Twilight of the Sultanate c17.s10.12

c17.s10.12

But by the beginning of the fifteenth century the picture had considerably changed. The decade of decline after Fīrōz Tughlaq's death, followed by Tīmūr's invasion, had sapped the vitality of the Sultanate. During Tīmūr's invasion both the Hindus and the Muslims had fought shoulder to shoulder against the foreign foe; adversity had forged bonds of unity between them. After Tīmūr's invasion the Sultanate had grown weak; the Hindus had gathered strength and could not be suppressed. The rigours of Islamic law, unfavourable to the Hindus, were felt only during the time of strong kings. During the fifteenth century it could not be vigorously enforced with a view to suppressing the non-Muslims. On the other hand Muslim rulers sought the support of Hindu rulers and vice versa. The kings of Jaunpur sought the help of the Hindu ruler of Gwalior and chiefs and zamindars in the east, while there were Rajas like Rai Pratap of Bhongaon and Rai Bhīm of Jammu whose advice and support the Sultans of Delhi sought. Important Hindu families in Delhi, like the Gangu Khattīs, played an important role in the politics of the capital. In the latter half of the fifteenth century the Muslim ruler of Jaunpur sought and received the aid of the Baghela and Tomar Rajputs against Delhi; while some disgruntled Muslim nobles with their large forces joined hands with Rana Sāngā. Thus throughout the fifteenth century the power of the Hindus was rehabilitated in the Sultanate. It is not surprising, therefore, that during this period there is no mention of any forced matrimonial alliances nor of the Jeziyā, and collections from the Hindu rulers are just called *Māl* or *Mahsūl* or *Khidmati*.¹⁹⁵ On the other hand lands were bestowed on "large bodies of loyal Hindus and all kinds of people lived in utmost peace and tranquillity.¹⁹⁶