South India and her Muhammadan Invaders c11.s1.13

c11.s1.13

Such of them as did not escape by chance or design were put to death, their houses plundered, their women and children turned into the streets, and whatever of property they had was swept into the public treasury. By this drastic measure he made internal rebellions by these chieftains impossible although such of them as escaped to more distant provinces were quite ready to create trouble as we shall see. (2) The violence and jealousy of his temper, which shows itself in these acts, began to extend itself further in the last years of his reign. He grew jealous of those old nobles and officers, who were mainly responsible for the administration of the kingdom. Fearing risings on their part, he removed several of them and put in their stead young slaves and eunuchs, who became his favourites, notably Malik Kafur. His treatment of his sons carried in it another fruitful cause of discontent. While yet they were too young for exercise of authority, he advanced them to responsible dignities, which naturally turned their heads and brought about first misunderstandings, and then graver consequences. (3) His infatuation for Malik Kafur the greatest of his favourites, led him to prefer the slave above all others, whatever their rank or position. The officer that resented this preference the most was Alp Khan, the father-in-law of Kizer Khan and a brother of his mother. Through the influence of Malik Kafur Alp Khan, the Governor of Gujarat, was assassinated, and even Kizer Khan and his mother were ill-treated and turned out of their palaces. These disturbances near the throne naturally loosened the hold upon the distant provinces, and, as was usually the case, revolts broke out in Gujarat. The officer sent to put down the rebellion was killed and the rebels had the upper hand of it. Other rebellions followed when Alau-d-din got seriously ill. It was generally believed that the illness was aggravated and helped out to a fatal termination by Malik Kafur himself.