Indian Antiquary Vol 49

Author(s): Richard Carnac Temple, Devadatta Ramkrishna Bhandarkar
Publisher: Swati Publications

Page 92

89
THE INDIAN ANTIQUARY
[ May, 1920
of remaining where he was and of refraining from attacking the enemy. Masnad-i-'Ali promised obedience and declared that he would avoid any conflict with the enemy until the prince returned. The prinoe, with his chosen force, then set out at night, by forced marches, for the fortress of Châkan. 36
Ali Talish Dihi was still making his preparations for war and collecting his troops when the prince's force suddenly fell upon him. 'Ali Tâlish Dihi came forth to meet them as best he could, and fought bravely against them, but to no avail, for he and his troops, after fighting for some time, could withstand the prince's force no longer, and 'Ali Talish Dihi wa slain and his troops were put to flight. The victorious king put a large number of fugitives to the sword and much spoil fell into the hands of the victors, and was presented, together with the head of Ali Talish Dihi, to the prince. The victorious king, after slaying and plundering his enemies, turned towards Masnad-i-'Ali, 27 who having heard of his master's victory. was emboldened to attack Shaikh Mu'addi and his followers. As this action was contrary to the will of the king, the usually victorious troops were defeated and dispersed, and Naşir-ul-Mulk was compelled to retire on his former position, and halt there. The king then arrived with his victorious troops, and was much annoyed on hearing of Masnad-i. 'Ali's untimely action and of the presumption of the enemy. He severely rebuked Naşir. ul-Mulk, and told him that disobedience to the commands of one's master could bear no other fruit than mishap and repentance. Masnad-i-'Ali humbly asked for pardon. The king graciously forgave him, and said that with God's help he would crush the rat-eating Arabs.
Shaikh Mu'addi had been rendered over-confident by his temporary success and was devoting himself to pleasure, with no thought of fighting, and the king Ahmad purposely delayed attacking him for a few days, in order that he might grow still more careless; and then marched one night at midnight to attack him. He reached the enemy towards morn. ing and found that they were still sleeping the sleep of negligence. He therefore fell upon him. He took them completely by surprise, and though the Arabs, when they woke, fought bravely, it was of no avail, and Shaikh Mu'addi and nearly all his followers were killed. The few survivors fled, and with much difficulty reached Bidar, while all the camp, the baggage, the horses, and elephants fell into Ahmad's hands.
The victorious king, after thus slaying and plundering his enemies, returned triumphantly to his capital, Junnar, the inhabitants of which humbly congratulated him on his BUCOOBS.
When the news of the death of Mu'addi and of Ali Tâlish Dihi, and of the defeat of the army - which had been sent against the prince, reached the ears of the king of the world (Mahmud Shah) and of his amirs, great fear fell upon them, and they bitterly repented of their action in sending against so brave and powerful a prinoe, whose power they had under estimated, a small body of troops. They saw that the prince was growing more powerful
» Pirishta says that Ahmad first gent Zain-ud-din Ali a message proposing a reconciliation to which Zain-ud-din Ali agreed but afterwards changed his mind on hearing of the advance of Shai Mu'addi. Ahmad, on learning that Zain-ud-din 'Ali was awaiting an opportunity of joining the Shaikh, left his army And marched rapidly to ChAkan with a small picked force, soaled the walls by night and put Zain-ud-din 'Ali and the garrison, consisting of 700 foreign archers, to the sword.
• 27 Firishta says that Napr-ul-Mulk was successful against a part of Shaikh Mu'addi's funebat when he encountered the main body, led by the Shaikh in person, he sustained a crushing defsat and was obliged to retreat and join Zarif-ul-Mulk,