History of the Khaljis, A.D. 1290–1320 c8.s1.1

c8.s1.1

Soon after the sultan left Delhi with a large army for Ranthambhor. He halted at Tilpat²⁰ for some time during which he used to go out hunting. One day when he had gone in a neighbouring village called Badah, he ordered arrangements to be made for big game shooting (nargah).²¹ While such preparations were going on the sultan seated himself on a basket chair (morha). All of a sudden he heard some men shouting "Lion, Lion", and a shower of arrows rained on him. Completely confused, he at once got down from the morha with which he shielded himself. Two arrows, however, struck his arm, and he fell down unconscious. This treacherous and cowardly attack had been planned by his nephew Sulaimān Shāh, surnamed Ikat Khān, a son of his younger brother Muhammad. Ikat Khān held the post of Vakīl-i-dar. It occured to him that just as 'Alāuddīn had obtained the throne by murdering his uncle, so also could he kill his uncle and occupy the throne. With this intention he had come to the hunting ground with some followers,—most of whom were neo-Muslims,—and had attacked the king. Fortunately, 'Alāuddīn was wearing a thick garment stuffed with cotton (قباء دگله) and the arrows had not struck any vital part of his body. He had only became unconscious. Ikat Khan arrived on the spot and tried to severe the head of the king. But some of the loyal retainers had guessed everything, and they hedged 'Alāūddīn round from all sides and began to cry loudly that the Sultan was dead. The foolish and inexperienced Ikat, partly because he was unable to dismount and lay hands on the sultan, and partly because he was in a hurry to seize the throne, readily believed the welcome shouts of the paiks. He dashed off towards Tilpat, entered the royal pavilion and seated himself on 'Alāūddīn's throne. He proclaimed to the people that he had slain the king, and they readily believed him for they thought that had he not done so, he would hardly have ventured to mount the throne. "A great tumult and uproar consquently arose thoughout the imperial camp, and everything began to turn topsy turvy. The elephants were caparisoned with haudās and brought before the royal pavilion; the household servants came out, and every one stood in waiting at his proper post."²² Ikat Khan, after giving an audience to the courtiers and men wished to enter the royal *haram*, but Malik Dīnār, the chief custodian, together with his men barred his way, and insisted on Ikat's bringing the sultan's head before he could be permitted to enter it.