History of the Khaljis, A.D. 1290–1320 c18.2

c18.2

Notwithstanding the various measures the sultan had undertaken for strengthening his state and notwithstanding the brilliant victories Malik Kāfūr was achieving in the south as late as the year 1313, the government of 'Alāuddīn was gradually losing in strength and stability. As the health of the king was deteriorating with advancing age, his passion for centralization of power in his own hands was increasing. Like Aurangzēb in his old age, 'Alāuddīn also would listen to no advice, would tolerate no opposition. In contrast to his early years when he had able counsellors like 'Alāulmulk, Nuṣrat Khān and Ulugh Khān, he had only favourites and flatterers now at the close of his reign. In addition to this he had become extremely peevish and suspicious. It is, therefore, not surprising that it was during his last days that the appaling massacre of the neo-Muslims took place. Conversion of jagīrs into crown-lands had already rendered many a Mughal destitute. Some of the ex-servicemen had obtained employment under high officials and barons, but most of them had been left unemployed. These disgruntled souls accused the Sultan of tyrannising over the people, of forcibly seizing money, of imposing prohibition and instituting various kinds of heavy taxes. They had also shown resentment at the execution of Abaji Mughal during Kāfūr's expedition to M'abar. Confident of the support of the neo-Muslims in the army and the approval of the people in general, who would obtain deliverance from the tyranny of the Sultan,² they plotted to assassinate the king. The plot was discovered and the rage of the Sultan flared up. It was ordered that on an appointed day all the Mughals should be killed wherever they were found, and "their wives and children should be handed over to their assassins."³ The orders were carried out to the very letter and some twenty to thirty thousand Mughals, most of whom had no knowledge of the plot, were ruthlessly massacred. Although not without reason, still, the neo-Muslims were extirpated with horrible barbarity and nothing can justify the inhuman way in which the whole section of them—innocent or guilty—were exterminated.