The Foundation of Muslim Rule in India: A History of the Establishment and Progress of the Turkish Sultanate of Delhi, 1206–1290 A.D. c9.52

c9.52

Aetigin's assassination had terminated Bahram's agreement with the *maliks*; Sunqar's death now widened the breach still further. The ecclesiastics had also been alienated by the punishment given to some of their members; an indiscreet act on the part of Bahram, leading to the execution of the *qazi* of Mihir, made determined enemies of them². The *wazir*, a most vile and vindictive man, now sought an opportunity to settle his own accounts with the Sultan. Soon the opportunity came. In 639/1241, a Mongol force besieged Lahore and troops had to be sent out to relieve the city. The *wazir* was sent in their company, but as the army neared Lahore, he frightened the officers by disclosing a secret order purported to have been issued by the Sultan for their seizure and execution. Enraged at this treachery, the army revolted and at once prepared to march back to depose the tyrant. The *Sheikhul Islam*, whom Bahram now sent to allay their fears, was also a party to the plot and so fanned the flame of rebellion. The army accompanied by the *wazir* and the *Sheikhul Islam*, returned to besiege Delhi. It was denuded of troops but the citizens put up a stout defence. In the end, however, the *wazir's* partisans succeeded in raising an insurrection within the city in which, even Minhaj, the chief *qazi* and possibly a prominent supporter of Bahram, was severely wounded. Next day the city fell to the rebels and Bahram was taken prisoner and executed¹.