a small party of followers through a back door of the palace, and making his way out of the city by the gate of the Hauz-i kháss, he returned to Jalesar, to his army and baggage. The amirs and maliks and soldiers who were unable to escape out of the city with the Sultán were, some of them taken prisoners, and some killed; Khalil Khán náib-bárbak and Malik Isma'íl, son of the daughter of Sultán Fíroz Sháh, were taken alive, and were put to death.

In the month of Ramazan of the same year Mubashir Hájib1 Sultání, who had the title Islám Khán, with several old slaves (bandagán) of Sultán Fíroz, without any reason, turned against Abú Bakr Sháh, and opened communications with Sultán Muhammad. When this fact became known, Abú Bakr Sháh was unable to overcome them, so he left Dehlí, accompanied by some of his most devoted followers, such as Malik Sháhín 'Imádu-l Mulk, Malik Bahrí, and Safdar Khán Sultání, and proceeded to the kútila of Bahádur Náhir. On the 17th of the month Ramazán, Mubashir Hájib and the old Fíroz Sháhí men sent letters to Sultán Muhammad, informing him of the facts, and of the flight of Abú Bakr Sháh. They placed Khán-i Khánán, the youngest son of the Sultán, on an elephant, and, raising a canopy over his head, they conducted him to Jalesar. On the third day, the 19th Ramazán, the Sultán started from Jalesar, and entering the city he took his seat on the throne in the palace of Fírozábád. Mubashir Hájib received the office of wazir, and the title of Islám Khán was confirmed to him. The old guards of Fíroz Sháh and the people of the capital joined the Sultán. After a few days, he left Fírozábád, and went into the fort (hisár) of Jahán-panáh to the Humáyún palace. He took the elephants from the charge of the Fíroz Sháhí slaves, and placed them under the old elephant

This is according to Firishta, but the text has "Jab," the Tabakát-i Akbari "Hat," and Baddúní "Chap."

2 The word seems to be used here as a common noun, not a proper name. invariably kútila, not kúpila. See note in vol. iii., p. 455.

It is

keepers. This excited great discontent among them; but as the Sultán was strong, and the elephants had all been taken into the charge of his servants, they could not withstand him; so they fled in the night, with their wives and children, and joined Abú Bakr Sháh at the kútila of Bahádur Náhir. Such of these old slaves as remained in the city next morning received notice that they must quit it within three days, so the city was cleared of them. The amirs and maliks of the various parts of the kingdom (balád-i mamálik) now came to Court, and the Sultán's power and dignity increased. Prince Humáyún Khán, with Islám Khán [and others], was sent with a powerful army to suppress Abú Bakr Sháh and the old Fíroz Sháhí slaves. They had reached the town of Mahindwárí; and in the month of Muharram, 793 (Dec. 1390 A.D.), Abú Bakr Sháh, Bahádur Náhir, and the old Fíroz Sháhí slaves, having assembled, made a sudden attack upon the royal forces early in the morning, and killed several men. But Islám Khán made ready his division, and fell upon the assailants; the prince also mounted his horse, with his followers, and defeated the enemy at the first charge. The royal army pursued, and the bulk of the defeated forces took refuge in the fort of Kútila, but some were killed, and some were taken prisoners. When the news of the victory reached the Sultán, he started off for the scene of the conflict; and arriving at Kútila, he encamped on the banks of the Dahand. Abú Bakr Sháh and Bahádur Náhir begged for mercy, and came to meet the Sultán. Bahadur Náhir received a robe, and was sent back. Abú Bakr Sháh was carried away by the Sultán as far as Khandí, from whence he was sent to be kept a prisoner at Mírat, and there he died. The Sultán proceeded to Etáwa, and there he was waited upon by Nar Singh,

2

1 Pílbánán-i kadim. Taken literally this is unintelligible, for the officials of an older standing than the reign of Firoz must have been very few in number. It must mean that Sultan Muhammad reinstated those officers who held charge when he was before on the throne in his father's days. See Firishta.

2 The MS. and the Tabakát-i Akbarí agree in calling him "Bar Sing," which is an improbable name. Firishta calls him Nar Singh, which is perhaps right, though Har Singh is possible.

who received a robe, and was sent back.

Proceeding along the

bank of the Jumna, the Sultán arrived at Dehlí.

In 794 H. (1392 A.D.), Nar Singh above mentioned, and Sarvádharan1 and Bír Bahán, broke out in rebellion. The Sultán sent Islám Khán against Nar Singh, and he himself marched to Etáwa against Sarvádharan and the other infidels. The accursed Nar Singh encountered the forces of Islám Khán, and, by God's grace, was defeated and put to flight. The victors pursued, sending many infidels to hell, and laying waste their country. Nar Singh at length sued for mercy, and came to wait on Islám Khán, who carried him to Dehlí. Sarvádharan attacked the town of Balárám, but when the Sultán reached the banks of the Biyah3 (sic), the infidels fled and shut themselves up in Etáwa. The Sultán continued his march thither, and on the first day of his arrival some little fighting took place. In the night the rebels abandoned the fort of Etáwa and fled, and next day the Sultán destroyed it. From thence he marched towards Kanauj, and crossing the Ganges, he punished the infidels of Kanauj and Dalamau, and returning went to Jalesar, where he built a fortress which he called Muhammadábád.

