History of the Khaljis, A.D. 1290–1320 c5.14

c5.14

⁷ Khazāin. Habib Trans. p. 5., Elliot Vol. III, p. 69. There is some difference in the narratives of contemporary historians about the time which 'Alāūddin spent on his expedition to Devagiri. Barani at one place (refering to a letter of apology 'Alāūddin sent to his uncle) says that the prince wrote that he had been away on the expedition for more than a year. Barani writing long after the occurrence of the event, probably means a long period of time and not definitely a period of more than one whole year. Following upon Barani, Ferishtah tries to explain how the alleged period of one year was spent by 'Alāūddin (Ferishtah pp. 96-97). Other contemporary evidence, however, shows that the expedition was so planned as to be completed within a short period of two or three months. *Firstly*, 'Iṣāmī clearly says that 'Alāūddin had planned to return within a couple of months *Futūh* p. 222. As has been discussed above 'Alāūddin in no case could afford to spend much time in the Deccan. *Secondly*, Barani says (p. 222) that 'Alāūddin had secured the roads to Devagiri during his raid on Bhilsa. He went by forced marches straight to Devagiri without giving rest to his troops or disturbing petty chieftains on the way. *Thirdly*, the rumours which sultan Jalāluddin received at Gwalior in quick succession were to the effect that 'Alāūddin had arrived in Devagiri, had raided it and was on his way back. It appears, therefore, that 'Alāūddin did not spend much time in Devagiri. Ferishtah says he stayed there only for 25 days.