The Cambridge History of India, Vol. III: Turks and Afghans v3.c20.71

v3.c20.71

Tilak was of humble origin, being the son of a barber, but was handsome, enterprising and accomplished, speaking and writing well both Hindī and Persian. From the service of Abu-’l-Hasan he had been promoted to that of Mahmūd’s minister and eventually to that of Mahmūd himself. He had deserved well of Mas‘ūd, for he had, at considerable personal risk, consistently supported his cause against that of his brother, and had been rewarded, after his accession, with the chief command of the Hindu troops and the rank of a noble of the empire.