The Cambridge History of India, Vol. III: Turks and Afghans v3.c20.159

v3.c20.159

Notwithstanding the vindictive zeal with which Iltutmish had pursued Ismā‘īlian and Carmathian heretics, some appear to have escaped death, and Delhi now again harboured large numbers of these turbulent fanatics, who had assembled from various provinces of the kingdom and were excited by the harangues of a Turk named Nūr-ud-dīn, a zealous preacher and proselytizer. On Friday, March 5, 1237, the heretics made a second organised attempt to overthrow the established religion, and to the number of a thousand entered the great mosque from two directions and fell upon the congregation. Many fell under their swords and others were killed by the press of those who attempted to escape, but in the meantime the Turkish nobles assembled their troops and, aided by many of the congregation who had gained the roof of the mosque and thence hurled missiles on their foes, entered the courtyard and slaughtered the heretics to a man.