History of Hindostan (1768), by Alexander Dow

That's French for "the ancient system," as in the ancient system of feudal privileges and the exercise of autocratic power over the peasants. The ancien regime never goes away, like vampires and dinosaur bones they are always hidden in the earth, exercising a mysterious influence. It is not paranoia to believe that the elites scheme against the common man. Inform yourself about their schemes here.

Re: History of Hindostan (1768), by Alexander Dow

Postby admin » Sat Dec 05, 2020 5:45 am

Section VII. The Reign of Abul Fatte, Chutub ul Muluck Shahab ul Dowla AMIR MODOOD ben Musaood ben Mamood Ghiznavi.

WHEN the news of the murder of Musaood came to Mahummud the blind, he wept bitterly, and severely reproached the assassins. He, at the same time, wrote to Modood, who was then at Balich, that such and such people had killed his father; calling God to witness, that his hands were clear of the wicked deed. To this Modood replied, sarcastically: May God lengthen the days of so good and so merciful a King, and grant that his mad son Ahmid, may gain glory in the practice of regicide, till his reward be obtained from our hands.

Modood was for marching immediately, to revenge the death of his father; but he was persuaded by his council, to go first to Ghizni; where the citizens, upon his approach, thronged out to meet him, and expressed their joy in acclamations and congratulations upon his accession.

In the year 433, he marched from Ghizni; while Mahummud the blind, appointing his younger son Nami, governor of Pishawir and Moultan, marched in person to the banks of the Sind to receive Modood, who was moving that way, and the two armies meeting in the forest of Diner, between the uncle and nephew, the flames of contention began to arise. The gales of victory at length, began to fan the standards of Modood, while Sultan Mahummud, with his sons, and Tiggi Ali Cheshawind, and Soliman ben Eusoph were taken prisoners. They were all put to death, except Abdul Rahim, the son of Mahummud, whom Modood pardoned for this reason; that during the time that Musaood was prisoner, Abdul Rahim went with his brother Abdul Reiman to see him. When, upon this occasion, the latter insultingly threw off Musaood's royal cap, Abdul Rahim took it up and put it upon the King's head with much respect, chastising his brother for his mean and barbarous behaviour.

Modood having thus revenged his father's murder, built a town on the spot upon which he had obtained the victory, and called it Fatte Abad. He carried the remains of his father and family, to be interred at Ghizni; whither he returned, and appointed Abu Niser Ahmed his Vizier. But he soon after discharged that Omrah from that high office, and conferred the dignity upon Chuja Tahir. He sent, at the same time, Nisir Ahmed with a force to Moultan, against Nami, the son of Mahummud, whom he slew, reducing the country under the obedience of Modood. The Sultan had now nothing to fear but from his own brother, who was in possession of Lahore and its dependencies. This brother, upon the murder of his father, marched from Moultan, and by the council of Eas, possessed himself of all the country lying between the Sind, Hassi and Tannasar.

Sultan Modood finding that his brother refused to pay him allegiance, ordered an army against him. Mugdood being apprised of this expedition, marched from Hassi, where he then resided, with his whole force, to oppose the Sultan's troops. He came up with them before they reached Lahore, with an army so numerous, that the forces of Modood were upon the point of flying at their appearance, several of the chiefs deserting their colours, and enlisting themselves under the banners of Mugdood. But fortune here, or treachery, befriended Modood. In the morning of the ide of sacrifice, Mugdood was found dead in his bed, without any previous complaint, or apparent cause of his decease. But what seemed to discover the hand of traitors, was, that next day, his counsellor and friend Eas was found dead in the same manner. Mugdood's army marched under the banners of Modood, so that the southern countries submitted in peace.

Nor was Modood less fortunate towards the north. The province of Maverulnere, which had for some time asserted its independance, submitted. But the Siljokies, notwithstanding the King had taken one of the daughters of their chief in marriage, began to make incursions anew, into his territories.

In the year 435, the Raja of Delhi, in alliance with others, raising an army, took Hassi, Tannassar, and their dependencies, from the governors, to whom Modood had entrusted them. The Hindoos from thence marched towards the sort of Nagracot, which they besieged for four months, and the garrison being distressed for provisions, and no succours coming from Lahore, were under the necessity of capitulating. The Hindoos, according to the antient form, erected new idols, and recommenced the rites of idolatry.

We are told, that the Raja of Delhi, observing a weakness in the empire of Ghizni, pretended to have seen a vision, in which the great idol of Nagracot told him, that having now revenged himself upon Ghizni, he would meet him at Nagracot in his former temple. This story being propagated by the Brahmins, who probably were in the secret, it gained faith among the superstitious, by which means the Raja was joined by zealots from all parts, and soon saw himself at the head of a very numerous army. With this army, as we have already mentioned, he besieged Nagracot, and when the place surrendered, he took care to have an idol, of the same shape and size with the former, which he had caused to be made at Delhi, introduced, in the night, into a garden in the center of the place. This image being discovered in the morning, there was a prodigious rejoicing among his deluded votaries, who exclaimed, that their God was returned from Ghizni. The Raja, and the Brahmins, taking advantage of the credulity of the populace, with great pomp and festivity, carried him into the temple, where he received the worship and congratulations of his people.

