History of the Khaljis, A.D. 1290–1320 c12.s1.23

c12.s1.23

The expedition to Devagiri was a grand success indeed, and Sultan ‘Alāūddīn turned his attention to the kingdoms lying farther south. As Dr. Aiyangar aptly remarks, “ ‘Alāūddīn's object in these various invasions of the Deccan and the farther south appears to have gone no further than making them the milch-cow for the gold that he was often much in need of for the efficient maintenence of his army to keep Hindustan free from internal disturbance and invasion by the Mughals from outside.” That this was actually his policy is clear from the instructions he gave to Malik Kāfūr on the eve of the expedition against Warangal According to Amir Khusrau it was on the 25th of Jamādiul Avval 709 (31st October, 1309) that the Sultan ordered Malik Naib Kāfūr "to lead his lucky horses" towards the south and reduce the kingdom of Telingana with its capital at Warangal (Arangal of the Muslim historians). In spite of the fact that Muslim arms had no two previous occasions won brilliant victories in Devagiri, the Sultan quite realised that south India was an alien land. And, therefore, before sending Malik Naib to the south 'Alāuddīn gave him some very valuable instructions. He told him that he was going to an unfamiliar country and should, therefore, not be very much self-willed and obstinate. He should work in cooperation with Malik Sirājuddīn, the 'Arīz-i-Mumālik, and other important officers. He should treat the troops leniently and avoid any cause of resentment or revolt. He was advised to connive at minor acts of misconduct and disorderly behaviour of the soldiers. If any soldier wanted a fresh horse or a loan it was to be given to him. In short, he was neither to be so lenient to the commanders, nobles or soldiers as to render them impertinent and disrespectful, nor was he to let his severity turn them into his enemies. As to the treatment to be meted out to the king Warangal, Malik Kāfūr was advised to capture the fort and overthrow the Raja; and if Rai Pratap Rudra Deva (Laddar Deo of Muslim chronicles) consented to surrender his treasures and elephants and also agreed to pay a yearly tribute thereafter, the royal commander was not to insist for more, lest the Rai should be forced into desperate resistence. If he was successful in securing all the treasures and elephants of Warangal, he should not insist that the Rai should come to wait on him and "for the sake of his own name and fame, he should not bring the Rai with him to Delhi."³⁵