The Cambridge History of India, Vol. III: Turks and Afghans v3.c25.144

v3.c25.144

Mahmūd III now returned to Ahmadābād to discover that he had but changed one master for another. He insisted, in his gratitude, on promoting Chīrjī the fowler to the rank lately held by Fattūjī and conferred on him all Fattūjī's possessions, and his title of Muhāfiz Khān, but the advancement profited the humble bird-catcher little, for when he took his seat among the nobles of the kingdom 'Ālam Khān Lodī protested, and when Chīrjī, with the king's support, persisted in asserting his right, compassed his death. The manner in which the minister's decision was executed indicates the estimation in which the king and his wishes were held by his new master. Ashja‘ Khān, ‘Ālam Khān’s brother, entered the royal presence with a dagger in his hand, laid hold of the wretched Muhāfiz Khān, dragged him forth, and as soon as he had crossed the threshold of the hall of audience stabbed him to death. ‘Ālam Khān became, of course, lieutenant of the kingdom, and Nūr-ud-dīn Burhān-ul-Mulk Bambānī was appointed minister. ‘Imād-ul-Mulk Malikjī returned from Māndū and received Broach as his fief.