The Foundation of Muslim Rule in India: A History of the Establishment and Progress of the Turkish Sultanate of Delhi, 1206–1290 A.D. c9.112

c9.112

From the end of Bahram’s reign, the Mongols proved a far more serious distraction and as in the days of Iltutmish, Delhi’s attention was perforce divided. By 653/1255 they menacingly advanced to complicate the situation in the Punjab and Sind; while Mahmud’s government mobilised all its resources to meet them, potential rebels in Awadh found an opportunity to gather strength. The Sultan’s stepfather, Qutlugh Khan, who held the province, belonged to the anti-Turkish faction which caused Balban’s temporary dismissal¹. After Rayhan’s removal from office Qutlugh became his closest ally and from the adjoining provinces of Awadh and Bahraich they proceeded to negative Mahmud’s authority. Assured of their seditious designs Balban decided to remove Rayhan from office and sent Sanjar Sihwistani to take over Bahraich. Qutlugh came to his friend’s help, intercepted Sanjar and eventually seized him. The latter, however, managed to escape and collecting a small force crossed the Saraju, gave battle to Rayhan and finally slew him². Shortly afterwards Qutlugh was ordered to take over Bahraich and leave Awadh. He refused to comply and openly revolted; he even succeeded in repelling a force sent to coerce him and killed one of the generals¹. Awadh thus threatened to be cut off from Delhi. Balban now personally took the field, whereupon the rebel sought safety in flight to the Himalayan foothills. Balban marched in persuit but on failing to trace him consoled himself by plundering the neighbouring Hindu tribes and rajas suspected of harbouring the rebel². Immediately on Balban's withdrawal, early in 654/1256 Qutlugh emerged from his retreat, re-occupied Awadh and even sought to annex Karra and Manikpur³. Arslan Khan, who then held the province, however, succeeded in expelling him and Qutlugh once again retired to seek shelter with the chief of Santurgarh in the Sirmur hills⁴. The Rana, whom Minhaj calls Ranpal, refused to give him up and Balban was obliged, in 655/1257, to plunder his territory as far as his capital. But the rebel continued to elude capture and lived to aim, as will appear presently, a far more serious blow at Delhi.