History of the Khaljis, A.D. 1290–1320 c4.27

c4.27

When Singhana heard of the catastrophe which had befallen the capital, he hurried back to relieve his father in distress. On his arrival within three kos from the capital, he received a message from Ram Chandra saying that a truce had been concluded with the invader, that the enemy was a very tough fighter and that any further attempt of fighting him would bear no better results. Daring and energetic as he was, the youthful prince turned a deaf ear to his father's warning, and marshalled his forces to fight 'Alāuddīn.¹⁹ He sent a threatening message to 'Alāuddīn saying that if he wanted to escape from the dangerous 'whirlpool' in which he had entangled himself, he must hand over all the wealth he had looted and immediately return to the north. 'Alāuddīn, who had only recently dictated terms of treaty to Ram Chandra flew into a rage at this imprudent and impertinent action of his haughty son, and ordered the messengers of Singhana to be paraded between the ranks of his army with their faces blackened.²⁰ He then started preparation for the next encounter.