Mahmud takes Bhatiya and besieges Multan

01Bhatiya

Al-Utbi, Mahmud’s court historian, writes in the Tarikh-i-Yamini that the raja of Bhatiya, whom he calls Baji Rai, met the invaders outside his walls and fought for three days before falling back into the town. When the town was stormed he fled to the jungle, and when the pursuers closed in he killed himself with his dagger rather than be taken. The place is generally identified with Bhera on the Jhelum, though some prefer Uch.

02The road to Multan

In 1006 Mahmud marched on Multan, then ruled by the Ismaili Abul Fath Daud. The Hindu Shahi Anandapala, son of Jayapala, refused passage through his land and brought out his army; Utbi says Mahmud defeated him and drove him into Kashmir’s hills. Multan was besieged for some days and its ruler agreed to pay tribute. Two years later Mahmud and Anandapala met again in the great battle at Waihind.

Person · Reigned c. 964–1001 CEJayapalaJayapala ruled the Hindu Shahi kingdom from Kabul to the Punjab and for thirty years was the first wall against the new Turkish power at Ghazni. Beaten and captured by Mahmud near Peshawar in 1001, he gave up the throne to his son and ended his life on a funeral pyre.Read →