A Forgotten Empire (Vijayanagar): A Contribution to the History of IndiaSewell, Robert
History
A Forgotten Empire (Vijayanagar): A Contribution to the History of India
Sewell, Robert
Vijayanagar (Empire) -- History
"On the 14th of Zeekaud (A.H. 767, or Thursday, July 23, A.D. 1366),
the armies of light and darkness met. From the dawn till four
in the afternoon, like the waves of the ocean, they continued in
warm conflict with each other, and great numbers were slain on both
sides. Mooseh Khan and Eeseh Khan, who commanded the right and left
wings of Khan Mahummud's line, drank the sherbet of martyrdom, and
their troops broke; which misfortune had nearly given a blow to the
army of Islaam. At this instant Mahummud Shaw appeared with three
thousand fresh horse. This restored the spirits of Khan Mahummud as
also of the disordered troops, who rallied and joined him. Mukkrib
Khan, advancing with the artillery, was not wanting in execution,
greatly disordering the enemy's horse and foot. He asked leave to
charge and complete the rout. Khan Mahummud upon this, detached a
number of the nobility to support him, and permitted him to advance;
which he did with such rapidity that the infidels had not time to use
fireworks (I.E. cannon), but cane to short weapons such as swords and
daggers. At this time an elephant, named Sheer Shikar,[54] belonging
to Khan Mahummud, refused the guidance of his driver, and rushed into
the center of the enemy's line, where he was stopped by the elephants
of Hoje Mul Roy, and his driver was killed. Khan Mahummud with five
hundred horse followed, and the elephant becoming unruly, turned
upon the enemy, throwing their ranks into confusion. Hoje Mul Roy,
after receiving a mortal wound, fled, and his followers no longer
made resistance. The infidels, seeing their center broke, fled on
all sides. The scymetars of the faithful were not yet sheathed from
slaughter when the royal umbrella appeared. The sultan gave orders
to renew the massacre of the unbelievers. They were executed with
such strictness that pregnant women, and even children at the breast,
did not escape the sword.
"Mahummud Shaw halted a week on the field, and dispatched accounts
of his victory to his own dominions. In performance of his vow
of massacre he next marched towards the camp of Kishen Roy, who,
thinking himself unable to oppose notwithstanding his numerous force,
fled to the woods and mountains for shelter. The sultan followed him
from place to place for three months, putting to death all who came
in his way, without distinction. At length Kishen Roy took the road
of Beejanuggur, his capital. The sultan, pursuing, soon arrived with
his army near the city."
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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