The Foundation of Muslim Rule in India: A History of the Establishment and Progress of the Turkish Sultanate of Delhi, 1206–1290 A.D. c11.78

c11.78

Balban lived long enough to reap the fruit of his labours. His achievements, in ensuring peace and order, made such a profound impression on the people that the prosperous reign of Iltutmish was almost forgotten; the Sultanate, in the peoples' mind, was nearly merged in Balban and his house. It seemed that his dynasty had come to stay. He himself entertained no doubts and never tired of advising his heir-apparent, Muhammud, as to his kingly duties. Barani, Amir Khusrau and Amir Hasan all bestow lavish praise on the prince's mental and moral accomplishments³. He would undoubtedly have proved a capable ruler, but fate had decided otherwise, and like Iltutmish's eldest son, prince Muhammud was not destined to wear the crown. In a fierce battle with the Mongols, in one of their periodical invasions in the Lahore-Dipalpur province, he was slain in February, 1286⁴. The death of his accomplished and favourite son, more than the disaster to his forces, came as a terrible blow to the aged monarch and he never recovered from the shock. His policy, no less than his dynasty, seemed doomed to frustration, for his next son, Bughra, was ease-loving, mediocre and shirked responsibilities. Barani gives a touching description of the iron king's grief; he bore it lightly in public but wept bitterly at night.