Sixteenth Mukaddama.—Return of Fíroz Sháh to Dehlí.

The surrender of the Jám and Bábiniya spread great delight throughout the royal camp, and the Sultán determined to return to Dehlí. The son of the Jám, and Tamáchí brother of Bábi-niya, were placed over Thatta, and titles were conferred upon them. They paid four lacs of tankas in cash, by way of marking their allegiance, and agreed to pay several lacs of tankas in money and goods yearly.* The Sultán then marched for Dehlí, taking the Jám and Bábiniya with all their establishment in his train. Orders were given that they were to alight in front of the royal tents, and they were supplied with white carpets from the royal stores. Malik Saifu-d dín Khwájú was directed to instruct them in the etiquette of the Court, and to keep watch over them. Their followers were brought from the farther side of the river, and were placed in boats to make the journey. Saifu-d dín at­tended to them, and carefully watched over them night and day.

One day an alarm was raised that the boat containing the wives and children of Bábiniya had sunk, and that therefore he must hasten (to the scene of the disaster) up the bank of the river. Saifu-d dín Khwájú thought that this was a stratagem to enable Bábiniya to escape and return home, so he sent his son [to inform the Sultán of his suspicions,] and to enquire whether he was to restrain Bábiniya. The Sultán considered the point, and then said, “Go and tell your father that if Bábiniya wishes to go to the river to ascertain the facts, he must go with him. If Bábiniya shows any intention of going on board a boat and escaping to his home, do not attempt to prevent him, but say to him, ‘Bábiniya, if you have the manliness and boldness, go!’ Then return back. I know what will happen, and so does Bábiniya.*”

Before the messenger returned from the Sultán to his father, Saifu-l Mulk, news reached Bábiniya that the boat containing his children had not been lost. He then returned. * * * Mean­while the Sultán, with his army, was marching homewards, the men being delighted with the prospect of seeing home again after two and a-half year's absence. He halted for a while at Multán, and from thence he sent his “despatch of victory” to Khán-i Jahán in Dehlí, which on its arrival caused great rejoicing.

Khán-i Jahán proceeded to Dípálpúr to receive his sovereign. When they met, the Khán offered his congratulations, and presented his tribute and offerings. The Sultán recounted to him all the hardships and sufferings which his army had gone through at Thatta, and on the march into Gujarát. * * * Thatta had been a source of trouble to the sovereigns of Dehlí ever since the days of Sultán Mu'izzu-d dín Muhammad Sám. The splendid army of Sultán 'Aláu-d dín had marched towards Thatta, but the difficulties of the enterprize had rendered the attempt abortive. Sultán Muhammad Sháh bín Tughlik lost his life in the same country [but now the conquest had been accom­plished ]. The Sultán marched from Dípálpúr and arrived at Dehlí, where the inhabitants turned out to meet him. [Great rejoicings]. Amid the general joy it was represented to the Sultán that the families of those men who had lost their lives and property in Kúnchí-ran were in great distress. He, in con­sequence, issued orders that if any man had marched to Thatta with him and had died in Kúnchí-ran, his children should receive his allowances, and should not be troubled in any way. * * He also directed that those who had deserted him in Gujarát, after receiving his gifts, and had returned home, were to have their livelihood and villages continued to them. He was desirous that no one should suffer on that account.

The Jám, and Bábiniya “of good name,” had a residence appointed for themselves and families near the royal palace, where they lived in comfort. Their dwelling received the name of the “Palace of Thatta.” An annual allowance of two lacs of tankas in cash, from the imperial treasury, was assigned to the Jám, and the same amount was also granted to Bábiniya. Besides this they daily received robes and so many presents from the court that they quite forgot Thatta. On court days, when the Sultán sat on his throne, they used to attend, and, with his permission, sat down on his right hand, in the second room of mirrors, below the Chief Judge. The author intends (D.V.) to speak about this in the chapter where he describes the etiquette observed at the Sultán's court in respect of the seats of the kháns, maliks, and others.

After some years Tamáchí, the brother of Bábiniya, rebelled at Thatta, and the Sultán sent the Jám there to repress the out­break. On his arrival, the Jám sent Tamáchí to Dehlí. Bábi-niya remained at Dehlí, in attendance on the Sultán. On the accession of Sultán Tughlik Sháh he was presented with an umbrella, and was sent to Thatta, but he died on the road.

Many wonderful things were invented by Sultán Fíroz in the course of his reign, and among the most wonderful was the Tás­i ghariyál. [Seven different uses of the Tás in marking time and making known the hours of prayer, etc.] It was placed on the top of the darbár of the kushk in Fírozábád, and people crowded to see it.

KISM IV.—RETURN OF SULTÁN FÍROZ FROM A TOUR OF IN-SPECTION, AND APPLICATION OF HIS ATTENTION TO EIGHTEEN AFFAIRS OF STATE.

First Mukaddama.—Return of the Sultán from his tour.

While the Sultán was at Dehlí, attending to the affairs of his kingdom, ambassadors arrived from Ma'bar to state a grievance to him. Kurbat Hasan Kángú was king in Ma'bar. When Sultán Muhammad Sháh died, and Sultán Fíroz succeeded, his edicts were sent into Ma'bar, but the people of that country re­belled, and, going to Daulatábád, they made Kurbat Kángú king of Ma'bar. When this Kurbat held his court, he appeared decked out hand and foot with female ornaments, and made him­self notorious for his puerile actions. The men of Ma'bar saw this, and, being greatly incensed against him, they rebelled. A neighbouring chief, named Bakan, at the head of a body of men and elephants, marched into Ma'bar and made Kurbat Hasan Kángú prisoner. He made himself master of all Ma'bar, which had belonged to Muhammadans; their women suffered violence and captivity in the hands of Hindus, and Bakan established himself as ruler of Ma'bar. [The Sultán reproached them for their repudiation of his authority, and for now resorting to him in their distress, and] told them that his army was weary and ex­hausted with the late campaign and long marches, but that after it had rested and recruited its strength he would proceed towards Ma'bar. * * * The ambassadors were sent back with assurances of his forgiveness, and he devoted himself to business.

One day his officers came to him in private and represented that they were very desirous of making a march to Daulatábád, for the sufferings of the people there had excited their pity. Kings were generally ambitious to conquer kingdoms and extend their dominion, etc. * * * The army had rested and was fresh and ready. There was no necessity for the Sultán to go, for he might appoint one of his most trusted officers to the command, who would root out the wretched band, and set an example to others. There were plenty of Musulmán countries round Dehlí to furnish forces for the acquisition of territory; but drawing the sword against people of Islam, had ten evils for every ad­vantage. * * * When Khán-i Jahán had finished this homily, the effect was plainly visible in the Sultán, he looked distressed and his eyes were suffused with tears, and approving their argu­ments, he said that * * he was resolved never more to make war upon men of the Muhammadan faith. * * *