The Cambridge History of India, Vol. III: Turks and Afghans v3.c20.248

v3.c20.248

The court of Fīrūz differed widely from that of the Slave Kings. Balban had undermined, if he had not destroyed, the power of the Forty and the character of the Turkish nobles was changed. They were now represented largely by men born in the country, in many instances, probably, of Indian mothers, and though, as their hostility to Fīrūz proves, they retained their pride of race, they lost for ever their exclusive privileges, which were invaded by Khaljīs and by all whom it was the king’s pleasure to promote. The change was inevitable. It would have been impossible for a small number of native courtiers to have maintained for ever a claim based on a remote foreign ancestry, and Fīrūz, though he did not exclude the Turks from office, completed very thoroughly the work which Balban had begun. The fief of Kara-Mānikpur was considered an ample provision for Chhajjū, the sole survivor of the former royal family, and Fīrūz had his own relations to consider. His eldest son, Mahmūd, was entitled Khān Khānān, his second Arkalī Khān, and his third Qadr Khān; his brother was entitled Yaghrush Khān and was appointed to the command of the army, and his two nephews, ‘Alā-ud-dīn and Almās Beg, received important posts, the latter being entitled Ulugh Khān. Another relation, the blunt and outspoken Malik Ahmad Chap, held the unsuitable post of Master of the Ceremonies.