South India and her Muhammadan Invaders c11.s1.31

c11.s1.31

Khusru Khan’s invasion of Warangal.—It was in all probability for establishing the military posts above referred to that an expedition against Warangal was entrusted to Khusru Khan, of which Barni makes no mention. Amir Khusru, however, who completed his work Nuh Siphir (nine spheres) in A.D. 1318, has a detailed account of Khusru Khan’s invasion and siege of Warangal. In Deogir itself Khusru Khan was detached first against Raghu, the minister of Ram Deo, and then, against Harpal (Harapāla) Deo himself. It must have been after this that he marched southwards towards Warangal. Warangal seems to have been closely besieged as on the former occasions, and was compelled to submit. The negotiations also took a turn similar to that of Malik Kafur’s Campaign, the Khan stating that ‘the Khalifa who sent me to this country ordered me to demand three conditions from the Hindus; first, that they should make profession of the faith in order that its tidings may be proclaimed throughout the world; second, that, in the event of refusal, a capitation tax should be levied; and the third is, if the compliance with this demand is refused to place their heads under the sword. It is my recommendation that the Rai come forth and place his head upon the ground, in front of the royal pavilion.’ These terms meant conversion to Islam, or the surrender of all property and agreement to pay Jazia, or death in the alternative, terms quite similar to those offered by Malik Kafur before. The Raja agreed to surrender all his wealth and to pay tribute, and after he satisfied the Khan that he had secreted no treasure, the Khan accepted the terms. The written agreement also arrived in due course. ‘The Khan then received from the Rai five districts (mauza) of his country (A’kta), an annual tribute of more than a hundred strong elephants, as large as demons, twelve thousand horses, and gold and jewels and gems beyond compute. The Rai assented to the whole, with heart and soul, and wrote an agreement to this effect and confirmed it.’¹ As a token of subordination to the Empire at Delhi Khusru Khan renewed the canopy and standard given to the Rai, and returned to Deogir in a hurry, as he was summoned in haste. Before Khusru Khan reached Deogir however, Mubarak Shah left for Delhi on the 5th of August A.D. 1318.