This story raised so much the same of the idol, that thousands came daily to worship from all parts of Hindostan, as also to consult him as an oracle, upon all important occasions. The manner of consultation was this; the persons who came to inquire into futurity, slept on the floor of the temple before him, after drinking a dose of something which the Brahmins prescribed, to create dreams, from which they predicted their fortune, in the morning, according to their own fancy.

The success of the Raja of Delhi gave such confidence to the Rajas of Punjaab, and other places, that though before like foxes they durst hardly creep from their holes, for fear of the Musselman arms, yet now they put on the aspect of lions, and openly set their masters at defiance. Three of those Rajas, with ten thousand horse, and an innumerable army of foot, advanced to Lahore, and invested it. The Mussulmen, in defence of their laws, families, and effects, exerted all imaginable valour upon this occasion, during the space of seven months, defending the town, street by street; for the walls being bad, were soon laid in ruins. Finding, however, that in the end, they must be rooted out by this defensive war, unless they had speedy succours, they bound themselves by oath, to devote their lives to victory or martyrdom, and making a sally out of the city, presented themselves in order of battle, before the enemy's camp. The Hindoos, either struck with their unexpected appearance, or intimidated by their resolution, betook themselves instantly to flight, and were pursued with great slaughter.

In the year preceding this event, the King sent Artagi Hajib, with an army, to Tiberistan, against the Turkumans. When he reached that place, he heard that the son of Daood had advanced to Arkin; but when the two armies drew up in order against one another, the chief of the Turkumans, who was a young man, without either experience or courage, shewed such pusillanimity in arranging his troops, that the enemy had begun the charge before they were properly formed, which occasioned an immediate confusion, so that they abandoned the field, and were pursued with great slaughter. Artagi having returned from the pursuit, marched directly to Balich, which the Turkumans had taken, and recovered that city out of their hands.

Not long after, the Turkumans advanced again with a powerful force, and invested the same place. As it was not very defensible, and Artagi was too weak to engage the enemy in the field, he wrote to Modood for succours. The succours not arriving, and the general finding his difficulties daily increasing, and his force diminishing, determined to evacuate the place, which he accordingly did, and fled to Ghizni, with a few of his attendants. But the popular outery was so great against the unfortunate Artagi, that the Sultan was obliged, in some measure, to silence the clamour by the death of his servant. About this time another tribe of the Turkumans of Ghizizi made an incursion into the Ghiznian territories, by the way of Bust, against whom Modood sent an army, which gave them a signal defeat.

In the year 436, Chaja Tahir the vizier was deposed, and Chaja Abul Fatte Abdul Rysaac, was exalted to that dignity; and, in the same year, Tughril Hajib was sent, with a force, towards Bust, from whence he proceeded to Seistan, and brought his own brother, and Ringi Abu Munsur, who had rebelled against the King, prisoners to Ghizni. The Turkumans of Siljoki, in the year following, collected all their forces, and directed their march towards Ghizni, plundering the palace of Bust. Tughril was ordered against them, with the troops of Ghizni, and he defeated them with great slaughter, and pursued them out of the country. After this victory Tughril marched immediately against the Turkumans of Candahar, whom they called red-caps, and, defeating them also, took many prisoners, whom he brought to Ghizni.

In the 438th year, Tughril was again ordered to Bust, with a numerous army; but when he came to Tiggiabad, he began to discover the traitor. News of his revolt having reached Modood, he sent some persons to endeavour to reclaim him to his duty, with promises of pardon, and a removal of all the disgusts which he might have entertained. To this Tughril replied, that the reason of this step was to secure himself: That he had an information of a plot formed against his life, by those sycophants, whose only business was to stand by the throne, and to amuse the too easy ears of the King, with lies and flattery: That being once forced to disobedience, he had, for a subject, gone too far to retreat. The King's emissaries however, though they had no effect upon Tughril, found that the most part of the chiefs were still loyal to the King, and brought over others, who had changed, rather out of a desire of innovation, than disaffection to their sovereign. Upon this they returned, and having told to the King in what manner things were concerted with the other chiefs, he immediately ordered Ali ben Ribbi, with two thousand horse, to favour the insurrection, so that Tughril, finding himself deserted by the army, upon the appearance of Ali ben Ribbi, betook himself to flight, with a few of his adherents.

Hajib bab Tiggi was in the same year sent to Ghor, to the assistance of Willidingi, who joining him with his force, they both marched against Abu Ali, chief of Ghor, and having driven him into a fort, he was there besieged and taken prisoner. This place was reckoned so strong, that for seven hundred years before, the reduction of it had not been attempted by any body. When Hajib bab Tiggi found himself master of the fort, he treacherously laid hands upon Willidingi, whose right he came to support, and carried him in chains with Abu Ali, to Ghizni, where the perfidious King settled their dispute, by cutting off both their heads.

