History of the Khaljis, A.D. 1290–1320 c20.s2.27

c20.s2.27

Gujarat, however, was not destined to enjoy a long tenure of peace. A plot against the sultan's life while he was on a march to the Deccan shook him to his very being and after his return from there Qutbuddin became extremely cruel and reckless. He openly executed Zafar Khan, his father-in-law and governor of Gujarat, without any rhyme or reason. Zafar's death was enough to sap the imperial hegemony in Gujarat. Hisāmuddīn, a brother of Khusrau Khan,²⁶ was next given the charge of the province. The mere fact that the sultan looked upon him with some favour, turned his head, and this ungrateful wretch began to hatch evil designs. He collected his cousins, relatives and supporters, who were quite prominent in Gujarat, and raised the standard of revolt. The powerful barons and officers of Gujarat, however, caught him and sent him to Delhi. In place of taking any severe steps against Hisāmuddīn, Qutbuddin only gave him a place near him at the court. This attitude of the king frightened the noblemen of Gujarat and created bitterness and hatred in their hearts for so licentious a sovereign. After Hisāmuddīn, the governorship of Gujarat fell to the lot of Malik Vahiduddin Qureshi, who was given the title of Sadrul Mulk. Vahiduddin belonged to a highly respectable family and was one of the invaluable and rare nobles of the realm.³⁷ Sadrulmulk arrived in Gujarat and on account of his great qualities dispelled the vicious atmosphere created by the machinations of Hisāmuddin. Qutbuddin was very much impressed by the administrative talents of Vahīd Qureshi, and after the suppression of Malik Yaklakhi's revolt at Devagiri he called Vahiduddin to Delhi, gave him the title of Tājulmulk and entrusted him with the offices of the Naib-i-Vuzrāt and Divān-i-Vuzrāt.³⁸