Twilight of the Sultanate c13.s3.19

c13.s3.19

The failure of Qutb Khan Lodī's mission prompted Bahlūl to make all-round preparations for the inevitable war. He even decided to seek outside help. In 1468 (873 H) he despatched Shaikh-zādā Muhammad Farmūlī and Kalyān Mal to Mahmūd Khaljī of Malwa with an appeal for help against Husain Sharqī, and promised to give Bayana in lieu of the aid. Nothing could have pleased the Khaljī monarch more than to have received such a message from Delhi. He promised to send 6,000 horse to the aid of Bahlūl if and when Husain marched against him next.⁸² Although Mahmūd Khaljī died the same year and with him his promise of help, yet Bahlūl's appeal shows the gravity of the situation, and the encouraging reply of Mahmūd must have given him great moral strength.