When the preparations for holding a court in Dehlí were complete I gave orders for the princes, the amírs, the núyáns, and other of my officers, and the saiyids, the 'ulamá, the shaikhs, and all the principal men of the city to attend my Court. When they had all arrived I entered and took my seat upon the throne. The Turk and Tájik musicians and singers began to play and sing. Wine (sharáb) and sharbat, and sweetmeats, and all kinds of bread and meat were served; I bestowed rich robes, and caps, and girdles, and swords, and daggers, and horses, etc., etc., upon the princes, and amírs and other leading men of my army, especially upon those braves who had distinguished themselves by deeds of valour under my own observation. To some I gave regiments and raised their dignity. Upon the saiyids and 'ulamá of the city I bestowed robes and presents. I ordered my secretaries to draw up despatches announcing my victories in Hindustán, and to circulate them with all speed throughout my dominions. And I ordered my revenue officers to make provision for collecting the ransom-money assessed upon the city, excepting the saiyids, 'ulamá, and shaikhs. The collectors proceeded about their work, and I remained in the same quarters for several days, holding courts, giving feasts, and partaking of pleasure and enjoyment.
On the 16th of the month some incidents occurred which led
to the sack of the city of Dehlí, and to the slaughter of many of
the infidel inhabitants. One was this. A party of fierce Turk
soldiers had assembled at one of the gates of the city to look
about them and enjoy themselves, and some of them laid violent
hands upon the goods of the inhabitants. When I heard of this
violence, I sent some amírs, who were present in the city, to
restrain the Turks. A party of soldiers accompanied these amírs
into the city. Another reason was that some of the ladies of my
harem expressed a wish to go into the city and see the palace of
Hazár-sutún (thousand columns) which Malik Jauná built in the
fort called Jahán-panáh. I granted this request, and I sent a
party of soldiers to escort the litters of the ladies. Another
reason was that Jalál Islám and other díwáns had gone into the
city with a party of soldiers to collect the contribution laid upon
the city. Another reason was that some thousand troopers with
orders for grain, oil, sugar, and flour, had gone into the city to
collect these supplies. Another reason was that it had come to
my knowledge that great numbers of Hindus and gabrs, with
their wives and children, and goods, and valuables, had come
into the city from all the country round, and consequently I had
sent some amírs with their regiments (kushún) into the city
and directed them to pay no attention to the remonstrances of
the inhabitants, but to seize and bring out these fugitives. For
these several reasons a great number of fierce Turkí soldiers were
in the city. When the soldiers proceeded to apprehend the
Hindus and gabrs who had fled to the city, many of them drew
their swords and offered resistance. The flames of strife were
thus lighted and spread through the whole city from Jahán-
On the following day, Sunday, it was brought to my knowledge that a great number of infidel Hindus had assembled in the Masjid-i jámi' of Old Dehlí, carrying with them arms and provisions, and were preparing to defend themselves. Some of my people who had gone that way on business were wounded by them. I immediately ordered Amír Sháh Malik and 'Alí Sultán Tawáchí to take a party of men and proceed to clear the house of God from infidels and idolaters. They accordingly attacked these infidels and put them to death. Old Dehlí then was plundered.
I ordered that all the artisans and clever mechanics, who were masters of their respective crafts, should be picked out from among the prisoners and set aside, and accordingly some thousands of craftsmen were selected to await my command. All these I distributed among the princes and amírs who were present, or who were engaged officially in other parts of my dominions. I had determined to build a Masjid-i jámi' in Samarkand, the seat of my empire, which should be without a rival in any country; so I ordered that all builders and stonemasons should be set apart for my own especial service.
By the will of God, and by no wish or direction of mine, all the three cities of Dehlí, by name Sírí, Jahán-panáh, and Old Dehlí, had been plundered. The khutba of my sovereignty, which is an assurance of safety and protection, had been read in the city. It was therefore my earnest wish that no evil might happen to the people of the place. But it was ordained by God that the city should be ruined. He therefore inspired the infidel inhabitants with a spirit of resistance, so that they brought on themselves that fate which was inevitable.
When my mind was no longer occupied with the destruction
of the people of Dehlí, I took a ride round the cities. Sírí is
a round city (shahr). Its buildings are lofty. They are surrounded
by fortifications (kala'h), built of stone and brick, and
they are very strong. Old Dehlí also has a similar strong fort,
but it is larger than that of Sírí. From the fort of Sírí to that
of Old Dehlí, which is a considerable distance, there runs a
strong wall, built of stone and cement. The part called Jahán-