Page:History of India Vol 5.djvu/63

 SABUKTAGIN'S WAR WITH JAIPAL 37 he had seen death before the appointed time, he sent a deputation to the amir, promising to pay down a sum of money if he might have peace, and offering to obey any order he might receive respecting his elephants and his country. The Amir Sabuktagin consented on account of the mercy he felt toward those who were his vassals, or for some other reason which seemed expedient to him. The Sultan Yamin-ad-daulah Mah- mud, however, addressed the messengers in a harsh voice, and refused to abstain from battle until he should Obtain a Complete Victory A SPECIES OF INDIAN DAGGEB. suited to his zeal for the honour of Islam and of Mussulmans, and one which he was confident God would grant to his arms. They returned, there- fore, and Jaipal, being in great alarm, again sent most humble supplications that the battle might cease. When the amir received this conciliatory message and knew what Jaipal would do in his despair, he thought that religion and the views of the faithful would best be consulted by peace and the acquisition of tribute. The Amir Mahmud accordingly agreed with Sabuktagin as to the propriety of withdrawing the hand of vengeance, on condition of the immediate receipt of a million dirhams of royal stamp and fifty elephants, in addition to some cities and forts in the midst of his country. Jaipal was to deliver these forts to the officers nominated by the amir, and was to send