Some time after, Sultán [Bahlol] determined to go to Shams-
After this truce, Sultán Bahlol abode in Dehlí for three years, and Sultán Husain returned to Jaunpúr, and attended to the affairs of his kingdom and army. During this period, Sultán Bahlol proceeded against Ahmad Khán Mewáttí, who had before been an ally of Sultán Husain. When he arrived in Mewát, Ahmad Khán was induced by the representations of the Khán-khánán, one of the chief nobles of Sultán Bahlol, to come in and pay his respects.
About this period Ahmad Khán, the son of Yúsuf Khán Jalwání, governor of Bayána, broke out into revolt against Sultán Bahlol; and having caused the khutba to be read and coin to be struck in the fort of Bayána in the name of Sultán Husain, sent intelligence of this to Sultán Husain.* No dispute had occurred during the period of the three years' truce; but now the Sultán marched towards Dehlí with 100,000 horse and 1000 elephants. Sultán Bahlol came out of Dehlí, and drew up his forces before the enemy in the neighbourhood of Bhatwára. Khán Jahán interposed, and effected a reconciliation between the parties; after which Sultán Husain went to Etáwah, and remained there, whilst Sultán Bahlol returned to Dehlí.
After the lapse of some time, Sultán Husain broke his oath,
and again advanced against Sultán Bahlol. Sultán Bahlol left
Dehlí, and both sides skirmished during several days in the
vicinity of the Saráí Lashkar; they, however, ended by making
peace. About this time Sultán Husain's mother, Bíbí Rájí,
departed this life in Etáwah. Kalyán Mal, the son of Ráí Karan
Sing, Rájá of Gwálior, and Kutb Khán Lodí, went from Chanda-
About this time, Sultán 'Aláu-d dín departed to the mercy of God in Badáún. Sultán Husain went there for the purpose of offering condolence, but he finished by wresting Badáún from 'Aláu-d dín's son, and in doing so injured his reputation. From thence he went to Sambhal, where he confined Mubárak Khán, the son of Tátár Khán, the governor of that place, and sent him to Sáran. He then proceeded in person against Dehlí, with a large army and 1000 elephants, and arrived at the ferry of Kanjh, on the river Jumna, in the month of Zí-l hijja, A.H. 893, and encamped there. Sultán Bahlol was, at this period, in the direction of Sirhind, but came to Dehlí when he heard the news. Both parties were employed in fighting for some time, and the eastern forces were generally victorious, owing to their superior strength and numbers. In the end, Kutb Khán sent a person to Sultán Husain with a message, saying, “I am the grateful servant of Bíbí Rájí; she treated me with the utmost kindness when I was a prisoner in Jaunpúr. I think that the most advisable course to pursue at present is to make peace, and return. Let the countries on the other side of the river Ganges be ruled by you, and those on this side by Sultán Bahlol.” Thus did Kutb Khán's interposition put an end to this warfare.
Sultán Husain, relying on the truce which had been concluded,
marched away, leaving his baggage behind. Sultán Bahlol took
advantage of the opportunity, pursued Sultán Husain, and plundered
his baggage. A portion of the valuables and treasures,
which had been laden on horses and elephants, fell into the hands
of Sultán Bahlol. Moreover, forty noblemen of Sultán Husain's
army, who were grandees of his kingdom, including Katlagh
Khán, the wazír, who was one of the most learned men of the
age, Odhú, the náíb, and others like them, were made captive.
Sultán Bahlol put Katlagh Khán in chains, and gave him in
charge to Kutb Khán. The defeated Sultán himself also
fled; Malika Jahán, the chief wife of Sultán Husain, was
taken prisoner. Sultán Bahlol appointed eunuchs to keep strict
guard over the wife of the Sultán; and after some time she
was sent, with the greatest honour and respect, to Sultán
Husain. Sultán Bahlol seized several parganas which belonged
to Sultán Husain, such as Kampil, Pattiálí, Sakít, Kol, and
Jalálí,*
and appointed his own governors. He then went himself
in pursuit, and when the pursuit had lasted some time, Sultán
Husain faced about, and posted himself in the village of Rám-
In the next year Sultán Husain, at the instigation of Malika Jahán, forgetful of his oath, again came to attack Sultán Bahlol, at the head of a large army. A desperate battle was fought, near the village of Sonhár, and Sultán Husain, being again routed, went to Ráprí. Sultán Bahlol pitched his camp near the village of Dhúpámú. An immense amount of valuable property fell into the hands of the Lodís, the possession of which tended much to increase the power and authority of Malik Bahlol.
About this time intelligence arrived of the decease of Khán Jahán Lodí, and Sultán Bahlol granted to his son the title of Khán Jahán, and conferred on him the appointments held by his father. He then went to Ráprí against Sultán Husain, and was victorious, after much fighting and slaughter. Sultán Husain, being defeated, fled across the river Jumna. Whilst passing that stream, several of his wives and children were drowned in the river of mortality; this caused Sultán Husain excessive pain and affliction. He, after suffering much trouble, and repentance, went off towards Gwálior, intending to proceed from thence to Jaunpúr. On his way to Gwálior, the Bhadauryas attacked his camp. When he arrived at that place, Ráí Karan Sing, the Rájá of Gwálior, showed his allegiance, and received him with regal honours. He presented an offering to the Sultán, consisting of some lacs of tankas, various descriptions of tents, with some horses, elephants, and camels, and thus proved himself one of the well-wishers of the State. He also sent a body of his own troops to accompany the Sultán as far as Kálpí.