History of the Khaljis, A.D. 1290–1320 c20.s3.39

c20.s3.39

In delivering the keys of the palace gates the sultan handed over his own death warrant to the Barvaris. Every night, after it was quite quiet, about three hundred well armed Barvari's used to enter the palace and move about here and there. The people saw these armed ruffians freely enter the palace at dead of night, but they dared not inform the sultan of their movements for fear of his wrath. But intelligent people understood everything and whispers of the intended revolt of Khusrau went round the palace. Qazī Ziyāuddin, the Vakil-i-dar, however, could not bear to see such a state of affairs. He had been tutor to the king in calligraphy and so could speak to him pretty plainly. One day he openly told the sultan of what was going on in the palace. "I rely on the mercy of Your Majesty," began the veteran officer, "and will say what I see every day. The Barvaris enter the palace every night and everybody knows that their intentions are wicked. The life of Your Majesty is in danger. During the regime of the late sultan 'Alāuddīn if somebody drank water more than usual, the sultan was at once informed of it. It is strange indeed that while such a great noise is being made in the palace and your life itself is in jeopardy, Your Majesty is quite neglectful. I request you to inquire into the matter. If there is something fishy, you may take steps to punish the miscreants. If you find the allegations unfounded, your love for Khusrau will only be increased.”⁹³ The sultan at once lost his temper and scolded the Qāzī in unbecoming terms. In place of holding an inquiry, he repeated to his favourite all that the Qāzī had said. Khusrau at once began to shed crocodile tears. “Since Your Majesty bestows upon me your favours”, said Khusrau, “the great nobles are anxiously trying to bring about my death.” Quṭbuddīn consoled the cunning Vazīr saying that he was the only person in whom the sultan reposed his implicit trust.