The Foundation of Muslim Rule in India: A History of the Establishment and Progress of the Turkish Sultanate of Delhi, 1206–1290 A.D. c8.18

c8.18

He was thus in no position to resume offensive military action against the Rajputs. Even the affairs in Lakhnauti, urgent in themselves, could engage only his passing attention. The least that Bakhtiyar’s murder had threatened to do there was to sever Delhi’s connection and split the province into small, mutually jealous units. Having siezed and imprisoned the murderer, Ali Mardan, the Khalji chiefs proceeded to elect Muhammud Sheran to the chieftaincy who was pledged to acknowledge little subordination to Delhi². Ali Mardan escaped from confinement, and making his way to Delhi, persuaded Aibak to intervene in the Lakhnauti affairs. On proceeding thither to establish order, the Delhi agent Qaimaz Rumi, however, met with blank refusal on the part of the Khaljis to recognise his authority. In Husamuddin Iwaz, one of the Khalji chiefs, Rumi, however, found a willing tool and left him at Devkot to hold temporary charge of the province. On the agent’s departure Iwaz was immidiately turned out; whereupon Rumi returned and reinstated him but only after a severe struggle with Sheran and his party³ Ali Mardan eventually induced Aibak to appoint him governor over the province where he was soon to commence a reign of terror⁴.