The Nāṣirī Generations 37: Sultan Ruknu-d din Firoz Shah.
Tabakát-i Násirí (extracts) 37
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Sultan Ruknu-d din Firoz Shah.
37.1
Sultan Ruknu-d din Firoz Shah was a generous and handsome king, full of kindness and humanity. In liberality he was a second Hatim. His mother, the queen of the world, Shah Turkan, was originally a Turki handmaid, but had become the chief wife of Sultan Shamsu-d din Altamsh. She lavished many offerings and much charity on learned men, saiyids, and devotees. In the year 625 H. (1228 A.D.) Sultan Ruknu-d din received a grant of Badaun with a green umbrella. 'Ainu-l Mulk Husain Ash'ari, who had been the wazir of Nasiru-d din Kubacha, then became wazir of Ruknu-d din. When Shamsu-d din returned from the conquest of Gwalior to Dehli, he conferred the territories of Lahore, which had been the capital of Khusru Malik, on Ruknu-d din; and, on his return from his last campaign, from the Indus and Banyan, he took Ruknu-d din with him to Dehli, for the eyes of all men were on him, as the eldest of the king's sons since the death of Nasiru-d din Mahmud. On the death of Sultan Shamsu-d din Altamsh, the princes and nobles placed Ruknu-d din upon the throne on Tuesday, 19th of Sha'ban 633 H. (beginning of May, 1236), and the crown and throne were graced by his accession. The nobles were gratified and received robes of honour. When they returned home from the capital, the new monarch opened the doors of his treasury and gave himself up to pleasure, squandering the public wealth in improper places.
37.2
So devoted was he to licentiousness and debauchery that the business of the State was neglected and fell into confusion. His mother, Shah Turkan, began to interfere in the government of the country. During the life of her husband his other women had looked upon her with envy and disdain. She now seized the opportunity of punishing them, and in blind fury and vindictiveness she put several of them to death. This state of things began to trouble the minds of public men. In addition to her other cruel acts she caused the young prince Kutbu-d din, son of the late king, and a very excellent youth, to be blinded and afterwards to be put to death. These acts aroused an inimical feeling in the hearts of the great men in all directions. Malik Ghiyasu-d din Muhammad Shah, son of the late Sultan, and younger than Ruknu-d din, commenced hostilities in Oudh. He seized upon the treasure of Lakhnauti in its passage to the capital, and plundered several towns of Hindustan. Malik 'Izzu-d din Muhammad Salari governor of Badaun revolted. Malik 'Izzu-d din Kabir Khan, governor of Multan, Malik Saifu-d din Kochi, governor of Hansi, and Malik 'Alau-d din, governor of Lahore, conspired and broke out into rebellion. Sultan Ruknu-d din led his army from Dehli to repress these malcontents, but his wazir, Nizamu-l mulk Muhammad Junaidi, took the alarm and deserted him at Kilu-ghari. He then went off towards Kol and joined 'Izzu-d din Muhammad Salari of Badaun.
37.3
These two afterwards joined Malik Jani and Kochi. Sultan Ruknu-d din marched on to Kahram. The Turki nobles and the royal attendants who were about the person of the Sultan leagued together, and, in the neighbourhood of Mansurpur and Narain, Taju-d din Muhammad, secretary and controller, Bahau-l Mulk Husain Asha'ri, Karimu-d din Zahid, Ziau-l Mulk son of Nizamu-l Mulk Junaidi, Nizamu-d din Sharkani, Khwaja Rashidu-d din Malkani, Amir Fakhru-d din, and other confederate officials, killed the Tazik. In the month of Rabi'u-l awwal 634 H. (November, 1236 A.D.), Raziya, eldest daughter of the late Sultan, quarrelled with the mother of Sultan Ruknu-d din, and the Sultan was constrained to return to Dehli. His mother had attempted to capture and kill Sultan Raziya, but the people rose, and the latter seized upon the royal palace and made the mother of the Sultan prisoner.
37.4
When Ruknu-din arrived at Kilu-ghari he found that rebellion had broken out, and that his mother had been made prisoner. The guards and Turkish nobles came into the city, and joining Raziya, proffered their allegiance to her, and raised her to the throne. Being thus elevated to the throne, she sent an army of Turks and nobles to Kilu-ghari and they brought Sultan Ruknu-d din prisoner to Dehli, where he was kept in confinement and died. His death happened on Sunday, the 18th of Rabi'u-l awwal A.H. 634 (November, 1236 A.D.) He reigned for six months and twenty-eight days. He was very generous; no king in any reign had ever scattered gifts, robes of honour, and grants in the way he did, but all his lavishness sprang from his inordinate addiction to sensuality, pleasure, and conviviality. He was so entirely devoted to riot and debauchery, that he often bestowed his honours and rewards on bands of singers, buffoons, and catamites. He scattered his riches to such a heedless extent, that he would ride out drunk upon an elephant through the streets and bazars, throwing tankas of red gold around him for the people to pick up and rejoice over. He was very fond of playing with and riding upon elephants, and all the elephant drivers were much benefited by his bounty. His nature was averse to hurting any creature, and his tenderness was the cause of his downfall.
37.5
Kings should possess all virtues that their people may live at ease. They should be generous, that the army may live satisfied; but sensuality, gaiety, and the society of the base and unworthy bring an empire to ruin. May God pardon him!