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 Chap. III.]

WARS WITH THE MOGULS.

71

Cia. A.D. 1285.

Defeat of the

otherwise determined. As soon as the prince arrived in Mooltan, he attiicked the Moguls, recovered all the territories which they had seized, and expelled them with great slaughter. These Moguls were subjects of Timour Khan, of the house of Ghenghis Khan; and though not unknown to fame, a very different person from the still more ftimous Timour or Tamerlane, who did not make his appearance till a century after. The present Timour ruled the eastern provinces of Persia, from Khorasan to the Indus, and with the view of avenging the expulsion of his Moguls, appeared next year in Hindoostan, at the head of 20,000 chosen horse. After ravaging the country around Laliore, he advanced Moguls, in the direction of Mooltan. Prince Mahmood hastened to meet him. A river lay between them, and might easily have been converted into an inseparable barrier against the further progress of the Moguls, but the prince disdained to avail himself of this ad- vantage, and left the passage free. After Timour had crossed, the armies drew up and a great battle was fought. Both leaders distinguished themselves ; but after contesting the victory foi- three hours, the Moguls were obliged to flee, and the Indians followed hotly in pursuit. Prince Mahmood, worn out with fatigue, halted on the banks of a stream to qiiench his thirst. He iiad only 500 attendants, and was spied by a Mogul chief, who lay concealed in an adjoining wood with 2000 horse. The prince had barely time to mount before the IMoguls were upon him. With his small band he thrice heroically repulsed his assailants ; but at la,st, overpowered by numbers, he fell mortally wounded, and almost instantly expired. His troops, who had gone in pvu-suit of the flpng enemy, on returning with the shouts of victory, found their prince weltering in his blood. The voice of triumph was immediately turned to wailing, and every eye was in tears. The dismal news broke the old king's heart, and he only lingered on, a ishi g for death to release him.

When he found his end approaching, he recalled his son, Khurra Khan, neatiiof from Bengal, and nominated him his successor. He only sti))ulated that he should appoint a deputy in Bengal, and remain with him at Delhi till his death.

'The suits of mail are in the Meyrick Collection weapons are from Lan^les, Mnniimrnit Ancieps el at Goodrich Court, as also the battle-a.e, paiscash, Mmlerncx ile 1' Thrtilnriatan, taken from an ancient and khanjar iu the foreground. The rest of the MS. of the Ayeen Akbery.

Groi'p of Indian Armoi'r.'