Page:History of India Vol 5.djvu/223

 THE INVASION BEGUN 183 devastating the country of the Aghanis who inhabit the mountain Sulaiman, and marching steadily for- ward until I crossed the river Indus and assaulted the city of Uchh, which I captured through the good fortune of the great king. Leaving a body of men there as a garrison, I proceeded to Multan, which I besieged; but as Sarang had carefully fortified and strengthened this fortress, the siege has been pro- tracted for some days, and, indeed, I am at this moment engaged in the siege, giving an assault twice every day. All the nobles have displayed great valour and intrepid- ity, especially Timur Khwaja, the son of Amir Akugha, and I am awaiting further instructions." When I had read this letter, my previous resolution was confirmed and strengthened, and I acted in such a manner that by spring (800 A. H., 1398 A. D.) I had collected the soldiery from all parts of the country under my sway. In this same year 800 I selected ten battalions from my army, and giving the command to Prince Shah Rukh, I left him in charge of the remaining forces and bag- gage in Tilak Ghunan and Diktur, while I myself placed my foot in the stirrup to chastise the infidel Kators. 1 Setting spurs to my horse, I marched forward in great haste, accomplishing two days' journey within twenty- four hours. When I arrived at a place called Paryan, I detached Prince Rustam and Burhan Aghlan Jujitar, who were reckoned among my chief nobles, to invade 1 The description of this entire campaign against the Kators is interesting because of the details it gives regarding Timur's military operations.