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Yahya bin Ahmad Sirhindi (1434)
Tarikh-i Mubarak Shahi
(a History of India during the Sultan Period)
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Taken from: the translation by H. Beveridge
Joseph E. Harris : Global Dimensions of the African Diaspora
This book relates the political history of the Sultanate of Delhi from the first beginning to 1434. This story does not learn us much about East-Africa except that the many African slaves most probably came from there. At the end of the 15th century the Africans rose in many kingdoms of India to important positions, even became the rulers. As the books describing these events are from outside our time-span, and as they do not directly relate to the East-African history only some books are given as examples. I will give here all sections in this book that relate to African people in India.
Raziyya Iltutmish(ruled 1236-1240)
Raziyya (or Razia, or Radiyya) Iltutmish (or Altamsh) was the first Sultana (a Moslem woman ruler) of Northern India. Her father was Shamsudin Iltutmish, a former Turkish slave who became the greatest Sultan of the Mamluk ("Slave") Dynasty in Delhi. She was put on the throne by her fathers Amirs.. Her half-brother revolted and in response, riots broke out in the city. Raziyya herself led the troops that put down these riots.
She dressed like a man, wearing trousers, a turban and a sword. She hunted, held court and led her army in battle. She also tried to raise non-Turks to high positions. It has been speculated (but only much later) that Raziyya fell in love with Jamal al-Din Yaqut, an Ethiopian slave in her court, who she in an attempt to build her own power-base had promoted, to the rank of intendant of the stable (amir-i akhur). It alienated the people who had put her in power. One day it was witnessed that Yaqut helped Raziyya get on her horse. The fact that Sultana allowed herself to be touched by a slave was seen as a violation of ethical behavior and was used as a pretext to have her removed from the throne.
Malik Jamal ud din Yakut, the Abyssinian, was made lord of the stables, and the constant companion of the Sultan, for this he became the object of jealousy of the nobles and the amirs. It so happened that Sultan Razia wore high cap, the coat and the male dress, at length, she would come out with veils on. She never rode but on elephants.
Meanwhile, the news regarding the hostility of Malik Izz ud din Kanjan, the amir of Lahore, reaching her, Razia marched against him, and defeated and compelled him to sue for peace. On the 19th Sha'ban 637 H (15th March 1240AD) she returned to Dehli.
Subsequently Malik Altunia, the feoffee of Tabarhindah revolting, the queen dispatched a force against him on the 9th Ramzan (10thApril 1240AD). Some of the amirs, maliks, and the Shamsi slaves joined with him, and having rebelled, put Jamal ud din Yakut, the Abyssinian to death.
Razia Begum had ruled (in Delhi) from 1236. In 1240 AD the Turkish (slave) nobles deposed her and declared Bahram Shah as their ruler, and Razia was killed.
Bahram Shah in turn was overthrown in 1242 when, under the influence of one of his courtiers, he contemplated the wholesale removal of the Turkish slave officers. The next extract is from the reign of the next Sultan.
An account of Sultan Ala ud din Masud Shah
...... he ascended the throne on 8th Zil Ka-da 639 H (10 May 1242AD).............
Some time afterwards, when the akta's of the empire and the affairs of the kingdom were put in order, the news relating to the army of Mughals arrived from Uchch. Having collected his forces from all the quarters the Sultan marched against them. When he reached the banks of Beah, the Mughals were informed that an immense Muslim army, the like of which had never been collected by any of the previous sovereigns was advancing against them. Panic stricken, they made their way to Khorasan, and the Sultan returned to Dar ul Mulk Dehli.
In the meantime, a number of Abyssinians and worthless persons had gained access to the presence of the sultan, and used to influence him in the committal of unworthy acts and habits, so much so that (the practice of ) killing the amirs and seizing their chattels was gaining place in his nature, and he was steadfast in resolve (in that habit)..........
During the reign of the Delhi Sultan Firuz Shah Tughluq it happened that a man called Shams Damaghani asked the Sultan the tax-farm of the province of Gujarat offering to pay the Sultan a way higher return.
In the year 778 H (1376-1377 AD) Shams Damaghani offered annually 40 lacs of tanks, 100 elephants, 200 Arab horses, and 400 slaves, children of Hindu chiefs and Abyssinians over and above the present payment for Gujrat. The present tax collector could not meet this offer and was removed. But he knew that Shams Damaghani could not meet this target. And in effect he couldn't and rebelled. The rebellion was crushed.
Account of Sultan Muhammad Shah, the youngest son of Sultan Firoz Shah.
On 6th Rabi ul Akhir of the year above mentioned (4th April 1389 AD) Muhammad Shah mounted the throne of the empire at Samana.......
The Amirs of Hindustan such as Malik Sarwar, the governor of the city, Mali ul Shark Nasir ul Mulk....... joined the Sultan with about 50,000 horse and innumerable foot. Malik Sarwar received the title of Khwaja i Jahan and the vizirate.
