241 
1871 .] The reign of Qhiasuddin Tugliluq Shah. 
certain of tlie former nobles of ’Alauddin, and of his own officers 
also appointed he many. Sultan Muhammad therefore, in the 
pomp of royalty, and with a great gathering, departed for Aran- 
kul, and arriving at Deogir, he took with him the chief men of 
that place, and such of its garrison as were needed by him, and 
arrived by stages in the parts of Taling. Then from fear of 
the power of Sultan Tughluq Shah, and because of the terror of 
Sultan Muhammad, Rai Suddar Deo, with all his nobles and his 
captains, withdrew into his castle, and resolved that he would 
avoid battle. But Sultan Muhammad arrived at Arankul, and en¬ 
camped round about the earthen fortress of that place, and halted 
there, and ordered that they should send certain of the leaders, and 
should spoil the country of Taling, and gather for the army of 
Islam much treasure and provision. So because of them, there 
was gathered much spoil, and the army began with care¬ 
fulness to besiege the castle. Now many Hindus had gathered 
themselves together in the forts of earth and of stone, and 
coming from the east and from the west, had made much 
preparation, so that daily the host of Islam fought with the be¬ 
sieged, and the battle was sharp, and from within were 
thrown fireballs, and on either side were many slain. But the 
army of Islam prevailed against the Hindus, and brought them to 
a strait, and discomfited them, so that it nearly came to pass that 
the earthen fortress of Arankal was captured. Then Saddar Deo 
Rai of Arankal took council with his chiefs, and sent to Sultan Mu¬ 
hammad envoys, and made offer of submission ; also he laid before 
him treasure, with elephants and jewels and much wealth : for he 
hoped that even as in the day of ’ Alauddm there had been given to 
the Viceroy treasure and great presents, so that he had received of 
the tribute, and returned whence he came, so also might it be 
with Sultan Muhammad, and that he too should return. But Sul¬ 
tan Muhammad would have none of them, but continued the 
rather to besiege the castle, hoping to make the Rai of Arankal 
his captive, and would in no wise listen to terms, and the heralds 
returned in discomfort. 
Now it happened that for the space of a little more than 
a month, while the besieged were in this strait, and were think- 
31 
