The armies attacked each other “like two hills of steel, and the field of battle became tulip-dyed with the blood of the war­riors.”—Poetical digression on swords, daggers, spears, and maces. —The Hindús were completely defeated, and their leader slain. “Jatwán, who was the essence of vice and turbulence, and the rod of infidelity and perverseness, the friend of grief, and the con-panion of shame, had his standards of God-plurality and ensigns of perdition lowered by the hand of power;” “and the dust of the field of battle was commingled with the blood of that God-abandoned wretch, and the whole couutry was washed from the filth of his idolatry.”—Praise of Kutbu-d dín's justice, encourage­ment of the learned, and his civil administration. Mention of the booty taken by the Musulmáns.—He marched to Hánsí, “and encamped there a few days, in order to repair the fort, and after that returned towards Kohrám, which acquired fresh beauty from his blessed feet.”

“The intelligence of this happy victory and these important incidents was divulged over the face of the world, and the noise of it spread to the countries of Hind and Sind, far and near, and proclamations announcing the victory of the chiefs of the State, and the defeat of the enemies of the kingdom were written and despatched to the capital of Ghazna, (may the Almighty preserve it in wealth and prosperity!)” and in them was added “that the foundation of all this success was the lofty courage and pure faith of his Majesty.”

The Capture of Mírat.

“When the chief luminary threw its shade in the sign of Libra, and temperate breezes began to blow, after putting to flight the army of heat,” Kutbu-d dín marched from Kohrám, “and when he arrived at Mírat—which is one of the celebrated forts of the country of Hind, for the strength of its foundations and superstructure, and its ditch, which was as broad as the ocean and fathomless—an army joined him, sent by the dependent chiefs of the country.” The fort was captured, and a Kotwál appointed to take up his station in the fort, and all the idol temples were converted into mosques.

Capture of Dehli.

He then marched and encamped under the fort of Dehli, which was also captured, “and the standards of the State were also carried into the neighbouring tracts. The conqueror entered the city of Dehli, which is the source of wealth and the foundation of blessedness.” The city and its vicinity was freed from idols and idol-worship, and in the sanctuaries of the images of the Gods, mosques were raised by the worshippers of one God.”

The Rebellion of Hiraj, Brother of the Ráí of Ajmír.

After Kutbu-d dín had settled affairs in this quarter, the chief Sadr, Kiwám-u-l mulk Rúhu-d-dín Hamza, sent him in­telligence from Rantanbor, that Hiráj,* the brother of the Ráí of Ajmír, had gone into rebellion, and “had turned his face towards the siege of the fort of Rantanbor,” and that the son of Pitaurá, who had been advanced under the protection of the sublime Court, was in a state of extreme danger. On receiving this intelligence, Kutbu-d dín appointed the Amír Sábiku-l mulk Nasru-d dín” to take charge of the affairs of State during his absence, “a man who in knowledge of the rules and customs of government was superior to his contemporaries, and in resolu­tion and courage was celebrated throughout Hind, far and near,” and himself departed for Rantanbor, “passing over hill and desert like a wild ass or an antelope.”

“When Hiráj heard of the arrival of the auspicious standards, knowing he could not contend with the army of Islám, and im­pelled by necessity, he placed the hands of weakness in the skirts of flight, and for fear of the blade of the scimetar fled like the wind with his resurrectionless army.” The conqueror then en­gaged himself in administering “the ways of justice, and received both high and low under the shadow of his benignity,” and the people were happy. “At this time the son of Ráí Pitaurá was favoured with a robe of honour and other kindnesses; and in return for this friendship, he sent abundant treasure for the service of the State, together with three golden melons, which with extreme ingenuity had been cast in moulds like the full moon.”

“About this time they wrote to the heavenly throne, that the Ráí who had fled from Dehli had raised an army of idolatrous, turbulent, and rebellious tribes, the vapour of pride and conquest having entered his thoughtless brain.” Kutbu-d dín pursued him, “and when the wretch was taken, his head was severed from his body and sent to Dehli, which had been his residence and capital.” Kutbu-d dín then himself returned to Dehli, and sent “written accounts of his capture of forts and strongholds, and his victories and holy wars” to Ghazna, to which capital he was invited to receive thanks in person from Mu'izzu-d dín Sám Ghorí. The invitation arrived when the sun was in Cancer, and the heat was so great as to prevent travelling, but he set out on his journey at the commencement of the rainy season.

Kutbu-d dín proceeds to Ghazna.

“When the fortunate stirrups reached the capital of Ghazna (may God shed splendour on it!), he enjoyed the happiness of kissing hands, and received other marks of special favour before the great throne, and in the degree of his rank was raised above all the other chiefs of the world.” A festival was held in cele­bration of his arrival, “and splendid jewels, and valuable clothes, and costly arms, and slaves of great price” were presented to the king.

Kutbu-d dín was accommodated in the garden of the minister Zíáu-l mulk.—Here follow poetical descriptions, of horses, ice, apples, citrons, oranges, cold, wind, and fire.—On the return of the hot season he was taken ill, and “removed from the residence of the minister to the palace of the sovereign, which is the seat of prosperity; but on account of his illness and want of strength, he could not rejoice in his heart with the festivities.” On his recovery, he took his leave of the king, and received a patent conferring upon him the government (of Hindustán) “and every one of the principal officers of his army was rejoiced exceedingly, at receiving from his Majesty suitable presents and promotion of rank.”

On his arrival at Karmán* from the great capital, Táju-d dín Yalduz received him with great kindness and honour, and gave him his daughter in marriage, and a fête was held on the occa­sion.—Poetical descriptions follow, of stars, female beauty, cup­bearers, curls, cheeks, eyes, lips, mouths, stature, elegance, cups, wine, singers, guitars, barbats, trumpets, flutes, drums, on the morning, and the sun.

Kutbu-d dín returns to Dehli.

When he arrived at Dehli, “which is the capital of the king­dom, and the centre of God's aid and victory, the crown and throne of sovereignty received honour and adornment in his kingly person,” “and the lords of the sword and pen hastened to pay their respects at the magnificent Court, and observed the usages of benediction and praise; while the city and its vicinity rejoiced and was decorated like the garden of Iram, and the gates and walls were adorned with the gold tissues of Chín and the brocades of Rúm,” “and triumphal arches were raised, beautiful to look at, the top of which a strong-winged bird could not sur­mount, and the glittering of the lightning of the swords and the splendour of the arms, which were suspended on all sides of them, inspired terror in the spirit of the beholder.”

Rhapsody upon spring and birds.—Kutbu-d dín built the Jámi' Masjid at Dehli, and “adorned it with the stones and gold obtained from the temples which had been demolished by elephants,” and covered it with “inscriptions in Toghra, contain­ing the divine commands.”

Kutbu-d dín advances to Kol.

After staying sometime at Dehli, he marched in the year 590 H. (1194 A.D.), towards Kol and Benares, passing the Jún (Jumna) “which, from its exceeding purity, resembled a mirror.” He took Kol, “which is one of the most celebrated fortresses of Hind.” Those of the garrison “who were wise and acute were converted to Islám,” but those who stood by their ancient faith were slain with the sword. “The nobles and chiefs of the State entered the fort, and carried off much treasure and countless plunder, in­cluding one thousand horses.”