In the month of Rajab of this year (May-June 1392 AD) a letter arrived from Khwaja i Jahan, who was the
sultan's locum tenens in Dehli, bringing the information that Islam Khan was about to depart from Multan and Lahore, with the object of stirring up a rebellion....Khwaja i Jahan was made vizir....
Account of Sultan Ala ud din Sikandar Shah
On the 19th Rabi ul Auwal (22 jan ) of the same year (796 H , 1394 AD) he ascended the throne... The vizirate was conferred upon Khwaja i Jahan, and the various offices and posts were suffered to remain in the old hands.
His rule lasted for one month and sixteen days. God knows the truth.
Account of Sultan Mahmud Nasir ud din Shah.
The amirs who were in possession of feudal lands on the west,.... encamping themselves at Jawarbag wanted to go back to their respective akta's without an interview (with the new sultan ) This information reaching Khwaja i Jahan, he succeeded in bringing the Amirs within the city and making them pay homage to Sultan Mahmud.... The post of vizir was bestowed upon Khwaja i Jahan...
The affairs of the feudal lands of Hindustan were far from satisfactory owing to the turbulence of the base infidels. The title of Sultan ul Shark was conferred upon Khwaja i Jahan and the affairs of Hindustan from Kanauj to Behar devolved upon him.
In the month of Rajab 796 H (May 1394 AD) May its dignity increase, Khwaja i Jahan was ordered off towards Hindustan with twenty well-equipped elephants. Having punished the infidels of Etawah, Kol, Khor, Kambal and the environs of Kanauj, he proceeded to Jaunpur, and brought under his subjection the fiefs, such as Kanauj, Karah, Oudh, Sandilah, Dalmu, Bahraich, Bihar, and Tirhut. Most of the infidels were extirpated, and those fortresses that had been destroyed by them were restored. The Most High God conferred strength and victory upon Muslims. The Rai of Jajnagar and the king of Lakhnauti, who used to send elephants every year to Delhi, now presented Khwaja i Jahan with elephants.
Due to endless civil war in the capital the outlying districts found themselves more and more independent.
.....the outlying parts of the kingdom that formerly remained in the possession of the amirs and the maliks were kept by them. .....the fiefs on the side of Hindustan e.g. Kanauj, Oudh, Karah, Dalmau, Sandilah, Bahraich, Bihar and Jaunpur under Khwaja i Jahan...
After the death of Khwaja i Jahan at Jaunpur in that year Malik Mubarak Karanful succeeded to his titles and took the designation of Mubarak Shah. All the districts came under his possession.
He then proceeded to Kanauj when Sultan ul Shark Mubarak Shah also came up from Hindustan. Between the two forces intervened the Ganges which neither of the parties could ford. The battle went on for two months till the belligerents retraced their way homewards.
In 804 H (1401-1402 AD)....Accompanied by Ikbal, Mahmud marched to Kanauj. In that year Sultan Mubarak Shah died, and his younger brother Ibrahim succeeded him under the title of Sultan Ibrahim. At the approach of Sultan Mahmud and Ikbal Khan, Ibrahim came out to meet them with a large army. When the two forces neared each other and a fight was impending, the Sultan left Ikbal in the lurch on pretence of hunting to join Ibrahim. The latter paid him no attention, so he drew off and went to Kanauj. Here he drove out Shah Zadah Hariwi, who held the place for Mubarak Shah and took possession of the place. Ikbal went back to Dehli and Ibrahim to Jaunpur.
In the month of Jamadi ul auwal 809 H (Oct - Nov 1406) the Sultan marched against Kanauj... . At the approach of Sultan Mahmud to Kanauj, Sultan Ibrahim crossed the Ganges and presented a bolt front. After some time Sultan Ibrahim retired to Jaunpur and Sultan Mahmud retraced his way to Dehli. On the homeward march the Sultan's army dispersed his men going to their respective fiefs. Receiving intelligence of this circumstance, Ibrahim turned round and came to Kanauj. Malik Mahmud Tarmati, who had been left in command by Sultan Mahmud, was besieged at Kanauj. This state of affairs continued for four months. At last, receiving no relief, Tarmati was forced to surrender and seek an interview. Kanauj was entrusted to Ikhtiar Khan, the grandson of Malik Daulatyar Kambal.
