The Cambridge History of India, Vol. III: Turks and Afghans v3.c20.194

v3.c20.194

After Balban’s return another ramification of the conspiracy against him came to light. Qutlugh Khān of Bayāna, one of his leading opponents, now outwardly reconciled, had secretly married the king’s mother, who had formerly exercised much influence over her son and had been Raihān’s chief ally. Mahmūd’s eyes were opened to the network of intrigue by which he had been surrounded, and Qutlugh and his wife were dismissed to Oudh, in order that they might be as far as possible from the court. Raiḥān was transferred, at the same time, from Budaun to Bahrāich, a less important fief, but it was discovered a few months later that he was in dangerous proximity to Qutlugh Khān, and Sanjar Chast was sent to remove him from Bahrāich. He was arrested and imprisoned by Qutlugh Khān but in August made his escape, attacked Bahrāich with a small force, defeated and captured the eunuch, and put him to death.