Now since the nobles and the soldiers of Prince Pír Mu­hammad had lost all their horses during the rains, and had undergone much toil and fatigue in their march, and had pre­sented themselves at my camp, some on foot and some riding bullocks, I gave orders to my master of the horse to produce 30,000 chargers, which I presented to Prince Pír Muhammad, thus furnishing his whole army with a remount. When all my troops, some by boats and some by swimming, had effected the passage of the river Biyáh, I marched forward from Janján and arrived at Sahwál. Leaving this place on Friday, the 21st of Safar, I arrived at Aswán, where I halted for one day; continuing my march on the next I arrived at Jahwál, where I pitched my camp. It was here brought to my notice that the zamíndárs and nobles of the city of Díbálpúr had at first come to Multán and tendered their allegiance to prince Pír Muhammad Jahángír, beseeching a governor from him. Yield­ing to their entreaty, he appointed Musáfir Kábulí to be Dároghá of Díbálpúr, and gave him the command of a thousand men; but in the rainy season, when the horses of the soldiery were in­capacitated, the people of Díbálpúr entering into a conspiracy with the servants of Fíroz Sháh, made a sudden attack upon Musáfir Kábulí, who was unprepared for any such treachery, and put to death both him and the thousand men who were under his command; but (said my informants) now that the Great King has paid these countries the honour of a visit, these rebels have deserted their city and taken refuge in the fort of Bhatnír, which is one of the most renowned fortresses of India, and the rája of the fort is an important person, famous throughout the whole country.

Account of the capture of the fortress of Bhatnír.

On hearing this relation, the fire of my indignation was ex­cited, and I appointed Amír Sháh Malik and Daulut Tímúr Tawáchí to march forward with a large army, by way of Díbál­púr, towards Dehlí, and ordered them to wait for me at Sámána, which is a place in the neighbourhood of Dehlí. I, myself, in the meanwhile, pushed forward upon Bhatnír with a body of 10,000 picked cavalry. On arriving at Ajodhan, I found that among the shaikhs of this place (who, except the name of shaikh, have nothing of piety or devotion about them) there was a shaikh named Manúa, who, seducing some of the in­habitants of this city, had induced them to desert their country and accompany him towards Dehlí, while some, tempted by Shaikh Sa'd, his companion, had gone to Bhatnír, and a number of the wise men of religion and the doctors of law of Islám, who always keep the foot of resignation firmly fixed in the road of destiny, had not moved from their places, but remained quietly at home. On my arrival in the neighbourhood of Ajodhan, they all hastened forth to meet me, and were honoured by kissing my footstool, and I dismissed them after treating them with great honour and respect. I appointed my slave, Násiru-d dín, and Shaháb Muhammad to see that no injury was inflicted by my troops on the people of this city. I was informed that the blessed tomb of Hazrat Shaikh Faríd Ganj-shakar (whom may God bless) was in this city, upon which I immediately set out on pilgrimage to it. I repeated the Fátiha, and the other prayers, for assistance, etc., and prayed for victory from his blessed spirit, and distributed large sums in alms and charity among the atten­dants on the holy shrine. I left Ajodhan on Wednesday, the 26th of the month, on my march to Bhatnír, and, passing by Rudanah, I halted at Khális Kotalí, which is a place ten kos distant. At this place I made inquiries concerning the fort Bhatnír. The people of the country informed me that Bhatnír was about fifty kos off, and that it was an extremely strong and well-fortified place, so much so as to be renowned throughout the whole of Hindustán. All the water used by its inhabitants comes from a reservoir, which is filled with rain water during the rainy season, and furnishes a supply for the whole year.* The Chol extends for many kos around, and water is not to be obtained. The people who had fled from Ajodhan had come to Bhatnír, because no hostile army had ever penetrated thither. So a great concourse of people from Díbálpúr and Ajodhan, with much property and valuables, was there assembled. The town and fort were full, many could find no room in the city, and remained outside with their property and goods, so that the roads were choked. Immense numbers of cattle were collected in the neighbourhood.