In the month of Rajab, a letter arrived from Khwaja-i Jahán, who was the Sultán's locum tenens in Dehlí, bringing the information that Islám Khán was about to depart for Multán and Láhor, with the object of stirring up a rebellion. The Sultán immediately left Jalesar, and proceeded to Dehlí, where he held a Court, and questioned Islám Khán about the intentions imputed to him. He denied them. But an infidel named Jájú,1 his brother's son, a bad fellow who had a spite against him, gave

1 This is the reading of the Tabakát-i Akbarí, and seems probable. Our text has "Sabir wa Adharan," two names, saying, "Sabír the accursed, and Adharan." Firishta's text has "Sarvadhan Rahtor;" and the translation "Sirvodhun."

2 This is the name as given by our text, and by Badáúní and Firishta; but the Tabakat-i Akbari and the translation of Firishta make it Balgrám or "Bilgiram." See Elliot's Glossary, ii., 290.

3 For "the banks of the Biyah" the Tabakát-i Akbari has "Etawa."

The text has "Jájan," but the Tabakát-i Akbarí says Jájú, which is confirmed by Firishta, who has Hájú; the h of which is a clear mistake.

false evidence, and Islám Khán was unjustly condemned to death. Khwaja-i Jahán was made wazir, and Malik Mukarrabu-l Mulk was sent to Muhammadábád in Jalesar, with an army.

In the year 795 H. (1393 A.D.), Sarvádharan and Jít Singh Rahtor, and Bír Bahán mukaddam, of Bhanu-gánw, and Abhai Chand mukaddam, of Chandú, broke out in rebellion.1 "The

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Sultán sent Mukarrabu-l Mulk to put down this out"break. When the two parties came in sight of each other, "Mukarrabu-1 Mulk adopted a conciliatory course, and by "promises and engagements, induced the ráis to submit. He carried them with him to Kanauj, and there treacherously had them put to death; but Ráí Sar[vádharan] escaped, and entered Etáwa. Malik Mukarrab then "returned to Muhammadábád. In the month of Shawwál, "the Sultán attacked and ravaged Mewát. Having gone "from Muhammadábád to Jalesar, he there fell sick. Just "at that time intelligence reached him that Bahadur Náhir “had attacked and plundered several villages in the vicinity "of Dehlí. Notwithstanding his weakness, the Sultán "proceeded to Mewát, and on reaching Kútila, Bahádur “Náhir came out to fight; but he was defeated, and took "refuge in Kútila. Unable to remain there, he fled and "hid in Jhar. After this, the Sultán proceeded to Muham"madábád, in order to inspect the buildings which he had "there begun. His sickness grew worse. In the month “Rabi'u-l awwal, 796 H., he appointed Prince Humáyún to "march against Shaikha Khokar, who had rebelled, and had "got possession of Láhor. Just as the prince was about "to march, he received intelligence of the death of the "Sultán on the 17th Rabí'u-l awwal (15th Jan. 1394 A.D.); "so he remained at the capital. Sultán Muhammad Shah "reigned six years and seven months.

What

1 Here the MS. is faulty. Probably a leaf has been lost or passed over. follows is quoted from the Tabakát-i Akbarí, which is generally in close accord with this work.

"Sultán 'Aláu-d din Sikandar Sháh.

"The late Sultán's second son, Humáyún Khán, remained "for three days engaged in the duties of mourning; but "on the 19th Rabí'u-l awwal, he ascended the throne, "with the approbation of the amirs and maliks, the saiyids “and kázis, and all the great men of Dehlí. Khwája-i "Jahan was made wazir, and the various other officers were "confirmed in their appointments. On the 5th Jumáda-l awwal, he fell sick and died, after a reign of one month "and sixteen days.

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"Sultán Mahmúd Sháh, youngest son of Muhammad Sháh.

"On the death of Sultán 'Aláu-d dín, otherwise known "as Humáyún Khán, several of the nobles, such as Ghálib “ Khán of Sámána, Rái Kamál Main, Mubárak Khán, Malájún (?) Khawáss Khán governor of Indrí and Karnál, were about to leave the city and proceed to their respective territories, without taking leave of [Prince] "Mahmud Sháh. But Khán-i Jahán heard of their inten

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tion, and encouraged them to return to the city. On the "20th Jumáda-l awwal, by the efforts of the amirs and "maliks, and great men, Prince Mahmud was placed upon

"the throne in the Humáyún palace," and the title Sultán Násiru-d dín Mahmúd Sháh was given to him. The office of wazir was confirmed to Khwája-i Jahán, Mukarrabu-l Mulk became Mukarrab Khán, and was named heir-apparent of the Sultán.' 'Abdu-r Rashíd Sultání was entitled Sa'dat Khán, and received the office of Bárbak. Malik Sárang was created Sárang Khán, and received the fief of Díbálpúr. Malik Daulat Yár, the dabir (secretary), was created Daulat Khán, and received the office of 'imádu-l mulk and 'áriz of the State. Through the turbulence of the base infidels, the affairs of the fiefs of Hindus

1 The Tabakát-i Akbarí and Badáúní agree in this, but Firishta says he was made "Vakilu-s saltanat and Amiru-l umará.”