Twilight of the Sultanate c14.s5.6

c14.s5.6

But soon after the Malwa king breathed his last after nominating his third son Mahmūd as his successor. At this Shihābuddīn cancelled his proposed visit to Sikandar Lodī and turned back towards Mandu to claim the throne. Mahmūd having been accepted by the nobles headed by Muhāfiz Khan, Mandu refused admittance to Shihāb. However, Mahmūd soon after fell out with the all powerful Muhāfiz, and afraid of the latter's power he slipped out of the fort and sought the help of the veteran Rajput Medinī Rai and Sharza Khan, son of Behjat Khan, governor of Chanderi.¹⁰⁵ On his departure Muhāfiz Khan gave the crown to prince Sāhib Khan the second son of Nāsiruddīn. Now a triangular contest for the Malwa throne ensued among the three princes, Shihāb Khan, Sāhib Khan who was supported by Muhāfiz Khan, and Mahmūd who was supported by Medinī Rai. Mahmūd and Medinī attacked and defeated Sāhib Khan who with Muhāfiz Khan fled to Gujarat.¹⁰⁶ Thereafter Sāhib Khan became a refugee with 'Ādil Khan III, the ruler of Berar.¹⁰⁷ Meanwhile Shihābuddīn also died of his exertions in A. D. 1511 (917 H).¹⁰⁸