About the time when this horrid tragedy was perpetrated by 'Azíz Himár, the náíb-wazír of Gujarát, Mukbil by name, having with him the treasure and horses which had been procured in Gujarát for the royal stables, was proceeding by way of Díhúí and Baroda to the presence of the Sultán. When he came near Díhúí and Baroda, the foreign amírs of those places, who, alarmed by the act of 'Azíz, had been impelled into rebellion, attacked Mukbil, and carried off all the horses and treasure. They also destroyed all the goods and stuffs which the merchants of Gujarát were carrying under his convoy. Mukbil returned to Nahrwála, and his party was dispersed. The amírs having acquired so many horses and so much property grew in power and importance. Stirring up the flames of insurrection, they gathered together a force and proceeded to Kanháyat (Cambay). The news of their revolt spread throughout Gujarát, and the whole country was falling into utter confusion. At the end of the month of Ramazán, 745 H. (Feb. 1345), the intelligence of this revolt and of the defeat and plunder of Mukbil was brought to the Sultán. It caused him much anxiety, and he determined to proceed to Gujarát in person to repress the revolt.
Katlagh Khán, who had been his preceptor, sent a communication to the Sultán by Zíá Barní, the author of this history, saying, “What are these amírs of Díhúí and Baroda, and in what position are they that the Sultán should proceed in person against them?” * * “If permission is granted I am willing to raise an army from the resources which I have received through the Sultán's bounty, and to march to Gujarát, to repress this revolt.” * * * The author of this work delivered the letter, * * * but it did not meet with the Sultán's approval, and he vouchsafed no answer. He gave orders, however, for pressing on the preparations for his campaign. Before the news of the revolt arrived, he had appointed Shaikh Mu'izzu-d dín, son of Shaikh 'Aláu-d dín Ajodhaní, to be náíb of Gujarát. He now ordered three lacs of tankas to be given to the Shaikh for enabling him to raise in two or three days a thousand horse to accompany the royal army. He appointed Fíroz, afterwards Sultán, Malik Kabír, and Ahmad Ayyáz to be vicegerents in the capital during his absence. He commenced his march and proceeded to Sultánpúr, about fifteen kos from Dehlí, where he remained a short time. This was just at the end of Ramazán. Here a letter reached him from Dhár from 'Azíz Himár, stating that * * * as he was nearer to the rebels, and was ready with the forces of Dhár, he had marched against them. The Sultán was not very pleased with this movement, and became very anxious, for 'Azíz knew nothing of warfare, and the Sultán feared that he might be cut up by the rebels. This letter was followed immediately by the news that 'Azíz had engaged the enemy, and, having lost his head during the battle, he had fallen from his horse, and being senseless and helpless he had been taken by the rebels and put to an ignominious death.
Insurrection followed upon insurrection. During the four or
five days of Ramazán that the Sultán halted at Sultánpúr, late
one evening he sent for the author of this work, Zíá Barní.
When he arrived the Sultán said, “Thou seest how many revolts
spring up. I have no pleasure in them, although men will say
that they have all been caused by my excessive severity. But
I am not to be turned aside from punishment by observations
and by revolts. You have read many histories; hast thou
found that kings inflict punishments under certain circumstances?”
I replied, “I have read in royal histories that a
king cannot carry on his government without punishments,
for if he were not an avenger God knows what evils would
arise from the insurrections of the disaffected, and how many
thousand crimes would be committed by his subjects. Jam-
The Sultán marched from Sultánpúr towards Gujarát, and when he arrived at Nahrwála he sent Shaikh Mu'izzu-d dín, with some officials, into the city, whilst he, leaving it on the left, proceeded into the mountains of Abhú,* to which Díhúí and Baroda were near. The Sultán then sent an officer with a force against the rebels, and these being unable to cope with the royal army, were defeated. Many of their horsemen were killed, the rest were dispersed, and with their wives and children fled to Deogír. The Sultán then proceeded from the mountains of Abhú to Broach, from whence he sent Malik Makbúl,* náíb-wazír-i mamálik, with some of the soldiers from Dehlí, some of the foreign amírs of Broach, and the soldiers of Broach, in pursuit of the fugitives. Malik Makbúl accordingly followed the fugitives as far as the Nerbudda, where he attacked and utterly routed them. Most of them were killed, and their wives, children, and goods fell into the hands of the victors. Some of the most noted of the rebels fled upon bare-backed horses to Mán Deo, chief of the mountains of Sálír and Málír. Mán Deo made them prisoners, and plundered them of all the valuables they possessed. Their evil influence in Gujarát was thus put an end to. Malik Makbúl remained for some days on the banks of the Nerbudda, and under royal commands he seized most of the foreign amírs of Broach who had been sent to him, and put them to death. Of those who escaped the sword, some fled to Deogír, others to the chiefs (mukaddims) of Gujarát.