Sultan Ibrahim having passed the rainy season at Kanauj worked his way to Delhi in Jamadi ul auwal 810 H. Nusrat Khan Gurg Andaz, Tatar Khan, the son of Sarang Khan, and Malik Marhaba, the slave of Ikbal Khan, deserted Sultan Mahmud and joined Sultan Ibrahim. Asad Khan Lodi was invested at Sambhal (by Ibrahim). On the second day, the conquest of Sambhal being effected, it was bestowed upon Tatar Khan. From thence, the victor moved onwards to Dehli by fording the Jaun at Kicha in the vicinity of the city (Dehli). Information reached him that, Zafar Khan after his conquest of Dhar, made Alb Khan, the son of Dilawar Khan, a prisoner, and was bound for Jaunpur. Sultan Ibrahim left Marhaba at Baran with a small battalion, and returned by the ford of Kicha on his way to Jaunpur. In Zil Ka'da, of the aforesaid year (Mar. Apr 1408 AD), Sultan Mahmud left Dehli for Baran and Malik Marhaba gave him battle, but the latter, being defeated at the first onset, made off and was pursued by the Sultan's army and ultimately done to death. The Sultan then continued his way to Sambhal, but before he reached the banks of the Ganges, Tatar Khan left his garrison behind (Sambhal) and ran away to Kanauj. Sambhal was entrusted to Asad Khan Lodi and the Sultan came back to his capital.
The Sultan (of Dehli) summoned Malik Mubariz to his presence for advice, and in the month of Muharram, 831 H. (Oct-Nov. 1427AD) he ordered his army off to Bianah.
On the way, there came an epistle from Kadir Khan, the ruler of Kalpi, communicating the approach of Sharki, (Sultan Ibrahim Sharqi), at which the powerful lord and the centre of the universe, made a change of front and went out to meet the invader. It got wind that, Sharki having laid waste Bhungaon, was working his way to Badaon. The Sultan forced the Juan at Nuh-Patal, sacked Chartoli and from thence, he led his army to Atroli.
It now reached the ears of the Emperor that, Muthtass Khan, brother of Sharki, had arrived at Etawah with a large contingent and numerous elephants. Upon this, the king detached from the main body Malik ul Shark Mahmud Hasan with 10,000 brave and experienced horsemen and send him against Mukhtass Khan. Mahmud Hassan and his battalion descended upon the place where the army of Sharqi had pitched their camps. When the Khan was apprised of this news he fell back on his brother, but Mahmud Hasan halted there for some time more with the object of making a night attack upon the adversaries. As the latter were on the look out, he returned and rejoined the army of Dehli. Sharki too, advanced along the banks of Ab i siyah to Burhanabad, in district Etawah. To meet his enemy, the Sultan evacuated Atroli and pitched his camp at Mabin Kotah, where the belligerents remained only a short distance apart. Discerning the valor of the Emperor, and the strength and vastness of his army, Sharki retired to Rapri in the month of Jamadi ul auwal (Feb-Mar 1428 AD) There he crossed the Jaun at Gudrang, and marching on towards Bianah, he encamped on the river of Katehar. In pursuit of the retreating force, the powerful lord and the centre of the universe, crossed the Jaun with successive marches at Chandwar and halted at a distance of four kuroh from the enemy. The vanguard of the Imperial army made constant raids upon their opponents, carrying of prisoners, cattle and baggage. This state of things continued for twenty days, the belligerants remaining at a short distance from each other. Drawing out his equipage, footmen and cavalry, Sharqi presented a bolt front on 7th Jamadi ul akhir (24 Mar 1428 AD). His Majesty Malik ul Shark Sarwarul Mulk the vizir Sa'iyid us Sadat Sa'iyid Salim and several other prominent chiefs remained in the camp in safety, while some others were sent against the enemy such as Malik ul Shark Malik Mahmud Hasan, Khan i Azam Fath Khan, son of Sultan Muzaffar, Majlis i Ali Zirak Khan, Malik ul Shark Mali Sultan Shah, who received of late the title of Islam Khan, Malik Chaman, the grandson of Khan i Jahan, Malik Kalu Khani, master of elephants, Malik Ahmad Tuhfa and Malik Mukbil Khan. The action commenced at noon and continued till sun down, and when night fell the combatants withdrew to their respective encampments. Neither side retreating, fighting continued till the end. There were many wounded on the side of Sharki, so that, when on the next day, he saw the strength of the royal forces, he marched off towards the Jaun. On the 17th Jamadi ul akhir (sat 3 Apr 1428 AD) he forded (the river) at Gudrang, made his way to Rapri and from thence retraced his steps to his own country. The Emperor pursued him to Gudrang, but the contending party being Muhammadan, he refrained himself from any further chase.
The travelers from Hindustan brought intelligence of a war having broken out between Sultan Ibrahim and Alb Khan, on account of Kalpi. Previous to this, his majesty had decided to march his army there ; and on hearing this intelligence his course was decided.
(he would be killed however a couple days later)
Each of those irreligious mad fellows, such as Ranu the black, his assistants and confederates, at the side of whose vileness even the black-demon is repugnant, and before whose noise the sound of hell wait with anxiety, (then rushed out) martyred the righteous Emperor with their dagger and javelin.
Ranu the black, the slave of Sidhpal was ordered off to Bianah with a big force and the whole of his family to obtain possession of the shikk Bianah. (he concurs it without problems but then reinforcements arrive) The treacherous, wicked and vile infidels lost the power of remaining (in the battle-field) and at the very first onset they made a stampede. The accursed Ranu the black and many other were made food for the unsparing sword.