The Cambridge History of India, Vol. III: Turks and Afghans v3.c20.265

v3.c20.265

Fīrūz, disregarding the warnings of his counsellors, set out from Delhi and travelled down the Ganges by boat, escorted by his troops, which moved by land under the command of Ahmad Chap. ‘Alā-ud-dīn crossed from Kara to Mānikpur and, as the royal barge came into sight, drew up his troops under arms and sent his brother to lure Fīrūz into the trap set for him. ‘Alā-ud-dīn was represented as being still apprehensive and the king was implored not to permit his troops to cross to the eastern bank of the river, and to dismiss all but a few personal attendants. The murmurs of the courtiers were met with the explanation that ‘Alā-ud-dīn’s troops were drawn up to receive the king with due honour, Fīrūz Shāh’s complaints of ‘Alā-ud-dīn’s obstinacy were silenced by the excuse that he was occupied in preparing a feast and in arranging his spoils for presentation, and Ulugh Khān even persuaded his uncle to order his few personal attendants to lay aside their arms. As Fīrūz landed ‘Alā-ud-dīn advanced to meet him and bowed to the ground. The kindly old man raised him up, embraced him, and chid him for his fears, and then took his hand and led him towards the boat, still speaking affectionately to him. ‘Alā-ud-dīn gave a preconcerted signal and one of his companions, Muhammad Sālim, struck two blows at the king with a sword, wounding him with the second. Fīrūz attempted to run towards his boat, crying “ ‘Alā-ud-dīn, wretch, what have you done?’ But another assassin, Ikhtiyār-ud-dīn, came up behind him, struck him down, severed his head from his body, and presented it to ‘Alā-ud-dīn. The few attendants of the king were murdered and the royal umbrella was raised above the head of ‘Alā-ud-dīn, who was proclaimed king in his camp on July 19, 1296. The unnatural wretch caused the head of his uncle and benefactor to be placed on a spear and carried through Mānikpur and Kara, and afterwards through Ajodhya. The faithful Ahmad Chap would not acknowledge the usurper but returned by forced marches, and led the army, exhausted by a most arduous march in the rainy season, into Delhi.