Twilight of the Sultanate c10.s2.30

c10.s2.30

At Delhi Mubārak Shāh ordered the transfer of the governorship of Multan from the charge of Malik 'Imādul Mulk Mahmūd Hasan to that of Malik Khairuddīn. Opinions differ on the Sultan's motive in taking the fief of Multan from the illustrious Mahmūd Hasan, about whose capability and loyalty there could hardly have been any doubt. Yahyā says, in so many words, that because the siege of Shorkot was raised the Sultan ordered this transfer, obviously to punish Mahmūd, but at another place he says that the siege was given up at the bidding of the monarch himself.⁵⁷ There may be more than a grain of truth in the statement of Ferishta that the King had become jealous of 'Imādul Mulk's popularity due to his victory over Shaikh 'Alī, and called him back to the court.⁵⁸ One should also keep in mind the unhealthy ambition of Sarwarul Mulk, who was constantly planning his rise at the cost of others, and was ever plotting towards that end. It had been at his instigation that a chain of transfers was effected in 1422 in which Mahmūd Hasan was shifted from Lahore to Jalandhar. Whatever the reasons, the transfer of 'Imādul Mulk at this critical juncture was most indiscreet, "imprudent and inconsiderate",⁵⁹ and was to create a very grave situation in Multan.