Book Title: Indian Antiquary Vol 14
Author(s): John Faithfull Fleet, Richard Carnac Temple
Publisher: Swati Publications

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Page 105
________________ MARCH, 1885.] CHINGHIZ KHAN AND HIS ANCESTORS. 87 in the town were destroyed, it was re-named | Yelvaj as governor. Jalalu'd-din had posted Maubaligh, i.e., city of woe, or unfortunate city: Uz Khân, called Orkhan by D'Ohason, at the environs were reduced to a desert, and it Kajla, with a small force to keep the Mongols remained so for a hundred years. in check till he could get across with his An incident of the siege shows the hard lines family and valuables, but he was defeated, and of Mongol policy sometimes. We are told that had to retire.8 Nissavi tells us the Sultan Jagatai was absent when his son was killed, had since his departure from Ghazni suffered and returned while the place was being demo- from severe colic, which hardly permitted lished. His father desired that the death of the him to go about, even in a horse-litter. He was, young prince should be concealed from him, and nevertheless, obliged to mount, as he heard the an excuse was therefore made for his absence. A enemy's vanguard had reached a place called few days later Chinghiz being at table with his Hardir. He accordingly hastened against them, three younger sons, and feigning to be angry, and surprised them in their camp, and having reproached them for not being obedient to his killed most of them returned in safety to his orders, especially fixing his eyes on Jagatai. camp.* The latter, afraid, went on his knees, and pro- When Chinghiz came up he gave the comtested he would die rather than disobey his mand of his right wing to his son, Jagatai, father, a vow which he repeated. Thereupon and of the left to his other son, Ogotai, retainChinghiz said to him :-"Your son, Muatagan, ing the centre in his own hands, where he has been killed. I forbid you to complain." surrounded himself with 600 of his guards. Struck as by lightning by these words, Jagatai Ukar Kiljeh and Katur Kiljeh were ordered nevertheless restrained his tears, but after the to advance some distance in front, and to try meal was over he withdrew for a while to recover and capture the Sultan alive." himself. The place where Chinghiz came up with him Chinghiz Khân now continued his advance. was on the Indus, at a point nearly opposite We are told that he marched so rapidly the Niláb ferry. It was in September 1221. at for two days his men had not time to The small Khwarizmian army found itself with cook their food. When he reached the field of the river behind it, and the Mongols ranged in Parwan," he asked Kutuku and another a bow-shaped formation around it on three general to point out to him the positions of the other sides, and enclosing it in. According two armies, and shewed them how they should to Mirkhond, Jalâla'd-din bad had the boats have chosen their ground better, and blamed all on the Indus sent away, so that his soldiers of them for the recent defeat." might not be tempted to rely on them, reseryThe defection of Saifu'd-dîn and his men had ing one only for the passage of his harem, reduced Jalalu'd-din's forces by one half, and but it unfortunately broke in pieces, and the although he had, according to Ibn-al-Athir, sent ladies had to remain in the camp. Jalalu'd-dîn a doughty message to Chinghiz Khân after the commanded the centre, his left wing, which late fight, bidding him, “choose a battle-field, was covered by a mountain that prevented the and he would meet him there," he was con- Mongols from turning it, was entrusted to his strained to retire from Ghazni, where he left a varir, while Amin Malik commanded the garrison, towards the Indus, the probable right. The latter began the struggle, the left reason being, according to Major Raverty, thatwing being used as a reserve, Nissavi rehe claimed the western parts of the Panjåbports how Jalala'd-din put himself at the head and also of Sindh as successor to Mu'izu'd-din of some of his men, and charged the main Ghûri. Chinghiz, who was informed of the body of the enemy so bravely that they were division in his camp, advanced rapidly towards thrown into disorder, and abroad way was Ghazni, where he arrived 15 days after Jalalu'd- cloven apander to where Chinghiz should have din bad left it, and where he left Mahmud been, but he had retired, after having had his ** D'Ohsson, Vol. I. pp. 294 and 296 ; De la Croix. pp. 310 and 312; Érdmann, p. 423. 30 D'Ohason, Vol. I. pp. 295 and 296. ** This fact makes it again probable that Bamian has been mentioned by Juveni and others instead of Walian. " D'Ohsson, Vol. I. p. 805. Id., p. 308 note. * Tabakat-z-Nasiri, pp. 290 and 291 notes. De la Croix, pp. sit and 815. * Id., pp. 315 and 316. Abu'l-ghází, p. 124; Erdmann, p. 430. |

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