[Pramāṇa](https://indike.org/pramana/) › [Indian literature](https://indike.org/pramana/in) › [Dark Ages](https://indike.org/pramana/in.darkages) › [Bengal, Orissa and the North-East](https://indike.org/pramana/in.darkages.east) › [Riyāẓ al-salāṭīn](https://indike.org/pramana/in.darkages.east.riyaz-al-salatin) › [The Riyazu-s-salatin (Abdus Salam)](https://indike.org/pramana/in.darkages.east.riyaz-al-salatin~en-abdus-salam) › 32 # Riyaz al-salatin 32: RULE OF GHIASU-D-DIN KHILJI IN BENGAL. The Riyazu-s-salatin (Abdus Salam) 32 - **Language:** English ### RULE OF GHIASU-D-DIN KHILJI IN BENGAL. ### [32.1](https://indike.org/pramana/in.darkages.east.riyaz-al-salatin~en-abdus-salam.32.1) Ghiasu-d-din Khilji succeeded to the rule of Bengal. In that year 607 A.H., Sultan Qutbu-d-din, whilst playing at polo at Deokot) from Bakhtiar Khilji, went ahead to receive Qaimaz Rumi, and in the latter's company proceeded to Deokot, and on the initiative of Qaimaz, received the fief of Deokot. When Qaimaz was returning from Deokot, Muhammad Shiran and other Khilji nobles collected together, and attempted to re-take Deokot. Qaimaz came back, fought with the Khilji nobility and Muhammad Shiran, who being defeated, dispersed, quarrelled amongst themselves near Makidah (Masidah, a perganah south-east of Deokot) and Mantosh (Santosh, a perganah south-east of Deokot), and Muhammad Shiran was slain. He lies buried at Santosh (on the banks of the Atrai river). Lahor, fell from his horse, and died, and his son, Aram Shah, mounted the throne of Delhi, and the Empire fell into decay. Ghiasu-d-din establishing completely his rule over this province, pointed to fief of Kangor, (which lay south-east of Deokot) and next promoted to charge of the important northern military outpost of Deokot. On the appointment of Ali Mardan Khilji to the rule of Bengal, he advanced to receive the new Viceroy on the banks of the Kosi river, and helped in the latter's installation at Deokot. On the assassination by the Khilji nobles of Ali Mardan, who had since the death of Emperor Qutbuddin Aibak assumed independence, Hussamuddin was elected chief of the Khilji oligarchy in Bengal in 609 or 610 A.H. ### [32.2](https://indike.org/pramana/in.darkages.east.riyaz-al-salatin~en-abdus-salam.32.2) Seeing the feebleness of Qutbuddin's successor, Aram Shah, Hussamu-d-din assumed independence, made Lakhnauti his capital, and assumed the title of Sultan Ghiasu-d-din about 612 A.H., and minted coins in his own name. Mr. Thomas in his "Initial Coinage of Bengal" notices several coins of Sultan Ghiasu-d-din struck at Gaur or Lakhnauti between 614 and 620 A.H. An examination of these coins indicates the interesting and curious fact that Ghiasu-d-din had put himself in communication with the Khalifa of Baghdad so far back as 620 A.H. (that is, earlier than Emperor Altamsh of Delhi who obtained similar honour in 626 A.H.) and obtained a pontifical patent, recognizing the sovereign of Bengal amongst the Moslem hierarchy of the world. This circumstance, as suggested by Mr. Thomas, would also indicate that in those days there was freer sea and ocean-intercourse between the Musalmans along the shores of Bengal and the Arabs of the sea-ports of Basrah and Baghdad, than between Musalmans of more inland places in India and the Arabs of the aforesaid sea-ports. In 622 A.H., Emperor Altamsh from Delhi invaded Bengal, and on Sultan Ghiasuddin paying him tribute, peace was concluded. In 624 A.H. ### [32.3](https://indike.org/pramana/in.darkages.east.riyaz-al-salatin~en-abdus-salam.32.3) Sultan Nasiruddin, eldest son of Emperor Altamsh, invaded Lakhnauti, whilst Ghiasuddin was engaged at Kamrup and Bang (East Bengal), and fought a battle with Sultan Ghiasuddin, on the latter's return, and killed the latter, and succeeded to the rule over Bengal in a semi-sovereign capacity, with the approval of his father, Emperor Altamsh. It is stated that Sultan Ghiasuddin extended and consolidated the Moslem sovereignty in Bengal, and extended his empire over Jajnagar (Orissa), Bang (East Bengal), Kamrud (or Kamrup, Western Assam), and Tirhut (see Tabaqat-i-Nasiri, Pers. text, p. 163.) Minhajus-Siraj, Author of Tabaqat-i-Nasiri who visited Lakhnauti shortly after in 641 A.H. and appreciated the material improvements effected by Ghiasuddin, pays him a high tribute (Pers. text, p. 161), a tribute which in 627 A.H. Emperor Altamsh had also paid to the memory of this good and great sovereign, by decreeing that Ghiasuddin should in his grave be styled as a Sultan. Amongst his public works, Tabaqat-i Nasiri mentions that he founded the Fort of Baskot (Basankot near Gaur), established mosques, and Public Halls, &c. introduced the Khutbah and the coin in his own name, and to some extent arrogating to himself the sovereign power, he ruled over this country. And when the throne of Delhi by the accession of Sultan Shamsu-d-din Altamsh received eclat in the year 622 A.H., the latter marched with his forces to Behar, and invaded Lakhnauti. ### [32.4](https://indike.org/pramana/in.darkages.east.riyaz-al-salatin~en-abdus-salam.32.4) Sultan Ghiasu-d-din not finding strength in himself to stand an encounter, presented to the Emperor thirty-eight elephants, eighty thousand rupees, together with various valuables and other presents, and enlisted himself amongst the adherents of the Emperor. Sultan Shamsu-d-din Altamsh introducing there the Khutbah and the coin in his own name and bestowing on his eldest son the title of Sultan Nasiru-d-din, and entrusting to him the rule over the kingdom of Lakhnauti, and presenting to him the royal umbrella and staff, himself returned to the metropolis of Delhi. Sultan Ghiasu-d-din was just and liberal, and the period of his rule was twelve years. --- Source: [https://indike.org/pramana/in.darkages.east.riyaz-al-salatin~en-abdus-salam.32](https://indike.org/pramana/in.darkages.east.riyaz-al-salatin~en-abdus-salam.32) · Pramāṇa