History of the Khaljis, A.D. 1290–1320 c11.118

c11.118

As to the fate of 'Alī Bēg and Tartāq, accounts vary. According to Baranī all Mughal prisoners, together with their chiefs, were crushed under the feet of the elephants.⁶⁹ Amīr Khusrau, however, says that 'Alī Bēg and Tartāq were granted amnesty. He further adds, "In course of time one of them died, without any harm having been done to him, and the other remained alone. The emperor was so successful in sport that he took their lives in one game after another."⁷⁰ The last sentence of this passage is not very clear, but 'Iṣāmī makes a statement which corroborates it as well as throws fresh light on it. He says that 'Alāuddīn pardoned 'Alī Bēg and Tartaq, gave them robes of honour and provided for them all necessaries and amenities of life. After a short time, however, Tartaq, while under a fit of drunkenness, was heard to enquire about his crown, armour and army. When the Sultan came to know of it, he ordered his head to be chopped off immediately. 'Alī Bēg also met the same fate after one or two years.⁷¹