When Islám Sháh became aware of the disagreement which had taken place amongst the chiefs of the enemy, and of the friendly feeling of Khawás Khán, he rejoiced exceedingly, and became confident of success. Meanwhile, news was brought that the Níází troops had advanced to within a very short distance of the royal camp.* Islám Sháh said: “The Afgháns have no sense.” He made an inclosure with all his wheeled carriages, like a for­tress, into which he caused the whole of his army to enter, and then went in person to reconnoitre the Níázís from an elevated position. When he beheld the foe, he said, “I shall be disgraced if I do not fight the rebel troops,” and ordered the chains, with which the carriages were fastened together to be removed. At that moment, he ranged his troops in battle array, and made ready for the fight. The war drums were beaten on both sides. Khawás Khán sent to tell 'Azam Humáyún and his brothers to advance when they saw him do so on his elephant with his standard dis­played, and not to forsake him. With this intention they turned their faces towards the field. Khawás Khán started from his post, but attacked no one, and succeeded in making his way into the open country. The Níázís fought to the best of their ability, but as no benefit is ever derived from disloyalty, and as it always occasions distress and regret, they were routed, and the victory remained with Islám Sháh.

“Who can resist him whom fortune assists?”

Whilst these events were occurring, Sa'íd Khán, the brother of 'Azam Humáyún, came armed to the teeth, under the pre­text of congratulating the King; hoping, as no one knew him, to find an opportunity of slaying His Majesty.* He mixed with the royal guards. Islám Sháh was at the time stand­ing surrounded by a circle of war elephants, and Sa'íd Khán was, consequently, unable to reach him immediately. He was shortly afterwards recognized by one of the elephant-drivers, who gave the alarm, and was slain by a thrust of Sa'íd's spear.* Sa'íd's valour and strength enabled him to make good his escape from the place where the royal guards were. The Níázís fled to Dinkot, which is near Roh. After their de­feat, they were hindered in their flight by the marshy ground in the neighbourhood of Ambála,* which prevented their horses from proceeding, and consequently Islám Sháh's troops who were in pursuit coming up with them, made a great slaughter of the Níázís. Islám Sháh followed them in person as far as New Rohtás, and there appointed Khwája Wais Sarwání, with an im­mense army, to prosecute the war with the Níázís, after which he turned back towards A'gra and Gwálior. He proceeded by uninterrupted marches from Rohtás to A'gra,* where he halted two or three days, and then went on to Gwálior, and remained there.

At this time many of his father's nobles, who had been ap­pointed to different districts, came into the presence. Although Islám Sháh had secretly an ill-feeling towards Shujá' Khán, yet as Daulat Khán Ujíálá, the adopted son of Shujá' Khán, was much beloved by the King, for whom he had done good service, on his account he behaved outwardly with great kind­ness to Shujá' Khán, and treated him with honour and con­sideration. He gave him the government of the entire province of Málwá. One day an Afghán, named 'Usmán Khán, came intoxicated into the díwán-kháná of Shujá' Khán, and spat repeatedly on the carpet. When forbidden to do this by the faráshes, he arose and struck them with his fist. There was a great outcry, and the faráshes informed Shujá' Khán of what had taken place. Shujá' Khán said, “He has been guilty of three offences: firstly, he has drunk wine; secondly, he has entered the díwán-kháná; thirdly, he has beaten the faráshes.” He then ordered both 'Usmán Khán's hands to be cut off. 'Usmán Khán went to Gwálior, and complained to the King, who said nothing, on account of the high rank which Shujá' Khán had held in Sher Sháh's time, and of the faithful services of Daulat Khán.

After some time, Shujá' Khán came to Gwálior, and one day 'Usmán Khán again petitioned Islám Sháh concerning the injury which he had suffered. The King, becoming angry with the petitioner, said, “You also are an Afghán, go and revenge yourself on him.” When 'Usmán Khán heard this, he began to take measures to accomplish his wishes. Shujá' Khán was vexed when he heard what the King had said, and made use of unbecoming language. As both 'Usmán Khán's hands had been amputated, he had a hand made of iron. One day, an attendant of Shujá' Khán's told him that 'Usmán Khán was seated in a cutler's shop, causing a knife to be sharpened, and speaking in a violent manner. Shujá' Khan's courage prevented this information from making any impression on him, until one day, as he was going in a litter to pay his respects to the King in the castle of Gwálior, and had reached the Hathyápúl gate, he saw 'Usmán Khán seated in a shop with one hand concealed in his dopatta. Shujá' Khán desired to inquire something con­cerning him, when 'Usmán Khán suddenly rose up, and running from the shop, wounded Shujá' Khán. He was instantly seized by the armed men who surrounded the litter, who then perceived that he had an iron hand fastened to the stump, by means of which he had inflicted a slight wound in Shujá' Khán's left side, only grazing the skin. He was slain immediately, and they then took Shujá' Khán's litter back to his house. After Shujá' Khán had been wounded, and when 'Usmán Khán had met with his reward, an uproar and disturbance arose amongst the people. When news of this event reached the King, he sent some of his courtiers and men of note to Shujá' Khán, to inquire how he fared, and intended likewise to go in person.

Shujá' Khán being aware that his own friends and con-nexions were of opinion that 'Usmán Khán had attacked him at the instigation of Islám Sháh, and seeing their hostile dis­position, he thought it better to oppose the King's coming, in order to prevent them from acting rashly. He sent, therefore, a message to say, “Your servant was the dependent of Your Majesty's father, and never shrank from performing any service he required of him, although by so doing he placed his life in danger. Your servant is one of those thirty-five persons who were appointed by your father, and who were bound to him by the ties of affection, as all men know. I have this time escaped with life, and shall yet be able to do you service. Do not trouble yourself to come on your slave's account. It is sufficient that I should have been honoured by your kind inquiries after my health.” When this was told to Islám Sháh, he understood his reasons for what he said. Nevertheless, as Shujá' Khán was one of the pillars of the State, and deserved well of his sovereign on account of his great services, after waiting for one day, Islám Sháh went to visit him in person. Fath Khán, the son of Shujá' Khán, whose strength was remarkable, and against whom no person could contend, saw Islám Sháh entering Shujá' Khán's tent alone, and wished to stay him. Míán Báyazíd, another son of Shujá' Khán, perceived his brother's intention, and felt certain that he would commit some act of violence; he therefore sent Fath Khán to prepare the customary presents. Islám Sháh honoured Shujá' Khán's abode by entering it. They remained together for a short time; and when Islám Sháh was about to depart, Shujá' Khán said, “May the King prosper! I entreat you not to take the trouble of coming again. Your slave is afraid that if you do, the remembrance of his past services will be effaced, and that the banner of the King and the dignity which I have raised with so much trouble will be over­thrown in an instant. Your Majesty knows better than any other how rude and intemperate the Afgháns are.” Islám Sháh returned thence to the royal dwelling, and became ten times as ill-disposed towards Shujá' Khán as he had been before.