218 G. H. Damant —Notes on Shah Isma’il Ghazi. [No. 3, 
path of God : they are alive even though you know it not,” they were filled 
with courage and daring, they kept the feet of courage in the path of 
martyrdom, robbed their minds of love for home, and set out on their hazard¬ 
ous undertaking. Leaving behind many dreary forests and deserts, they 
reached the frontiers of ’Ajam [Persia], from whence they passed to Hind, 
and at last after a long tedious journey arrived at Lak’hnauti ,* the capital 
of Sultan Barbak. He was one of the most powerful sovereigns of his time, 
and his riches and army were renowned everywhere, and he ruled his peo¬ 
ple with absolute despotism. A turbulent river, called Chuttiah Pattiah, 
passed through his kingdom. When it became flooded in the rainy season, 
it caused great loss to life and property. The king had tried every means 
in his power to keep it within bounds by employing engineers and handi¬ 
craftsmen, and using materials of every kind ; his efforts were continued for 
seven years, but they always proved fruitless as soon as the rainy season 
came on. At last, notice was given that all the people were to assemble on 
a certain day and throw earth into the river, and the Sultan himself was to 
throw in a basket of earth. When Isma’il heard of it, he told the king that 
if a space of three days were allowed him, he would point out the true 
means to perform this great feat. 
The king granted his request and became very anxious to know who 
he was, whence he came, and what brought him to Lak’hnauti, and Isma’il 
informed him on every point. 
After three days’ deliberation and consultation with the wise men, 
Isma’il suggested a plan for building a bridge over the Chuttiah Pattiah, 
which proved so successful that elephants and horses could pass over it. 
From that time forth, he was honoured and favoured by the king and em¬ 
ployed in many other difficult works. 
After a few years, Gajpati, Itaja of Madaran, rebelled against the em¬ 
peror. The army sent against him was defeated, and at last the command 
was entrusted to Isma’il. Gajpati had a very strong fort, made of brass, 
which had never been taken; and when he heard that Isma’il, a faqir, was 
coming to attack him with 120 wise men, he laughed exceedingly; but his 
queen warned him not to fight with Isma’il, who was the soldier of God, or 
he would surely be defeated. However, he assembled his army, and a 
battle was fought in which, after a fight of a few hours, he was completely 
defeated and taken prisoner and beheaded. After this success, Isma’il 
gained still more favour and honour with the king. 
In the course of a few years more, a fresh event took place. The royal 
army sent against Kamesar, king of Kamrup, being repeatedly defeated, 
the command was at last given to Isma’il. 
# Tlie MS. has ‘ LakTmau.’ 
