Sher Sháh gave to many of his kindred who came from Roh money and property far exceeding their expectations. * * * Sárang Ghakkar did not come to wait on Sher Sháh. That monarch, therefore, marched with all his forces and retinue through all the hills of Padmán and Garjhák, in order that he might choose a fitting site and build a fort there to keep down the Ghakkars, in which he might leave a garrison on the Kábul road,* when he himself returned. Having selected Rohtás, he built there the fort which now exists, and laid waste the country of the Ghakkars,* and carried them into captivity, and having seized the daughter of Sárang Ghakkar, bestowed her on Khawás Khán.
In the midst of this, news came from Bengal that Khizr Khán Bairak, the governor of Bengal, had married the daughter of Sultán Mahmúd, late King of Bengal, and, after the manner of the kings of that country, sat on the “Tokí,” which means “an upper place.” Sher Sháh was much annoyed at this, and wishing to avert the evil ere it could take place, left Haibat Khán Níází, Khawás Khán, 'Ísá Khán Níází, Habíb Khán, Ráí Husain Jalwáni, in the fort of Rohtás, and set out himself for Bengal. On his arrival in Bengal, Khizr Khán Bairak came to give him a regal reception. Sher Sháh said to him: “Why did you without my order take in marriage the daughter of Sultán Mahmúd, and seat yourself on the “Tokí,” after the manner of the kings of Bengal? It becomes not a noble of the State to do a single act without the King's permission. Sher Khán ordered him to receive a severe punishment and to be put in chains, and said, that if any of his nobles should do anything without his leave, he should receive a similar punishment. And he divided the kingdom of Bengal into different provinces, and made Kází Fazílat, better known as Kází Fazíhat, manager (amír) of Bengal, and himself returned to Ágra.
When he arrived at Ágra, a letter arrived from Shujá'at
Khán, saying that Muhammad Kásim had consented to the
following terms:—that the Afgháns should be allowed to enter
the fort; that the Mughals should have free access to the camp
of Sher Sháh; and that as soon as Sher Sháh should come to
Gwálior, Muhammad Kásim was to be introduced to the king's
presence, when he would give up the fort to the king's commissioners.
Sher Sháh replied that his standards would shortly move
towards the country of Mándú, by way of Gwálior, in order to
wreak on the rulers of Mándú his revenge for their backwardness
in assisting Kutb Khán. At this time there were persons in the
kingdom of Mándú who ruled independently. Mallú Khán, who
had assumed the title of king, and the name of Kádir Sháh, held
possession and rule of the city of Shádmábád, that is to say the
fort of Mándú, and of Ujjain, Sárangpúr, and the fort of Rantam-
When the king arrived at Sárangpúr, the agent of Mallú Khán came and made his obeisance, and said that Mallú Khán was coming to meet the king. Sher Sháh ordered Shujá'at Khán to go and receive him, and he went accordingly. Sher Sháh came, seated himself outside his tents, and held an open darbár. Shujá'at Khán brought Mallú Khán to him, and he asked where Mallú Khán had pitched his camp. He replied: “I have come alone into your presence, my place is in your darbár. My hope is, I may be permitted to perform the office of a sweeper therein.” Shujá'at Khán represented that Mallú Khán had brought 200 horsemen with him. Sher Sháh ordered that a scarlet tent, a bed, a canopy, and other conveniences, as well as a handsome entertainment, should be provided for him. When they marched from Sárangpúr, Sher Sháh showed the whole array of his army to Mallú Khán, who was astounded, for he had never anywhere seen such an army before.* At every stage they threw up an earthen entrenchment, and when he saw the labour and exertions of the soldiers, and the rigour of Sher Sháh's discipline, Mallú Khán said to the Afgháns, “You submit yourselves to wonderful labours and exertions, night and day you have no rest; ease and comfort are things forbidden to you.” The Afgháns replied—“Such is our master's custom. * * * It behoves a soldier, whatever service his chief may order, or whatever labour or exertion he may require, not to consider it a hardship. Ease is for women, it is shameful to honourable men.”*
When Sher Sháh went to Ujjain, he encamped at Kalídah. Sikandar Khán Miána came and made obeisance. Sher Sháh assigned the country of Mándú to Shujá'at Khán; and when he reflected that Mallú Khán had submitted to him, * * * he pardoned him, and bestowed on him the sarkár of Kálpí.*
Mallú Khán, having brought his family out of Ujjain, considered
that he was not equal to the labour and exertion which
Sher Khán required, and that therefore it was better to escape
by some contrivance from his camp.*
Accordingly, like a Hindú
slave, he made up his mind to run away. Sher Sháh perceived
his intention, and ordered Shujá'at Khan to arrest hím. Shujá'at
Khán looked towards Mallú Khán, who, being an intelligent
man, understood what was going on, and said to Shujá'at Khán:
“Tell the king that I have no carriage to take my family to
Kálpí.” When Shujá'at Khán represented this, it was ordered
that 100 camels and 100 mules, with camelmen and mulemen,
and several carts with drivers, should be given to Mallú Khán
for the conveyance of his family. When he received the camels,
mules and carriages, he took them, together with their drivers, to
his own encampment, and gave them some very powerful wine,
so that they got drunk and became insensible. Mallú Khán,
taking his treasures and his family, absconded. When it was
day, it became known that Mallú Khán had fled. Sher Sháh
said: “Mallú Khán, the slave! Have you seen what a trick
he has played me?” * * * Sher Sháh was angry with Shujá'at
Khán, and sent him in pursuit of Mallú Khán, saying: “Where-