History of the Khaljis, A.D. 1290–1320 c8.s2.4

c8.s2.4

Hājī Maulā was now all powerful in Delhi. He released all the prisoners of the state, some of whom joined him. To give strength to his cause and to gain fresh supporters, he ransacked the royal treasury and squandered its money among the populace at large. He distributed arms and horses to his followers and "whosoever became his ally had his lap filled with gold." Nonetheless Hājī Maulā’s position was not safe. He was an imposter, a usurper who had no claim to the throne. He, therefore, hunted out a puppet who could play the nominal king, while he himself could enjoy the real power. The choice fell on a Saiyyad named ‘Alvī, who, according to Barani, was known as a descendant of Shāh Najaf, and on his mother’s side was related to Sultan Shamsuddīn Iltutmish. This innocent man was forcibly abducted from his residence by the Hājī, and placed on the throne. All the nobles and great men of the capital were compelled to come and pay him homage. The people in general were terribly afraid because 'Alāuddīn's revenge was implacable. Owing to the dread of the miscreants, the people of Delhi gave up food and sleep, and passed their days and nights in greatest anxiety. 'Alāuddīn had been apprised of the revolt only three days after its outbreak. He had kept the fact secret from everybody, but as a precautionary measure had sent Malik Hamīduddīn to Delhi.²⁸ But when the reports of the insurrection and of the accession of a puppet king at Delhi began to pour in, he sent his brother Ulugh Khān to punish the rebels. But before Ulugh Khān arrived in Delhi, the trouble had almost been got under by Malik Hamīduddīn. Hamīduddīn accompanied by his sons and relatives had forced his way into the Ghaznī Gate, and entering the city had marched to the Bhāndarkal Gate. A short skirmish had ensued between him and the rebels. Hājī Maulā was defeated, but his power for mischief was not totally destroyed. By chance some followers of Zafar Khān had arrived at the capital from Amroha to present a petition to the court. They joined the royalists. The Hājī's party was utterly destroyed. The gallant Amīr-i-Koh dragged the Hājī down from his horse and sat upon his chest. In spite of the constant shower of arrows he did not stir from there until he had done the Hājī to death. He then went to the Red Palace, and struck off the head of the worthless 'Alvī. It was fixed upon a spear, paraded through the streets of Delhi, and then sent to the sultan at Ranthambhor.