The Nāṣirī Generations 40: 6. — Sultan 'Alau-d din Mas'ud Shah bin Firoz Shah.
Tabakát-i Násirí (extracts) 40
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6. — Sultan 'Alau-d din Mas'ud Shah bin Firoz Shah.
40.1
Sultan 'Alau-d din Mas'ud Shah was son of Sultan Ruknu-d din Firoz Shah. He was a generous and good-natured prince, possessed of many estimable qualities. On Saturday, the 8th of Zi-l ka'da, 639 H. (May, 1242), when the city of Dehli was wrested from the hands of Mu'izzu-d din, the generals and nobles by common consent released from prison the three princes Nasiru-d din, Malik Jalalu-d din, and 'Alau-d din. They conveyed them from the White Palace to the public hall of the palace of Firoz, and there they agreed to make 'Alau-d din king, although Malik 'Izzu-d din Balban had previously seated himself upon the throne. This Balban had caused his name to be proclaimed as king through the city, but it was not accepted. 'Alau-d din was raised to the throne, and the people gave a general acquiescence. Kutbu-d din Husain Ghori was made deputy of the kingdom, and Nizamu-l Mulk wazir, and Malik Karakash lord chamberlain. The districts of Nagor, Mandawar, and Ajmir were assigned to Malik 'Izzu-d din Balban, and the country of Badaun was given to Malik Taju-d din Sanjar Katlak, On the fourth day after the capture of Dehli the writer of these pages begged to be relieved of his office of Kazi, and the post remained vacant for twenty-six days, till the fourth of Zi-l hijja, when Kazi 'Imadu-d din Muhammad Shakurkani was appointed.
40.2
Nizamu-l Mulk Mahzabu-d din exercised unbounded power over the country, and he took the district of Kol as his appanage. Previous to this he had caused music to play, and an elephant to wait at the door of his mansion. Everything was taken out of the hands of the Turki nobles, so that they became embittered against him. They conspired together, and on Wednesday, 2nd Jumada-l awwal, 640 H. (30th Oct., 1242 A.D.), they killed him in the camp before the city, in the plain of Hauz-rani. The author of this work resolved at this time to make a journey to Lakhnauti, and he started from Dehli on Friday, the 9th Rajab, 640 H. Taju-d din Katlak paid him great attention in Badaun, and so also did Kamru-d din Kairan in Oudh (May God immerse them in his mercy!). Tughan Khan 'Izzu-d din Tughril had come with his army and boats to the confines of Karra. The author joined him from Oudh, and went with him to Lakhnauti. On Sunday, the 7th Zi-l hijja, 640 H., the author arrived at that place, having left his children and wives all in Oudh. Subsequently he sent some trustworthy persons who brought them to Lakhnauti. Tughan Khan showed him great kindness, and bestowed upon him boundless favours. The writer stayed at Lakhnauti two years.
40.3
In the course of these two years 'Alau-d din achieved many victories in different parts of his dominions. After the death of Khwaja Mahzab, the post of wazir was given to Sadru-l Mulk Najmu-d din Abu Bakr, and the office of lord chamberlain was given to Daru-l Mulk Baligh Khan, together with the district of Hansi. At this time there was much fighting going on. When Tughan Khan returned from Karra to Lakhnauti he deputed Sharfu-l Mulk Ash'ari to the presence of 'Alau-d din, and he was named governor of Lakhnauti, receiving the honour of the red umbrella through Kazi Jalalu-d din, who was kazi of Oudh. On Sunday, 11th of Rabi'u-l akhir, 641 H., the bearers of these honours arrived at Lakhnauti and Tughan Khan was invested. One of the good things done by 'Alau-d din was that about this time, he, with the assent of the nobles and officers, released his two uncles. On the 'I'd-i azha they left their confinement. Malik Jalalu-d din received the district of Kanauj, and Nasiru-d din the district of Bahraich. Each one in his province devoted himself to peaceful pursuits and the improvement of the condition of his subjects.
40.4
In Shawwal 642 H. (March 1245), the infidels of Changiz Khan came to the gates of Lakhnauti. On the 1st Zi-l ka'da, Tamar Khan Kairan arrived at Lakhnauti with an army and generals under orders received from Sultan 'Alau-d din. Jealousy sprung up between Tamar Khan and Tughan Khan. On Wednesday, 3rd Zi-l ka'da of the same year, peace was made : Lakhnauti was given to Kairan Khan, and Tughan Khan proceeded to Dehli. The author of this work accompanied him and arrived at Dehli on Monday, 14th Safar, 643. Here the author was granted the honour of an interview with the sovereign, and on Thursday the 17th Safar, at the suggestion of Ulugh Khan, he was appointed principal of the Nasiriya college, and superintendent of its endowments. He was also made kazi of Gwalior and preacher in the Jami' masjid : all his old offices being again entrusted to him. He also received the royal grant of a horse with proper ornamental trappings : honours which none of his family had ever before attained.
40.5
In the month of Rajab news arrived from the upper parts (taraf-i bala) that an army of infidel Mughals had arrived at Uchh. This army was under the command of the accursed Mankutai (Mangu Khan). Sultan 'Alau-d din gathered his forces from all sides to drive back the Mughal invaders. When he arrived on the banks of the Biyah the infidels raised the siege of Uchh. The author accompanied his majesty in this campaign, and it was universally admitted by all men of knowledge and intelligence that such an army as was then under the orders of the Sultan had never before been seen. When the infidels heard of its strength and perfection they retreated towards Khurasan. In this army there was a party of good-for-nothing fellows who had gradually made their way into the society of the Sultan, and were the means of leading him into unworthy habits and practices. It was thus that he acquired the habit of seizing and killing his nobles. He became confirmed in his cruelty; all his excellent qualities were perverted, and he gave himself up to unbounded licentiousness, pleasure, and hunting. Disaffection began to spread through the kingdom, and all the business of the State fell into disorder. The princes and nobles agreed to send envoys with letters inviting Nasiru-d din, and the result will be hereafter related. On Sunday, 23rd Muharram 644 H. (June, 1246) Sultan 'Alau-d din was put into prison and died. He reigned four years, one month, and one day.