South India and her Muhammadan Invaders c10.10

c10.10

The murder of the good uncle did not make the way to the throne quite open to Alau-d-din. Jalalu-d-din's eldest son had died, and the second son was Arkali-Khan, who was then Governor of Multan. He was a soldier of great reputation at the time, and had already done splendid service under his father. Had he been put forward in succession to the late Sultan, Alau-d-din would have found his position difficult, nay impossible almost, but the evil genius of the late Sultan in the person of the queen Malika-i-Jahan put up the third son Ruknu-d-din Ibrahim in preference to his elder brother, and thus lost the support of the more powerful among the nobles who would gladly have supported the cause of Arkali Khan. Alau-d-din found his opportunity now, made the very best use of it, and applied the Dekhan gold to pave his way to the throne. ‘ He rejoiced over the absence of Arkali-Khan and set off for Delhi at once in the midst of the rains, although they were more heavy than any one could remember. Scattering gold and collecting followers, he reached the Jamna. He then won over the Maliks and Amirs by a large outlay of money, and those unworthy men greedy for the gold of the deceased and caring nothing for loyalty or treachery, deserted the Malika-i-Jahan and Ruknu-d-din and joined Alau-d-din.’ ‘ Five months after the death of Jalalu-d-din at Karra, Alau-d-din arrived at Delhi and ascended the throne. He scattered so much gold about that the faithless people easily forgot the murder of the late Sultan and rejoiced over his accession. His gold also induced the nobles to desert the sons of their benefactor and to support him.’¹ About the same transaction Ferishta makes similar reflections. ‘He commenced his reign by splendid shows, and grand festivals, and encouraged every description of gaiety, which so pleased the unthinking rabble that they soon lost all memory of their former king, and of the horrid scene which had placed the present one on the throne. He who ought to have been viewed with detestation, became the object of admiration to those who could not see the blackness of his deeds through the splendour of his munificence.’