The Foundation of Muslim Rule in India: A History of the Establishment and Progress of the Turkish Sultanate of Delhi, 1206–1290 A.D. c9.69

c9.69

The new reign, which commenced on the 23rd Muharram, 644/10th June, 1246¹, did not affect the state's policy, now firmly in Balban's control. The latter further strengthened his position in 647/1249, by marrying his daughter to the young Sultan². Masud's naib-i-mamlikat Qutbuddin Hasan, does not appear to have survived him, but the office was not filled until Balban got himself formally appointed to it in 1249-50³. His younger brother Kashlu Khan became the amir-i-hajib, while one of his cousins Sher Khan received the important governorship of Lahore and Bhatinda⁴. The submissive Abu Bakr continued as wazir and most probably became one of Balban's partisans. All the key positions being thus held by his men, Balban's domination in the government became unquestioned. To this was to be added the timid and retiring disposition of the king which made it easy for the naib to wield power, an advantage denied to Aetigin.