History of the Khaljis, A.D. 1290–1320 c20.s2.1

c20.s2.1

Mubarak Khān ascended the throne at the young age of seventeen or eighteen on the 20th Muharram 716 (14th April, 1316).¹⁸ As was the custom, his accession was followed by great rejoicings, and titles and honours were conferred on the dignitaries of the state. The title of Zafar Khān was conferred upon Malik Dīnār, the Shahnah-i-Pīl (Keeper of Elephants). Muḥammad, an uncle of the sultan, became Sher Khan. Malik Fakhruddīn Jūnā, son of Ghāzī Malik, was made Amīr Akhūr (Master of Horse). Maulana Ziyāuddīn, son of Maulana Bahāuddīn¹⁹ Khattāt, who was Mubārak Shāh's teacher in caligraphy, was given the post of Sadr Jahān and the title of Qazī Khān, and a dagger worked in gold and jewels was presented to him. Malik Qīra Beg was entrusted with a number of responsible offices.²⁰ The king also raised to high positions his favourites and slaves and conferred upon them big jāgīrs. But the most surprising elevation was of Ḥasan, an obscure slave of Gujarat, on whom the king bestowed special honours. He was given the title of Khusrau Khan, and the emoluments and jāgīrs of Malik Naib were bestowed upon him; and after some time, in the very first year of his reign, Qutbuddin raised him to the position of Vazir.