The history of India : as told by its own historians. Volume II/VI. Kamilu-t Tawarikh of Ibn Asir

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The History of India, as Told by Its Own Historians

Sir H. M. Elliot Edited by John Dowson, 1867

Volume II: To the Year A.D. 1260

VI. Kamilu-t Tawarikh of Ibn Asir

Introduction

[p.244]: [Called also by the author Kamil fi-t Tarikh. It is also known to Persian writers as Tarikh-i Kamil. The author of this celebrated general history was Shaikh Abu-l Hasan 'Ali Ibn Abu-i Karam Muhammad ibn Muhammad ibn 'Abdu-l Karim ibn 'Abdul-l Wahid as Shaibani. He was surnamed " 'Izzu-d din ; majesty of religion," but he is commonly known as Ibn Asir (or Athir according to Arabic pronunciation). He was born in the year 555 H. (1160) in the Jazirat ibn 'Umar, an island of the Tigris above Mosul, and hence the epithet " al Jazari, the islander," is frequently added to his name. Ibn Khallikan, who was personally acquainted with him, says that he studied first at Mosul and afterwards at Baghdad, in Syria, and at Jerusalem, Returning to Mosul he devoted himself most assiduously to literary pursuits, and his house became the resort of all the learned men who inhabited or visited that town. Ibn Khallikan met him at Aleppo in 626 h., 1229 A.D., and describes him as " a man of the highest accomplishments and most excellent qualities, but extremely modest." He speaks of him fondly in another place as " Our Shaikh, Ibn Asir," and of his accomplishments he says " His knowledge of the traditions and his acquaintance with that science in its various branches placed him in the first rank, and his learning as an historian of the ancients and moderns was not less extensive ; he was perfectly familiar with the genealogy of the Arabs, their adventures, combats, and history ; whilst his

[p. 245]: great wort, the Kamil or complete, embracing the history of the world from the earliest period to the year 628 of the Hijra (1230 A.D.), merits its reputation as one of the best productions of the kind."

The Kamilu-t Tawarikh enjoys a very high reputation, and has been much used and quoted both in Asia and Europe. Ibn Khaldun borrowed largely from it, and it has been drawn upon by Ockley for his History of the Saracens, by Malcolm for the History of Persia, and by Weil for his Geschichte der Chalifen. The narrative is very clear and succinct, but the work, from its great range, is very voluminous. It contains a few brief notices of the Jats in the second and third centuries of the Hijra, and it also gives some interesting details of the Arab occupation of Sind, but so far as India is concerned it is chiefly valuable for its notices of the Ghaznivides and the Ghorians. The work closes soon after the decline of the latter dynasty.

The author of the Habibu-s Siyar relates that " the Tarikh-i Kamil, one of the two histories written by Ibn Asir" was translated into Persian under the orders of Miran Shah, son of Timur, by Najmu-d din, surnamed Nizari, one of that prince's secretaries.

Besides the work before us, Ibn Asir wrote an abridgment, containing many corrections and improvements of Abu Sa'du-s Samani's Ansab, upon Patronymics, etc. Another of his works was the " Akhharu-s Sahaba ; history of the companions of the Prophet." He had two brothers, who also engaged in literary pursuits, and one of them, Majdu-d din, wrote a work on the traditions, entitled " Jami'u-l Usul min Hadisu-r Rasiil" which has been erroneously attributed to our author.

There are MSS. of several portions of the Kamilu-t Tawarikh in the British Museum and in the Bodleian Library; and in Sir H. Elliott's Library there is a borrowed MS. of part of the work, in bad condition and much worm-eaten. A complete edition of the whole work will soon be available, as it is passing through the press at Leyden, under the careful and able editorship of Professor Toraberg, who bases his text upon the MSS. of Berhn,

[p.246]: Paris, and the British Museum. Seven volumea have already been published, and the whole work will be comprised in twelve.1

EXTRACTS.

Hijra 151. A.D. 768. : In this year the Kurks made an attack upon Jidda.

Hijra 153. a.d. 770. : In this year Al Mansur returned from Mecca to Basra, and embarked forces in ships against the Kurks who, as before related, had made an incursion upon Jidda.

Hijra 160. A.D. 776. — Conquest of the town of Barada2

In the year 159, Al Mahdi sent an army by sea under 'Abdu-l Malik bin Shahdbu-l Musamma'i to India. The force consisted of a large number of troops and volunteers, among whom was Al Rabi' bin Subaih. They proceeded on their way and at length disembarked at Barada. When they reached the place they laid siege to it. The people of the neighbourhood fought with them frequently. The town was reduced to extremities, and God prevailed over it in the same year. The people were forbidden to worship the Budd, which the Muhammadans burned. Some of the people were burned, the rest were slain, and twenty Musulmans perished in testimony of their faith. God came to them, and raised the sea against them, so they waited until the weather should be favourable. Disease then fell upon them, and about a thousand of them died, among whom was Rabi' bin Subaih. They then returned homewards and reached the coast of Persia, in what is called the Bahru-l Hamrán. There the wind rose in the night time and wrecked their vessels. Some were drowned, and some escaped.

