The Cambridge History of India, Vol. III: Turks and Afghans v3.c20.189

v3.c20.189

During Balban's absence those who were jealous of his great power, including Mahmūd's mother and Raihān, a eunuch converted from Hinduism, who had already shown some aptitude for factious intrigue, poisoned the king's mind against him, and found many sympathisers and supporters among the Forty, who resented the excessive predominance of one of their number. Balban's condonation of the offences of his disobedient cousin, Sunqar, furnished a text for the exhortations of the intriguers, who succeeded in persuading Mahmūd that it was necessary to vindicate his authority by punishing Sunqar, and in the winter of 1252–53 Balban was compelled to accompany his master on a punitive expedition and to submit to the daily increasing arrogance of his enemies. At the Sutlej the conspirators attempted his assassination, but fortune, or his own vigilance, befriended him, and having failed in their attempt they persuaded Mahmūd to banish him to his fief of Hānsī, hoping that an overt act of disobedience would furnish a pretext for his destruction, but they were disappointed, for Balban obeyed the order in dignified silence. The expedition had been merely an excuse for his humiliation, and the army retired to Delhi immediately after his dismissal.