Life of the King previously to his accession — his love of liter­ature — his remarkable character. — Gheias-ood-Deen Bul-bun, the King's brother-in-law, appointed minister. — Bulbun's nephew, Sheer Khan, nominated governor of the north-west provinces, to keep in check the Mogul incursions. — The King transfers the whole weight of the government on his minister. — The King proceeds to Mooltan. — The minister attacks the Gukkurs for having united with the Moguls in their incursions. — The Gukkurs defeated, and several thousands carried into slavery. — Several of the ancient nobles holding estates in Punjab on feudal tenure directed to reside at court, while their sons are left in possession of them.—The King returns to Dehly — proceeds to the Doab, lying between the Jumna and Ganges — reduces some Hindoo rajas — proceeds to Runtunbhore. — The King recalls his brother Julal from Kunowj — the latter withdraws from the kingdom to Chittoor. — The King espouses the daughter of his minister Bulbun. — Eiz-ood-Deen Bul-bun, another chief of the same tribe, is made governor of Oocha and Nagore — rebels — but is subsequently pardoned. — The King besieges Nurwur, which is taken. — Chundery and part of Malwa subdued and occupied by the King's troops. — Sheer Khan, the minister's nephew, governor of Punjab, marches to Ghizny, and expels the Moguls. — Oocha and Nagore made over to Sheer Khan. — Imad-ood-Deen Zunjany intrigues against the minister Gheias-ood-Deen Bulbun, who retires to his estate at Hansy. — Hansy taken from him. — The ex-minister has recourse to arms — the nobles of the court support him — is restored to his office. — Imad-ood-Deen Zunjany, ex-minister, rebels — is defeated, and suffers death. — Kootloogh Khan in rebellion — is joined by the ruler of Sind — they are defeated by the minister. — The ruler of Sind retires to his government, where he dies. — Kootloogh Khan disappears. — The Rajpoots of Mewat in insurrection — are attacked by the minister — desperate conflict. — Mewatties subdued with heavy loss. — 200 of their leaders put to death after being taken prisoners. — An embassy is received from Hoolakoo, King of Persia. — Splendid reception of the am­bassador. — Character of Nasir-ood-Deen — his death.

WE have already related that when the eldest son of Shums-ood-Deen Altmish died in Bengal, he conferred the government of that principality on his youngest son Mahmood, to whom he also gave the title of Nasir-ood-Deen. These were nominal honours, as Mahmood was at that time too young to assume the charge. At his father's death he was confined by the cruel Queen, Shah Toorkan, and remained in prison till released by the late King Musaood, who gave him the government of Byraich. During the period of his administration, he waged successful wars with the infidels, and ren­dered his province happy and flourishing. The fame of his justice and good management became notorious, and the nobles, in the late revolution, naturally looked towards him as successor to the crown. He was accordingly seated on the throne of his father Shums-ood-Deen Altmish, of which, independently of his birth, on account of his bravery, wisdom, and learning, together with his many other good qualities, he seemed peculiarly fitted to become the ornament. During his im­prisonment he preferred maintaining himself by his writings to accepting any public allowance; and he used often to say, that he who would not work for his bread did not deserve it. When he ascended the throne he became the patron of learning, the protector of the people, and the friend of the poor. The poets of the age vied with each other for the prize at his coronation, which was gained by Minhaj-oos-Siraj Joorjany, who after­wards compiled the Tubkat Nasiry, which he de­dicated to Nasir-ood-Deen Mahmood. The office of minister was conferred on Mullik Gheias-ood-Deen Bulbun, junior, who was originally the slave of Shums-ood-Deen Altmish, and afterwards re­ceived the hand of his sovereign's daughter. Bul-bun now received the title of Alugh Khan, and the whole executive power of government was vested in him. Gheias-ood-Deen's nephew, Sheer Khan, received the title of Maazim Khan, and was appointed to the government of the Punjab, Mooltan, Bhutnere, and Surhind, and was di­rected to maintain a standing army to watch the motions of the Moguls, who now occupied the provinces of Ghizny, Kabul, Kandahar, Bulkh, and Hirat. The forts of Bhutnere and Surhind were rebuilt at this time by Sheer Khan. It is related when Nasir-ood-Deen appointed Gheias-ood-Deen Bulbun, junior, to the office of vizier, he told him, that he confided his own honour to his loyalty and good conduct, enjoining him to do nothing for which he could not answer to God. The Vizier faithfully promised to fulfil the King's wishes, and, by exerting himself with unwearied diligence in his office, regulated public business so well, that nothing escaped his eye, or passed without his particular inspection.

