 1.440

  Quelled.
• * 1.441

  Baber invited to Candahar.
• * 1.442

  Takes Can¦dahar.
• * 1.443

  A. D. 1508. Hig. 914.
• * 1.444

  which is retaken by Shubiani.
• * 1.445

  Humaioon 〈◊〉〈◊〉.
• * 1.446

  Cabul, in the absence of Baber, revolts.
• * 1.447

  A. D. 1509. Hig. 915.
• * 1.448

  Baber desert∣ed by his ar∣my.
• * 1.449

  His daring enterprize.
• * 1.450

  Kills five omrahs in single com∣bats.
• * 1.451

  War between Pe•…•… and the Usbecks.
• * 1.452

  Alexander the Great.
• * 1.453

  A. D. 1509. Hig. 915.
• * 1.454

  A. D. 1511. Hig. 917.
• * 1.455

  Shubiani overthrown and slain.
• * 1.456

  Baber marches to recover his dominions.
• * 1.457

  The Oxus.
• * 1.458

  Clemency of Ishmaiel Shaw.
• * 1.459

  Baber solicits his aid against the Usbecks.
• * 1.460

  A. D. 1511. Hig. 917.
• * 1.461

  Baber over∣throws the Usbecks.
• * 1.462

  Takes Bo∣chara,
• * 1.463

  and Samar∣cand.
• * 1.464

  Loses Bocha∣ra, and Sa∣marcand.
• * 1.465

  Makes an alliance with the Persian general.
• * 1.466

  A D. 1518. Hig. 924.
• * 1.467

  Baber and his allies overthrown.
• * 1.468

  A conspiracy against his life.
• * 1.469

  He returns to Cabul.
• * 1.470

  A. D. 1519. Hig. 925.
• * 1.471

  Meditates the conquest of Hindostan.
• * 1.472

  Invades Hin∣dostan.
• * 1.473

  Reduces Punjaab.
• * 1.474

  Marches against he Gickers.
• * 1.475

  Returns to Cabul.
• * 1.476

  His second expedition into Hindos∣ta•…•….
• * 1.477

  A. D. 1519. Hig. 926.
• * 1.478

  Baber's third expedition into Hindos∣tan.
• * 1.479

  Returns and •…•…ges Can∣dahar,
• * 1.480

  which is taken.
• * 1.481

  Baber's 〈◊〉〈◊〉 expe∣•…•…on into •…•…ostan.
• * 1.482

  A. D. 1523. Hig. 930.
• * 1.483

  Lahore taken,
• * 1.484

  and Debal∣poor.
• * 1.485

  Dowlat Chan Lodi
• * 1.486

  suspected.
• * 1.487

  confined.
• * 1.488

  escapes.
• * 1.489

  A. D. 1524. Hig. 931.
• * 1.490

  Defeats Ba∣ber's forces.
• * 1.491

  Sultan Ibra∣him attacks him.
• * 1.492

  Alla arrives at Lahore.
• * 1.493

  A. D. 1525. Hig. 932.
• * 1.494

  Joins the two Lodis.
• * 1.495

  Besieger Delhi.
• * 1.496

  Overthrown by Ibrahim.
• * 1.497

  Baber's fifth expedition into Hindos∣tan.
• * 1.498

  Crosses the Sind.
• * 1.499

  A. D. 1525. Hig. 932.
• * 1.500

  Puts to flight the two Lo∣dis.
• * 1.501

  Dowlat taken.
• * 1.502

  Ghazi de∣feated.
• * 1.503

  Baber marches to∣wards Delhi.
• * 1.504

  A. D. 1525. Hig. 932.
• * 1.505

  Humaioon defeats a Patan army.
• * 1.506

  Baber arrives at Shawabad.
• * 1.507

  Defeats the van of Ibra∣him's army.
• * 1.508

  Preparations for a general engagement.
• * 1.509

  A. D. 1525. Hig. 932.
• * 1.510

  Baber forms his army into order battle.
• * 1.511

  Ibrahim draws out his army.
• * 1.512

  The battle begins.
• * 1.513

  A. D. 1525. Hig. 932.
• * 1.514

  The Indian army broken
• * 1.515

  Sultan Ibra∣him charges the Moguls in person.
• * 1.516

  Ibrahim kil∣led.
• * 1.517

  A total over∣throw of his army.
• * 1.518

  The fall of the 〈…〉〈…〉.
• * 1.519

  A. D. 1525. Hig. 932.
• * 1.520

  Baber enters Delhi, and assumes the empire.
• * 1.521

  Arrives be∣fore Agra,
• * 1.522

  which sub∣mits.
• * 1.523

  A rutty is seven eighths of a carat.
• * 1.524

  Reflexions upon the con∣quest of Hin∣dostan by Baber.
• † 1.525

  The Commentaries of Baber are still extant, and reckoned one of the best per∣formances of the kind in the East.
• * 1.526

