History of the Khaljis, A.D. 1290–1320 c14.19

c14.19

Under Iltutmish the nobles had acquired great strength. His "Corps of Forty" (*Chahalgānī*) counted for much in state affairs. In fact the Turkish aristocracy had even put the crown into commission and Balban became apprehensive of their strength. He tried to crush them, but his success was only partial. With Jalāluddīn's advent to power the nobles regained their slightly impaired power, firstly, because Jalāluddīn tried to win their support during the Khaljī revolution, and secondly, because the king was by nature extremely kind. Even so, he indicted his nobles very severely. "Except holding drink parties, seeking pleasure in women and wine, except gambling and dicing, and except plotting against the king," said the disgusted sultan, "the nobles had no other business."¹⁰