Hajib bab Tiggi was sent, soon after, against Byram Neal, general of the Turkumans. He met the enemy in the districts of Bust, and engaged them, gaining, at length, the long disputed field. He was again, in the year 439, sent against Amir Kisdar, who refused to pay his tribute, whom he sabdued, and obliged to comply with the King's commands, and returned with his army to Ghizni, the year following.

Sultan Modood, the following year, in one day, conferred the chelat, drums and colours, upon his two eldest sons, Abul Casim Mamood, whom he sent to Lahore, and upon Munsur, whom he sent to Peshawir. At the same time Abu Ali, chief magistrate of Ghizni, was sent to command in Hindostan. Abu Ali first marched to Peshawir, and took the fort of Mahitila, from Ahin, who had rebelled against the King's authority, then sent a letter of invitation to Higgi Rai, a general of the Hindoos, who had done much service in the time of Sultan Mamood, but, upon account of some political matters, had fled from the court, and had taken up his abode in the mountains of Cashmire. The invitation being complied with, the King desired his attendance at Ghizni.

While Abu Ali was settling the countries about the Sind, some malicious chiefs in his camp, forwarded many complaints against him, to the King. He was called to Ghizni, and imprisoned, under the care of one Mirik ben Hassen. This man, out of former enmity, and with a design to extort money from him, put him to the torture, and soon after to death itself. Fearing, however, that the King might some day enquire for the prisoner, and order him to be produced, he himself being then a great favourite, endeavoured to divert Modood's mind to some important affairs, till he should be able to frame some excuse for the death of Abu Ali. He at length prevailed upon the Sultan to form an expedition against Chorrassan, by the way of Cabul. When they reached Lowgur, they besieged the fort of Sancoot, where there was a considerable treasure lodged. But there the King was seized with a disorder in his liver, which daily gaining ground, he was obliged to proceed to Ghizni in a litter; while his vizier, Abul Rysac, with the army, marched back into Seistan, to oppose the Siljokies, who had invaded that country.

When the King arrived at Ghizni, he ordered Mirik to bring his prisoner Abu Ali before him. Mirik, by plausible excuses, delayed the time for a week, before the expiration of which, Sultan Modood took his leave of the world, in the year four hundred and forty one, having reigned nine years.
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Re: History of Hindostan (1768), by Alexander Dow

Postby admin » Sat Dec 05, 2020 5:46 am

Section VIII. The Reign of Abu Jaffier MUSAOOD ben Modood.

WHEN Modood had taken his journey to the other world, Ali ben Ribbi had formed a design to usurp the throne; but concealing his intentions, he raised Musaood, the son of Modood, who was then a child of four years, to the Musnud. Bab Tiggi Hajib, not being made a partner in his measures, was highly offended, and drew off with half the army, who were in his interest. The kingdom was thus split into two factions, and came to action; in which Ali ben Ribbi being worsted, the faction of Bab Tiggi took Abul Hassen Ali, one of the sons of Musaood, who had escaped the resentment of Ali ben Ribbi, and proclaimed him King, deposing Abu Jaffier Musaood, after a reign of six days.
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Re: History of Hindostan (1768), by Alexander Dow

Postby admin » Sat Dec 05, 2020 5:47 am

Section IX. The Reign of Sultan ABUL HASSEN ALI ben Musaood.

UPON friday, the first of Shaban, in the year four hundred and forty one, Sultan Abul Hassen Ali ascended the throne of Ghizni, and took the wife of Modood in marriage. In the mean time Ali ben Ribbi, in association with Mirik, broke open the treasury, and taking out a vast quantity of gold and jewels, fled, with a company of the slaves, and some of the Omrahs, whom they had brought over to their interest, to Peshawir. At Peshawir they were joined by the natives, raised a great army, and reduced Moultan and Sind to their obedience, making a great slaughter of the Asghans or Patans, who had taken advantage of the public disturbances, to plunder the country.

In the year four hundred and forty three, Sultan Abul Hassen Ali, called his brothers, Murda Shaw, and Ezid Ear, from the fort of Naáláma, where they had been imprisoned, and treated them with affection and respect. But, at this time, Abdul Reshid, the son of Sultan Mamood, began to form a faction in his own favour. To crush Reshid, the King opened his treasury, and entertained a great army; notwithstanding which, his power began daily visibly to decline. Abdul Reshid advanced in the mean time, with his army, to Ghizni, and, gaining a compleat victory, ascended the throne.
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Re: History of Hindostan (1768), by Alexander Dow

Postby admin » Sat Dec 05, 2020 5:49 am

Section X. The Reign of Zein ul Muluck, Sultan ABDUL RESHID.

