The Cambridge History of India, Vol. III: Turks and Afghans v3.c20.344

v3.c20.344

The armies met on September 5, and though ‘Ain-ul-Mulk’s defection had damped the spirits of the usurper’s faction his troops fought bravely until they were overpowered by Ghāzī Malik’s veterans. Khusrav attempted to save himself by flight, but was found lurking in a garden, and was brought before the conqueror and beheaded. Ghāzī Malik halted for the night at Indarpat, where he received from some of the leading citizens the keys of the gates of Sīrī, and on the following day he entered the Palace of the Thousand Pillars and wept as he beheld the scene of destruction of his old master’s family. He asked whether there yet remained any descendant of ‘Alā-ud-dīn who might, claim his allegiance, but was informed that the whole family had been extinguished and was urged to ascend the throne. After a decent profession of reluctance he was proclaimed king on September 8, under the title of Ghiyās-ud-dīn Tughluq Shāh.