Rujub, A. H. 644.
July, A. D. 1247. In the month of Rujub, the King took the field, and marched toward Mooltan. The army encamped for sometime upon the banks of the Sodra, from whence the Vizier proceeded towards the mountains of Jood, and the provinces on the Indus. These countries were reduced, and the King took revenge on the Gukkurs for their continual incursions, and for having led the Moguls through their country into Hindoostan. Deeming these offences too great to be pardoned, he carried several thousand Gukkurs of all ages, and of each sex, into captivity.

It is related that some old officers who held Jageers in the provinces near the Indus, during the reigns of Kootb-ood-Deen Eibuk, and Shums-ood-Deen Altmish, had, for some time past, refused to supply their quotas of troops to the army, for the performance of which duty they held these estates. By the advice of the Vizier their titles were taken from them, and they were carried prisoners to Dehly; but the King conferred their estates on their sons or relations, on the former military tenure. The countries of Punjab and Mooltan were by these means effectually reduced to subjection, and the King's authority was firmly restored. The conduct of Nasir-ood-Deen, on this occasion, reminds me of a story I have somewhere read, that when Alexander the Great was on his way to India, some of his old generals, unwilling to proceed farther, began to mutiny. Alexander was thrown into great perplexity, not knowing how to manage them. In this dilemma he sent a messenger to Greece, to consult his old master Aristotle, who, by reason of his age and infirmities, had not accompanied him. When the sage read the letter, he carried the messenger into his garden, where he gave orders to the gardener to root up all the old plants, and set young shoots in their places. Without saying more or writing any answer, he told the messenger to return in haste to his master. When the messenger arrived, he fell upon his face before the King, and told him he could obtain no reply. Alexander being some­what surprised, enquired into the particulars of the interview; and on hearing the above relation, he smiled, and told the messenger he had brought him an excellent answer. He accordingly re­moved some of the old mutinous officers, and dis­graced others, supplying their places with young men, who became more obedient, and thus re­established his authority in the army.

Shaban,
A. H. 645.
Dec.
A. D. 1247. In the month of Shaban, 645, Nasir-ood-Deen Mahmood proceeded with his troops through the country which lies between the rivers Ganges and Jumna, and, after an obstinate siege, the fort of Bitunda * yielded to his arms. He then continued his march towards Kurra, Gheias-ood-Deen Bulbun com­manding the vanguard. He was met at Kurra by the Rajas Dulky and Mulky†, * whom he defeated and plundered, taking many of their families prisoners. These two Rajas had seized all the country to the south of the Jumna, and had de­stroyed the King's garrisons from Malwa to Kurra. They resided at Kalunjur. After these exploits Nasir-ood-Deen returned to Dehly.

Shaban 6.
A. H. 646.
Nov. 25.
A. D. 1247. On the 6th of Shaban, A. H. 646, the Vizier marched with an army towards Runtunbhore and the mountains of Me-wat, and, after chastising the refractory inhabitants of those countries, returned to Dehly. The Vizier's brother, Eibuk Kishly Khan, was now promoted to the office of Ameer Hajib, and Ayaz Ryhany was nominated Vakeel-oos Sultanut. In the same year, the King's brother, Julal-ood-Deen, was recalled from his government of Kunowj to Dehly, but, apprehensive of a design against his life, he fled to the hills of Chittoor with all his adherents. The King pursued him; but finding, after eight months, that he could not secure him,

A. H. 647.
A. D. 1248.