The Institutes of Akbar 294.1

294.1

He must not be confounded with No. 119. I'timad Khan was originally a Hindu servant of Sultan Mahmud, king of Gujrat. He was ‘trusted’ (i’timad) by his master, who had allowed him to enter the harem, and had put him in charge of the women. It is said that, from gratitude, he used to eat camphor, and thus rendered himself impotent. He rose in the king’s favor, and was at last made an Amir. In 961, after a reign of 18 years, the king was foully murdered by a slave of the name of Burhan, who besides killed twelve nobles. I'timad next morning collected a few faithful men, and killed Burhan. Sultan Mahmud having died without issue, I’t. raised Razi ul Mulk, under the title of Ahmad Shah, to the throne. Razi was a son of Sultan Ahmad, the founder of Ahmadabad; but as he was very young, the affairs of the state were entirely in I’t.’s hands. Five years later, the young king left Ahmadabad, and fled to Sayyid Mubarak of Bukhara, a principal courtier; but I't. followed him up, defeated him, and drove him away. Sultan Ahmad then thought it better to return to I’t., who now again reigned as before. On several occasions did the king try to get rid of his powerful minister; and I’t. at last felt so insecure, that he resolved to kill the king, which he soon afterwards did. I’t. now raised a child of the name of Nat’hu to the throne, ‘who did not belong to the line of kings ;’ but on introducing him to the grandees, I’t.