Mahmood having settled the affairs of his empire, turned his thoughts towards Hind; and he ac­cordingly marched, in the month of Shuval, in

Shuval,
A. H. 391.
August,
A. D. 1001.

the year 391, from Ghizny, with ten thousand chosen horse, to Pishawur, where Jeipal, the Raja of Lahore, with twelve thousand horse, and thirty thousand foot, supported by three hundred ele-

Mohurrum. 8.
A. H. 392.
Nov. 27.
A. D. 1001.

phants, opposed him, on Monday the 8th of Mohurrum, in the three hun­dred and ninety-second year of the Hijra. An obstinate battle ensued, in which Mahmood was victorious; Jeipal with fifteen of his principal chiefs, being his sons and bre­thren, were taken prisoners, and five thousand of his troops were slain on the field of battle. Mahmood in this action acquired great fame and wealth: among the spoils were sixteen necklaces inlaid with jewels, one of which, that belonging to Jeipal, was valued by jewellers at the time at 180,000 deenars.*

After this victory, Mahmood marched from Pishawur, and investing the fort of Bitunda, reduced it. In the opening of the ensuing spring he released his prisoners, on payment of a large ransom, and on their stipulating for an annual tribute; but he put to death many of the Afghan chiefs who had opposed him, and then returned to Ghizny.

It is said that, in those days, a custom prevailed among the Hindoos, that whatever raja was twice overpowered by strangers, became disquali­fied to reign. Jeipal, in compliance with this custom, resigned his crown to his son; and, having ordered a funeral pile to be prepared, he set fire to it with his own hands, and perished therein.

Mohurrum,
A. H. 393.
November,
A. D. 1002. In the month of Mohurrum, of the year three hundred and ninety-three, Mahmood again marched into Sees-tan†, * and brought Khuluf prisoner to Ghizny.

Finding, also, that the tribute from Hindoostan

A. H. 395.
A. D. 1004.

had not been paid, in the year three hundred and ninety-five, he directed his march towards the city of Bhateea‡; * and passing through the province of Moultan, arrived before that place. Bhateea was fortified with an exceedingly high wall, and surrounded by a deep and broad ditch. It was at that time governed by Raja Beejy Ray, who, having greatly molested the Mahomedan governors, whom Mah-mood had established in Hindoostan, also refused to pay his proportion of the tribute to Anundpal, the son of Jeipal, on whom he was dependent.

When Mahmood entered the territories of Beejy Ray, that prince drew out his troops to receive him; and taking possession of strong posts, en­gaged the Mahomedans for the space of three days, during which time they suffered so much, that they were on the point of abandoning their en­terprize. On the fourth day, Mahmood, addressing his troops, said he should in person lead the main at­tack, “For to-day, (said he,) I have devoted myself to conquest or to death.” Beejy Ray, on his part, having propitiated the gods, resolved also to com­bat with his wonted courage. Although the Ma-homedans advanced with great impetuosity, they were frequently repulsed with slaughter; still, however, they returned, and renewed with ardor their attacks till evening, when Mahmood, turning his face towards Mecca, prostrated himself in sight of his troops, and implored the aid of the Prophet. “Advance, advance,” cried the King, “our prayers have found favour with God.” A loud shout from his soldiers responded their reso­lution, and the Mahomedans, pressing forward, compelled the enemy to give ground, and pur­sued them to the gates of the town.

Mahmood having next morning invested the fort of Bhateea, took measures to fill up the ditch, an undertaking which in a few days was nearly com­pleted. Beejy Ray, deeming it impossible any longer to maintain the town, determined to leave only a small garrison for its defence; and, accord­ingly, one night, marched out with the rest of his troops, and took post in a wood on the banks of the Indus. Mahmood, informed of his retreat, detached part of his army to surprise him. Beejy Ray, deserted by most of his friends, and per­ceiving himself surrounded by the Mahomedans, attempted in vain to force his way, till, just as he was on the point of being made prisoner, he turned his sword against his own breast; and most of his adherents subsequently fell, in attempting to revenge the death of their master.

Mahmood, mean time, took Bhateea by assault. Two hundred and eighty elephants, many slaves, and other spoils, were obtained in the town; which Mahmood annexed, with its dependencies, to his own dominions, and returned victorious to Ghizny.

