History of the Khaljis, A.D. 1290–1320 c19.7

c19.7

The sultan possessed a vindictive nature. If once he became prejudiced against anybody, he spared no efforts to destroy him. If once he incarcerated somebody, he never thought of releasing him, and a large number of innocent men used to be punished simply because the king thought them to be guilty.¹ Nothing can be more disconcerting than the punishments of the Jalālī nobles who had, after the murder of their patron, sought protection under the banner of the rising star. So long as 'Alāūddīn needed their support he humoured them into submission, honoured them and distributed among them offices and wealth; but once he was secure on the throne he confiscated their lands, imprisoned some and killed others. The grossness of his nature impelled him to commit such heinous deeds without the slightest qualms of conscience.