His Majesty was sent back to Multán', while the latter safely set out for Delhi leaving orders for Khán-i Azam Islám Kbán, Kamál Khán, and Bái Firoz Kamál Main to carry the investment of Taburhindh. Maliku-sh Sharq 'Imádu-l Mulk returning to Tabarhindh instructed the aforesaid amirs and maliks, and himself carried the siege to such a length that not a soul could emerge out of the fort, and thus when the siege was firmly established he retired with successive marches to Multan. Pulád offered resistance for six months. Sometime prior to this, Pulád had despatched his servants to Shaikh Záda 'Alí Mugal3 at Kabul soliciting his assistance in return for ready money and goods. Leaving Kabul with a big army, Shaikh 'Ali came in aid of Pulád in the month of Jamádiu-l 'ak hír near

'Ali Mugal came in aid of Pulad.

Lank of the Jhelum.

Ainuddin Khokhar at Talwárá, on the Amir Muzaffar and Khajega, the nephews of Khokhar, collected a numerous army from Seor and P. 257. Sakunat and co-operated with the prince. From thence the prince took with him the people of Seor and the Khokhars, and proceeded to Tabarhindh. On the way Malik Abu-l Khair Khokhar sought an interview with him. Malik 'Ainu-l Mulk Khokhar and Malik Abu-l Khair were appointed to act as his guides. He proceeded along the Biyah, and passing

1 The text is here defective:

ملك الشرق ملك عماد الملك بازگشته بر حضرت ...... ? راعات على ملك الشرق عماد الملك را وداع داد

Firishta (1. 524) writes, "the king finding the reduction of the place would occupy time, and thinking so large an army unnecessary for the siege, permitted 'Imadu-l Mulk to return to his Government at Multan."

Badaroni says (p. 294) :—

ار بعد از طلب امان از حسار بیدرن آمد عمادله ای را دید باز اعتماد نکرد و ترسیده بعصار رفت و جنگها کرد

* In Firishta Kaly Khán.

In Elliot (70) Sheikh 'All Beg; in Firishta (524) Amir Sheikh 'Ali: in Badaoni (294) Sheikh ’Alì Mugal, Governor of Kabul.

The text read

برادر زادگان او از سیور و سکونت با جمعیت کثیر بدو پیوست .

Elliot has, "In the month of Jamádiu-l awwal Sheikh 'All went to Tabarhindh.

The retired

royalists at the advent of Sheikh 'Ali.

through the district of Kasur forded the Biyah at Buhi. He then ravaged the country of Ráí Firoz. With a view to bring together his companions the Ráí left the environs of Tabarhindh without leave from the other amirs and marched out. Shaikh 'Alí was at a nonplus. When he came within ten distance from Tabarhindh, Islám Khán Kamál Khán and the other amirs raised the siege and retired to their own homes. At the approach of Sheikh 'Alí, Pulád issued out of Tabarbindh, and making an interview with him paid the stipulated amount of two lacs of tankas. Sheikh 'Ali left Tabarhindh carrying with him the ladies and the children of Palád, and devastated on the way most of the territories of Ràí Firoz. He, then, crossed the Sutlej at Tirbánah, imprisoned the inhabitants of the tract from Jalandhar to Jaran and Makhjahur, and returned along the banks of the Biyah. Crossing the Biyah in the month of Rajab, P. 258 May God increase its dignity," he marched to Lahore where Maliku-sh Sharq Malik Sikandar, its amir, offered him the usual customary annual tribute and gave him a send-off. Thence, passing through Kasur, he halted at Tilwarah opposite Dipalpur, the renowned city, in Lahore. He desolated the country in the course of twenty days that he stayed there." Being informed of the return of Sheikh 'Alí and of his having devastated the territory of Rai Firoz and the ikta' of Jalandhar, Maliku-sh Sharq 'Imadu-l Mulk advanced with a

134 m. south-east of Lahore.

Firishta writes, " (Sheikh 'Ali) ravaged the country of those chiefs who held estates in the Punjab, and who were conducting the siege of Surhind (Tabarhindh)."

This fact is not mentioned in Elliot (70).

شيخ علي مذکور خيره تر گشت .

• Mod. Zira, in Firozpur dist. Punjab. Lat. 80° 58', long. 75° 2′ 45′′.

خراب ساخت . زراعت آن دیار را

Firishta (525) says “ 40,000 Hindus were computed to have been massacred,

besides a great number carried away prisoners."

strong force to a distance of forty kuroh, and took up his

quarters at Talban.1

Advance

of

'Imadu-1 Mulk and
the flight of

Sheikh 'Ali

to

Talban and Kha

tibpur.