ABDUL RESHID, as we have already mentioned, was the son of Sultan Mamood, and was, by the order of Modood, imprisoned in a castle near Bust. When Abdul Rysac, about the time of the death of Modood, marched with an army, to settle the country of Seistan; he, upon hearing of the King's death, in confederacy with Chaja Abul Fazil, Resid ben Altasash, and Noshtagi Hajib, in the year 443, released Abdul Reshid from his confinement, and, asserting his cause with vigour, raised him, as we have seen, to the throne. His predecessor Abul Hassen Ali, was seized by some of the Zemindars, in the country into which he had fled, brought prisoner before Reshid, and confined in the fort of Didi.

The Sultan, by various means, prevailed upon Ali ben Ribbi, who had usurped the provinces of Hindostan, to submit to his allegiance, and return to Ghizni. He appointed Noshtagi Hajib to the command of those provinces, created him an Omrah, and sent him with a fine army to Lahore. Hajib, upon his way, turning to Nagracot, laid siege to that place, and on the sixth day, scaling the walls, took it by assault.

Tughril, whom we have already mentioned, was, notwithstanding his treachery to his former master, now again intrusted with the government of Seistan, which he soon brought under proper regulations. Being stirred up by the spirit of treachery and ambition, he conceived hopes of assuming royalty; and raising a great army, marched towards Ghizni; where Abdul Reshid being almost destitute of troops, was forced to shut himself up; but the place being very extensive, it was impossible for him to defend it long, which he however did to the last extremity. Ghizni was taken at length, and the Sultan with nine of the blood royal were inhumanly put to death by the usurper, who now ascended the throne. But Tughril did not long enjoy the fruits of his villany; having wrote to Noshtagi Hajib, endeavouring to bring him over by fair means to acknowledge him, that chief answered him with the contempt he deserved.

Hajib, at the same time, wrote private letters to the daughter of Musaood, whom the tyrant had compelled to marry him, as also to all the Omrahs who he knew had retained their loyalty for the imperial family, spiriting them up to conspire against the usurper's life. They were so far excited to resentment, that a conspiracy was forthwith formed amongst them, and put in execution on new year's day, when Tughril was stepping up to the throne to give public audience. Thus the usurper, at the end of forty days, arrived at his tragical end.

After this important transaction, Noshtagi Hajib arrived at Ghizni with his army, and calling a council of state, enquired whether any yet remained of the race of Subuctagi. He was informed that there were still imprisoned in a certain fort, Firoch Zaad, Ibrahim and Suja. These he ordered to be called, and it being agreed that fortune should decide it by lot who should reign; she favoured Firoch Zaad, who was accordingly placed upon the throne, and received the allegiance of the court: The reign of Abdul Reshid comprehended only one year.

A certain author tells us, that Tughril, being one day asked by one of his intimate friends,—what induced him to think of aspiring to the empire, replied, that when Abdul Reshid dispatched him to take the government of Seistan, he found that his hand trembled, from which circumstance he concluded, that he was destitute of that resolution and fortitude which are necessary accomplishments of a King.
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Re: History of Hindostan (1768), by Alexander Dow

Postby admin » Sat Dec 05, 2020 5:53 am

Section XI. The Reign of Jemmal ul Dowla FEROCH ZAAD, ben Sultan Musaood Ghiznavi.

WHEN Sultan Feroch Zaad placed the crown of fortune upon his head, he gave the reins of administration into the hands of Noshtagi Hajib, who had called him from obscurity. Daood, chief of the Siljoki Turkumans, hearing of the commotions in the empire, seized upon that favourable opportunity to invade Ghizni. He advanced with a numerous army, while Noshtagi, collecting all his forces, went forth to meet him. When the armies engaged, the fire of gleaming steel was extinguished in torrents of blood; for, from the rising to the setting of the sun, the warriors on both sides laboured in the field of death; and though thousands fell at their feet, they seemed insensible of their own mortality. Victory at length declared for Noshtagi, while his enemies betook themselves to flight, leaving all their camp equipage and baggage on the field, to the conquerors, who immediately returned victorious to Ghizni.

This victory served to establish Feroch Zaad without fear upon the throne. He now exalted the standard of triumph, and inclined it towards Chorrassan, where, on the part of the Siljoki, he was met by Callisarick, one of their principal Omrahs, with a numerous army. When the engagement commenced, such a flame of rage and contention appeared, as the tongue of the travellers of the plain of eloquence cannot sufficiently express; then also the gales of victory fanned the royal standards of Ghizni, and Callisarick and several other persons of note were taken prisoners.

Intelligence of this defeat coming to Daood Siljoki, he collected all his forces, which he submitted to the command of his son Alib Arsilia, a youth of great expectations. Arsilla advanced to oppose the King, and having engaged him with great resolution, recovered the honour of the Turkumans, and took many of the Omrahs of Ghizni prisoners in the pursuit. But he did not think proper at that time, to make further use of his fortune, and he therefore returned with his victorious army.

When Sultan Feroch Zaad arrived at Ghizni, he called Callisarick and all the prisoners of the Turkumans into his presence, bestowed upon each of them the honour of a dress, and gave them their liberty. The Turkumans returning home, represented in so strong a light, the humanity of the King, that Daood, ashamed to be outdone in a virtuous action, ordered the prisoners of Ghizni to be also released.

