The Foundation of Muslim Rule in India: A History of the Establishment and Progress of the Turkish Sultanate of Delhi, 1206–1290 A.D. c10.49

c10.49

towards the end of Iltutmish's reign. The earliest date on his coins found in Gwalior, Jhansi and Narwar, cannot be anterior to 1233¹. His power must have grown rapidly for, soon after his establishment at Narwar, the Muslim chronicler refers to him as "the greatest of all the *Rais* of Hindusthan and in command of a great army"². From Narwar he commenced operation against the Muslim garrison of Gwalior. It was obviously to reinforce the fortress that Raziah early in her reign, sent an expedition under Tamur Khan³, towards "Gwalior and Malwah". The position, however, soon became untenable and not long afterwards she sent another force to withdraw the military and civil personnel and escort it back to Delhi. Gwalior had thus to be abandoned to Chaharadeva who therein found a securer base for aggressions against the Muslim dominions. In 649/1251 Balban found it necessary to lead a full-scale expedition against the "Rana Chahir Ajari". The extent of his dominions is probably indicated by the mention of "Gwalior, Chanderi, Narwar and Malwah" towards which Balban marched his forces on this occasion⁴. Though he gained some success and even managed to capture Narwar and also Gwalior, Chaharadeva's discomfiture proved temporary⁵. For, from the evidence of coins, he certainly ruled in independence upto at least 1259⁶. Records of his successors have also been found in Gwalior and Narwar. The last date on the coins of his successor Asalladeva is probably 1283; the last two princes of the dynasty, named Gopala and Ganapati, are known from coins and inscriptions whose dates range from V.S. 1337 to 1355/1280 to 1298¹.