History of the Khaljis, A.D. 1290–1320 c2.s1.55

c2.s1.55

Soon after Sīdī's execution sultan Jalāluddīn marched with a large force towards the fortress of Ranthambhor⁵¹ on Thursday 18th Rabīul Avval 690 (22nd March 1291).⁵² Since Ikhtiyāruddīn Khān-i-Khānān, the eldest son of the sultan had died, Jalāluddīn left his second son Arkalī Khān as viceroy (naib) at Kīlugharī.⁵³ The king left Sīrī for Lohravat⁵⁴ and proceeded to Chāndāval⁵⁵ where he stayed for some time. In two more marches they reached Rewari⁵⁶ lying about fifty miles south west of Delhi. The march was continued and they arrived at Narnaul a town lying south west of Rewari. They crossed the sandy tracts of Rajputana where "the people had their mouths shut through thirst and a hundred camels were laden with water to satisfy the necessities of the army." After a fortnight's march they arrived on the borders of Ranthambhor. A reconnoitring party was sent in advance to collect information while the soldiers busied themselves in plundering the neighbourhood of Jhain.⁵⁷ During these operations the Turks used poisoned arrows and killed many.⁵⁸