HISTORICAL SUMMARY.
Heg. 582 (A.D.1186).—The empire of Ghizny having passed from its native sovereign to the house of Ghoor, Gheias-ood-Deen became sovereign of all the Mahomedan conquests in India. His brother, Mahomed Ghoory, whom he had appointed general-in-chief of his armies, having settled the provinces of Lahore, retired to Ghizny.
Heg. 587 (1191).—Mahomed Ghoory marched into Hindostan and took the town of Bitunda, but was obliged to retreat to Ghizny, having been defeated by the combined armies under the command of Pithow-Ray, Rajah of Ajmeer and Chawund Ray, Rajah of Delhi. In a second battle, however, Mahomed completely routed the combined armies. Proceeding in person to Ajmeer, he took possession of it, put a thousand of the inhabitants, who opposed him, to the sword, and reserved the rest for slaves. Having returned to Ghizny, Mullik Kootb-ood-Deen Eibuk, took the fort of Merut and the city of Delhi from the family of Chawund Ray; and it is from this circumstance that the empire of Delhi has been said to be founded by a slave.
Heg. 589 (1193).—The general-in-chief marched to Benares, broke down the idols of above a thousand temples, which lie purified and consecrated to the worship of the true God. He then returned to his brothers dominions.
Heg. 592 (1195).—Mahomed Ghoory returned to Hindostan, took Byana; and the strong fort of Gwalior fell into the hands of Buha-ood-Deen Toghrul, after a long siege. The king of Ghizny dying, Mahomed Ghoory succeeded to the throne without opposition. Having attempted the conquest of Khwaruzm, he was surrounded by the enemy, who advanced to the relief of its sovereign. Almost the whole of his army being destroyed, Mahomed cut his way through the enemy and arrived in safety at the fort of Andkhoo, a short distance from the field of battle. Here he was besieged; but upon engaging to pay a large ransom and to abandon the place, he was suffered to return to his own dominions. His entrance into Ghizny was opposed by Yeldooz, a slave; this opposition obliged him to continue his route to Mooltan, where he was opposed by Zeeruk, a powerful chief, who had rebelled against him. Being joined by many of his friends and some Indian allies, he quelled the insurrection and returned to his capital. This year the Ghoorkas were converted to the faith of Islam.
Heg. 602 (1206).—A band of twenty Ghoorkas conspired against the king’s life. Mahomed Ghoory being encamped at a small village on the banks of the Indus, the assassins entered his tent and he fell under their hands pierced with twenty-two wounds. The treasure which this prince left behind him wasincredible; he is said to have possessed in diamonds alone four hundred pounds’ weight. He was succeeded by his general Kootb-ood-Deen Eibuk, who was crowned king of Ghizny.
Heg. 603 (1206).—After his accession, the new king abandoned himself to all kinds of sensual pleasures; in consequence of which the citizens of Ghizny rebelled against him, and he was obliged to retire to Lahore. Becoming sensible of his folly he repented, and thenceforward governed his kingdom with remarkable justice, temperance, and morality.
Heg. 607 (1210).—Kootb-ood-Deen was killed by a fall from his horse, in a match at Chowgan,[12]and was succeeded by his son Aram, who the same year was deposed by Shums-ood-Deen Altmish, his brother-in-law.
Heg. 612 (1215).—Altmish defeated Taj-ood-Deen on the plains of Narain.
Heg. 622 (1225).—Shums-ood-Deen united under his dominions the provinces on the Indus, having routed the forces of Nasir-ood-Deen, by whom they were possessed, and who was drowned in attempting to cross the river.
Heg. 624 (1227).—Altmish reduced the fort of Runtunbhore.
Heg. 626 (1229).—The king’s eldest son, whom he had made prince of Bengal, dying, the father conferred the title upon his younger son, whom he invested with the government of that province.
Heg. 629 (1231).—Altmish reduced the strong fort of Gwalior, which surrendered after a year’s siege. He also took the city of Oojein, in which he destroyed a magnificent temple, dedicated to Mahakaly, formed upon the same plan with that of Somnat. This temple is said to have occupied three hundred years in building.
Heg. 633 (1236).—Shums-ood-Deen Altmish falling sick on the road to Mooltan, was obliged to return to Delhi, where he died the same year and was succeeded by his son Rookn-ood-Deen Feroze, who dissipated the public money, and excited by his excesses the general disgust of his subjects.
Heg. 634 (1236).—Ruzeea Begum, the king’s sister, advanced with an army against Delhi, which she entered in triumph, deposed her brother, who died in confinement, and ascended the throne.
Heg. 637 (1239).—The queen excited the indignation her nobles by raising to the post of Ameer-ool-Omrah a favourite slave named Yakoot. She married Mullik Altoonia of the Toorkey tribe of Chelgany, governor of Bituhnda, in consequence of which her subjects revolted. Altoonia raised an army and marched against them,—a battle ensued, in which the queen and Altoonia were slain.
FOOTNOTES:[12]The game of Chowgan, like our football, consists in two opposite parties endeavouring to propel a ball beyond certain bounds. The parties in this game, however, are on horseback, and the players use bats, like our rackets, to strike the ball.—See Briggs translation of Ferishta, vol. i. p. 199.
[12]The game of Chowgan, like our football, consists in two opposite parties endeavouring to propel a ball beyond certain bounds. The parties in this game, however, are on horseback, and the players use bats, like our rackets, to strike the ball.—See Briggs translation of Ferishta, vol. i. p. 199.
[12]The game of Chowgan, like our football, consists in two opposite parties endeavouring to propel a ball beyond certain bounds. The parties in this game, however, are on horseback, and the players use bats, like our rackets, to strike the ball.—See Briggs translation of Ferishta, vol. i. p. 199.