  A. D. 1526. Hig. 933.
• * 1.527

  Baber's ge∣nerosity.
• * 1.528

  A silver sharoch is in value about a shilling sterling.
• * 1.529

  A. D. 1526. Hig. 933.
• * 1.530

  The provin∣cial omrahs refuse to sub∣mit.
• * 1.531

  Raise Ma∣hummud to the throne.
• * 1.532

  Baber's dis∣tressful situa∣tion.
• * 1.533

  His resolute behavior.
• * 1.534

  A. D. 1526. Hig. 933.
• * 1.535

  Some Patan chiefs come over to his party.
• * 1.536

  Casim of Simbol sub∣mits.
• * 1.537

  Humaioon marches against the confederate omrahs.
• * 1.538

  A. D. 1526. Hig. 933.
• * 1.539

  Nizam, go∣vernor of Biana, sub∣mits.
• * 1.540

  The gover∣nors of Gua∣lier propose to submit.
• * 1.541

  Gualier taken by a stratagem.
• * 1.542

  A. D. 1526. Hig. 933.
• * 1.543

  An attempt to poison 〈◊〉〈◊〉.
• * 1.544

  A. D. 1526. Hig. 933.
• * 1.545

  The conspi∣rators pu∣nished.
• * 1.546

  Prince Hu∣maioon de∣feats the con∣federate om∣rahs.
• * 1.547

  Baber alarm∣ed by a con∣federacy against him.
• * 1.548

  Marches against them.
• * 1.549

  His van de∣feated.
• * 1.550

  A general consterna∣tion.
• * 1.551

  A. D. 1526. Hig. 933.
• * 1.552

  The planet Mars.
• * 1.553

  A council of war.
• * 1.554

  The intrepid conduct of Baber.
• * 1.555

  Prohibits the use of wine in the camp.
• † 1.556

  New-Year's Day.
• * 1.557

  A. D. 1526. Hig. 933.
• * 1.558

  Marches to∣wards the enemy.
• * 1.559

  The enemy advance to attack him.
• * 1.560

  The order of battle.
• * 1.561

  Arrangement of the troops.
• * 1.562

  A. D. 1526. Hig. 933.
• * 1.563

  Prince Hu∣maioon com∣mands the right wing.
• * 1.564

  Seid Chaja the left,
• * 1.565

  Baber himself the center.
• * 1.566

  Captain-General.
• † 1.567

  Aids de Camp.
• * 1.568

  The battle begins.
• * 1.569

  A. D. 1526. Hig. 933.
• * 1.570

  Baber's army surrounded.
• * 1.571

  He over∣throws the enemy.
• * 1.572

  The sultan assumes the title of Gha∣zi.
• * 1.573

  Ghazi signifies a warrior.
• * 1.574

  Reduces Ma∣vat.
• * 1.575

  A. D. 1527. Hig. 934.
• * 1.576

  Humaioon sent to Ca∣bul.
• * 1.577

  Baber invests Chinderi.
• * 1.578

  The besiegers defeated in a sally.
• * 1.579

  Murder their wives and children,
• * 1.580

  and are all slain.
• * 1.581

  Baber defeats the omrahs of the east.
• * 1.582

  A. D. 1528. Hig. 935.
• * 1.583

  Arrives at Agra.
• * 1.584

  Makes a pro∣gress towards Gualier.
• * 1.585

  Returns to Agra, and
• * 1.586

  falls sick.
• * 1.587

  A. D. 1528. Hig. 935.
• * 1.588

  Recovers.
• * 1.589

  His genero∣sity to learned men.
• * 1.590

  Mirza Ash∣kari sent against Nuse∣rit Shaw, who submits.
• * 1.591

  Insurrections in Behar and Moultan.
• * 1.592

  Baber marches to Behar.
• * 1.593

  Defeats the enemy.
• * 1.594

  A. D. 1529. Hig. 936.
• * 1.595

  Transactions in Cabul.
• * 1.596

  The sultan falls sick,
• * 1.597

  A. D. 1530. Hig. 937.
• * 1.598

  and dies.
• * 1.599

  His charac∣ter.
• * 1.600

  His huma∣nity and generosity.
• * 1.601

  His religion.
• * 1.602

  His genius for the fine arts.
• * 1.603

  A. D. 1530. Hig. 937.
• * 1.604

  His justice.
• * 1.605

  Addicted to pleasure.
• * 1.606

  A guz is not quite an English mile.
• * 1.607

  His talents for war.
• * 1.608

  A. D. 1530. Hig. 937.
• * 1.609

  His genea∣logy.
• * 1.610

  The family of Timur, or Tamerlane