The Cambridge History of India, Vol. III: Turks and Afghans v3.c20.224

v3.c20.224

Before leaving Bengal Balban appointed Bughrā Khān to the government of the province and after repeating the advice which he had given him on appointing him to Sāmāna added a brief and impressive warning. ‘Mahmūd,’ he said, after the punishment of the rebels, ‘didst thou see?’ The prince was silent and the question was repeated. Still there was no answer. ‘Mahmūd,’ repeated Balban, ‘didst thou see the punishment inflicted in the great bazar?’ ‘Yes,’ at length replied the trembling prince, ‘I saw it.’ ‘Well,’ said Balban, ‘take it to heart, and whilst thou art at Lakhnāwatī remember, that Bengal can never safely rebel against Delhi.’ He then proceeded, with strange inconsistency, to advise his son, if he should ever find himself in arms against Delhi, to flee to some spot where he might baffle pursuit and remain in hiding until the storm should have passed.