Early History of the Dekkan down to the Mahomedan Conquest c21.97

c21.97

Some time after, Alla-ud-dın assassinated his aged uncle and usurped the throne King Râmachandra did not send the tribute for several years, and to punish him the Delhi monarch despatched an expedition of 30,000 horse under the command of Malık Kafur, a slave who had risen high in his favour Malik Kafur accomplished the long and difficult march "over stones and hills without drawing rein," and arrived at Devagiri in March 1307 A D, or about end of Saka 1228 A fight ensued in which the Hindus were defeated and Râmadeva was taken prisoner ⁶¹ According to another account, Malık Kafur came laying waste the country about Devagiri, and the Hindu king observing the futility of resistance surrendered himself. Râmachandra was sent to Delhi, where he was detained for six months and afterwards released with all honour. Thenceforward he sent the tribute regularly and remained faithful to the Mahomedans. In S'aka 1231 or A. D. 1309, Malik Kafur was again sent to the Dekkan to subdue Tailangaṇa. On the way he stopped at Devagiri, where he was hospitably entertained by the king.