In Muharram, 825 H. (December, 1421), the Sultán entered
the ruined city of Láhor,*
in which no living thing except the
owl of ill omen had its abode. After a while the Sultán turned
his attention to the restoration of the city, and under his royal
favour building was recommenced. He stayed there encamped
by the side of the Ráví for nearly a month, engaged in repairing
the fort and the gates. When this work was completed, he gave
the fief of Láhor to Maliku-sh Shark Malik Mahmúd Hasan.
He gave him also two thousand horse, and having made preparation
for the maintenance of this force and of the fort, he left
them in his charge, and then returned to Dehlí. In Jumáda-l
ákhir of this same year, Jasrath Shaikhá crossed the rivers
Jánháva and Ráví with a large force of horse and foot, and
proceeded to Láhor.*
He pitched his camp near the place
(tomb) of the Shaikhu-l Mashaikh Shaikh Hasan Zanjání. On
the 11th Jumáda-l ákhir, an engagement was fought in the mud
fort (hisár-i khám), and by God's grace Jasrath was repulsed.
The royal forces came out of the fort in pursuit, but did not
advance very far, so that the opposing forces maintained their
respective positions. On the next day Jasrath held his ground,
but on the following day he went down the Ráví. There
having assembled the wise men ('ulamá), he, on the 17th of the
month, fell back one kos from Láhor. On the 21st he returned
and again attacked the fort, but the arms of Islám were once
more victorious. The assailants were driven back and pursued,
and Jasrath returned to his army. In this way for a month and
five days fighting went on outside the fort, but at length
Jasrath was compelled to retreat towards Kálánor. Ráí Bhím
had come into the fort of Kálánor, with the object of rendering
assistance to the royal forces. He had (already) excited the
enmity of Jasrath, and when the latter approached, constant
fighting went on, but neither party could prevail. So the strife
continued; but subsequently, in the month of Ramazán, they
made peace. Jasrath then went towards the Ráví, and there he
gathered together all the people of the territory of the Khokhars
who were in alliance with him. Sikandar Tuhfa now arrived
at the ford of Búhí with a large force to support Malik Mahmúd
Hasan, who had been sent by the Sultán against Jasrath.
Unable to resist these forces, Jasrath fled across the Ráví and
Jánháva with his followers, and proceeded to Tekhar.*
Maliku-
Previous to this, Malik Rajab, amír of Díbálpúr, Malik Sultán Shah Lodí, amír of Sirhind, and Ráí Fíroz Main joined Malik Sikandar. The army (of Sikandar Tuhfa) marched along the Ráví, and crossed that river between Kálánor and the town of Bhoh. On reaching the confines of Jammú,* they were joined by Ráí Bhím. After this, some Khokhars who had separated from Jasrath, at the river of Jánháva, were defeated, and the army returned to Láhor. His Majesty now gave orders that Maliku-sh Shark Mahmúd Hasan should go to the fief of Jálandhar, and having got ready (his followers), should return and join him. Malik Sikandar was placed in charge of Láhor, and in obedience to the royal order, he proceeded with his army into the fort. His Majesty having recalled Mahmúd and the other amírs, removed Malik Sikandar from the office of wazír, and appointed as his successor Maliku-sh Shark Sarwar, then governor of the city. The son of the latter succeeded him in the office of governor.
In the year 826 H. (1423 A.D.), His Majesty made ready his army, and determined to march towards Hindustán. In the month of Muharram he entered the territory of Katehr, and collected the revenue and taxes (mál o mahsúl). At this time Muhábat Khán, who had felt himself in danger from the Sultán's father Khizr Khán, was admitted to an interview and forgiven. From thence, the Sultán crossed the Ganges, and attacked the country of the Ráhtors, putting many of the infidels to the sword. He remained for some days encamped on the Ganges, and then he left Malik Mubáraz, Zírak Khán, and Kamál Khán with a detachment in the fort of Kampila, to put down any outbreak of the Ráhtors. The son of Ráí Sarwar, who had joined His Majesty, and had followed in his retinue, now took alarm and went off. Maliku-sh Shark Khairu-d dín Khán was sent in pursuit of him with a strong force, but could not come up with him. He, however, plundered his country, and descended upon Etáwa. The Sultán also marched and joined Khairu-d dín in Etáwa, when the infidel ruler of that country shut himself up in his fort. But he was unable to hold out, and so this son of Ráí Sarwar made his submission, and paid the revenue and tribute which was owing. His Majesty then returned victorious to Dehlí, where he arrived in Jumáda-l ákhir, 826 H. Malik Mahmúd Hasan came in with a large body of followers from his fief of Jálandhar to wait upon the Sultán, and was received with great distinction. The office of 'áriz-i mamálik was taken from Malik Khairu-d dín Khání and given to Mahmúd Hasan. This worthy and righteous man was a faithful servant of the Sultán; he applied himself diligently to business, and his dignity daily increased. In Jumáda-l awwal of this same year, there was fighting between Jasrath Shaikhá and Ráí Bhím. The ráí was killed, and the greater portion of his horses and arms fell into the hands of Jasrath. On ascertaining the death of Ráí Bhím, Jasrath united a small army of Mughals with his own, and attacked the territories of Díbálpúr and Láhor. Malik Sikandar immediately marched after him, but Jasrath fell back, and crossed over the Jánháva. About this time intelligence arrived of the death of Malik 'Aláu-l Mulk, amír of Multán.
Accounts were also brought in, that Shaikh 'Alí,* lieutenant of the prince the son of Sar-'atmash, was advancing with a large force from Kábul to attack the territories of Bhakkar and Siwistán. To repulse this attack and overthrow the accursed invaders, His Majesty placed the districts of Multán and Siwistán under the charge of Maliku-sh Shark Malik Mahmúd Hasan, and he sent him with a large army, and with all his family and dependents, to Multán. When he arrived there, he restored tranquillity among the population, and distributing in'áms, pensions, and allowances, he made the people joyful and happy. The inhabitants, both of the city and country, felt secure. He repaired the fort which had been damaged in the struggles (hádisah) with the Mughals, and he collected a strong army around him.
News now arrived that Alp Khán,* amír of Dhár, had marched against the Ráí of Gwálior. His Majesty hastened thither with a large army, but when he arrived at the district (khitta) of Bayána, the son of Auhad Khán, amír of Bayána, who had treacherously murdered his uncle, Mubárak Khán, rebelled against the Sultán, and destroying the fort, retired to the top of the hill. His Majesty sat down with his army at the foot of the hill, and after a time, the son of Auhad Khán, being reduced to extremities, paid his revenue and tribute, and placed his neck in the collar of obedience. His Majesty then continued his march towards Gwálior against Alp Khán. This chief held the fords of the Chambal, but another ford was accidentally found, and the royal army passed over. Malik Mahmúd Hasan and some other amírs, and the Mewáttís, and Nusrat Khán, with their horse and foot, plundered the baggage of Alp Khán, and brought many of his men, both horse and foot, back as prisoners. His Majesty considering that both parties were Musulmáns, spared the lives of the prisoners and set them free. Next day, Alp Khán sent messengers to His Majesty to make proposals of peace. The Sultán seeing that he was reduced to a state of impotence, consented to make peace, on condition of Alp Khán sending in tribute and retiring from Gwálior. On the following day, Alp Khán forwarded his tribute, and marched back towards Dhár. His Majesty remained for some time encamped on the banks of the Chambal, levying revenue and taxes from the infidels of the neighbourhood according to old custom, after which he returned to Dehlí, where he arrived in Rajab, 827 H., and devoted himself to the business of the State.