1 De Slane's Ibn Khallikan, Introd. xii. II. 288.. See D'Hertelot, " Gezeri ;" De Rossi, "Atir;" Bodleian Cat. 693, 696, 784; Hamaker, 164; Fraehn, 44; "Wustenfeld, 84 ; Rampoldi, viii. 617, ix. 281, si. 57 ; Gemaldesaal Pref. xi. and vi. 2 ; Jenisch Eeg. Pers- 123; "Wilken, Samanidarum, 191-2; D'Ohsson, Mongols. Pref. X. ; "Weil, II. ix; Eeinaud's Aboul Feda, 9 ; Sprenger, on Mahomedanism, 73; Bush, Life of Mahomet, 255 ; Nouv. Mel. As. I. 433, 434 ; Col. Or. I. 208 ; Not. et Ext. 1. 542; Jour. As. 4 Ser. iv. 188; Not. des MSS. II.; Hammer, Gold. Horde, xv, xxY. ; UniT. Hist. III. 239, 283.

2 <arabic> in the MS of B Mus

Hijra 219. A.D. 834. — War against the Jats

[p.247]: In the month of Jumada-l akhir, Al M'utasim sent 'Ajif bin 'Isa to fight against the Jats, who had seized upon the roads of Hajar, and had plundered the corn which was in the stacks of Kaskar, and in the stores of the towns. They spread terror over the roads, and planted posts in all directions towards the desert. At the news of the approach of Ajif they retired. Ajif marched to below Wásit and there took post on the river Bardád and Anhárá. Then they retreated and entered another place, but the roads baffled them. Ajif then forced 1,500 of them to fight, and killed on the field of battle 300 men. Their leaders he made prisoners, and sent the chief to the gate of M'utasim. Ajif was engaged against the Jats twenty-five days, and vanquished a great many of them. The chief of the Jats was Muhammad bin 'Usman, and the commander was Samlu. Ajif then took up a position, and remained opposed to them seven months. Mansur bin Bassam was at Musal.

Hijra 220. A.D. 835.— Defeat of the Jats by Ajif.

In this year Ajif came to Baghdad from his expedition against the Jats, after having defeated and killed many of them. The remnant was compelled to ask quarter, which was conceded to them. They then marched away with him in Zi'l hijja, 219 (834 A.D.) and their number, including women and children, was twenty-seven thousand. The fighting men among them were twelve thousand. Ajif placed his conquered foes in boats, and sent them dressed as they had appeared in battle, with their trumpets, to Baghdad. They reached that city on the tenth Muharram, 220. They proceeded in boats to the Shammásiya (suburb of Baghdad). The Jats were accoutred as for battle, and were blowing their horns And Azif gave to each of his men two dinars (as a present). The Jats stayed on board their ships three days, and were then handed over to Bishr ibnu-s Samaida', who conveyed them to Khanikin. Thence they were removed to the (northern)

[p. 248]: frontier to 'Ain-zarba, and the Byzantines made a raid upon them and not one of them escaped.1

Conquest of Bhatia

In the year 396 Hijra (1006 A.D.) Yaminu-d daula fought against Bhatia, one of the dependencies of Hind, which is situated beyond Multan. The chief of the place was named Bahírá. It is a fine city, enclosed with high walls, and a deep ditch. The chief marched out to meet his enemy, and fought for three days with the Musulmans. On the fourth he fled, and sought to get back into the city ; but the Musulmans reached the gate before the fugitives, overpowered them, and disarmed them. A dreadful slaughter ensued, the women were dishonoured, and the property seized. When Bahira saw this destruction, he fled with some trusty followers to the tops of the mountains. Mahmud sent a force in pursuit, which overtook and surrounded the party, and put all the chiefs to the sword. Bahira saw that no hope was left, so he drew a dagger and killed himself. Mahmud remained in Bhatia until he had settled its affairs, and drawn up rules for its governance. He then returned towards Ghazna, having appointed a representative at Bhatia to instruct the people who had become Muhammadans. On his journey home he encountered great difficulties from heavy rains and swollen rivers, and great quantities of things belonging to him and his army were carried away by the waters.

Conquest of Multan

In the year 396 Hijra (1006, A.D.) Sultan Yaminu-d daula fought against Multan. The cause of this was that the ruler of the place, Abu-l Futuh was disaffected, false to his faith, and inclined to heresy (ilhád). He had also required the people of his country to follow his opinions, and they had consented. Yaminu-d daula resolved to attack him and marched against him, but the rivers on the road were very large and broad,

1 [There are some doubtful words in this extract, but the sense appears to be as translated.]

