At that time the Sultán was lying half-naked (chún nihang) on his couch; but before the Khán came in, he wrapped a garment around him, and, rising from his couch, sat down on a coverlet. The wine and cups he pushed under the bed, and covered all with a sheet. When Tátár Khán entered, he spied what was hidden under the bed, and his suspicions were aroused. He was so troubled by the sight that his lips failed to utter the usual salutation. The Sultán spoke not a word, neither did he. At length Tátár Khán began to speak (seriously) as if beginning a sermon (dástán), saying, that they were about to march against the enemy, and the time was one for repentance, self-abasement, and prayer. The Sultán inquired what he meant, and asked if anything untoward had hap­pened, and the Khán said he perceived certain articles under the bed. The Sultán replied that he liked to take a little now and then; and Tátár Khán expressed his deep regret that the Sultán should indulge in such a practice. Thereupon the Sultán swore an oath that he would drink no more wine while the Khán was with the army. Tátár Khán gave thanks to God and went away. The Sultán sat brooding over the matter and thought the Khán had spoken to him in a disrespectful and unkind manner. After some days the Sultán bethought him that they were not near Hisár-Fírozah, the neighbourhood of which town was in a disturbed state; he therefore sent Tátár Khán thither to re­store order and quiet, and the Khán accordingly took his de­parture.

The Sultán then marched through Kanauj and Oudh to Jaunpúr. Before this time there was no town of any extent (shahr-i ábádán) there, but the Sultán, observing a suitable site, de­termined upon building a large town. He accordingly stayed there six months, and built a fine town on the banks of the Kowah,* to which he determined to give the name of Sultán Muhammad Sháh, son of Tughlik Sháh, and as that sovereign bore the name of Jaunán, he called the place Jaunánpúr (Jaunpúr). An ac­count of this foundation was sent to Khwája-i Jahán at Dehlí. Jaunpúr was made a (capital) city in the reign of the Sultánu-sh Shark Khwája-i Jahán,* and I intend to give a full account of this King of the East in my memoirs (manákib) of the reign of Sultán Muhammad, son of Fíroz. After this delay of six months, he marched for Bengal, and in due time arrived there.

Sultán Shamsu-d dín was dead, and had been succeeded by Sultán Sikandar, who, fearing the invading force, fled with all his forces into the islands (jazáír) of Ikdála. Fíroz Sháh sur­rounded these islands, and by his command all his forces built themselves wooden huts,* and prepared for battle.

The Sultán having blockaded the islands of Ikdála, as above stated, 'arrádas (small balistas) and manjaníks were erected on both sides, arrows and darts were discharged, the business of the siege went on, and conflicts occurred every day. The besieged were unable to come out of their fortress, and strict guard was kept on both sides by night and day. Suddenly one of the prin­cipal bastions of the fort of Sikandariya fell down, because it was unable to bear the men and the immense weight placed upon it. A great cry arose from the besiegers before the place and the besieged within, and both sides prepared for battle. When the alarm reached the ears of the Sultán, he looked inquiringly upon his attendants, and Prince Fath Khán suggested that the Bengal army had made a sally from Ikdála. The Sultán immediately called for his dress, and, girding on his arms, he rode to the scene of the uproar. There he was met by the impetuous Hisámu-l Mulk, who told him that the chief tower had fallen under the pressure of the crowds placed upon it, and urged him to make an immediate assault and capture the place. The Sultán thought over the proposition, and after serious reflection he replied to Hisámu-d dín, that although it was very desirable that the place should be captured, still, if it were taken by sudden assault, thousands of worthy and respectable women would be subjected to violence and indignity at the hands of grace­less men, and he was therefore resolved to wait awhile and trust in Providence. All the army expected the order for the assault, but accepted patiently the royal decision.

During the night “the King of the Blacks” mounted “the eastern roof,” and urging his Bengalís to work energetically, they laboured all night, and, restoring the ruined fort, were again pre­pared for the attack. The author has been informed by trust­worthy people that the fort of Ikdála was built of mud, so that it was soon repaired and made ready for action. Fighting re-commenced and went on, of which no description can be given. Provisions at length grew short in the fort, which made the Bengalís anxious, and both parties being heartily tired of fight­ing, the Almighty disposed the two kings for peace.

Twelfth Mukaddama.—Conclusion of Peace between Sultán Sikandar and Sultán Fíroz, with the presentation of forty elephants.

Sultán Sikandar and his people being in great distress, he con­sulted with his ministers as to the best course to be pursued to escape from their difficulties. They being unanimous, said that the people of Bengal had never been very friendly with the people of the Upper provinces,* because the decrees of fate had so ruled; but if the Sultán would give his consent, they, his servants and well-wishers, would send a person to the ministers of Sultán Fíroz Sháh and make propositions of peace. Sultán Sikandar kept silence, and his advisers retired, observing that “Silence is one of the signs of assent.” His ministers accord­ingly sent a clever, confidential agent to the ministers of Sultán Fíroz to open negotiations for peace, representing that * * * the combatants on both sides were Muhammadans, and that these contentions were productive of evil to the professors of Islám; it therefore behoved the ministers of Sultán Fíroz to make him disposed for peace, as Sultán Sikandar was already inclined.

When these overtures were made to the ministers of Fíroz Sháh, they assembled together, and, after carefully considering the matter, they agreed that the propositions were reasonable, and that they would recommend them to his acceptance. These wise men accordingly repaired to his presence, and made known to him the proposals of Sultán Sikandar. He entertained the proposal, and said that as his adversary was reduced to distress, and was disposed to peace, it behoved him to listen to the pro­position in conformity to the Divine precept that “Peace is good,” and so stop the sword in its ravages on the people of Islám. After some consideration he replied, that he would accept the proposition, on condition that the Khán-i 'azam, Zafar Khán, should be placed on the throne in Sunár-gánw. When the ministers heard this resolution of the Sultán, they * * * sent Haibat Khán as envoy, to settle the terms of peace.

The ministers of Sultán Sikandar met and received the envoy; but although Sultán Sikandar was fully acquainted with all the negotiations which had been carried on, he pretended to be in ignorance. Haibat Khán was, according to trustworthy statements, a countryman of his, and had two sons in his service. When he set forth the terms on which peace might be made, Sultán Sikandar replied, that Sultán Fíroz had been kind to him, and that he was very averse to carrying on war and slaughter with him. Haibat Khán conducted himself like an accomplished ambassador; what he had to say he said well, tenderly, and warmly. When he perceived that Sikandar also spoke in favour of peace, he said that the chief reason why Sultán Fíroz had undertaken the campaign was the establishment of Zafar Khán in the country of Sunár­gánw. Sultán Sikandar accepted the proposed terms, and agreed to surrender Sunár-gánw to Zafar Khán. But he added, that if this were the object of the campaign, much unnecessary trouble had been undertaken; for if an order had been sent to him from Dehlí, he would have placed Zafar Khán in possession of the place.