that he once led into Hindustan an army of 120,000 men and horse in mail.1 His opponents also were rals and rajas ; one man did not hold all Hindustan.
That time we came to Bhira, we had at most some 15°° to 2000 men. We had made no previous move on Hindustan with an army equal to that which came the fifth time, when we beat SI. Ibrahim and conquered the realm of Hindustan, the total written down for which, taking one retainer with another, and with traders and servants, was 12,000. Dependent on me were the countries of Badakhshan, Qunduz, Kabul and Qandahar, but no reckonable profit came from them, rather it was necessary to reinforce them fully because several lie close to an enemy. Then again, all Mawara'u'n-nahr was in the power of the Auzbeg khans and sultans, an ancient foe whose armies counted up to 100,000. Moreover Hindustan, from Bhira to Bihar, was in the power of the Afghans and in it SI. Ibrahim was supreme. In proportion to his territory his army ought to have been 5 laks, but at that time the Eastern amirs were in hostility to him. His army was estimated at 100,000 and people said his elephants and those of his amirs were 1000.
Under such conditions, in this strength, and having in my rear 100,000 old enemies such as are the Auzbegs, we put trust in God and faced the ruler of such a dense army and of domains so wide. As our trust was in Him, the most high God did not make our labour and hardships vain, but defeated that powerful foe and conquered that broad realm. Not as due to strength and effort of our own do we look upon this good fortune, but as had solely through God's pleasure and kindness. We know that this happiness was not the fruit of our own ambition and resolve, but that it was purely from His mercy and favour.
DESCRIPTION OF HINDUSTAN. (a. Hindustan.}
The country of Hindustan is extensive, full of men, and full of produce. On the east, south, and even on the west, it ends at its great enclosing ocean (mukit darya-si-ghd). On the north
1 bargustwan-v/ar; Erskine, cataphract horse.