[p.249]: especially the Sihun (Indus), and the enemy was ready to oppose the passage. So Mahmud sent to Andbal1 and asked permission to pass through his country to Multan, but the request was refused, Mahmud resolved therefore to deal with him first, and afterwards to prosecute his original intention. So he entered into his country and overran it ; and he killed many of the people, plundered their property, and fired their houses. Andbal fled and Mahmud followed his traces, like fire in the tracks of Satan, from pass to pass until he reached Kashmir. When Abu-l Futuh heard of this victory, he saw the futility of his rebellion, and sending his property to Sarandip, he evacuated Multan. Yaminu-d daula then went to Multan, and finding the people infatuated in their heresy, he besieged the place closely, and carried on the fight until he took it by storm. He fined the inhabitants 20,000 dirhams for their rebellion.

Conquest of Mansura

After the capture of Somnat, Mahmud received intelligence that Bhim the chief of Anhalwara had gone to the fort of Kandahat, which is situated about forty parasangs from Somnat between that place and the desert. He marched thither, and when he came in front of the place he questioned some men who were hunting, as to the tide. From them he learned that there was a practicable ford, but that if the wind blew a little, he might he submerged. Mahmud prayed to the Almighty and then entered the water. He and his forces passed over safely, and drove the enemy out of the place. From thence he returned, intending to proceed against Mansura, the ruler of which was an apostate Muhammadan. When the news of Mahmud's approach reached this chief, he fled into the date-palm forests, Mahmud proceeded against him, and surrounding him and his adherents, many of them were slain, many drowned, and but few escaped. Mahmud then went to Bhatia, and after reducing the inhabitants to obedience, he returned to Ghazni, where he arrived on the 10th Safar 417 h.

1 Anand-pal.

Revolt and Death of Ahmad Nialtigin

[p.250]: In the year (4)25 (1034 a.D.), Mas'ud, son of Mahmud, returned to Hind to destroy the Turks (al ghuzz) ; and Ahmad Nialtigin again exerting himself to excite rebellion in the provinces of Hind, proceeded with all his assembled forces to the territories (bilád) of Bálází. Mas'ud sent a numerous army against him, and the chiefs of Hind being averse to his entering into their territories, closed the roads against him. Before the army reached the passage he attacked it, and retreated fighting towards Multan. Several of the Indian chiefs proceeded to Bhatia. He had with him a considerable unbroken force, and the chief of the place not having strength to arrest his progress, Ahmad demanded boats to enable him to cross the river Indus, and these were supplied. In the midst of the stream there was an island, which Ahmad and his adherents perceived, and close by in another direction lay the desert. They did not know that the water was deep there. The Indian chief directed the owners of the boats to transport the fugitives to the island and to return. Ahmad and his adherents remained there, and they had no food but what they had brought with them. They stayed there nine days, and their provisions were consumed. Having even devoured their animals they were reduced to extremity, and resolved to pass through the water ; but they had no sooner entered it than they discovered its depth, and, besides this, a great impediment in the mud. The Indian sent over his soldiers against them in boats, who attacked them while they were in that plight, and killed many of them. The sons of Ahmad were taken prisoners, and when Ahmad himself fell into their hands they killed him. His companions also were all either slain, taken prisoners, or drowned.

War between Shahabu-d din and the King of Benares

Shahabu-d din Ghori, king of Ghazni, sent his slave, Kutbu-d din, to make war against the provinces of Hind, and this general made an incursion in which he killed many, and returned home

[p. 251]: with prisoners and booty. The king of Benares was the greatest king in India, and possessed the largest territory, extending lengthwise from the borders of China to the province of Malawa (Malwa), and in breadth from the sea to within ten days' journey of Lahore. When he was informed of this inroad, he collected his forces, and in the year 590 (1194 A.D.), he entered the territories of the Muhammadans. Shahabu-d din Ghori marched forth to oppose him, and the two armies met on the river Jumna,1 which is a river about as large as the Tigris at Musal. The Hindu prince had seven hundred elephants, and his men were said to amount to a million, There were many nobles in his army. There were Mussulmans in that country since the days of Mahmud bin Subuktigin, who continued faithful to the law of Islam, and constant in prayer and good works. When the two armies met there was great carnage ; the infidels were sustained by their numbers, the Musulmans by their courage, but in the end the infidels fled, and the faithful were victorious. The slaughter of the Hindus was immense ; none were spared except women and children, and the carnage of the men went on until the earth was weary. Ninety elephants were captured, and of the rest some were killed, and some escaped. The Hindu king was slain, and no one would have recognized his corpse but for the fact of his teeth, which were weak at their roots, being fastened in with golden wire. After the flight of the Hindus Shabdbu-d din entered Benares, and carried off its treasures upon fourteen hundred camels. He then returned to Ghazni. Among the elephants which were captured there was a white one, A person who saw it told me that when the elephants were brought before Shahabu-d din, and were ordered to salute, they all saluted except the white one. No one should be surprised at what I have said about the elephants, for they understand what is said to them. I myself saw one at Musal with his keeper, which did whatever his keeper told him.

1 [Tornberg reads <arabic> but <arabic> "the river Jumna" must be meant. The battle was fought near that river.]

End of Ch. VI. Kamilu-t Tawarikh of Ibn Asir

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