Sultan Feroch Zaad, who, according to the best authorities, was the son of Musaood, though some say that Abdul Reshid was his father, having extended his reign to six years, in the year four hundred and fifty turned his face to the regions of futurity. The year before his death, his slaves having been instigated to a conspiracy against his life, made an attempt to assassinate him in the bath. Feroch Zaad having wrested a sword out of the hand of one of them, killed many, and defended himself against the rest, till his guards hearing the noise, came in to his assistance; upon which, all the slaves were put to instant death. His first vizier was Hassen ben Mora, and in the latter part of his reign, Abu Beker Saley.
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Re: History of Hindostan (1768), by Alexander Dow

Postby admin » Sat Dec 05, 2020 6:13 am

Section XII. The Reign of Zahir ul Dowla SULTAN IBRAHIM, ben Musaood Ghiznavi.

WHEN Feroch Zaad became the inhabitant of another world, Sultan Ibrahim ascended the throne of empire: A King remarkable for morality and devotion, having in the flower of his youth, amidst a paradise of pleasure, conquered all the sensual appetites, and added two months more to the feast of Ramzan, which he kept with the strictest severity. He, at the same time, gave proper attention to government, and the due administration of justice, and opened the hand of charity to the poor. This prince excelled in the art of fine writing, and in the libraries of Mecca and Medina, there are two copies of the Koran wrote by his own hand, which were sent as presents to the Caliph.—In the first year of his reign, he concluded a treaty of peace with the Turkumans, ceding to them all the countries they had seized, upon condition that they would not lengthen the hand of violence any further upon his dominions. He married, at the same time, his son Musaood, to the daughter of their King, Malleck Shaw, which opened the door of friendship and intercourse between the two nations.

We are told, that before this peace was concluded, Malleck Shaw had collected a great army, with an intention to invade Ghizni, which greatly intimidated Ibrahim, as he was not then in a condition to oppose him. But knowing that policy is sometimes a good substitute for strength, he wrote letters to the principal Omrahs of Malleck Shaw's army, which he dispatched by a messenger who had received his instructions how to proceed. The purport of those letters was to importune the Omrahs, to whom they were directed, to hasten the King's march to Ghizni, lest their scheme should be prematurely discovered; and that they might depend upon his fulfilling his engagements to their satisfaction.

The messenger accordingly took an opportunity one day, when Malleck Shaw was hunting, upon the road to Ghizni, to come running towards him; but upon discovering the King, he stole slowly away, which creating suspicion, he was pursued by some horsemen, and brought before the King. He was immediately searched, and the pacquet was found upon him; though he had previously suffered himself to be severely bastinadoed, without confessing any thing. The King having read these letters, the power of the supposed conspirators was such, that there was great danger in accusing them; but it raised such a diffidence in his mind, that he, from that time, was desirous of peace, and gave over all thoughts of his expedition.

When the mind of Ibrahim was quieted from any apprehensions from that quarter, he sent an army towards Hindostan, and conquered many places in that country, which before had not been visited by the Mussulman arms. In the year 472, he marched himself towards that country, and extended his conquests to the fort of Ajodin, called now Palanshukurgunge. This place being taken, he turned to another fort called Rupal, which was built upon the summit of a steep hill; a river enclosed it on three sides, and a small peninsula joined it to the other hills, which were entirely covered with an impervious wood, and much infested by venomous serpents. This, however, did not discourage the Sultan from his attempt. He ordered some thousand hatchet men to clear the wood, which they effected in spite of all opposition; and the rock being soft, the miners forced their way in a short time under the walls, which were brought down in ruins. The place was immediately taken, and the garrison made prisoners.

He marched from thence to another town in the neighbourhood, the inhabitants of which came originally from Chorrassan, and were banished thither, with their families, by Afransiab [ ], for frequent rebellions. Here they formed themselves into a small independant state, being encircled by impassible mountains; and had preserved their ancient customs and rites, without intermarrying with any other people. The Sultan having, with infinite labour, cleared a road for his army over the mountains, advanced towards the town, which was well fortified. He was overtaken by the rainy season, and his army was greatly distressed; during three months he was obliged to remain idle before it. But when the rains began to abate, and the country to dry up, he summoned the town to surrender, and acknowledge the faith.

Ibrahim's proposals being rejected he commenced the siege, which continued some weeks, with great slaughter on both sides. The town at length was taken by assault, and the Mussulmen found much wealth within it, and one hundred thousand unfortunate persons, whom they carried bound to Ghizni. Some time after, the King accidentally saw one of those unhappy men carrying a heavy stone with great difficulty and labour, to a palace which was then building. This awakened his pity; he commanded him to throw it down, and gave him his liberty.

