When these proceedings and rumours were reported to Sultán Fíroz, he called a council of all the princes and nobles in his army. It was unanimously agreed that Sultán Muhammad Sháh had no son, but only a daughter, who was born in the reign of Sultán Tughlik. Where, it was asked, had the Khwája-i Jahán found the pretended son? All wise men spoke in the same strain, expressing their astonishment at the Khwája's error, and agreeing that his actions were quite unworthy a man of his age. Sultán Fíroz finished the discussion by expressing his own surprise, and resolved upon marching to Dehlí. The chiefs and men of the army warmly supported him, and on the other side the people of Dehlí anxiously watched for his arrival. He accordingly marched on and arrived at Multán. Up to this time he had never talked to any one, small or great, about the Khwája-i Jahán, but had acted in the most politic manner and in strict accordance with the examples of the wisest kings. It was now fully confirmed that the Khwája was resolved upon opposition. Sultán Fíroz knew that the army of Thatta had suffered many hardships and troubles, and through the prodi­gality of Sultán Muhammad Sháh the treasury was empty. The army had also been reduced to great straits by the assaults of the Mughals, and had been compelled to retire towards Dehlí; and, besides this, the wives and children of the men were there; hence Fíroz Sháh was apprehensive that if the Khwája-i Jahán's antagonism became the talk of the army, the men would be di­spirited, and would think the Sultán was afraid of the Khwája. For these reasons Sultán Fíroz never talked on the subject until he reached Multán.

Seventh Mukaddama.—March of Fíroz Sháh from Thatta to Dehlí.

When the Sultán was about to march upon Dehlí, a consulta­tion was held as to the most suitable route. The council was in favour of proceeding by way of Gujárát, so that the riches of that country might be secured. But the Sultán took another view, and said, “When Sultán Tughlik Sháh marched to repress the insurrection of Khusrú Khán, he went by way of Dípálpúr, and by God's favour obtained the victory. I am therefore re­solved upon pursuing the same route by Dípálpúr and Multán, hoping that I, in like manner, shall be brought in safety to Dehlí.” So he began his march by that road. When the news of his approach by way of Multán, with the elephants and baggage, reached Dehlí, the people rejoiced, and many of the nobles and principal men of the place went forth to meet him. The Khwája, on seeing this defection, was sorely troubled, but he said nothing, and did nothing to prevent it. His counsellors pointed out to him that the fugitives were carrying off the wealth of Dehlí to Fíroz Sháh, and urged him to put a stop to it by detaining their wives and children. To all this Khwája-i Jahán gave no answer, and things went on until every one who had the power joined Sultán Fíroz, and those who had not the power looked in anxious expectation of his arrival. * * *

When the Sultán arrived near Multán, while he was on the march, Malíh Túntún, the slave of Khwája-i Jahán was perceived approaching at a distance. He came as a messenger and carried in his sword-belt a letter from the son of Sultán Muhammad. Sultán Fíroz recognized him when a long way off, and reining up his horse, he doubted in his mind whether Khwája-i Jahán might not be dead. He then ordered the mes­senger to be stopped, and inquiry to be made of him as to whether the Khwája was well. The attendants went forward and inquired as to the state of the Khwája and of the people of Dehlí. Malíh replied in very haughty terms, and his answer was conveyed to the Sultán, who observed, “We must trust in God's mercy—what can Khwája-i Jahán or others do?”

The Sultán at length entered Multán, and behaved very liber­ally to the shaikhs of the city. From thence he proceeded to Ajodhan, and made a pilgrimage to the tomb of Shaikhu-l Islám Farídu-l hakk. He next marched to Sarsutí, which is ninety kos from Dehlí. The bankers and merchants of the place assembled and brought several lacs of tankas to the Sultán who accepted the money as a loan, and promised to repay it after his arrival at Dehlí, making Malik 'Imádu-l Mulk responsible for its discharge. All the money thus received was paid to the army. * * *

As Sultán Fíroz advanced, the people of Multán, Dípálpúr, Sarsutí, and other places, joined his army, just as they had flocked to the support of Sultán Muhammad Sháh. Men of all classes came in, nobles and plebeians, soldiers and officials. Thirty-six rájas of the neighbourhood joined him, and his forces greatly increased. The Sultán addressed them all in friendly, conciliatory terms, and held out promises of favours to come. The people in Dehlí were anxious about the progress of the Sultán, and at length Kiwámu-l Mulk, the Khán-i Jahán Mak-búl, took the lead, and addressed a letter to him relating how matters stood, and announcing his intention of joining him. In every letter he expressed his ardent good-will, and the Sultán, according to his request, wrote to him in reply. It began to be whispered about in the city that Khán-i Jahán was in corre­spondence with Fíroz Sháh, and would soon be off to join him. Khwája-i Jahán was satisfied of this being his intention by many palpable proofs, and resolved to seize the Khán and to frustrate his design. * * *

Early one morning Kiwámu-l Mulk got into a chaudol (kind of sedan), and with his armed retinue, his wives, children, friends, and dependents proceeded to the gate of the maidán. When he reached it, the sentinels attempted to bar it, but the horsemen rode up with drawn swords and frustrated their design. So Kiwámu-l Mulk, the Khán-i Jahán, then went leisurely out of the city to meet Sultán Fíroz Sháh. The Sultán had left Sarsutí, and, having made several marches, had reached Ikdár, where he was joined by, and received homage from, Khán-i Jahán. Another pleasure which the Sultán received on the same day at this place was the birth* of a son, who was named Fath Khán. The Sultán founded a town there, to which he gave the name of Fath-ábád (Futtehabad).

Ninth Mukaddama.—Khwája-i Jahán meets the Sultán.

Khwája-i Jahán heard that Kiwámu-l Mulk Khán-i Jahán had joined the Sultán. * * * His mind became greatly troubled, and he reflected that as his proceedings had originated in error, no good could come of them. He resolved, therefore, to go to the Sultán and explain his error, trusting in God's protection. Accordingly he started from Dehlí on a Thursday, and on the same day arrived at Ismá'íl,* which is twenty-four kos distant. On the next day, being Friday, after prayers, he proceeded to Hauz-i Kháss-i 'Alá. Here the nobles, who were faithful to him, Malik Hasan, Malik Khattáb, Malik Hisámu-d dín Uzbek, and others, being uneasy in their minds, went to him and said that they perceived he was resolved upon going to Sultán Fíroz, and inquired what he advised them to do. He told them that in preferring the son of Sultán Muhammad Sháh, he had no object or design of his own in view. * * * When he heard that Sultán Muhammad was dead, that the Mughals were pressing on, and that Fíroz Sháh and Tátár Khán were missing, he acted as he thought best for the public welfare and the safety of the country. He had been guilty of many faults and errors, but the cries and pressure of the people on all sides had urged him on; otherwise he would have taken no part in the matter. He then went on to say that during the late reign he had called Fíroz Sháh his son, and had been addressed by him as father, and his wives had been in the custom of going to the house of Fíroz. He knew not what God had decreed for him, but Sultán Fíroz was a kind man, and would listen to what he had to say. He would also extend his pardon to the Khwája's supporters.