Riyaz al-salatin 63: THE REIGN OF SULTAN MAHMUD, SON OF FIRUZ SHAH.

63

When Firuz Shah passed to the secret-house of non-existence, the nobles and the ministers placed on the throne his eldest son, named Mahmud. And an Abyssinian slave, named Habash Khan became the Administrator-General of financial and administrative affairs, and his influence so completely pervaded all affairs of government, that, except a bare title, nothing of sovereignty was left to Mahmud Shah, and the latter was compelled to live in this way, until another Abyssinian, who was called Sidi Badr Diwana, despairing of his ways, killed Habash Khan, and himself became the Administrator of the affairs of government. After some time, leaguing with the commandant of the Paiks, at night-time, he killed Mahmud Shah, and next morning with the concurrence of the nobles of the palace, who were in league with him, he ascended the throne, assuming the title of Muzaffar Shah. The reign of Mahmud Shah lasted one year. And in the history of Haji Muhammad Qandahari, it is related that Sultan Mahmud Shah was a son of Fath Shah. Jashn Khan, a slave of Barbak Shah, under order of Sultan Firuz Shah, trained him up; and after the death of Sultan Firuz Shah, Sultan Mahmud was placed on the throne. After six months had passed, Habash Khan, harboured notions of sovereignty in his head. Malik Badr Diwana killing Habash Khan, as has been related before, himself mounted the throne.