South India and her Muhammadan Invaders c12.28

c12.28

*Interference in Provincial Administration.*—When the Sultan was at Deogir on the occasion of the rebellion of Ma’bar, he had placed the Government of Deogir under Katlagh Khan. At the same time he appointed Malik Kabil, Governor of Tilang, made Nusrat Khan, Governor of Bidar, and created another Sub-Governor for Berar. Katlagh Khan carried on the administration so well that he infused some confidence in the people, and was able to amass a considerable amount of wealth in the treasury. He found it, however, impossible to transmit the accumulated wealth to Delhi as the roads were unsafe owing to the prevalence of famine in Malva. But the distress that prevailed at the head-quarters was taken advantage of by mischief-makers to prejudice the king against Katlagh Khan. The Sultan now perpetrated the double blunder of recalling Katlagh Khan from Deogir, and proposing to appoint instead Einu-l-Mulk of Oudh. This naturally dissatisfied both, and had dangerous consequences upon the empire. Einu-l-Mulk and his brothers revolted, fell upon the camp of the king himself and captured many of his elephants. The rebellion was at last got under, and several of the rebels punished. Einu-l-Mulk was however pardoned, and he retained his position in the King’s favour. Katlagh Khan’s position at Deogir was taken by a brother of his own who was governor of Broach, by name Maulana Nizamu-d-din. This latter had none of the qualifications required in a governor of Deogir, and let the vast province get out of hand. Einu-l-Mulk not being appointed, the king had now recourse to a new device which like so many others of Sultan Muhammad defeated its own ends.