202 TIMUR'S ACCOUNT OF HIS INVASION their operations. When I had finished, the amirs and others testified their approbation, and, carefully treas- uring up my counsel, they departed, expressing their blessings and thanks. At this court Amir Jahan Shah, Amir Sulaiman Shah, and other amirs of experience informed me that, from the time of entering Hindustan up to the pres- ent we had taken more than one hundred thousand infi- dels and Hindus prisoners, and that they were all in my camp. On the previous day, when the enemy's forces at- tacked us, the prisoners made signs of rejoicing, ut- tered imprecations against us, and were ready, as soon as they heard of the ene- my's success, to form them- selves into a body, break their bonds, plunder our tents, and then to join the enemy, and so increase his numbers and strength. I asked the amirs for advice about the prisoners, and they said that on the day of battle these one hundred thousand prisoners could not be left with the baggage, and that it would be entirely opposed to the rules of war to set these idolaters and foes of Islam at liberty, so that no course remained but to make them all food for the sword. MOHAMMEDAN ARMOUR.