The rája of that place was called Dúl Chain.* He had as­sembled a body of Rájpúts, a class which supplies the most renowned soldiers of India, and with these he waited ready to do battle. When I had ascertained all about Bhatnír, after noon-day prayer I mounted my horse and rode out from Khális-Kotalí. The remainder of that day and all that night I pushed on, taking no rest anywhere until I had passed the Chol, and morning broke out. I had sent on an advance guard, which was attacked several times by the enemy's van. Shaikh Darwesh displayed much bravery, overthrowing and killing two of the enemy's men. Dúl Chain's advance guard then retreated. I pursued my journey, and at breakfast time I reached Bhatnír. I gave orders that the drums should be beaten, the instruments sounded, and the war cry raised. Immediately afterwards all the vast quantities of goods and property that were outside the city were plundered by my soldiers. Ráo Dúl Chain, having secured the fort and walls, prepared for his defence, and I, at the same time, resolved to attack and conquer the place.

Siege of Bhatnír.

When I came to the determination of taking the fort of Bhatnír, I appointed Shaikh Núru-d dín, Amír Sulaimán, Amír Alláh-dád, and other amírs, to direct the attack upon the right of the fort, and to endeavour to make themselves masters of the walls. I appointed Prince Khalíl Sultán, Shaikh Muhammad, son of Aiku-tímúr, and some other commanders of regiments, to make the assault upon the left, and try to take the fort. I, myself, led the centre of my army against the gate. My brave soldiers stormed the fort and walls in all directions, and at the very first assault the fortifications and walls (hisár wa shahr-band ) were wrested from the hands of the Hindus and the town was taken. Many Rájpúts were put to the sword, and all the enormous wealth and property which was in the city fell as spoil into the hands of my soldiers. My brave men showed much courage and determination in this capture of the fort. Ráo Dúl Chain, with his fighting Rájpúts, drew up at the gate of the fort to dispute the entrance. I then directed the generals of the division of Prince Sháh Rukh, Amír Sulaimán Sháh, and Amír Jahán Malik to fall upon Ráo Dúl Chain and the men who had rallied round him. They engaged in the conflict, and showed much intrepidity and valour with their flashing swords. Jahán Malik fought like a lion, and Saiyid Khwája cut down several of the enemy. All my officers and brave soldiers swarmed round the fort like ants and locusts; some advanced to the edge of the ditch, and some passed over it. When Ráo Dúl Chain perceived that his fort was being taken by the valour and prowess of my men, he raised a cry for quarter, and prayed a cessation of fighting, declaring his determination to come and make his submission to me. He sent a saiyid to intercede for him. When the saiyid came to me and represented the forlorn and miserable state of the Ráo Dúl Chain, my respect for the gray beard of the intercessor, and the reverence which I have for saiyids in general, led me to give the command for my soldiers to leave off fighting, telling them that the Ráo had determined to come and surrender on the following day. In consequence of this order the soldiers withdrew from the fort and took up their quarters outside the town. The night passed with much vigilance and caution on our part. When morning came the Ráo broke his word, and did not come to pay homage to me. I gave the order for again attacking the fort vigorously, and I directed that every man should strive to mine the wall in front of him, and to make a passage under­neath. In execution of this order, the soldiers pressed forward to make holes under the wall, and a terrible fight ensued. The besieged cast down in showers arrows and stones and fireworks upon the heads of the assailants, but my brave men received these missiles on their heads and shoulders, and, treating them as mere dirt and rubbish, pushed on their work. The enemy found themselves hemmed in on all sides with breaches open, so fear took possession of them, their hearts fell, and they gave up resistance. Ráo Dúl Chain and his followers (sipáh) came out on the top of the battlements, and with many signs of distress and trouble begged for mercy, promising that if I would graciously pardon their offences they would surrender, and faithfully wait upon me to pay their homage. I knew very well their hope­less condition, but I remembered the saying of the wise, that “Clemency is better than victory,” so I granted the prayer of the enemy and returned to my camp. In the evening of the same day, Ráo Dúl Chain sent his son and his deputy to my tent, bringing with them some head of game and some Arab horses as presents. I received the youth with kindness and princely distinction, gave him a robe and a sword with a golden scabbard, and sent him back to his father. I enjoined him to warn his father against giving way to any suggestions of de­ception and false play, but to come in and make a frank sub­mission; I would then treat him with favour. If, however, he made any delay, he should see what would happen.