The History of Fīrūz Shāh (Baranī) 4.17

4.17

The nobles were banished to different countries, and their properties were confiscated. Hatya Paik, the destined assassin, was sentenced to suitable punishment, and Sidi Maula was carried bound to the front of the palace, where the Sultan expostulated with him. Shaikh Abu Bakr Tusi was present with a number of his followers, and the king turned to them and said, "Oh darweshes avenge me of the Maula." One of them fell upon the Sidi and cut him several times with a razor. Arkali Khan was on the top of the palace, and he made a sign to an elephant driver, who drove his elephant over the Sidi and killed him. This most humane King could not endure the plotting of a darwesh, and gave an order which broke through their prestige and sanctity. I, the author, well remember that on the day of the Sidi's death, a black storm arose which made the world dark. Troubles afterwards arose in the State. * * * In the same year there was a scarcity of rain, there was dearth in Dehli, and grain rose to a jital per sir. In the Siwalik also the dearth was greatly felt. The Hindus of that country came into Dehli with their families, twenty or thirty of them together, and in the extremity of hunger drowned themselves in the Jumna. The Sultan and nobles did all they could to help them. In the following year such rain fell as but few people could remember. I now return to my narrative of the events of Jalalu-d din's reign. In the year 689 H. (1290 A.D.), the Sultan led an army to Rantambhor.