A. H. 396.
A. D. 1005. In the year three hundred and ninety-six, Mahmood formed the design of reconquering Mooltan, which had re­volted. Sheikh Humeed Lody, the first ruler of Mooltan, had paid tribute to Ameer Subooktugeen, and after him his grandson Abool-Futteh Dawood, the son of Nuseer, the son of Sheikh Humeed. Abool-Futteh Dawood, now having abandoned the tenets of the faithful, * had at this time shaken off his allegiance. It is related in the Towareekh Alfy, that when he heard of the approach of Mah-mood from Ghizny, Abool-Futteh Dawood soli­cited the aid of his ally Anundpal, the successor of Jeipal; who, true to his alliance, detached the greater part of his army to oppose Mahmood in Pishawur, where it was defeated, and pursued by his troops as far as the town of Sodra, * on the Chunab.

Anundpal, on this occasion deserting his capital, fled through the hills into Kashmeer. Mahmood now entered Mooltan, by the route of Bitunda: when Dawood received the intelligence of the fate of Anundpal's army, and being too weak to keep the field alone, he retreated, and subsequently purchased his pardon by a promise of an annual tribute of 20,000 golden dirhems†, * and implicit obedience in future.

Mahmood having besieged Mooltan for seven days made these terms, and was preparing to return to Ghizny, when news was brought from Arslan Jazib, governor of Hirat, that Elik Khan, the king of Kashgar, had invaded his territory. He instantly repaired to Ghizny, having placed the manage­ment of the affairs of Hindoostan in the hands of Séwukpál, a Hindoo prince, who had formerly been made prisoner by Aboo-Ally-Sunjury, in Pishawur, and had become a convert to Mahomedism.

The particulars of the war with Elik Khan are these. We have already mentioned that a close alliance had been formed between Elik Khan and Mahmood, to the latter of whom the former had given his daughter in marriage. But factious persons about the two courts, by misrepresentations, had changed their former friendship into enmity. When Mahmood marched to Hindoostan, he left Khorassan almost destitute of troops, and Elik Khan, taking advantage of the circumstance, resolved to seize that province for himself. To accomplish his design, he ordered his chief general, Sipustugeen, to invade Khorassan, and directed Jakurtugeen to invade Bulkh. Arslan Jazib, the governor of Hirat, informed of these movements, hastened to Ghizny to secure the capital; and the chiefs of Khorassan finding themselves deserted, and being in no condition to oppose the enemy, submitted to Elik Khan.

Mahmood, having by long marches reached Ghizny, pushed onward with his army towards Bulkh, from whence Jakurtugeen although in full possession of the city, fled towards Toormooz. Mahmood detached Arslan Jazib with a great part of his army to expel Sipustugeen from Khorassan; who, upon the approach of the troops of Ghizny, abandoned Hirat, and retreated to Mawur-ool-Nehr. *

Elik Khan, seeing the state of his affairs, solicited the aid of Kuddur Khan of Khootun, who marched to join him with fifty thousand men. Strengthened by this alliance, Elik Khan crossed the river Jyhoon (Oxus), and encamped within four fursungs * of Bulkh. Mahmood was not backward to meet him. The command of the van of the army was given to his brother, the Prince Nuseer-ood-deen Yoosoof, governor of Joorjan, under whom fought Aboo-Nusr Koorioon and Abdoolla Taee. The right wing was entrusted to Altoon Tash Hajib, while the left, composed of Afghans and Khiljies, was commanded by Arslan Jazib. The main body was strengthened by five hundred elephants, placed in the intervals of the line, so that nothing might oppose the retreat of these animals in case of defeat.†*

The King of Kashghar posted himself in the centre. The Ameer Kuddur Khan led the right, and Sipustugeen the left wing. As both armies advanced to the charge, the shouts of warriors, the neighing of horses, and the clashing of arms, reached the broad arch of heaven, while dust obscured the face of day. Elik Khan in person attempted with his personal guards to break through the centre of Mahmood's army; but the latter perceiving his intention, leaped from his horse, and, kiss­ing the ground, invoked the aid of the Almighty. He instantly mounted an elephant, encouraged his troops, and met the assault of Elik Khan. The elephant, seizing the standard bearer of the enemy in his trunk, tossed him aloft in the air. Mahmood now pressed forward with the line of elephants, which trod the enemy like locusts under their feet.