This stone happened to lie upon the public road, and proved troublesome to passengers; but as the King's rigid adherence to his commands was universally known, none would attempt to remove it. A courtier one day, having stumbled with his horse over this stone, took occasion to mention it to the King; insinuating, that he thought, if his Majesty pleased, that it were advisable to have it removed. To which the King replied; "I have commanded it to be thrown there, and there it must remain; as a memorial of the misfortunes of war, and my own pity: For it is better for a King to be obstinate, even in his inadvertencies, than to break his royal word." The stone was accordingly permitted to remain, where it is shewn as a curiosity to this day.

Sultan Ibrahim had thirty six sons and forty daughters. The latter he gave in marriage to learned and religious men. In the year 492, he left this mortal state, after having reigned in tranquility and happiness forty two years. In his time flourished Abul Farrhe, who was a native of Seistan, according to some, but as others affirm, of Ghizni. He is esteemed a master in poetry; and the famous Ansuri was one of his disciples.
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Re: History of Hindostan (1768), by Alexander Dow

Postby admin » Sat Dec 05, 2020 6:15 am

Section XIII. The Reign of Alla ul Dowla MUSAOOD, ben Ibrahim ben Musaood Ghiznavi.

SULTAN Musaood, the son of Ibrahim, was endowed with a benevolent and generous disposition. Nor was he less famous for his justice and sound policy. He revised the ancient laws and regulations of the state, and abrogating such as were thought unreasonable, substituted others in their place, founded upon better principles. He took the daughter of Sultan Sinjer Siljoki, whose name was Mehid Irac, in marriage, which cemented the peace between them.

In the reign of Musaood, Hajib Tigha Tiggi was honoured with the command of a great expedition, which he formed against Hindostan. Crossing the Ganges he carried his conquests further than any Mussulman, except Sultan Mamood; and having plundered many rich cities and temples of their wealth, returned in triumph to Lahore.

After Sultan Musaood had reigned sixteen years, without domestic troubles, or foreign wars, he entered his eternal abode in the latter end of the year five hundred and eight. We are told, that after his death, his son Shere Zaad placed his foot upon the imperial throne. He enjoyed it only one year, being assassinated by the hand of his own brother Arsilla Shaw, who assumed the diadem.
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Re: History of Hindostan (1768), by Alexander Dow

Postby admin » Sat Dec 05, 2020 6:18 am

Section XIV. The Reign of Sultan ul Dowla ARSILLA SHAW ben Musaood.

WHEN Arsilla Shaw became King of Ghizni, he seized upon all his brothers, excepting one who escaped, and confined them. Byram Shaw, who was so fortunate as to get out of the Sultan's hands, fled for protection to Sultan Sinjer, who then, on the part of his brother Mahummud, ruled the province of Chorrasan. Sultan Sinjer, having demanded the releasement of the other brothers, which was not complied with, made the cause of Byram Shaw a pretence for invading the kingdom of Ghizni; and he accordingly advanced the standard of hostility towards that city.

Arsilla Shaw hearing of the intended invasion, wrote letters of complaint to Sinjer's elder brother, Sultan Mahummud, that he might command him back; and he indeed pretended to be inclinable to make peace between them. But Sultan Sinjer was found to continue his march, which convinced Arsilla haw that he could have no dependance upon any thing but his sword. But his mother, Mehid Irac, being offended with him for the murder of his brother Musaood, and his inhuman treatment of her other children, with well dissembled affection, prevailed upon him to send her to negotiate a peace, with a great sum of money, sufficient to reimburse Sultan Sinjer, for the expence of his expedition. When she arrived in the camp, she, according to her design, excited Byram Shaw, and Sultan Sinjer, to prosecute the war with all expedition.

Sinjer immediately marched, with thirty thousand horse, and fifty thousand foot, from Bust, where he then lay, and, without opposition, advanced within one pharsang of Ghizni, where he beheld the army of Arsilla Shaw drawn out in order of battle, to receive him. He therefore instantly ordered the line to be formed, dividing his horse into squadrons, and placing battalions of spear-men in the intervals, with elephants in the rear, to be ready to advance upon occasion. Encouraging then his troops, he advanced slowly toward the enemy, who stood firm to receive the charge. The shock was so violent upon both sides, that order and command yielded to rage and confusion. The gleam of arms that illuminated the field, was soon quenched in blood, and darkened by clouds of dust, that took away all distinction. At length, by the uncommon bravery of Abul Fazil, governor of Seistan, the troops of Ghizni were put to flight, and Arsilla Shaw, unable to renew the combat, fled in disorder towards Hindostan.

