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 Chap. III.] MOOUL INCURSIONS. til)

as worn out. The arrangement, though one which the most enlightened states a.d. 1-270. of modern times have adopted, gave great dissatisfaction; and the veterans induced a magistrate of Delhi, venerable for years and character, and high in favour, to represent their case to the king. He accordingly went the next day to court, and, while standing in the presence, put on a face of great dejection. The king observing it, inquired the cause: "I was just thinking," replied tlie magistrate, " that if, in the presence of God, all the old men were rejected, what would become of me." The device succeeded, and the veterans were again placed on full pay.

In the year 1270 the king's nei)hew. Sheer Khan, died. He was governor sheer Khan of Lahore, Mooltan, Sirhind, Batinda, &;c., and all the districts exposed to Mogul incursions. These restless depredators immediately made their appear- ance. It seems that several of the subordinate governors were in league with them ; and owing to this cause, as well as to mutual jealousies and dis.sensions in other cpiarters, the Moguls made such head that Bulbun was obliged to appoint his eldest son. Prince Mahmood, viceroy of the frontier provinces. At the same time he caused him to be proclaimed his successor.

The Moguls had hitherto been the only enemy against whom it was thought insunectiou necessary to provide, but in 1279 a formidable insurrection broke out in a dif- i.y loghmi ferent quarter. During a serious illness, which led to a rumour that Bulbun "■ ''"' liad died, Toghrul Kiian, the governor of Bengal, who had been guilty of some irregularities, for which he feared he might be called to account, not only revolted, but, assuming the scarlet canopy along with other insignia of roj^alty, declared himself King of Bengal. Bulbun immediately gave the government of Bengal to the governor of Oude, Aluptujeen, entitled Ameer Khan, and .sur- nametl the Hairy. At the same time, he sent several generals with a large army to his assistance. Aluptujeen, thus reinforced, crossed the Gogi-a, and Toghrul Khan advanced to meet him. This he did with the more confidence, hecause he was aware that many of the Turki chiefs in Aluptujeen's army had been gained by his largesses. The consequence was that the royal army sus- tained a total overtlu'ow. When the news reached Bulbun, he bit his own Hi'sh with vexation, hung Aluptujeen at the gate of Oude, and sent Mullik Tirmuny Toork with another army against the rebel. Not more successful than his pre- decessor, he was defeated, lost all his baggage, and with it the public treasure.

Bulbun now set out in pei-son, crossed the Ganges without waiting for the Ruibmrs dry season, and proceeded to Bengal b}^ forced marche.s. The state of the river ,[, Uengai. and roads, however, occiisioned so much delay, that Toglirul Khan had time to collect a large army, though it did not seem to have been large enough to justif}' the risk of an encounter in the open field. He therefore evacuated Bengal with all his elephants, trejisure, and effects ; intending to keep out of sight till tlie king should return to his capitid. This .scheme he followed out with so much dexterity, that Bulbun, following close upon the route which he was understood