The Sultán many times publicly declared that he would never give up the pursuit of the rebel. They were playing for half the kingdom of Dehli; and if Tughril took to the water he would pursue him, and he would never return to Dehli, or even men­tion it, until the blood of the rebel and his followers had been poured out. The people of the army well knew the fierce temper and implacable resolution of the Sultán. They despaired of ever returning, and many of them drew up their wills and sent them to their homes. * * * The army marched about seventy kos, and arrived in the vicinity of Jájnagar; but Tughril had pursued a different route, and not a man of his army had been seen. The Sultán therefore sent Malik Bárbak Bektars* Sultání, at the head of seven or eight thousand horse, who marched ten or twelve kos in advance of the main force, and every day scouts were sent on before this advance party to get intelligence of Tughril. Thus they proceeded. But although scouts were sent out in all directions, no trace could be found of the rebel, till one day Muhammad Sher-andáz, the chief of Kol, his brother Malik Mukaddir, and “Tughril-kush,” all brave and renowned soldiers, who had been sent forward ten or twelve kos in advance to reconnoitre and make inquiries, fell in with a party of corn dealers, who were returning home after completing their dealings with Tughril. These men were immediately seized, and Malik Sher-andáz ordered two of them to be beheaded. This act so terrified the rest that they gave the desired information. Tugh-ril was encamped at less than half a kos distance, near a stone-built reservoir,* and intended next day to enter the territory of Jájnagar. Malik Sher-andáz sent two of these grain dealers in charge of two Turkí horsemen to Malik Bárbak, announcing the discovery, and urging his advance. The reconnoitring party proceeded and found the tents of Tughril pitched near a band, with all his force encamped around. All seemed secure and free from apprehension; some were washing their clothes, others were drinking wine and singing. The elephants were browsing on the branches of the trees, and the horses and cattle were grazing— everywhere a feeling of security prevailed. The leaders of the reconnoitring force remarked to each other that if they were discovered the traitor would take to flight. His elephants and treasure might fall into their hands, but he himself would escape. If this occurred, what could they say to the Sultán, and what hope would there be of their lives. They therefore resolved that it was best to take the boldest course, to rush at once into the enemy's camp and attack the tent of the traitor. He might possibly be taken and be beheaded before his forces could rally to the rescue; and his army might take to flight, under the impres­sion that they were attacked by the army of the Sultán, and not by a mere handful of thirty or forty horsemen. So the brave fellows drew their swords, and shouting the name of Tughril, dashed into the camp. They reached his tent; but Tughril had heard the clamour, and, passing through his scullery, he mounted a horse without a saddle, and made off to a river which ran near. The whole army of Tughril, under the impression that the Sultán was upon them, fled in terror and dismay. Mu-kaddir and “Tughril-kush” pursued Tughril, who made all speed to the river. When he reached it, Tughril-kush drew an arrow, shot him in the side and brought him down. Mukaddir instantly dismounting, cut off his head, and cast his body into the river. Concealing the head under his clothes he went to the river and washed his hands. The officers of Tughril came up shouting, “Your Majesty,” and seeking for him on every side. Just then Malik Bárbak arrived with his army and dis­persed the forces of Tughril. Mukaddir and Tughril-kush placed the head of the traitor before Malik Bárbak, who instantly wrote a despatch of victory to the Sultán. The sons and daughters of Tughril, his attendants, companions, and officers, all fell into the hands of the victors. The men of this victorious force obtained such booty in money, goods, horses, arms, slaves, and handmaids, as to suffice them and their children for many years. Two or three thousand men and women were taken prisoners.

When news of the victory and of the death of Tughril reached the Sultán, he halted, and Malik Bárbak returned, bringing with him the booty and prisoners that had fallen into his hands. The Malik recounted all the particulars of the victory, and the Sultán was very angry with Muhammad Sher-andáz, saying that he had committed an error, which might have been of serious consequences to him and the army of Dehli. But as all had ended well, the Sultán, after these censures, bestowed robes and rewards upon all the men of the reconnoitring party, according to their rank and position, and raised their dignities. Upon Muhammad Sher-andáz he bestowed especial favour; to the man who shot the arrow he gave the title of “Tughril-kush,”* Slayer of Tughril; and to Mukaddir, who had cut off the traitor's head he gave a robe and suitable rewards. * * * This achievement increased a hundred-fold the awe felt of Balban by his subjects.

The Sultán returned to Lakhnautí, and there ordered that gibbets should be erected along both sides of the great bázár, which was more than a kos in length. He ordered all the sons and sons-in-law of Tughril, and all men who had served him or borne arms for him, to be slain and placed upon the gibbets. Tughril had shown great favour to a certain kalandar, * * * and the Sultán went so far as to kill him and gibbet him, with all his followers. The punishments went on during the two or three days that the Sultán remained at Lakhnautí, and the beholders were so horrified that they nearly died of fear. I, the author, have heard from several old men that such punishment as was inflicted on Lakhnautí had never been heard of in Dehli, and no one could remember anything like it in Hindustán. A number of prisoners who belonged to Dehli and its neighbourhood were ordered to be put in fetters and carried to Delhi, there to receive their punishment.

The Sultán remained some days longer at Lakhnautí. He placed the country under the charge of his younger son, Bughrá Khán, to whom he granted a canopy and other royal insignia. He himself appointed the officials and feudatories (íktá'dárs); but he gave to Bughrá Khán all the spoils of Tughril Khán, excepting the elephants and gold which he took with him to Dehli. He called his son to him in private, and made him take an oath that he would recover and secure the country of Bengal, and that he would not hold convivial parties, nor indulge in wine and dissipation. He then asked his son where he was lodging, and he replied in the palace of the old kings near the great bázár. Bughrá Khán was also called Mahmúd, and the Sultán said to him, “Mahmúd, didst thou see?” The prince was surprised at the question, and made no answer. Again the king said, “Mahmúd, didst thou see?” The prince was amazed, and knew not what answer to give. The Sultán repeated the ques­tion a third time, and then added, “You saw my punishments in the bázár?” The prince bowed and assented. The Sultán went on to say, “If ever designing and evil-minded persons should incite you to waver in your allegiance to Dehli, and to throw off its authority, then remember the vengeance which you have seen exacted in the bázár. Understand me and forget not, that if the governors of Hind or Sind, of Malwa or Gujarat, or Lakhnautí, or Sunár-gánw shall draw the sword and become rebels to the throne of Dehli, then such punishment as has fallen upon Tughril and his dependents will fall upon them, their wives and children, and all their adherents. Another day he spoke to his son in private before some of his principal associates [im­pressing upon him the responsibilities of his station, and warning him against pleasure and dissipation].

The Sultán then took his departure for Dehli, and Bughrá Khán accompanied him for some marches. On the day before Bughrá Khán was to return the Sultán halted, and after morning prayer he called several of his old friends and Bughrá Khán into his presence. He directed the latter to summon his secretary to come with writing materials, and told them to sit down before him, for he was about to deliver some counsels to his son. Then addressing his friends he said, “I know that whatever principles of government I may enforce upon this my son, he, through his devotion to pleasure, will disregard. Still, my paternal affection impels me to write down some counsels for him, in the presence of you who are old men, who have seen much, and have gained great experience. God give my son grace to act upon some of my words.”