The Cambridge History of India, Vol. III: Turks and Afghans v3.c20.310

v3.c20.310

Alp Khān, ignorant of Deval Devī’s departure, attempted to capture her by overwhelming her father with his whole force, defeated him, and pursued him towards Deogīr. In the neighbourhood of that fortress he granted leave to three or four hundred of his men to visit the wonderful cave temples of Ellora, situated in the hills above the town. While they were inspecting the temples they perceived, marching towards them, a Hindu force which they suspected of the intention of cutting them off, and accordingly received with a flight of arrows. The force was, in fact, Deval Devī’s escort, commanded by Bhīm Deo, and one of the arrows wounded the horse on which the princess rode. As the pursuers came up with her her attendants revealed her identity and besought them to respect her honour. She was at once escorted to Alp Khān, who retired to Gujarāt and dispatched her thence to Delhi, where she rejoined her mother and was married, in the summer of 1307, to Khizr Khān, the king’s eldest son. The story of their loves is told by Amīr Khusrav in a long poem. The enmity between Malik Nāib and Alp Khān, which had fatal results for the latter at the end of the reign, undoubtedly arose from his forestalling the eunuch on this occasion.