History of the Khaljis, A.D. 1290–1320 c8.s2.27

c8.s2.27

After his return from Ranthambhor, 'Alāūddīn spent his time in hunting in the suburbs of Delhi. He did not enter the City,⁴¹ perhaps because he had been very much terrified by the various revolts that had recently occured in the capital. Though contemporary writers do not refer to the fear complex, and attribute the sultan's reluctance to enter the capital to a sense of displeasure and dis-satisfaction on his part towards the inhabitants who had displayed a disloyal behaviour; yet it is clear that 'Alāūddīn assured himself of the security of his life before entering the City where so many efforts to dethrone him had been made in quick succession. Even his predecessor Jalāluddīn had refrained from entering Delhi in the same circumstances. 'Alāūddīn sentenced many prominent men of Delhi to exile, and punished every conspirator who had escaped the cruel justice of Malik Hamīduddīn and Ulugh Khan. The king then set to stamp out the very root of sedition. He confiscated a large number of fiefs, prohibited the sale and use of wine, and even restricted the normal intercourse of barons and influential men. All these measures so varied and so severe in their character will be studied in another chapter, suffice it to say here that the regulations had the desired effect, and in future no serious revolt occured in Delhi. Secure at home, the sultan could once more think of subjugating the independent kingdoms.