History of the Khaljis, A.D. 1290–1320 c3.s2.18

c3.s2.18

At Bhilsa 'Alāuddīn had heard of the fabulous wealth of Devagiri. He had made up his mind to invade the kingdom once he had assembled an adequate army at Kara, but he nursed his ambition secretly. Now when he saw the king so kindly disposed towards him and the revenues of Avadh added to those of Kara, he begged for another favour from the Sultan. "Chanderi and its neighboursood" he represented "are free (from payment of revenue) and are ignorant (heedless) of the army of Delhi. If it be your pleasure I shall employ new troops and retainers with the revenues of my fiefs so as to attack these places and bring countless booty ... and deposit everything in the Imperial Treasury."¹⁹ The unsuspecting monarch, who had no idea of the extent of 'Alāuddīn's ambitions, nor even of the intensity of his estrangement with his wife and mother-in-law, gave the requisite permission to raise a new army; and tempted by the prospects of a rich booty he remitted the revenues of Kara and Avadh.²⁰ 'Alāuddīn returned to Kara and began to make preparations to invade Chanderi.²¹ This was the opportunity for which he had thirsted for so long a time. He had now both men and money. His plans had begun well.