History of the Khaljis, A.D. 1290–1320 c14.23

c14.23

On his return from Ranthambhor in 1301 not only did 'Alāuddīn put down the rebels, he made up his mind to destroy the very bases of such revolts. Ilbarīs had interested themselves in Hājī Maulā's insurrection, the Mongol nobility had never reconciled to the Khaljī government. The sultan decided that the best way to clip the wings of the refractory element was to impoverish it. The reclamation of crown lands, the enhancement of revenue, and other fiscal measures, which will be described shortly, affected the nobility to a very large extent. The barons were ordered to refrain from visiting one another or holding convivial parties. Further, they were prohibited from contracting matrimonial alliances without the previous permission of the crown. These orders were strictly enforced. In fact ‘Alāuddīn reduced the noblemen to the status of slaves and imposed upon them all the three conditions of slavery, viz., the sultan was to inherit the noble; no marriage could be arranged without the sultan’s permission, and the sons of noblemen became slaves of the king in their turn. The Maliks and Amīrs, on account of the fear of the intelligence service, behaved most cautiously and carefully. Even when they congregated in the royal palace they dared not speak to one another, and expressed themselves through gestures.