The Nāṣirī Generations 231: XIII. MALIK BADR-UD-DIN, SUNKAR-I-RUMI.
Tabakat-i-Nasiri 231
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231
Malik Badr-ud-Din, Sunkar, was a Rumi [of Rum—Rumiliah] by origin, and some of the trustworthy have related after this manner, that he was the son of a Musalman and had fallen into slavery; but he was a man of exceedingly good disposition, with comeliness and dignity, of admirable morality, humble, and endowed with kindness and laudable qualities for winning men.
When the Sultan [I-yal-timish] first purchased him, he became Tasht-dar [Ewer-bearer], and, after he had performed that office for some time, he became Bahlah-dar [Bearer of the Privy Purse]. Subsequently, he became Shahnah [Superintendent] of the Zarrad Khanah of Buda'un; and, after some farther time, he rose to be Na-ib Amir-i-Akhur [Deputy Lord of the Stable], and served the Sultan in every capacity, and did approved services. After he became Amir-i-Akhur, he used never to be absent from the gate of the royal stable for a moment save through unavoidable necessity; and, whether on the move or stationary, he used to be always present in attendance at the threshold of sovereignty. Whilst the fortress of Gwaliyur was being invested, he was pleased to show such goodness and countenance towards the writer of these words, and to treat him with such honour and respect, that the impression of such benevolence will never be effaced from his heart. May the Almighty have mercy on him!
When the sovereignty passed to Sultan Raziyyat, the fief of Buda'un was given him; and, in the year 638 H., at the time that Malik Ikhtiyar-ud-Din, Aet-kin, was assassinated, in the reign of Sultan Mu'izz-ud-Din, Bahram Shah, the latter summoned Malik Badr-ud-Din, Sunkar, from Buda'un, and conferred upon him the office of Amir-i-Hajib. When Malik Ikhtiyar-ud-Din, Altuniah, of Tabarhindah, along with Sultan Raziyyat, resolved to march upon the capital, and they arrived in the vicinity of Dihli, in the quelling of that sedition, Malik Badr-ud-Din, Sunkar, performed excellent services; but, after a short time, disagreement arose between him and the Khwajah, Muhazzab-ud-Din, the Wazir, through a trifling cause which it behoveth not to mention. This irritation continued to increase, and, on this account, the Khwajah, Muhazzab-ud-Din incited the Sultan against him, and the Sultan's confidence in Malik Badr-ud-Din, Sunkar, departed, and his faith in the Sultan likewise ceased. He [Badr-ud-Din Sunkar] convoked the great men of the capital, for the purpose [of discussing] a change in the government, at the mansion of Sayyid Taj-ud-Din, Musawi, on Monday, the 14th of the month of Safar, 639 H. The Khwajah, Muhazzab-ud-Din, gave intimation to the Sultan of this circumstance, and the Sultan mounted, and called upon Malik Badr-ud-Din, Sunkar, to give up his intentions. He joined the Sultan; and, on that same day, he was sent off [on his way] to Buda'un.
After some time, the decree of destiny having gone forth, it brought him back to the capital again, without having received orders to return, and he came to the city of Dihli, and alighted at the dwelling of Malik Kutb-ud-Din [Husain, son of 'Ali, the Ghuri] — on whom be the Almighty's mercy! — thinking that perhaps, under his protection, he might obtain mercy. A mandate was issued from the sovereign's Court so that they seized him, and he was cast into prison. He continued in imprisonment and confinement for some time, and, in the end, on the night of Wednesday, the 14th of the month of Jamadi-ul-Awwal 639 H., he attained martyrdom. The Almighty’s mercy be upon him!