In the first year of his reign Sultán Sikandar had a design of conquering Bayána,* which task he effected, like a mighty monarch, in a very short time, and then returned speedily to Dehlí. On the third day after his arrival, he was playing at chaugán. Whilst he was in the chaugán ground, news was brought from Jaunpúr that Bárbak Sháh was coming from that city with a numerous army. Sultán Sikandar sent Isma'íl Khán Lohání to Bárbak Sháh at Jaunpúr, to make pacific overtures, and then started after him in person, in the direction of Kampila and Patíálí. 'Ísá Khán, the governor of that district came forth to oppose him. When both parties were engaged, 'Ísá Khán received a wound, from the effects of which he died in a few days.*

Sultán Sikandar advanced thence towards Bárbak Sháh, who also had collected his troops and prepared to encounter him, leaving Jaunpúr for that purpose. Both sides met and engaged.* During the fight, a holy kalandar appeared, who seized Sultán Sikandar's hand, and said, “The victory is with thee!” The Sultán withdrew his hand with an expression of disgust. The darwesh said, “I give you a glad omen, and the joyful tidings of success! Why do you withdraw your hand?” The Sultán said, “When there is strife between two parties of the religion of Islám, you ought not to side with one, but to say that the victory will remain with those whose success will produce the greatest benefit to religion, and you ought to solicit the Almighty to grant victory to him who will treat the servants of the Lord best!”

After a fierce battle, Bárbak Sháh's army was defeated, and he fled thence to Badáún, to which place he was pursued by Sultán Sikandar, who besieged him there.* Bárbak Sháh excused him­self and submitted, and Sultán Sikandar conciliated him, and took him to Jaunpúr, where he seated him again on the throne of the Eastern monarchy as before; but he distributed the parganas of the Jaunpúr country amongst his nobles, and left governors of his own everywhere; he also appointed men of trust to remain with Bárbak Sháh. Thence he went to Kálpí, which place he resumed from his nephew 'Azam Humáyún, and bestowed it upon Mahmúd Khán Lodí. He then advanced for the purpose of securing possession of the countries and districts belonging to Bayána.* After seizing the whole of that territory, he returned in a short time to Dehlí.

On the third day after his arrival, he was again playing at chaugán, and was standing with the bat in his hand, intending to proceed with the game, when news arrived that the zamíndárs of the district of Jaunpúr, led by a Hindu named Júgá,* and numbering nearly 100,000 men, horse and foot, had attacked and defeated Mubárak Khán Lohání, and slain his brother, and that Mubárak Khán had been seized by Mullá Khán at the ferry of Illahábás, which at that time was called Pyág, and that Bárbak Sháh, learning how powerful these people were, had gone to Míán Muhammad Farmulí, nicknamed “the Black Mountain,” at Daryábád.

When Sultán Sikandar heard of these events, he threw down the chaugán bat, and went from the field to Khán Jahán Lodí, and told him all that happened, at the same time asking what he ought to do. Khán Jahán said, “Food is just ready, eat a little of it as a good omen, and then set out for Jaunpúr.” The King replied: “I will eat after the first stage.” On quitting Khán Jahán's house, he went to the royal palace; and then causing the scarlet tents to be pitched, he proceeded with such celerity, that he came up with Júgá on the tenth day. When he encamped near the water of Kúdí, a scout brought informa­tion concerning the rebel army. The Sultán asked how many kos Júgá was from this place, and he was told that he was near at hand. On this, the Sultán ordered an immediate attack; some of the chief nobles recommended waiting until the arrival of the army, and the Sultán inquired how many troops had kept pace with him. The Bakhshí answered that there were only 500 horsemen. He said, “The fortune of Islám is in the ascendant; these men will suffice.” He then repeated the Fátiha-i Khair, and mounted his horse. After proceeding a short distance, another messenger arrived, from whom the King inquired how far Júgá was off. He answered, “Not more than three kos.” The King asked what force he had with him? The man replied, 300,000 foot and 15,000 horse. The Sultán said, “Has he re­ceived intelligence of my coming?” He answered, “Not as yet.”

The Sultán directed those who were with him to advance with all possible speed, saying, “If he does not seek safety in flight, by God's favour he will fall into my hands.” They advanced quietly two kos farther; when they were only one kos distant from the enemy, another spy came to tell His Majesty that Júgá and the other rascals, having just heard of the Sultán's coming, had run away and taken nothing away with them. The Sultán said, “If he had remained after being told, he would have seen what he would have seen.” The King, on arriving at Júgá's tent, found even his clothes lying there; for the dread of His Majesty caused the assembly of the rebels to disperse, and much booty fell into the hands of the victorious army. Sultán Sikandar followed him as far as the fort of Júnd,* where Sultán Husain Sharkí was, and with him the Hindu Júgá took refuge.

Sultán Sikandar encamped at a short distance from the fort, and wrote thus to Sultán Husain, “You are in the place of my uncle; all that happened between you and Sultán Bahlol has passed. I bear no enmity to you, and would treat you with respect; may this fort and land which you have taken possession of always belong to you. I have come hither to punish and chastise the rebel Júgá; if you undertake his chastisement yourself, so much the better! If not, turn him out, that I may give him the punishment he merits; he is an infidel, and I am therefore convinced that you will not side with him.” When this reached Sultán Husain Sharkí, he sent one of his chief nobles, Mír Saiyid Khán, as an ambassador to Sultán Sikandar with this answer, “Júgá is my servant, and thy father Bahlol was a soldier; I fought with him sword in hand! You are a silly child, and if you are guilty of any folly, I will strike you with my shoe instead of my sword.” When Sultán Sikandar had heard these words, he said, “At first, I styled him my uncle, and I still adhere to that piece of civility. I desire to punish the infidel; if he assists him, I shall then be obliged to act. I have never boasted, and all Musulmáns know it. With the blessing of God, the mouth that has uttered the word shoe, will itself be stricken with a shoe.”

Sultán Sikandar said to Mírán Saiyid Khán, “You are children of the Prophet (on whom be the mercy of God!), why do you not teach him to be reasonable, since he will afterwards have cause to repent?” Mírán answered, “I am his servitor; what he chooses is my choice.” Sultán Sikandar said, “Fortune and Sense are the servants of each other; whosoever suffers a change of fortune, also loses his sense! you are excused. To­morrow, please God, after his flight, when you come a captive before me, I will cause you to recollect what I have said; but it will be better that you should understand at once all I have said to you.” After speaking thus, he gave Saiyid Khán per­mission to depart, and went to consult with his nobles; they all advised war, and after repeating the Fátiha, went to their places. Whilst all the great chiefs were present Sultán Sikandar had said, “You acted for Sultán Bahlol, as was proper for brethren and faithful subjects to do; in this affair of mine, I am certain you will not fail to do your best for me.”