English
93 ) ( for the firtt time uses expressions like these, “ Iqlim-i.Lnkhnauti, ,, “ Iqllm-i! Snnargaon,” “ A^ah-i-Bangalah,’*—indicating that Tnrhral had considerably extended hia Bengal Satrap* 80 of the expedition, and also Viceroy of Lakhnauti, together with other nobles, such as Tamar Khan Sljainsi, Malik Tnju*d*din, sou of ‘Ali Khau, 1 and Jaraalu-d-din Qandahurl, for destroying Tughral. And when Malik Abtakin with a large force crossed the river Sro, and marched towards Lakhnauti, Tughral, too, with a large force came to encounter him. In that, in bravery and generosity, he was matchless, some nobles and soldiers deserting Amin Khan joined Tughral, so that on 'the day of engage¬ ment the force of Amin Khan was routed. And when Amin Khau being vanquished retreated to Oudh, the Emperor hearing of this became anxious and ]>erplexed, ordered that Amin Khan should be banged at the gate of Oudh, and afterwards appointed Malik TarminI with a large force for destroying Tughral. And Tughral making a bold attack vanquished this force also, and obtained much booty. Owing to strength of fortune, that rampant lion, Twice routed the army of the enemy. Sultan Ghiasu-d-diu, on hearing this bad news, became dejected aud anxious, and made kingly efforts, and boldly resolved to march out himself, aud ordered that numerous boats should be kept ready in the rivers Jon and Ganges, and he himself on the pretext of a hunting excursion went towards Sanam and Samiinah. Appointing Malik Sunaj to be governor of Samanah, he took his young son, Bughra Khan, with a select force in his own company, aud passed from Samanah to Doab. Leaving Maliku-l-Umara- Fakbru-d-din Koticil to rule as Viceroy at Dehli in l.is absence, he crossed the Ganges, and not heeding that it was the rainy season, by forced marches, proceeded towards Lakhnauti. Tughral who in this interval had collected his efficient troops, marched iu state towards Jajnagar with his treasures and ft large army, and planned to take it and to encamp there, and subse¬ quently to return to Lakhnauti, when the Emperor would return to Dehli. But when the Emperor reached Lakhnauti, after s ay- incr there a few days, he despatched General Hassamu-d-din Vakil-da,- Barbag (Secretary of State), who was the grandfather of the author of the Tlrtkt-i-F>ruz toSh,, to subjugate the I Iu Tarikh-i-Firuz Shohi, “ Qattagh Khan Shamsi.” 81 kingdom of Lakhnauti, and the Emperor himself marched towards Jujnagar,* to chastise Tughral. At the time, when the Emperor reached the confines of Sunargaon, Bhuj Rai. 8 who was the Zamin- dar of that place, enrolled himself in the ranks of the Imperial adherents, and promised that in case Tughral attempted to escape aoross the river, 3 he would prevent his doing so. But when the Emperor swiftly passing from that place marched several stages, the trace of Tughral was lost, and no one could give a clue to his whereabouts. The Emperor ordered Malik Barbak Baras* that he should inarch ahead ten or tweh e Karoh with seven thousand chosen cavalry. Although these tried every means of pursuit and search, they could obtain no iraco of Tughral. One day, Malik Muhammad Tirandav., 3 the ruler o. Koel, b and his brother, Malik Mnqaddar, separating themselveB from the vanguard force, with thirty or forty troopers marched ahead. Suddenly, ou a field they came across some grocers. Arresting these, they made enquiries, and in order to frighten them, they commenced slaughter by breaking the neck of ono; then the others cried out:— ,k If your object is to obtain goods and provisions, whatever we have, you may take; but spare our lives.” Malik Muhammad Tirand&z said : “ We have no concern with your goods and stores: our object is to ascertain the whereabouts of Tughral. If you show the way, your lives aud things would be spared ; otherwise whatever will beful you, will be the consequence of your misconduct.” The grocers said: “ We carried food-grains to the camp of Tughral. 7 and now 1 From the manner of description giveu hero, tho JnjnngAr hero referred to would seem not to be in Orissa, but some plaoo in East Bengal (probably Tipperah). For an exhaustivo and interesting discussion on “ Jdjnagar,” see Bloclimann’s “ Contributions to History and Geography of Bengal.” 8 In Tarijcfe-i-Firuz Shahi, “ Dannj Rai,” (p. S7). 3 Probably the river Brahmaputra or Mcgua is meant. Sauarguon is Bitnate on the banks of the Brahmaputra, 13 miles S *E. of Dacca. For a contempo¬ rary and graphio description of Emperor Ghiasu-d-diu Balbun’s expedition to Bengal, see Tarifch-i-Firuz Shahi (pp. 85-94 Pera. toxt.) * In Ferighta, “ Barbaq Barlas,” in Tarikh-i-Firnz Shahi " Barik Begtaras.” 3 In Tarijgw-Firuz Shahi. ( “ Malik Muhammad Sherandax,” p. 88). • Koel is a tehtil in Aligarh District. 