Sultan Nasir-ud-Din, Kaba-jah, soon after this, had to contend with an army of infidel Mughals, under the Nu-in, Turtae, who invested Multan for a period of forty two days. He came from the northwards down the Sindh-Sagar Do-abah, in which, it is necessary to remember, both Multan and Uchch were at this time situated; for those rivers of the Punj-ab, which now flow west of Multan, then united many miles to the northward of it, and passed both it and Uchch some distance on the east. They united with the Biah about twenty-eight miles below Multan, and with the Hakra or Wahind about twenty-five miles south-east of Uchch. The excessive heat, for it was the hot season, drove Turtae to abandon the investment, although the place must have surrendered in a few days more; and he retired, plundering the provinces of Multan and Lohor, re-crossed the Indus, and marched towards Ghaznin.

Sultan Nasir-ud-Din, Kaba-jah, having now established himself over the territories of Uchch, Multan, and Sindh, during the calamities which arose in Bukhara, in Khurasan, Ghur, and Ghaznin, consequent on the overthrow of the Musalman sovereigns by the infidel Mughals, a great number of the chief men, Amirs and Ecclesiastics, of those parts, took shelter in Sindh. Those who came into Kaba-jah’s dominions were amply provided for. It was at this period that one of the most venerated of the saints of Uchch, Sayyid Jalal-ud-Din Husain of Bukhara, who is also known as Shah Jalal-ud-Din came into these parts and took up his residence in Uchch. At this time Shaikh Baha-ud-Din Zakriya was alive.

Had he scarcely been rid of Turtae and his Mughals than Sultan Jalal-ud-Din Mang Barni, the Khwarazm Shah who, after he had escaped from the meshes of the Mughals by plunging into the river Indus, had received shelter with Khokhar -chief of Koh-i-Jud or Salt Range—who was hostile to Kaba-ja, sent a force in Thal and captured Mankera. He re-assembled a number of his dispersed followers. They, making a forced march, made a night attack and surprised Sultan Nasir-ud-Din Kaba-ja. After having to pay down a considerable some of money, Sultan Jalal-ud-Din and he returned to Salt range.

The author of the Tabakat-i-Nasiri flying from his country near Herat reached Uchch. Being an Ecclesiastic of note, the charge of Firuzi College of Uchch and Kaziship were conferred upon him.

I-yaltimish moved against him secured Multan and appeared before Uchch on becoming aware of the hostile movements; Kaba-ja embarked his forces and treasures on vessels retired to his fortress of Bakhar. I-yaltimish dispatched his Wazir Nizam-ul-Mulk against Bakhar. The Wazir having march drown the river and appeared near Bakhar. Kaba-ja dispatched his son to I-yaltimish to sue for terms of peace but he was detained and the investment of Bakhar was pushed on with vigor.

Preferring death to surrender and captivity, Kaba-ja cast himself from the walls of the fortress into Indus and was drowned. He had reined over Sindh, Uchch and Multan for a period of twenty two years.

Soon after the retirement of the Amir Timur beyond Indus, Sindh became independent for a time; Multan and Uchch fell into the hands of the Langah rulers, several rulers of this tribe ruled Multan for four generations. Mirza Shah Husain Arghun took Uchch from the Langah and his Baloch supporters. Mirza Shah Husain commanded that a new fort should be built at Uchch.

When Kyuk son of Uktae son of Chingiz Khan succeeded his father in (1241 A.D.), he gave direction for the dispatch of several armies into difference part of Asia. Mangutah, who was at the head of the Mughal mings in Tukharistan was directed to invade states of Sindh, and he accordingly marched his forces towards Uchch and Multan. He took Multan and marched against Uchch. At this time, the governor of this city was one Khwajah Sara (eunuch) Salah. Mangutah advanced to foot of the walls of the Uchch, inverted it, and the fighting commenced.

The garrisons in Uchch continued steadfastly to defend a breach. The following night, in the third watch of the night, when the defenders had gone to sleep, Mangutah himself appeared on the top of the breach. The defenders, however, have mixed a vast quantity of water and clay together in rear of the breach and had prepared a quagmire more than a spear’s depth. The Mughal Bahadur fell into the quagmire and sank therein. The next day the Mughals deputed persons requesting the defenders the give up Bahadur in order that the army might withdraw the investment and depart. As that accursed one had gone to hell and had sunk into the slimy mud, to give him up was impossible; so the people of fortress denied having taken him prisoner. In the mean time a force from Dihli approached and the Mughal forces retreated.

REFERENCE: NOTES ON AFGHANISTAN & BALUCHISTAN (By Major George Henery Raverty)

Author: Ijaz Bloach(admin)