History of the Khaljis, A.D. 1290–1320 c8.s2.1

c8.s2.1

Following close upon the abortive revolt of 'Umar and Mangu, intelligence arrived in the imperial camp of a serious outbreak in Delhi. This insurrection was one of the numerous attempts of the Ilbarites to regain the sovereignty. The chief conspirator was one Ḥāji,²⁶ a prominent slave of the former Kotvāl of Delhi, Malik Fakhruddin. Ḥāji Maulā was a man of "the most sanguinary, audacious and depraved disposition." At the time of revolt the Ḥāji was the superintendent of the crown lands at Ratol,²⁷ and Tirmizi was the Kotvāl of Delhi. Tirmizi seems to have been of a very harsh and uncompromising nature, and the people of Delhi were utterly disgusted with him. At that time he was engaged in the repair of the Badaon Gate, and to supervise the construction had taken up his residence in a small house close by. Also in those days temporary huts had been pitched in the plain of Siri where a new fort was under construction and the Kotval of Siri 'Alāūddin Ayāz, was staying there. Thus both the kotvāls were busy, one at the Badaon Gate, and the other at Sīrī and the sultan was far away in Ranthambhor. At this very time reports of the distress of the soldiery at Ranthambhor were constantly arriving, and it was rumoured that the troops were ever intent on relinquishing their jobs but for fear of the sultan's severe punishments. Considering the moment opportune and fancying that in their distress the people in the camp and at the capital would lend him their support, Ḥāji Maula rose in open rebellion. In the scorching heat of a noon in the month of Ramzān 700 (May 1301), when most of the people were taking a siesta, and very few people were passing to and fro in the streets, Hājī Maula accompanied by four armed men went to the residence of Tirmizī and called him to come out. He declared that he had been deputed by the sultan to deliver him a message. The kotvāl without suspecting any danger came out of his house, and was instantly beheaded. Everybody present there was quite bewildered when Hājī Maulā produced a forged warrant from under his arms, and told the people that he had killed the kotvāl by the order of the king. He then ordered all gates under the charge of Tirmizī to be shut up. The news of the kotvāl’s murder spread like wild-fire, and the towns folk were so frightened that "the door of every house throughout the city was kept closed." After disposing off Tirmizī the Hājī attempted to kill ‘Alāuddīn Ayāz, the kotvāl of the new fort, under the same pretence of a royal warrant. But Ayāz had come to know of the Hājī’s treachery and when he was called by the Hājī to come out and listen to a royal command, he refused. At the same time he had the gates of the new fort strongly secured.