'Abdu-lla, after paying 70,000 dirhams to the enemy, returned with his followers. When they arrived at the Muhammadan frontier, food was served out to them; and so famished were they, that those who satisfied their appetite died immediately. When this was known, they appeased their hunger more moderately, and were thus by degrees restored to their former strength.*
One of the events of this year was, that three of the principal
Rájás of Hind, having formed a confederacy, with an intent to
deliver Lahore from the Muhammadans who had risen up in
rebellion against Maudúd, son of Mas'úd, laid siege to the city.
Upon seeing this, the commander of the Muhammadan forces in
Lahore again made submission to Maudúd, and collected together
the entire Muhammadan force. When the Rájás learnt that the
Muhammadans had again submitted to Maudúd, son of Mas'úd,
two of them, in dread of him, withdrew to their country, but the
third, whose name was Deopál Harnáma, delayed his retreat a
little, in order to try his strength with the Muhammadans. The
latter, when satisfied of their superiority, made a sally, compelled
the Rájá to fly before them, and killed many infidels in
the pursuit. The Rájá retired within a stronghold, which the
Muhammadans invested and pressed vigorously. The fort was
a small one, and the troops which accompanied the Rájá to
that place amounted to 5000 horsemen and 70,000 foot soldiers.
The infidels found themselves on the verge of destruction, and
sent deputies to the Muhammadans begging for quarter; but
the Muhammadans would not consent, unless the infidels surrendered
every one of their fortresses. At length, when the
infidels had no other alternative than to yield, they accepted
the conditions, and saved their lives. The property and
treasure of all their forts fell into the hands of the Muham-
When the Muhammadan army had settled affairs with Rájá
Deopál Harnáma, who was superior to all the kings of Hind in
power and grandeur, they directed their attention to another
Rájá, named Máb Bálrí, who, when he received the intelligence
thereof, set his troops in order, and advanced with a determination
to fight with the Muhammadans. Upon the meeting of the
two armies, the fire of battle was kindled; and notwithstanding
the inferiority of the Muhammadan forces, which did not amount
to one-tenth of those opposed to them, by the help of Providence
their victorious banners prevailed. The Rájá was sent to perdition,
and 5000 of his army fell on the field of battle. The
Muhammadans took considerable booty and many prisoners.
When the chiefs of Hind were informed of these circumstances,
they gave in their submission, and by assenting to pay tribute,
kept themselves free from the destructive swords of the Mu-
When Ibráhím, son of Mas'úd, was satisfied that there was no apprehension of any opposition from the Saljúkians, he despatched an army towards Hindústán, and conquered several places that had not been captured by his predecessors, notwithstanding their power. One of the places which submitted to the conqueror was the fort of Júd,* which surpassed all others in strength and extent. It was situated 120 parasangs distant from Lahore, and at the time when Ibráhím commenced operations against the fort, there was a garrison in it of 10,000 men, who fought long and valiantly against the invader. Finding Ibráhím's efforts and resources to capture the fort very great, the garrison became dispirited; and although they had sufficient supplies and plenty of water, they nevertheless surrendered, on condition that their lives should be spared. After capturing this fort, Ibráhím directed his attention towards another, called Damál,* which was situated on the summit of a high hill on the borders of Hindústán; on one side of this fort there was a large river, reported to be impassable; and on the other, a large thorny jungle, into which nothing but the rays of the sun could penetrate. The jungle was, moreover, infested with venomous serpents and flies, and abounded with elephants of enormous size. It was inhabited by a race of Hindús of gigantic form, and it was the most celebrated of all the places in Hindústán. At the foot of the hill there was no level ground suited for his operations. Ibráhím, nevertheless, with his usual courage, made an attempt to take the fort, and through the aid of God, soon captured it. He took possession of an immense quantity of property and jewels, the like of which had never been seen.
Ibráhím next marched towards Derapúr, in Hindústán, a place which many great emperors had found it impracticable to conquer. Several trustworthy histories state that this place was inhabited by the descendants of the people of Khurásán, who, for their disloyal and rebellious conduct, had been long before banished the country by Afrásíab, Emperor of Túrán. This place was densely populated, and was of considerable strength. There was a large reservoir of water in it, the diameter of which was half a parasang; and though both men and beasts used to drink of the water throughout the year, yet no decrease was perceptible. During the time the people alluded to dwelt in this place, the rulers of Hindústán never dared to attack it, from a conviction of its impregnable strength. When Sultán Ibráhím heard the account of this country, he resolved to conquer it, and marched against it with a large army. The inhabitants heard of his approach, and made ready to oppose him. A fierce struggle ensued, but Ibráhím at length gained the victory, and slew many of them. Those who escaped fled to the jungles. Nearly 100,000 of their women and children were taken prisoners, and an incalculable amount of booty was secured.
It is mentioned in authentic histories that when Shahábu-d dín was defeated by the Turks of Khitá, on his return from Khwárizm, it was currently reported throughout the kingdom, that Shahábu-d dín had been missed in the field of battle, and there was no certainty whether he had perished or escaped. Consequently, enemies rose up on all sides, and every one encroached upon his territories. Among other enemies, one named Ráí Sál, who lived in the mountains between Lahore and Kábul, having united with a number of Kokars, who dwelt in those parts and paid tribute to the treasury of Shahábu-d dín, excited a rebellion, began to plunder that tract, and intercepted the communications between Lahore and Ghazní, so that no one could pass from one to the other.
Upon the return of Shahábu-d dín to Ghazní in safety from his campaign, he was informed of these transactions, and consequently resolved to proceed to Hindústán, and punish the rebellious spirits of that country. For this purpose, he sent an order to Amír Muhammad, son of Abí 'Alí, whom he had appointed Governor of Lahore and Múltán, desiring them to despatch the tribute of the year 601 H. as soon as possible, as it was necessary to make preparations for an expedition to Khitá. Muhammad, son of 'Alí, wrote in answer, that the tribute of the year had been collected and was ready, but that the Kokars and Ráí Sál,* who were in possession of the hills of Júdí, had stopped the communication between Lahore and Ghazní in such a manner that nobody could travel on the road. When this account reached the ears of Shahábu-d dín, he wrote to Kutbu-d dín, his slave, who was the commander of the army of Hind, desiring him to send some person to the Kokars to dissuade them from persisting in such evil courses, and to inform them, that if they repented of their disobedience and came again under allegiance, he would pardon their past offences.