Terror-stricken Sheikh 'Ali returned along the Ráví to Talban, and there deeming himself unsafe moved to Khatibpur.2 Ráyat-i-'Alí sent letters patent to 'Imadu-l Mulk ordering him to leave Talban and go to Multan, in order to avoid an encounter with

P. 259. Shaikh 'Alí. On the 24th Sha'aban, he proceeded accordingly to Multan. Being emboldened at the relinquishment of Tabarhindh by the amirs and the maliks, and at his successful sack of the country, Sheikh 'Alí fearless of the violence and perfidy of the fraudulent sphere crossed the Ravi at Khatibpur, went towards Multan which was desolate owing to the drying up of the Ravi, and destroying the habitations on either banks of the Jhelum came to a distance of ten kuroh from Multan. 'Imádu-l Mulk, had despatched Malik Sultan Shah Lodi to serve as a piquet*. Shaikh 'Ali advanced with his forces, and the opponents meeting each other the battle commenced. At last, Lodi was killed; of his soldiers some died in the battle and some retired to Multan. On the 3rd Ramazán, the holy month, Sheikh 'Ali occupied Khasruábád and on the following day," collecting all his forces and making them ready of for war, he went near the namaz-gah

P. 260.

Occupation
Khasruabad
Shaikh 'Ali: his

ad ance

Multan.

by

to

(the place of worship) in Multan 8. Imádu-l Mulk too, prepared himself for action, and presented a front. Some of his foot had marched ahead; being worn

ut in the orchards, his army failed to come back to the fort and

1 Ms. has Badaoni i Elliot and Firishta Toolumba: modern Talambha. 52 m. north-east of Multan.

8

Ms. reads. Badaoni Firishta and Elliot Khatibpur.

مغرور برباد صده بود .

. In Elliot the quotation a from Tabakat-i-Akbari ends here.

. Firishta 4th Ramazan.

. Firishta and Elliot Khairábád : Badaoni Khasruabád.

7. Elliot has 25th Ramazan.

Elliot has against the gates of : نزديك نماز كا خطه ملتان Manuscript reads ..

Multan".

was

compelled to retire to Khusruábád. Everyday his soldiers took away by force the cattle and provisions of the people of the locality, and of those living on the banks of the Jhelum1. With all his equipage and retinue ready for war, Shaikh 'Ali advanced against the gates of Multan on the 25th of the month. The army of 'Imadu-l Mulk, and the people inhabiting the city made a sally. In the conflict which ensued in the garden, the assailants lost the goods, cattle and ladder2 that they brought with them. De feated and subdued, the infantry returned to its sphere of influence 3. On Friday, the 27th of the same month they returned and opened a fresh assault. Dismounting his horsemen in order to push through the gates of the city, 'Imadu-l Mulk fell upon his enemy with his horse and foot, and the latter unable to withstand his attack made off. Some were put to the sword, while some succeeded in falling back to the main body. Being routed again that day they did not venture to make any further assault upon the place.

'Imadu-1 Mulk defeated Shaik 'Ali.

Reinforcements gent to 'Imadu-1 Mulk.

As a matter of fact, when these transactions were reported to Ráyát-i-álí, he sent Majlis-i-álí Khániazam Fath Khán, son of Sultan Muzaffar Guzrátí, Majlis-i-álí Zirak P. 261. Khan, Malik Kalu, keeper of the elephants, Khán-i-ázam Islám Khán, Malik Yusuf Sarwaru-1 Mulk' Khán-i-azam Kamál Khán, Rái Hansu Khul Chain Bhatti with a large following to re-inforce 'Imádu-l Mulk. On the 26th Shawwal of the abovementioned year, the (aforesaid) amirs and maliks reached the country 5 of Multan, and there remained encamped for some time.. They proceeded on Friday, the

1 The extract from Tabakat-i-Akbari in Elliot here terminates.

Defeat of Shaik 'Ali and his retreat.

3rd Zí-l Káda, and approaching the prayer-house made an attempt to enter the kotlah (fortress) of 'Alau-l Mulk. Being informed of this, Sheikh 'Ali drew up all his cavalry and infantry in battle array, and met his adversaries. The royal forces were also ready for the encounter. 'Imadu-l Mulk was in the centre; Majlis-i 'alí Fath Khán, Malik Yusuf and Ráí Hansu on the right; Majlis-i’alí Zirak; Khán, Malik Kálu, Khán-i ázam Islam Khán and Khán-i ázam Kamál Khán on the left. CatchP. 262. ing sight of the imperialists, Shaikh 'Alí dispersed in confusion from a distance, and when the former opened the assault, the latter made a stampede, and so hasty was their retreat that they durst not look behind. While endeavouring to escape several of the chiefs were put to the sword. Shaikh 'Ali with the remnant of his army took shelter in the fortification which had been raised round the baggage. When the victorious army approached the fortification, the enemy being unable to resist them made their way to the Jhilum, in which many were drowned, and many with the divine assistance reached the army of Firawn', and of the survivors some were killed and some imprisoned. Receiving a wound Hají Kar perished among the drowned. Shaikh' 'Alí and A mír Muzaffar safely crossed the stream and retired with a small cavalry to Seor2, their arms, baggage and equipments fell into the hands of the victors. Such a dire calamity never befell any army in any previous occasion, or in any other reign. Those who took to the water were drowned, and those who participated in the engagement were killed; neither flight nor fight availed to save them.** So that thou wouldst say, the each and all entered "For him we are, suddenly and by chance the orifice of death. and to Him we return!"

P. 263.

.etc بعون and error for بتدعون الهی بلشکر فروزن رسیدند.

Means Pharoah, in general any cruel tyrant.

Badaoni has Tabakat-i-Akbari Shor ; Firishta Shewar.

3 Res. J.

** The portion within the asterisk has been left out in Elliot's History.