History of the Khaljis, A.D. 1290–1320 c3.s2.13

c3.s2.13

Towards the end of the year 691 A.H. (1292 A.D.) 'Alāuddīn requested the Sultan's permission to invade Bhilsa.¹⁵ The latter had just accomplished the conquest of Mandor, capturing it in the very first attack.¹⁶ He had also raided and plundered Jhain for the second time. The request of 'Alāuddīn at that time was, therefore, quite welcome to him, and he readily gave his consent. 'Alāūddīn left Kara and cleared the road to Ujjain on which lay the town of Bhilsa. His sudden arrival there created much consternation in the city. The frightened inhabitants concealed their idols in the bed of the Betwa, to save them from population at the hands of the Musalmans, but the prince had them hauled out of the river.¹⁷ After breaking a number of temples and capturing enormous booty 'Alāūddīn proceeded to Delhi to pay his respects to the sultan. He carried with him a variety of articles of plunder together with a massive idol, which was loaded on a cart.¹⁸ Jalāluddīn was immensely pleased at the results of his nephew's adventure. He ordered the captured idol to be laid at the Badaon Gate to be trampled upon by the faithful and rewarded 'Alāuddīn with the post of Minister of War ('Arīz-i-Mumālik) and added Avadh to his iqta' of Kara.