History of the Khaljis, A.D. 1290–1320 c20.s2.62

c20.s2.62

The demand filled the helpless prince’s eyes with tears and heart with rage. He remonstrated saying that since he had lost everything in the world except his beloved, it behoved the king to leave at least Deval to him. In the end Khiẕr Khān declared that he would prefer death to her separation.⁵⁹ In short the king who sought a pretence to kill his step brother ordered the death of Khiẕr Khān. Consternation and then despondency spread in Gwalior Fort as the arrival of Shādī Khatta was made known. Khiẕr Khān took a touching farewell from his companion and prepared to die. Amīr Khusrau and Ibn Baṭṭūṭah give a graphic account of the execution of the princes. The Egyptian traveller learnt all about it at Mecca from Qāzī Zainuddīn Mubārak of Gwalior who happened to be an eye-witness to the execution⁶⁰. According to the Qāzī, Khiẕr Khān’s mother, who was present in the fortress, was locked up in a room. Khiẕr Khān’s spirits quailed at the sight of the sword and he started wailing aloud. But soon the fatal blow silenced him for ever. Shādī Khān was all fire at the cruel doom decided for the innocent victims. In his rage he leapt upon the executioner and threw him on the ground. But all in vain. Very soon he and Shihāb “drank of the same cup”, each being killed by turns.⁶¹ The wails and cries of the royal ladies added to the poignancy of the situation. In a turret of the fort known as the Vijaya Mandir were buried the dead “just as gems are hidden in stones.”⁶²