Sultan Sinjer entered Ghizni in triumph, where he remained forty days, giving the kingdom to Byram Shaw, and then returning to his own country. When Arsilla Shaw had heard of the departure of Sultan Sinjer, he collected all his troops in the provinces of Hindostan, and returned to recover his capital. Byram Shaw, unable to oppose him, shut himself up in the fort of Bamia, till he should be succoured by Sultan Sinjer. Sinjer again took the field, and drove Arsilla Shaw a second time back to Hindostan. But he was so closely pursued, that his army was dispersed, while a few of his Omrahs, who remained, laid hands upon him, and brought him to Byram Shaw, to procure their own pardon. Arsilla suffered a violent death in the 27th year of his age, after he had reigned three years. In this reign historians report, that, among other prodigies, there fell a storm of fire upon the city of Ghizni, which consumed a great part of its buildings.
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Re: History of Hindostan (1768), by Alexander Dow

Postby admin » Sat Dec 05, 2020 6:26 am

Section XV. The Reign of Moaz ul dowla BYRAM SHAW, ben Musaood.

THIS Prince was blest with a noble and generous disposition. He had an uncommon thirst after knowledge; he was a great promoter of literature, and a liberal patron of learned men. Many men of letters resorted to his court, particularly Shech Nizami, and Seid Hassen, both poets and philosophers of great fame. Many books were, in this reign, translated from various languages, into the Persian tongue; among the most famous of which, was an Hindoo book, called the Killila Dumna, a fabulous story, pregnant with sound morality, policy, and entertainment.

This book was sent formerly by the King of Hindostan, accompanied by a Chess table, to Noshirwan, sirnamed The Just, King of Iran. Buzurg Chimere his vizier, sirnamed The Wise, was so well versed in all the known languages, that in a few days he translated the Killila Dumna into Phelevi or antient Persic, to the astonishment of the ambassador, who imagined the Sanscrita language was entirely unknown in those parts. But he could form no conception of the chess-board, as that game was, at that time, unknown in Persia. He therefore had recourse to the ambassador, who was esteemed the best player in Hindostan, to have this matter explained to him, who having accordingly discovered to him the principles, Buzurg Chimere sat down with him to play. The first game he obliged the ambassador to draw; the second he chaced his King solitary; and the third he gave him check-mate. The ambassador was so mad to be soiled at his own weapons, that he would play no more. Buzurg Chimere then invented the game of back-gammon, returning a set of those tables, by the ambassador, who having related his adventure with Buzurg Chimere, and given an account of the genius and government of Noshirwan, his master gave up all thoughts of an invasion, which he had been meditating against that King.

The present of the chess-board was intended as an experiment upon the genius of the minister, and to indicate that in the great game of state, attention and capacity were better friends than fortune. While the book, in its whole tenor, strongly inculcated that wise maxim, that true wisdom and policy is always an over-match for strength. The back-gammon table, which was returned, signified, that attention and capacity alone cannot always insure success, but that we must play the game of life according to the casts of fortune.

But to return to our history. Byram Shaw, in the days of his prosperity, went twice into Hindostan, chastising his refractory subjects and Zemindars. The first time he went to reduce Mahummud Balin, who had possession of the government of Lahore, on the part of Arsilla Shaw, whom he defeated, and took, the 27th of Ramsan, in the year 512, but having pardoned him, upon swearing allegiance, he was again reinstated in his government, and the King returned to Ghizni. In the mean time, Mahummud Balin built the fort of Nagore, in the country of Sewalic, whither he conveyed all his wealth, family, and effects; then raising an army, composed chiefly of Arabs, Persians, Afghans, and Chilligies, he committed great devastations upon the Hindoo Rajas, which success so puffed him up, that he aspired at length to the empire.

Byram Shaw being apprized of the intentions of Balin, collected his army, and a second time marched towards Hindostan. Mahummud Balin, with his ten sons, who had each the command of a province, advanced to meet the king, as far as Moultan, with a powerful army. A dreadful battle ensued; but the curse of ingratitude was poured, in a storm, upon the head of the perfidious rebel, who, in his flight, with his ten sons and attendants, fell headlong into a deep quagmire, where they were totally overwhelmed, and every one of them perished.

The King, after this compleat victory, settled the country, and, appointing Sallar Hussein to the chief command of these provinces, returned himself to Ghizni. He soon after publicly executed Cuttub ul dien Mahummud of Ghor, who was son-in-law to Mahummud Balin. This, in its consequences, proved the ruin of his empire. Seif ul dien Souri, Prince of Ghor [A province of the Ghiznian empire.], brother to the deceased, raised a great army to revenge his death. He marched directly to Ghizni, which Byram Shaw, unable to oppose him, evacuated and fled to a place called Kirma, upon the borders of Hindostan. This Kirma had been built by the Afghans to guard a pass in the mountains.

Seif úl dien Souri, without further opposition, entered the capital, where he established himself, by consent of the people, sending Alla ul dien his brother to rule the kingdom of Ghor. Notwithstanding all he could do to render himself popular at Ghizni, the people began to dislike his government, and secretly wished the re-establishment of their former King. Some of the Omrahs, who were of the same principles, laying hold of this favorable disposition, informed Byram Shaw of their ripeness for an insurrection, if he could by any means savour it.