1 From the description given, Tnghral alia* Sultan Mughisn-d-din would appear to have pitched hie tent at the time on tho western banka of tho Rraluuaputra not very far from Sunargaon. Or, one might imagine him this point of timo having shifted his tent further eastward to tho wegtern bank of the Megan, opposito perhaps to the old ferry of Manicknagar 11 82 we are returning from there. Bel een you and Tughral, there is a distance of half a farsafeh. To-day he is encamping there; to¬ morrow he will march to Jajnagar.” Malik Muhammad Tirandaz sent the grocers with two troopers to Malik Barbak Baras, and seDt word that after ascertaining the truth from the grocers, he should march up swiftly, so that Tughral might not march to the Vilayet of Jajnagar which is in the kingdom of Bengal, and leagu¬ ing with the people of that part, might not hide himself in a jungle. And he himself with troopers went forward, and saw the tent of Tu gh ral. and his \rmy resting in false security, and his elephants and horses grazing about. A vailing himself of the opportunity, he rushed with his cavalry towards the camp of Tu gh ral. No one opposed their progress, fancying that they were officers attached to the army of Tughral. When they arrived in front of Tnghral’s tent, all of a sudden drawing their swords, they killed every one they found in the Audience-Hall, and shouted out that the kingdom of Bengal pertained to the Empire of Balban. Tughral fancied that the Emperor had him¬ self arrived. Becoming totally confounded, he slipped out in great perplexity by the bath-room door, and mounting an un¬ saddled horse, and not mustering his own adherent's, owing to great confusion of mind, he intended to plunge into the river near the soldiers’ quarters, and then to swim across to Jajnagar. As misfortune would have it, owing to the disappearance of Tughral, all his officers, soldiers and followers turned towards different directions. And Malik Muqaddar, at whose bands the slaughter of Tughral had been destined, marched in pursuit of Tughral, and encountered him on the river-bank. Then Malik Muqaddar shot a shooting arrow at Tughral’s shoulder, dismounted the latter from his horse, and himself dismounting from his own horse, sever¬ ed Tughral’s head from the body. Seeing that the followers of Tughral were searching for their master, Malik Muqaddar hid Tughral’s head in the mud by the river-side, and flung his body into the river, and pulling off his own garments, he set himself to washing them. At this moment, Tnghral’s soldiers arrived, across the river, or somewhere close to the modern Bhoyrab Bazar ferry, seriously planning to cross over on boats from the Dacca side to the l.pperab tract (which has been identined here with JAjnagar), with the old and powerful Emperor of Delhi (Ghmsa-d-din Balban) shadowing him. Th.s Jnj- nagar, therefore, in Bengal, is different from Jijnagur in Orissa. 83 shouting out “ Lord of the world ! Lord of the world! ” and searched for Tughral. Not finding him, they took to their heels. They shot an arrow at his heart, 1 * Dismounted him from his horse, and cut off his head: When Tughral at that place was killed owing to his in- alertness. One shout arose from every side. The adherents of Tughral were completely routed, From the absence of their leader, tucy were all cowed down. At this time Malik Barbak Baras 8 arrived, and Muqaddar run¬ ning forward announced the joyful tidings of the victory. Malik Barbak applauding him sent a despatch to the Emperor, i anouncing the victory, together with the head of Tughral. On the following day, together with the booty and prisoners of Tughral’s army, he proceeded himself to the Emperor, and narrated the story of tho victory. And Malik Muhammad Tirandaz 3 * * was promoted to the first rank, and his brother Malik Muqaddar* received the title of Tughral-kush (“ Tughral-slayer ”), and was raised to the peerage. Sultan Ghiasu-d-din Balbau after this marched back to Lakhnauti, and set himself to the work of chastisement. Along both sides of the road passing through the market-place of the City, putting up scaffolds, the Emperor hanged such adherents of Tughral as had been takeu prisoners, and capturing their women and children, wherever fouud, he had them slaughtered at Lakhnauti, after putting them to indescribable tortures. Till that time, none of the Emperors of Dchli had slaughtered the children and women of miscreants. 6 * After this, the Emperor bestowed the kingdom of 1 These verses, with slight variations, have boon borrowed very probably from Amir Khnsran, the poet-laareato of Emperor Ghiasa-d-din Balbau. * In Tarikh Firoz §hahi (p. 88.) Malik Barbak Bcktars. 8 In Tarikh Firuz Shahi (p. 88) Malik Muhammad Shirandaz. * From Tarikh Firuz SlinKi (pp. 88, 90 and 91) Malik Muqqadar and Tug^ral-kush would Bcem to be two different individuals.