History of the Khaljis, A.D. 1290–1320 c8.s1.5

c8.s1.5

As Sulaimān was pondering over the strange demand of the Malik, "the head of 'Alāūddīn all too soon appeared, set alertly as ever on its shoulders, as the living sultan showed himself to the army on a neighbouring knoll." It had so happened that when 'Alāūddīn had been wounded by the arrows most of his men had fled helter skelter. Only a few of his loyal bodyguards (paiks) had remained with him. When Sulaimān had gallopped off towards Tilpat, the sultan's attendants dressed his wounds and nursed him. Soon did 'Alāūddīn regain consciousness, but the loss of blood had made him extremely weak and nervous. He thought that some influential barons must have lent their support to the young man, otherwise he could not have dared to make such an audacious assault. Consequently, he decided to abandon his camp, and proceed straight to his brother Ulugh Khān at Jhāin and consult him on the future course of action. But Malik Hamīduddīn, who held the post of Amīr-i-Kōh (Director of Agriculture) advised the king to proceed to the royal camp immediately. "No sooner will the insignia of royalty become visible to the people and the courtiers", argued he, "and the safety of your august person become known to them, than will they repair to your threshold—and in the twinkling of a moment the head of the traitor Ikat Khān will be cut off and fixed on the point of a spear. Should the night, however, elapse without it being made known to the people that your majesty is safe, it is probable that some one may join the wretch, and the insurrection become much more formidable than at present."²² The suggestion appealed to the sultan and he set out for the camp immediately. On the way whosoever from amongst his men saw the sultan alive, at once joined him, so that, by the time he arrived near the encampment he had a following of five to six hundred horse. 'Alāuddīn ascended an eminence and showed himself to the people. All the courtiers forthwith repaired to the royal presence. Finding that all was over for him, Ikat Khān fled towards Afghānpūr. Malik A'izzuddīn and Malik Naṣīruddīn Nūr Khān, two prominent nobles were sent in pursuit and overtaking him in the vicinity of Afghānpūr they chopped off his head. The traitor's head was fastened to a spear-point and was paraded in the camp. It was later sent to Delhi where also it was paraded throughout the city and then finally it was sent to Ulugh Khān at Jhāin. Qutlugh Khān a younger brother of the rebel was also beheaded instantly. The sultan, whose rage knew no bounds, put to death all those who had the least knowledge or connection with the revolt, confiscated their property, and sent their wives and children as prisoners in various forts.