Page:A Comprehensive History of India Vol 1.djvu/88

 54

IIIS'I'OKV OF IXniA.

[Br^oK I.

A.D. 1030.

Miiaaood's

l)er8onal

qualities.

New palace at Ghuznee.

Defeat by the Seljuks iinder Togli- rul Beg.

hy ictaininj^ iiien;ly the portions which In- li;ul liiin.self conquered. The only condition he added Wcos, that in the Khootlja, or puljHc prayer for the soverei^, liis name should be read first within his own dominions. Mahomed refused to consent; and a civil war broke out, which tenninated in his overthrow and capture. According to the barljarous practice of the times, he wa« deprived of sight, and imjtrisoned. Musa/jod mounted the throne. He was remai'k- able for personal strength. Ferishta says (vol. i. p. 98;, that " his arrow, after piercing tiie strongest mail, penetrated the hide of an elepliant; and his iron mace was so {)onderou.s, that no man of his time could rai.se it with one hand" He was also distinguished by valour and liberality, and not unfrequently offended his father by his bold and independent Vjearing.

The transactions of Musaood's reign are not important. Of these relating to India, with which here we have alone to do, the first de.serving of notice is an expedition to that country in 1033. He took the route for Soorsooty, situated among the hills of Cashmere, and on arriving at it, summoned the garrison. It offered to submit, and he was di.sposed to grant easy terms, till he learned that some Mahometan merchants had been seized, and were then captives in the fort. Enraged at the information, he caused the ditch to be filled up with sugar-canes from the adjoining plantation.s, planted scaling ladders, and took the place by storm. The garrison to a man were put to the sword, and all the women and children were enslaved.

In 1036, when a new palace was finished at Ghuznee, containing a golden throne, studded with jewels, and surmounted with a canopy, in which was a golden crown, seventy maunds in weight, suspended by a golden chain, and glistening with jewels, Musaood again set out for India, mainly with the view of reducing the fort of Hansi, the ancient capital of Sewalik. The Indians believed it impregnable; and were confirmed in this belief by their soothsayers, who assured them that it was not destined ever to fall into Mahometan hands. The result falsified their predictions, for in the coiu'se of six days it was taken by storm. The treasure found in it was immense. Musaood next proceeded to Sonput, which he found abandoned. Lea^'ing an ojSicer in charge of it, he retraced his steps, taking possession of all the coun- tries he had left in his rear, and arrived at Lahore, the government of which he conferred on his son Modood.

Musaood on his return found full occupation in repelling the Seljuks, who, after passing to the left bank of the Jaxartes, and residing for some time in Transoxiana, had settled and acquired considerable influence in Khorasan. While they professed the utmost submission to his authority, they were con- stantly waning with his lieutenants and ravaging his tenitories. At length, in 1039, Toghrul Beg, a celebrated Seljuk warrior, mustered so strongly, that Musaood fomid it necessary to take the field in person. The decisive battle was fought at Zendecan, near Merv, and ended, in consequence of the desertion