Tímúr halted there for a little while, but intelligence was soon brought to him that there was a large body of gabrs assembled in the valley of Kúpila,* on the banks of the Ganges. He set off thither immediately with 500 men, leaving the rest of the army occupied in securing the spoil. When they approached the valley of Kúpila, they perceived a large body of the enemy. Amír Sháh Malik and 'Alí Sultán Tawáchí, notwithstanding their scanty followers, charged the enemy boldly sword in hand and cut many of them down, so that, notwithstanding the superior numbers of the enemy, they were defeated and put to flight, and large booty was found. While the men were engaged in securing the spoil, Tímúr was left with only a hundred of his guards, when an officer of the gabrs, by name Malik Shaikha, with a hundred* men, horse and foot, made a charge upon him. Tímúr faced his assailant and hastened to meet him, but when they were about an arrow's flight apart, one of the soldiers, without having well ascertained what he asserted, told Tímúr that it was Shaikh Kúkarí, one of his faithful adherents, who was advancing to meet him. Tímúr consequently turned back towards the hill. The gabr Shaikha then cut down several of the soldiers, and Tímúr, perceiving this, turned against his enemy. Shaikha was wounded in the belly with an arrow and cut down with a sword. He was then bound with a cord and brought into the presence of Tímúr, who wished to interrogate him, but he died before he could reply.

Intelligence was now brought that about two kos distant, in the valley of Kúpila, there was a large body of infidel Hindus as­sembled. The way thither lay through a jungle which was thick with trees and hard to traverse, such as the morning breeze could hardly penetrate. Tímúr had already undergone the toil of fighting twice before that day and wanted a little rest, but by the will of God, being thus again summoned, he set off with a party of guards and several commanders of regiments, and marched against the enemy in full reliance upon Divine support. The road to the valley was difficult, the enemy numerous, and his followers few. Reviewing these circumstances, Tímúr could not help thinking how fortunate it would be if his son Pír Muhammad and Amír Sulaimán Sháh should come up. Three days before Tímúr had detached them to ravage the country and plunder the infidels and fire-worshippers. They had crossed the Ganges at Pírozpúr, and had no knowledge of Tímúr having also crossed and being near them. But soon after afternoon prayer the wish which Tímúr had conceived was realized, and the prince came up with his detachment and joined his father. They advanced together against the gabrs, assailing them with arrows and the sword. They killed a great many of them and secured a large booty, including a vast number of camels and cattle. In that one day Tímúr had fought in three different engagements. When the day drew to a close he found himself victorious and the infidels discomfited, but there was no place in the jungle where he could encamp, so he returned with his spoil to the place where he had won his second victory.

The valley of Kúpila is situated at the foot of a mountain by which the river Ganges passes. Fifteen kos higher up there is a stone in the form of a cow, and the water of the river flows out of the mouth of that cow. The infidels of India worship this cow, and come hither from all quarters, from distances even of a year's journey, to visit it. They bring here and cast into the river the ashes of their dead whose corpses have been burned, believing this to be the means of salvation. They throw gold and silver into the river; they go down alive into the river, bathe their feet, sprinkle water on their heads, and have their heads and beards shaved. This they consider to be an act of devotion, just as the Muhammadans consider the pilgrimage to Mecca a pious work.*

In this valley there was a large concourse of Hindus, having great riches in cattle and movables, so Tímúr resolved to attack them. On the 5th Jumáda-l awwal he set his army in motion towards Kúpila. It was the will of Heaven that these infidels should perish, so in the pride of their numbers and strength they awaited his approach, and had the temerity to resolve upon resis­tance. At the rising of the sun our army reached the valley. The right wing was under the command of Prince Pír Muham­mad and Amír Sulaimán Sháh, and the left under some renowned leaders. Amír Sháh Malik and other officers with the centre began the attack. When the cries of our men and the noise of our drums reached them, the courage of the infidels failed. In their terror they fled for refuge to the mountains, but they were pursued and many were slain. A few who, half-dead, escaped the slaughter, were scattered abroad. All their property and goods became the spoil of the victors.

The country having thus been cleansed from the pollution of infidels, the army returned back on the same day and recrossed the Ganges. Then Tímúr returned thanks for his victories, after which he mounted his horse and marched five kos down the river and there encamped.

Tímúr's resolution to retire from Hindustán.

When Dehlí and its territories had been purged from the foul pollution of gabrs and idolaters, Tímúr formed the resolve of returning home. On the 6th Jumáda-l awwal, 801 H., he de­parted from the banks of the Ganges. Orders were issued for the march, and for the tawáchís to bring up the heavy baggage. On the 6th a march of six kos was made, and then a halt was called; the baggage in this march being four kos in the rear. At this stage Tímúr learned that in the valleys of the Siwálik mountains there was collected a large number of Hindus ready for battle. Tímúr then gave orders that the troops in charge of the baggage should march to these mountains. He himself having marched rapidly thither, encamped in the hills of Siwálik. In this march Prince Khalíl Sultán and Amír Shaikh Núru-d dín came up from the baggage and joined Tímúr. * * * On the same day an order was issued that Amír Jahán Sháh, one of the officers of the left wing, who had been absent for a week in a raid upon the upper parts of the Jumna, should come in and take part in the operations against the infidels. In compliance with this order he hastened to the royal camp.

Raid into the Siwálik hills.

On the 10th Jumáda-l awwal Tímúr marched to attack the Siwálik hills. In that mountain valley there was a ráí named Bahrúz. He had collected a great number of people around him, and had formed a numerous army. Relying besides upon the strength of the position which he occupied, he was bold and resolved upon resistance. Tímúr appointed Prince Pír Muham­mad and several amírs of the right wing, and Prince Sultán Husain and sundry officers of the left wing, to march and attack the infidels. Amír Shaikh Núru-d dín led the advance-guard of the centre. Thus they marched against the enemy, while Tímúr halted at the mouth of the valley. The soldiers fought most valiantly and made dreadful slaughter of the enemy. They obtained a decisive victory, and acquired a great booty in valuables, slaves and cattle. With the desire of doing justice, Tímúr ordered that the strong men of the force, who had secured as their share of the spoil three or four hundred head of cattle each, should give up part of them to the weaker men, so that all might obtain a share in the fruits of the victory, and no man remain empty-handed. This decision gave great satisfaction. The victorious force marched and joined the royal camp at the village of Bahrah, a dependency of Bakrí, well known as the country of Miyápúr.* On the 12th he marched four kos from Bahrah and encamped at the village of Shikk-Sársáwa. In conse­quence of the immense booty which the army had gained, it was impossible to march more than four kos per day. On the 13th he marched and encamped at Kandar, a distance of nearly four kos.