History of the Khaljis, A.D. 1290–1320 c5.23

c5.23

Jalāluddīn received 'Alāuddīn's letter only a few days after his arrival at Kilugharī. Most of the nobles and other prominent men of Delhi had come to know that Alāuddīn was playing a treacherous game. They had learnt of Alāuddīn's scheme of establishing himself independently in Bengal, but they were avers to apprising the foolish sultan of the true state of affairs for fear of receiving an unjust treatment at his hands. Jalāluddīn wrote a very sweet and comforting reply to his nephew granting pardon for his imperfections and repeating his unbounded love for him. He then entrusted the conveyance of the despatch to two of his most confidential and trusted servants Malik 'Imādulmulk and Malik Ziyāuddīn.¹⁰ When these two nobles arrived in the camp of 'Alāuddīn they were stunned to see how their innocent master was being befooled by his seditious and ungrateful nephew. In vain did they try to send a warning to the Sultan for 'Alāuddīn had put them under strict guard.