The History of Fīrūz Shāh (ʿAfīf) 83.1

83.1

The name of Khán-i Jahán was Makbúl. In his state of ignorance (i.e. when he was a Hindu) he was called Kattu. He was a native of Telingána, and a man of high position in his tribe, and he had attracted the favour of the Rái of that country. When Sultán Muhammad sent the Rái of Telingána to Dehlí, the Rái died upon the road. Kattu then presented himself to Sultán Muhammad, and made his profession of the Muhammadan faith. On being admitted to the honour of the faith, the Sultán gave him the name of Makbúl, and bestowed on him many marks of his favour. Sultán Muhammad perceived in him many marks of sagacity and intelligence, so he made him deputy-wazír of Dehli, when he used to seal and place his signature on parwánas as follows, "Makbúl, slave of Muhammad Tughlik." Although he had no knowledge of reading and writing, he was a man of great common sense, acumen and intelligence, and was an ornament to the Court. In the reign of Sultán Muhammad he received the title of Kiwámu-l Mulk, and a grant of the fief of Multán. This was before he became deputy-wazír. In those days Khwája-i Jahán was wazír of Sultán Muhammad. * * * When this Sultán died, and Sultán Fíroz attained the throne, Khwája-i Jahán was desirous of giving the crown to a son of Sultán Muhammad, and opposed Sultán Fíroz, as has been related in a former part of this work.