Sultán Fíroz was a very cautious man. The fort of Thatta was visible (from his side of the river), but from the great breadth of the stream, the land on the opposite side was not discernible. Therefore, it could not be seen how the fight with the army progressed. Sultán Fíroz stood watching in expectation, his eyes now lifted to heaven and now strained over the river, in order to learn what was passing. By divine inspiration he sent a trusty man across the river in a boat with orders directing his forces to desist from battle and return to him. The combatants on both sides were Musulmáns, and if the fighting went on, many innocent persons would be slain. They were accordingly directed to return by the same way they had gone. When the messenger delivered these commands to 'Imádu-l Mulk and Zafar Khán, they retreated with their whole force—marching the 120 kos up the farther or Thatta side of the river to Bhakkar, where they crossed back and rejoined the main army. The Sultan then said to 'Imádu-l Mulk, where can this handful of Thattiáns fly to, unless they creep into an ant-hole like a snake. My army shall remain here, and we will build a large city.
Some days after the Sultán held a privy council, in which it was determined that 'Imádu-l Mulk should proceed to Dehlí, in order to raise reinforcements, and then return to Thatta. On his taking leave the Sultán charged him not to give any orders to Khán-i Jahán about collecting the forces, for the Khán was not the man to slight or neglect the directions of his master in the smallest degree. Upon his arriving in the capital, he directed him to wait upon the Khán, and say that he had been sent to advise with him on the matter. The simple order of the Sultán was quite sufficient to ensure the despatch of reinforcements by the Khán.
[Friendly and courteous reception of 'Imádu-l Mulk]. Khán-i Jahán sent a lac of tankas to 'Imádu-l Mulk for subsistence money ('alúfa), and despatched demands for men to all the various dependencies of the State: to Badáún, Kanauj, Sandíla, Oudh, Jaunpúr, Bihár, Tirhut, Chanderí, Dhár, the interior and exterior of the Doáb, Sámána, Dípálpúr, Multán, Láhor, and other dependencies (iktá'át). Khán-i Jahán used to take his seat every day for expediting the business, and 'Imádu-l Mulk used to attend and assist him. In time the force was assembled, and was despatched under the charge of 'Imádu-l Mulk, who marched with all possible speed and joined the Sultán. When he arrived he highly praised the zeal and activity of Khán-i Jahán, and the Sultán was greatly pleased to hear this commendation, and to see the arrival of the reinforcements. The new men passed in review before him, and each man received a present of clothes.
When the Sindians heard of the arrival of the reinforcements from Dehlí their hearts failed them, and they began to quarrel with each other. The troops of the Sultán were, by God's grace, very well supplied with comforts, and those who had formerly deserted, being informed of this, greatly repented the step they had taken.
But a terrible famine now appeared among the enemy. As on the former occasion, famine had occurred in the army of the Sultán, when the scarcity of grain was the cause of great misery; so now on the second occasion, the dearness of grain brought dismay upon the enemy. The cause of the scarcity was that when the Sultán retreated from his first attempt on the country, the people of Thatta returned to their old homes with great satisfaction. Being free from all apprehension of any future attack they sowed all the grain which they possessed. When harvest time came, Sultán Fíroz returned from Gujarát and took possession of the crops. The Sultán's forces were thus well supplied, while the price rose very high among the enemy, amounting to one and two tankas per sír. Every day men, of high and low degree, through hunger, deserted the enemy and crossed over the river in boats to the Sultán's army. Thatta was verging to its fall, when the Jám and Bábiniya reflected over the state of affairs, and resolved that the best course was to escape from trouble by timely submission. They accordingly, after much deliberation, notified their willingness to surrender through Saiyid Jalálu-l hakk wau-s shara' wau-d dín Husain Bukhárí.
When the people of Thatta made up their minds to seek for peace, they determined upon making their overtures through Saiyid Jalálu-d dín.* The Jám and Bábiniya, after consideration, sent a confidential agent to Uch to make known their views. Saiyid Jalálu-d dín started, and when he reached the Sultán's camp all the army turned out to show their reverential respect. * * * On his arrival the Sultán went forth to meet him and brought him with due honour into his camp. After they had met and shaken hands, the Saiyid said there was a holy woman in Thatta whose prayers had prevented the conquest of the place, * * * but she had now been dead three days, and consequently the submission might be expected. The inhabitants of Thatta heard that the Saiyid was in the Sultán's camp, and they sent messages to him representing their great distress, and the Saiyid communicated to the Sultán all the matters which in the sorrow of their hearts they had made known to him. This excited the commiseration of the Sultán.
The state of affairs having thus been made known to the Sultán, Bábiniya consulted with the Jám, and said that it had been stated to the Sultán that all the disturbance (shor) had arisen through him (Bábiniya); it therefore seemed in every way most desirable that he should go first to the Sultán and make his submission; the Jám might follow, and a way might thus be opened for a satisfactory conclusion. This proposition of Bábiniya's* pleased the Jám. He gave him permission to proceed, and next day Bábiniya reached the royal camp.
The Sultán was out hunting, when he was informed that Bábiniya had arrived in his camp. * * He allowed no indication of his feelings to appear in his countenance. * * Bábiniya followed the Sultán to the hunting ground, where he had just killed a wolf, * * * and there he presented himself, with his turban in front of his throat and a sword upon his neck, like a repentant criminal, and, humbly approaching the Sultán, kissed his stirrup and begged forgiveness. The Sultán then graciously placed his hand on the back of Bábiniya and said, “Why were you so afraid of me? I did not wish to hurt any one, especially you; cheer up your spirits and dispel your anxiety, for you shall be twice the man you were before.” He then ordered an Arab horse to be presented to Bábiniya, and, closing his discourse, he went on hunting again.
On the same day, and soon after Bábiniya, the Jám came to make his submission, and he also, like a wise man, went out to the hunting ground. On his being brought into the presence of the Sultán, he advanced with his turban on his head, and cast himself at the feet of the Sultán. Hanging the turban from the throat, and placing a sword upon the neck, is practised only by the offender who first approaches the sovereign, and Bábiniya had already made this sign of submission. The Jám therefore retained his turban in the presence of the Sultán, but paid him due homage. The Sultán very kindly placed his hand on the back of the Jám, and spoke graciously to him. Very submissively the Jám expressed his surrender, and, in a line of his own composition, he said:
“Thou art my gracious sovereign; I am thy abashed servant.”
The Sultán treated him with great kindness and care, and to him also he presented a horse. On returning to the camp, the the Jám and Bábiniya received embroidered robes, and their attendants also received presents suited to their respective stations. The two captive chiefs were told to send for their wives and families, and accompany the Sultán to Dehlí. This royal command they obeyed, and, with their wives and children, followed in the train of the Sultán.