History of the Khaljis, A.D. 1290–1320 c2.11

c2.11

*Character of Jalāluddīn.* The new king's character is clearly reflected in an incident which occurred early in his reign. After Jalāl had been firmly seated on the throne, writes Baranī, he rode one day into Delhi and visited the Red Palace of Balban. The old memories of how he had stood before the throne in years gone by filled his eyes with tears. He got down from his horse at the outer gate of the palace and bowed in obeisance. When Malik Aḥmad Chap reminded him that the palace now belonged to him and he should not behave in the way he did, Jalāluddīn burst into tears and remonstrated: "You know that nobody among my ancestors has been a king, so that the pride and dignity of kingship might have been inherited by me. Sulṭān Balban sat here on the throne and I served him. The awe and dignity of that monarch has not left my breast........ This palace had been built by Balban during his Khanship and it is his property and that of his sons and relatives...."^9 The old king could not think of sitting on the throne while his colleagues, who, like himself, had served under Balban, remained standing before him. He only took his seat among the nobles and putting his turban to his eyes wept bitterly.¹⁰