The Cambridge History of India, Vol. III: Turks and Afghans v3.c20.266

v3.c20.266

‘Alā-ud-dīn, doubting his power to cope with the adherents of Fīrūz Shāh’s lawful heir, was hesitating whether he should march on Delhi or retire into Bengal when his difficulty was solved by his old enemy, his mother-in-law. Arkalī Khān, the heir, was at Multān, and Fīrūz Shāh’s widow, ‘the most foolish of the foolish,’ deeming that a king *de facto* was necessary, in such a crisis, to the security of Delhi, proclaimed the younger son of Fīrūz as king, under the title of Rukn-ud-dīn Ibrāhīm. Arkalī Khān sulked at Multān and his partisans at Delhi refused to recognise his brother. These divisions encouraged ‘Alā-ud-dīn to march on Delhi and his spoils provided him with the means of conciliating the populace. At every stage a *balista* set up before his tent scattered small gold and silver coins among the mob. At Budaun he halted, for an army had been sent from Delhi to bar his way, but no battle was fought, for the nobles were lukewarm in the cause of Ibrāhīm and ‘Alā-ud-dīn’s bursting coffers justified a transference of allegiance. He was thus enabled to advance on Delhi at the head of an army of 60,000 horse and 60,000 foot, and Ibrāhīm, after a feeble demonstration, fled towards Multān with his mother and the faithful Ahmad Chap, and on October 3, 1296, ‘Alā-ud-dīn was enthroned in the Red Palace of Balban, which he made his principal place of residence.