Twilight of the Sultanate c9.s4: A Resume of Khizr Khan's Work
Twilight of the Sultanate c9.s4
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A Resume of Khizr Khan's Work
c9.s4.1
Khizr Khan had died after a reign of seven years.⁸¹ He had learnt from the experience of Mallū Iqbāl Khan and Sultan Mahmūd that too many irons in the fire resulted in success in no quarter. Therefore, he formulated no ambitious schemes. He did not take cudgels against Jaunpur or Gujarat. True he marched towards Rajputana when Gujarat threatened his position, and tried to quell insurrection in the Punjab, but otherwise he mainly concentrated on stamping out sedition within a perimeter of about 200 miles from Delhi—up to Samana in the west, Katēhar in the east, Etawah in the south-east and Bayana and Jhaīn in the south and south-west. He created a terrible stir in that region, and although time was needed for its complete subjugation, yet the petty and prominent chiefs of this area were ever kept reminded that they could live in peace only if they made their submission. Rebels in the Punjab were dealt with with a strong hand, and taxes and tributes were exacted from the Doab, Katēhar, Mewat and Gwalior regions, year after year. In the circumstances obtaining, it was no mean achievement that he had managed to keep his territories intact, if not augment them. This was mainly possible because Khizr Khan trusted his officers. He never changed their assignments. Tājul Mulk was always sent to the east, and though his success there was partial, his area of action was never transferred. Similarly Zīrak Khan was left to look after the west. Experience in their respective areas added to their strength in dealing with the rebellious elements.
c9.s4.2
⁸¹ Ferishta says that he reigned for seven years and four months, while Nizāmuddīn Ahmad is accurate in saying that he reigned for seven years, two months and two days. This is according to the Lunar Calendar. According to the Solar Calendar he ruled for seven years, short by a fortnight.
c9.s4.3
However, Khizr Khan's policies and achievements had certain shortcomings. The yearly collection of revenue at the point of the bayonet was not a happy affair. While it exasperated the local chiefs, the state could not be sure of a regular revenue, and hence its finances remained shaky. Perhaps the best proof of it is that throughout his and his dynasty's rule the coins struck are uniformly of copper, and the old silver and gold coins of India completely disappear.⁸² Moreover Khizr Khan's preoccupation in the difficult region of western Uttar Pradesh left him no time to deal with the kingdom of Jaunpur which went on growing from strength to strength under its talented monarch Ibrāhīm Sharqī. Besides, to maintain his position and to deal with the rebels of the Punjab, he had to requisition the services of Afghan leaders and men. The ascendancy of the Afghans during the reign of Khizr Khan and that of his successors, in the long run proved to be disastrous for the Saiyyad dynasty.
c9.s4.4
⁸² Pringle Kennedy, *op. cit.*, I, 85.