The History of Fīrūz Shāh (Baranī) 7.1

7.1

Sultan Kutbu-d din, son of Sultan 'Alau-d din, ascended the throne in the year 717 H. (1317 A.D.). He gave to Malik Dinar, the keeper of the elephants, the title Zafar Khan, to Muhammad Maulana, his maternal uncle, the title Sher Khan. * * * There was a young Parwari, named Hasan, who had been brought up by Malik Shadi, the Naib-hajib. The Sultan took an inordinate liking for this youth. In the very first year of his reign he raised him to distinction, and gave him the title of Khusru Khan. He was so infatuated and so heedless of consequences, that he placed the army of the late Malik Naib Kafur under this youth, and gave to him the fiefs held by that malik. His passion and temerity carried him so far that he raised the youth to the office of wazir, and he was so doting that he could never endure his absence for a moment. The trouble which had prevailed in the land, from the beginning of the sickness of 'Alau-d din to the death of Malik Naib Kafur, began to abate on the accession of Kutbu-d din. People felt secure, and were relieved from the apprehension of death, and the nobles were released from the dread of death and punishment. When Kutbu-d din came to the throne he was much given to dissipation and pleasure. Still he was a man of some excellent qualities. When he escaped from the danger of death and blinding, and was delivered from evils of many kinds ;