The Foundation of Muslim Rule in India: A History of the Establishment and Progress of the Turkish Sultanate of Delhi, 1206–1290 A.D. c6.s1.37

c6.s1.37

Their triumph was however short-lived, for Alauddin, who ultimately succeeded to Takash’s throne, proved to be of the same metal as his father. He soon recovered Neshapur and other Ghoride conquests; even Herat capitulated to him in 598/1201³. Inspite of his easy success Alauddin appears to have been anxious for peace with Ghorides, in order to deal finally with his hated Qara-khitai suzerain⁴. But they gave him no rest. Impatient to recover Khurasan, they opened the attack and after obtaining a victory near the Merv-ar-rud, beseiged Tus and Sarakhs. Herat easily fell before them Alauddin however, taking advantage of Muizzuddin's brief absence from Herat on the occasion of his brother, Ghiyasuddin's death in 599/1202, defeated the Ghoride troops under Kharnak beseiging Merv, and relieved the city¹. The long standing rivalry between the two dynasties thus came to a head and a decisive conflict could no longer be postponed.