History of the Khaljis, A.D. 1290–1320 c9.s1.26

c9.s1.26

Ferishtah writes the account of Chittor at two places. At one place he says that sultan ‘Alāuddīn, after a siege of six months conquered the fort of Chittor, and handed it over to Khizr Khan, whom he declard as heir-apparent. He does not even mention the name of the prince then ruling at Chittor. At another place, while describing the events of the year 704 H. (1304 A.D.) he writes that Raja Ratan Singh, who had been in imprisonment since the invasion of Chittor, effected his escape in a strange manner. Among the women (Zanān) of Ratan was one Padmini, whose beauty and skill had tempted the sultan to crave for her possession. He told the Rana that if he wished to be released he should deliver Padmini to the sultan. Ratan Singh agreed to the proposal and sent for Padmini but his relations disapproved of the dishonourable proposal and thought of poisoning Padmini to save her and her race from infamy. But a daughter of Ratan Singh who was known for her intelligence and dexterity struck at such a plan that she rescued her father from the sultan’s imprisonment without his stooping to adopt any dishonourable course. Ferishtah then almost reproduces Jaisi’s story of the brave Rajputs going in palanquins and effecting the escape of the Rana. Later on he says that from the day Ratan Singh was safely back in Chittor he began to raid his country occupied by the Musalmans. At last the sultan thought it useless to retain possession of Chittor and ordered Khizr Khan to evacuate it. It was then given over to the nephew (sister's son) of the Rana.¹⁷