throne in the palace at Fírozábád, on the day of his predecessor's death, and took the title of Sultán Ghiyásu-d dín. Malik-záda Fíroz, son of Malik Táju-d dín, was made wazir, and was honoured with the title Khán-i Jahán. Khudáwand-záda Ghiyásu-d dín Turmuzi was placed over the armoury. Fíroz 'Ali was taken out of prison, and his father's office of sar-jándár was conferred upon him. The fief of Gujarát was granted to Malik Mufarrih Sultání, who held it under the late Sultán. The various other fiefs and appointments were confirmed to the holders. Malik Fíroz 'Ali and Bahádur Náhir were sent with a considerable force against Prince Muhammad Khán. The amirs of the fiefs (ikta's), such as Sultán Amír Sháh of Sámána, Ráí Kamálu-d dín and others, were sent along with them. In the month of Shawwál the army entered the mountains of Sirmor, and Prince Muhammad Khán retired to the top of the mountains by hostile roads, till he reached the fort of Baknárí.2 The royal army also entered the mountains, and when it reached the valley (darra) of Baknárí, some little fighting followed, but the place being strong, the prince was not subdued. From thence he ascended the mountains and went towards Sakhet. (The royal army) then marched from Baknárí to the town of Arú, and encamped in the darra of Arú, near to the station (chautara) of Kimár. The prince then left Sakhet, and went to the fort of Nagarkot. The royal forces followed to the confines of Gwáliyar in pursuit, but they met with opposition on the way, so Malik Fíroz 'Ali and the other amirs gave up the pursuit, and returned. The prince secured himself in Nagarkot.

Tughlik Shah was young and inexperienced. He knew nothing of politics, and had seen none of the wiles of fickle fortune. So he gave himself up to wine and pleasure. The business of government was entirely neglected, and the officers of the late Sultán asserted so fearlessly their power, that all

1 The text has "Fíroz Sháh."

2 Tabakát-i Akbari, “Baktárí."

3 The introduction of this nominative seems necessary to the sense.

control of the State was lost. The Sultán imprisoned his brother Sálár Sháh without any reason. Abú Bakr Sháh, son of Zafar Khán, having fled for refuge, Malik Ruknu-d dín Janda, deputy wazir, and several other amirs and slaves of the late Sultán, made common cause with him, and raised a revolt. They despatched with the sword Malik Mubarak Kabírí, in the palace at Fírozábád, as he was retreating through the door. A great outcry thereupon arose in the palace, and the Sultán hearing it, escaped through the door opening on the Jumna. Malik Fíroz, the wazir, was with him; but the traitor, Rukn Janda, being apprised of his escape, followed him with his own adherents, and with a party of the late Sultán's slaves. When they reached the ford of the Jumna, they killed Sultán Tughlik Sháh and the prince Fíroz. Then they cut off their heads, and threw them down in front of the palace. This happened on the 21st Safar, 791 H. (19th February, 1389 a.d.)

After this they brought Abú Bakr Sháh out from his dwelling, and seating him upon an elephant, with a canopy over his head, they proclaimed him under the title of Sultán Abú Bakr. Rukn Janda was made wazir. After a few days, Rukn Janda conspired with several slaves of the late Sultán Fíroz, with the intention. of slaying Abú Bakr, and of making himself king. But certain others, who were unfriendly to him, anticipating his action, killed him, and put his confederates to the sword. Abú Bakr was in possession of Dehlí, the royal elephants and treasure were in his hands, and his power was day by day increasing. Just at this juncture the new amirs of Sámána treacherously slew Malik Sultán Shah Khush-dil, with their swords and daggers, at the tank of Sannám, on the 4th Safar. Then, taking possession of Sámána, they plundered the houses of Malik Sultán Sháh and slew all his dependents. They cut off the head of Malik Sultán, and sent it to Nagarkot, to Prince Muhammad Khán, with offers

1 The word so translated is "bandagán," literally bondsmen or slaves. It makes its appearance frequently in these pages.

of assistance. The length of the reign of Sultán Tughlik Sháh was six months and eighteen days.

Sultán Muhammad Shah, younger son of the late Sultán Firoz Shah.

When the intelligence of the death of Malik Sultán Sháh reached Muhammad Khán at Nagarkot, he marched thence to the town of Jalandhar, and so into the district of Sámána. There, on the 6th of the month of Rabí'u-l ákhir, of the year above named, he, for the second time, mounted the throne of the empire. The new amirs of Sámána, and the mukaddams of that district and of the hills, all joined him, and renewed their vows of allegiance. Several amirs and maliks also of Dehlí deserted Abú Bakr Sháh, and came to join him. So there assembled round him in Sámána about twenty thousand horse, and an innumerable host of foot. From Sámána he marched to Dehlí; and by the time he reached its neighbourhood, the horse had increased to about fifty thousand. Abú Bakr Sháh was informed of his approach, and the slaves of Sultán Fíroz, having before opposed the new Sultán, now allied themselves with Abú Bakr.

