The Foundation of Muslim Rule in India: A History of the Establishment and Progress of the Turkish Sultanate of Delhi, 1206–1290 A.D. c9.98

c9.98

Yuzbak soon imbibed Tughan’s spirit and tried to follow his example. Following a successful expedition into Jajnagar, he led his troops to Awadh, occupied the city for two weeks and had the *Khutba* read in his name². A reported approach of the royal forces from Delhi, however, compelled him to effect a hurried retreat. But he had greater ambitions to fulfil. Taking advantage of the central government’s pre-occupations with the rebellions following Rayhan’s dismissal, Yuzbak declared his independence, assumed the regal title of Sultan Mughisuddin and struck coins in his name³. The earliest of his such coins with the sovereign titles is dated 653/1255⁴. He does not appear to have reigned long. In a rash expedition which he led for the conquest and occupation of Kamrup, he was taken prisoner by the Hindu forces and executed⁵. His death must have occurred shortly before 655/1257, for in that year a coin minted at Lakhnauti was issued solely in the name of Mahmud⁶, a clear proof of the restoration of his authority. The next viceroy-designate was Masud Jani whose appointment is chronicled under the year 656/1258⁷ but he does not appear to have assumed office on this occasion; for, early next year we hear of the despatch from Lakhnauti of a number of elephants by Izzuddin Balban-i-Yuzbaki—possibly one of Yuzbak’s retainers and the author of the 655 coin mentioned above—who was thereupon confirmed in the iqta of Lakhnauti¹. That, on Yuzbak’s submission, Masud Jani’s appointment was cancelled appears to be the only possible inference. Yuzbaki, however, could not rule for long.