Twilight of the Sultanate c12.s1.63

c12.s1.63

The temptation of kingship was too strong for Bahlūl to resist. In 1443-44 he marched with a strong army to Delhi and invested it.⁵¹ The siege went on for a considerable time, but the fort being strong, Bahlūl returned to Sarhind without accomplishing much. On his return, however, he assumed the title of Sultan, abstaining for the time being from having the Khutba read or the coins struck in his name.⁵² The contagion of Sarhind spread as near as twenty *kos* from Delhi; the Amīrs and chieftains openly declared their independence and the Sultan could do nothing. Amidst such a hopeless situation Muhammad Shāh died in A.D. 1445 (849 H) after a reign of a little over twelve years.⁵³