It was now winter, and most of the troops of Ghor had returned, upon leave, to their families, when Byram Shaw, unexpectedly, appeared before Ghizni, with a great army. Seif ul dien being then in no condition to engage him with his own troops, and having little dependance upon those of Ghizni, was preparing to retreat to Ghor, when the Ghiznians intreated him to engage Byram Shaw, and that they would exert themselves to the utmost in his service. This was only a trick for an opportunity to put their design in execution. As Seif ul dien was advancing to engage Byram Shaw, he was surrounded by the troops of Ghizni, and taken prisoner, while Byram Shaw in person put the forces of Ghor to flight.

The unfortunate captive was inhumanly ordered to have his forehead made black, and then to be put astride a sorry bullock, with his face turned towards the tail. He, in that manner, was led round the whole city, insulted and hooted by the mob. He was then put to the torture, and his head sent to Sultan Sinjer, while his vizier Seid Mujud ul dien, was impaled alive.

When this news was carried to the ears of his brother, Alla ul dien, he burnt with his rage, and resolving upon revenge, with all his united powers, invaded Ghizni. Byram Shaw hearing of his coming, prepared himself to receive him. He wrote him a letter, and endeavoured to intimidate him, with the superiority of his troops, advising him not to plunge the whole family of Ghor into the same abyss of misfortune. Alla ul dien replied, "that his threats were as impotent as his arms. That it was no new thing for Kings to make war upon their neighbours; but that barbarity like his, was unknown to the brave, and what he had never heard to have been exercised upon Princes. That he might be assured that God had forsaken Byram, and ordained Alla to be the instrument of that just vengeance which was denounced against him."

All hopes of accommodation being past, Byram Shaw advanced with a numerous army, to give Alla battle. The offer was gladly accepted by his adversary, and the bloody conflict commenced with great fury on both sides. At first the troops of Ghizni, by their superior numbers, bore down those of Ghor; till Alla ul dien seeing his affairs almost desperate, called out to two gigantic brothers, whose name was Chirmil, the greater and the lesser, whom he saw in the front, like two rocks bearing against the torrent. He forced on his elephant towards Byram Shaw, these two heroes clearing all before him. Byram observing him, stood off; but his son Dowlat Shaw accepting the challenge, advanced to oppose Alla. The elder of the heroic Chirmils intervening, ripped up the belly of Dowlat's elephant, and was himself killed by his fall. Alla ul dien, in the mean time, nailed the brave prince, with his spear, to the ground. The other Chirmil, in the mean time, attacked the elephant of Byram Shaw, and after many wounds, brought the enormous animal to the ground; but while he was rising from under the elephant's side, being much bruised by the fall, Byram Shaw escaped with his life, and instantly mounting a horse, joined the flight of his army which was now repulsed on all sides. The troops of Ghor emulating the bravery of their leader, had made such a violent attack as to be no longer resistible.

Byram Shaw fled, with the scattered remains of his army, towards Hindostan; but he was overwhelmed with his misfortunes, and sunk under the hand of death, in the year five hundred and forty seven, after a reign of thirty-five years.
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Re: History of Hindostan (1768), by Alexander Dow

Postby admin » Sat Dec 05, 2020 6:30 am

Section XVI. The Reign of Zehiri ul dowla CHUSERO SHAW ben Byram Shaw Ghiznavi.

CHUSERO Shaw, upon the death of his father, continued his march to Lahore, leaving the Kingdom of Ghizni to his enemies, and was there saluted King, by the unanimous voice of his people.

In the mean time the conqueror entered Ghizni, with little opposition, and that noble city was given up to flame, slaughter, rapine, and devastation. The massacre continued, for the space of seven days, in which time pity seemed to have fled the earth, and the fiery spirits of demons to actuate the bodies of men. For which inhuman cruelty the barbarous. Alla was justly denominated Ailum Soze, or the incendiary of the world. But, insatiable of revenge, he carried a number of the most venerable priests, learned men, and citizens, in chains to Ghor, to adorn his triumph. There,—we shudder to relate it! he ordered their throats to be cut, tempering earth with their blood, with which he plaistered the walls of his city.

After the return of Alla ul dien to Ghor, Chusero Shaw, hoping to recover his lost kingdom of Ghizni, and depending upon the assistance of Sultan Sinjer [This Sinjer must be the son or grandson of the former Sinjer, who places Byram on the throne of Ghizul.], collected all his forces, and marched from Lahore. But when he had arrived upon the borders of Ghizni, he received intelligence, that Sultan Sinjer had been defeated and taken prisoner by the Turks of Ghiza, who were then marching down with a great army to Ghizni, to appropriate that kingdom to themselves. This obliged him to retreat again to Lahore, being in no condition to oppose them.

The Turks, in the mean time, drove out the troops of Ghor, and kept possession of the kingdom for two years. But they were expelled in their turn by the Ghorians, who did not long enjoy it for that time, being vanquished by Abad Assumud, general to Chusero Malleck, the son of Chusero Shaw, who for a short space recovered and held that kingdom.

Chusero Shaw died at Lahore, in the year five hundred and fifty-five, after he had reigned seven years.
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