History of the Khaljis, A.D. 1290–1320 c18.35

c18.35

While Kāfūr had gained unrivalled ascendancy at the capital, while he was killing generals like Alp Khān and imprisoning princes like Khizr Khān, in short, while he was playing almost the king, the affairs of the empire were drifting towards a chaos. The last phase of ‘Alāuddīn's reign is characterized by a succession of revolts in the various provinces. Upon receiving the news of the murder of their favourite governor Alp Khān, the army of Gujarat unfurled the standard of revolt. Under the command of their leaders Haider and Vazīrak they resolved not to submit to any imperial *firmān*.²¹ Malik Kamāluddīn Gurg was sent to Gujarat to quell the insurrection, but instead of being able to suppress the infuriated soldiery, he himself was ruthlessly killed. The affairs in Gujarat continued to be chaotic until the death of ‘Alāuddīn. Insurrections broke out in Chittor also where Maldeva, the puppet of ‘Alāuddīn, was constantly harassed by Hammīr, the ruler of Sesoda. In the Deccan Harpal Deva, son-in-law of Rām Deva, assumed independence at Devagiri and destroyed many royal outposts. The intelligence of these insurrections used to set the dying king’s body aflame with rage. All his life-work seemed to be undone. Whatever he had conquered seemed to be lost. His eldest son was far away at Gwalior, his beloved wife was kept away from him and he was leaving the country more disturbed than he had found it. He had lived an extremely busy and tiresome life and from the disorders of dropsy and also perhaps from the fatal effects of the poison administered by Malik Kāfūr,²² ‘Alāuddīn found refuge in a silent death on the 7th of Shavvāl 715 (January 6th., 1316).²³