South India and her Muhammadan Invaders c15.s6.1

c15.s6.1

The third Thursday, Ghiyath-eddin (Ghiyazu-d-din) died. I heard the news and hastened to return to town, fearing a tumult. I met Nasir-eddin (Nasiru-d-din), the nephew and successor of the deceased, who was sent for to the camp as the Sultan left no son. He asked me to retrace my steps to the camp with him; but I refused, and this refusal left an impression on his mind. This Nasir-eddin (Nasiru-d-din) was a domestic servant at Delhi before his uncle came to the throne. When Ghiyath-eddin (Ghiyazu-d-din) became king, the nephew fled to him in the garb of a fakir, and fate willed it that he should reign after him. When they had sworn allegiance to Nasir-eddin (Nasiru-d-din) poets recited his praises in verse, and they gave him magnificent gifts. The first who rose to recite verses was the Khadi Sadrazzeman (Kazi Sadru-s-Zaman), to whom he gave 500 pieces of gold and a robe of honour; then came the vizir named Alkadhi (the judge) whom the Sultan gratified with two thousand pieces of silver. As for me, he made a present of 300 pieces of gold and a robe of honour. He distributed alms among fakirs and the poor. When the preacher gave his first sermon in which he mentioned the name of the new sovereign, they loaded him with drachmas and dinars placed in gold and silver basins. The funeral of Ghiyath-eddin (Ghiyazu-d-din) was celebrated with great pomp. Each day the Koran was read beside the tomb. Then, those whose business it was to read the tenth part of the holy book, delivered a lecture, after which food was served and the public ate; finally, silver pieces were given to each individual according to his rank. This went on for forty days. The ceremony was renewed annually on the anniversary of the death of the deceased.