The History of Fīrūz Shāh (Baranī) 1.2

1.2

During the ten years after the death of Sultan Shamsu-d din four of his children sat upon the throne. They were young and unequal to the duties of government. Their lives were passed in pleasure and neglect of their duties. The Turk slaves, called "The Forty," thus obtained power in the government of the country, and grew in strength and dignity. The free-born maliks and noble officials who had served the Shamsi throne with honour and renown were all removed. After the lapse of ten years, during which three of Sultan Shamsu-d din's children reigned, his youngest son, Nasiru-d din (after whom the Tabakat-i Nasiri is named), came to the throne. He was a mild, kind, and devout king, and passed much of his time in making copies of the Holy Book. During the twenty years of his reign Balban was Deputy of the State, and bore the title of Ulugh Khan. He, keeping Nasiru-d din as a puppet (namuna), carried on the government, and even while he was only a Khan used many of the insignia of royalty. In the reign of Shamsu-d din the fear inspired by the slaughter and ravages of Changiz Khan, the accursed Mughal, caused many renowned maliks and amirs, who had long exercised authority, and many intelligent wazirs, to rally round the throne of Shamsu-d din. * * * His Court thus became the equal of that of Mahmud or of Sanjar, and the object of universal confidence. After the death of Shamsu-d din his Forty Turk slaves grew powerful.