On the 25th Rabí'u-l ákhir, 791 (23rd April, 1389), Sultán Muhammad took up his position at the palace of Jahán-numá, and Abu Bakr also, with his adherents and forces, was at Fírozábád. On the 2nd Jumáda-l awwal, the adherents of Abú Bakr, having taken the streets and walls of Fírozábád, gave battle to the forces of the new Sultán. On that very day Bahádur Náhir1 came into the city with a party of his followers; and Abú Bakr Shah, being emboldened by his arrival, marched on the following day into Fírozábád with his horse and foot. The battle began, and by the decree of God, Sultán Muhammad was defeated. He fled towards his own territories. With a party of about two thousand horse, he crossed the Jumna, and penetrated into the Doáb. From thence he sent his second 3 son, Prince Humáyún

1 "The Mewáttí."-T. Badáúní.

2 Firishta says "out of," and the T. Baddúní says "into the maidán of Fírozábád." 3 Literally, "middle son."

Khán, to Sámána, to assemble his forces; and he sent with him Malik Zíáu-d dín Abúrja, Ráí Kamálu-d dín Main,' and Ráí Khul Chain Bhatti, whose fiefs were in that quarter. The Sultán himself took up his position at the village of Jalesar,3 on the banks of the Ganges. The amirs of Hindustán, such as Malik Sarwar, governor of the city (shahna-i shahr), Maliku-sh Shark Nasíru-1 Mulk the holder of Multán, Khawássu-l Mulk the holder of Bihár [and others]; and Ráí Sarvar1 and other ráís and ránas, making in all about fifty thousand horse, with an innumerable force of foot, joined the Sultán. Malik Sarwar received the title of Khwaja-i Jahán, and was made wazir. Malik Nasíru-l Mulk became Khizr Khán,5 Khawássu-1 Mulk was made Khawáss Khán, and Saifu-d dín became Saif Khán.

In Sha'bán of the same year Sultán Muhammad again marched against Dehlí. Abú Bakr Sháh came forth to meet him, and encountered him at the village of Kundalí. Both sides arrayed their forces, and a battle ensued. By the will of God, the army of Sultán Muhammad was defeated, and Abú Bakr was victorious. His camp equipage and baggage fell into the hands of the victors, who kept up the pursuit for three kos. Sultán Muhammad then returned, and took up his abode at Jalesar. Abú Bakr Sháh went back to Dehlí.

6

On the 19th Ramazán the slaves of the late Sultán Firoz who were living in the various districts and cities, as at Multán, Láhor, Sámána, and Hisár, and the fort of Hánsí, were unjustly put to death in one day by the chiefs and people of the different places, under the orders of Sultán Muhammad. In consequence of the contention among the Musulmáns for the throne, the Hindu infidels gathered strength, and gave up paying the poll-tax and tribute. They moreover threatened the Muhammadan towns.

1 Mina?

2 Probably Kul Chand.

3 The Text has "Jaser" and "Jater," and Badáúní makes makes it "Chetar," but the Tabakát-i Akbarí and Firishta agree in reading "Jalesar." See post, p. 26. The text has "Sabir," but Firishta says "Sarvar." See post, p. 26.

5 The translation of Firishta errs in making this title "Khowás Khan.” Invariably called "Lohor."

In the month of Muharram, 792 H. (January, 1390 A.D), Prince Humáyún Khán, having collected the various maliks and amirs who had been appointed to act under him, such as Ghalib Khán, amir of Sámána [etc., etc.], pitched his camp at Pánipat, and plundered the environs of Dehlí. When Abú Bakr Sháh was informed of this, he sent Malik Sháhín 'Imádu-l Mulk, with four thousand horse and guards and many foot soldiers, towards Pánipat; and the two forces drew up in battle array at the village of Basína, near Pánipat. The Almighty gave the victory to Abú Bakr Sháh, and the army of the prince being defeated fled back towards Sámána. His camp and baggage and equipments, all became the spoil of the victors. The forces of Dehlí, under the grace of God, being thus everywhere victorious, Sultán Muhammad and his army could no longer resist the enemy, and he became very much depressed in spirit. Still the maliks and the soldiers and the people of the capital were entirely on the side of the Sultán, and Abú Bakr dared not leave the city to pursue his defeated enemy.

In the month Jumáda-l awwal of the same year Abú Bakr Sháh collected his army and marched towards Jalesar. He encamped about twenty kos from Dehlí, and Sultán Muhammad, being informed of this, left his army and baggage at Jalesar, and started off with four thousand light horse for Dehlí. Some guards who had been left in charge of the city shut themselves. up at the Badáún gate, and made some show of resistance; but the assailants set fire to the gate, and the defenders fled. Sultán Muhammad entered the city through this gate, and took up his quarters at the Humáyún palace. All the people of the city, high and low, and the bázár people, joined him. When intelligence of this reached Abú Bakr, he set off early on the same day with a party of his followers, and entered the city by the same gate, and Malik Baháu-d dín, who had been left in charge of the gate by Sultán Muhammad, was killed on the spot. The Sultán was in the palace, unaware of what had happened; but when Abú Bakr drew near, and he was apprised of the fact, he escaped with