His country invaded by Mulloo Yekbal Khan, attended by Mah-mood Toghluk. — Peace concluded. — Ibrahim takes Kunowj from the King of Dehly; also takes Sumbhul, which is retaken — encourages literature in his country — proceeds to besiege Byana; but concludes a peace with the King of Dehly. — Death of Ibrahim.

ON the death of Moobarik, his younger brother, Ibrahim, was elevated to the throne. He was famous during his reign for the encouragement he afforded to literature; and we find that in those times of anarchy and confusion which prevailed in Hindoostan, Joonpoor became the seat of learn­ing; as appears from several works now extant, dedicated to Ibrahim Shah.

In the early part of his reign, his kingdom was threatened by the invasion of Mulloo Yekbal Khan; who, having obtained possession of the person of Mahmood Toghluk, marched a second time to attack the eastern provinces. Ibrahim Shah as­sumed the same position his brother had taken up before, on the banks of the Ganges, and Yekbal Khan encamped also on the opposite side, near the city of Kunowj. Mahmood Toghluk, though no­minally king, was not only virtually deprived of all authority, but the semblance even of respect was denied him; and being disgusted more than ever with Mulloo Yekbal Khan, he one day took advantage of the circumstance of being on a hunt­ing party to make his escape. He withdrew to Ibrahim Shah Shurky, in hopes that the latter would assist him either in regaining his power, or, at any rate, in subduing Mulloo Yekbal Khan; but Ibrahim Shah, dreading the effect of his presence among his troops, refused him support; and Mah-mood, covered with disgrace, returned to Kunowj, in which city he succeeded in establishing his authority; so that both Mulloo Yekbal Khan and Ibrahim Shah Shurky, leaving him in quiet pos­session, returned to their respective capitals without fighting a battle.

In some histories it is related that Mahmood Toghluk went over to the Shurky court during the reign of Moobarik Shah, and that the latter prince died while Mahmood was with him; but that on the accession of Ibrahim, who was then at Joonpoor, Mahmood Toghluk occupied Kunowj, which he was permitted to retain. God only knows which account is correct.

A. H. 808.
A. D. 1405. According to the Dehly historians, Mulloo Yekbal Khan was killed in the year 808, and Mahmood Toghluk reco­vered his authority. On that occasion he evacuated

A. H. 809.
A. D. 1406.

Kunowj, and on the following year, 809, Ibrahim Shah Shurky marched to retake it. Mahmood Toghluk, however, ap­pearing at the head of his troops, opposed him. The two armies encamped as before, on either side the Ganges, within their own boundaries, where having remained some time, they each returned to their respective capitals. Mahmood Toghluk now returned to Dehly, and disbanded his army, when Ibrahim Shah availed himself of the circumstance to invest Kunowj, and he took it after a siege of four months. Having halted at that city during the rains, he afterwards marched to the northward, for the purpose of making encroach­ments on the territory of Dehly. On being joined by many of the nobles of that kingdom, who de­serted Mahmood Toghluk, he proceeded to the province of Sumbhul, which was evacuated with­out resistance, and Tartar Khan was nominated governor. On the arrival of Ibrahim Shah Shurky on the Jumna, he heard that Moozuffur Shah of Guzerat, having invaded Malwa, had de­feated and taken prisoner Sooltan Hooshung, * and that he was at that time on his march to assist Mahmood Toghluk. Reports even went so far as to say that he intended to attack Joonpoor itself. Ibrahim Shah, in consequence, retreated hastily to his capital, while Mahmood Toghluk, instead of pursuing him with the Dehly army, contented himself with re-occupying the province of Sumbhul, and Tartar Khan returned to his master at Joonpoor.

A. H. 816.
A. D. 1413. In the year 816, Ibrahim Shah again marched towards Dehly, but after a few days returned to his capital, where he led a peaceful life in the prosecution of literary pursuits, and in the promotion of the arts of civilisa-

A. H. 831.
A. D. 1427.

tion, till, in the year 831, Mahmood Khan of Mewat induced him to march his army to attack the fort of Byana, where he was opposed by the forces of Syud Moo-barik, King of Dehly. The two armies lay en­trenched at the distance of eight miles from each other for twenty-two days, during which period some trifling skirmishes ensued; when Ibrahim Shah Shurky, marching out from his entrench­ments towards the Dehly army, brought on an action, which, though it lasted from noon till night, proved indecisive, the forces having mutually retreated in good order. On the fol­lowing day, the two sovereigns concluded a hollow peace, and retreated to their respective capitals.

A. H. 839.
A. D. 1435.

In the year 839, Ibrahim Shah Shurky proceeded to reduce Kalpy, where he was opposed by Sooltan Hooshung of Malwa; but on receiving intimation that Syud Moobarik of Dehly was in full march to attack Joonpoor, he countermarched without risking an engagement, and Kalpy fell into the hands of the King of Malwa.

A. H. 844.
A. D. 1440. In the year 844, Ibrahim Shah Shurky, being taken dangerously ill, died, after a long reign of upwards of forty years. He was equally beloved in life, as he was regretted by all his subjects.