Twilight of the Sultanate c8.s1.38

c8.s1.38

In the west Khizr Khān was making feverish preparations to capture Delhi. In the east Ibrāhīm Sharqī was as strong as ever and Sultan Mahmūd was in no mood for reconciliation. But the greatest threat was an impending invasion from Gujarat.³³ No prince knew more about the deplorable condition of Delhi than Tātār Khan, son of Muzaffar Shāh, ruler of Gujarat; and none perhaps was better placed to plan an invasion of Delhi since Gujarat was situated at too safe a distance for secrets to reach Delhi. To follow the situation it is necessary to throw a retrospective glance at the relations between Delhi and Gujarat. Tātār Khan had been appointed vazīr by Sultan Muhammad Shāh bin Fīrōz Tughlaq, and the Government of Gujarat was conferred upon his father Zafar Khan in 1391.³⁴ With the death of Sultan Muhammad affairs at Delhi fell into chaos, and Tātār Khan readily plunged himself into the intrigue for power. He fought Sārāng Khan and compelled him to retire to Multan,³⁵ but Iqbāl Khan foiled all his attempts to occupy Delhi.³⁶ Tātār Khan fled to his father at Patan in 1398 and constantly instigated the latter to attack Delhi. Muzaffar organised an army for the purpose,³⁷ but postponed the expedition on hearing of Tīmūr’s arrival in India. In these circumstances it is not surprising that the ruler of Gujarat did not afford shelter to the fugitive king of Delhi, Sultan Mahmūd.