The Foundation of Muslim Rule in India: A History of the Establishment and Progress of the Turkish Sultanate of Delhi, 1206–1290 A.D. c9.85

c9.85

It was after two expeditions, conducted within a period of eight years, that the Khalji chiefs could be made to acknowledge his authority. To curtail the governor's power he found it necessary to separate the province from Bihar. But the arrangement lasted only till his death. Tughan Khan maintained a show of allegiance to Raziah and Bahram, but his actions showed little subordination. Having quarrelled with the governor of Lakhanor—probably a separate military division—and occupied it¹, towards the end of Bahram’s reign he reannexed Bihar². Early in the next reign he led a conquering expedition to the provinces of Karah, Manikpur, Awadh and even to the districts further north³. This was a clear challenge to the central government, for, in Awadh he sought to dispossess the king’s representative. Masud’s government however, was powerless to intervene, and the governor of Awadh, Tamur Khan, it appears, could summon little armed assistance in defending his charge. Tughan Khan approached the city and was preparing to install himself there when the much respected Minhaj, then on his way to Lakhnauti, succeeded in persuading him to withdraw.