Muslim Slave System in Medieval India c9.5

c9.5

Minhaj Siraj assigns twenty (lunar) years to Qutbuddins career in Hindustan from the first taking of Delhi up to his death, both as a commander of Sultan Muizzuddin and as an independent ruler.⁷ During this period Aibak captured Hansi, Meerut, Delhi, Ranthambhor and Kol.⁸ When Sultan Muizzuddin personally mounted another campaign against Hindustan, Aibak proceeded as far as Peshawar to meet him, and the two together attacked the Khokhar stronghold in the Koh-i-Jud or the Salt Range. The Hindus (Khokhars) fled to the highest in the mountains. They were pursued. Those that escaped the sword fled to the dense depth of the jungle; others were massacred or taken captive. Great plunder was obtained and many slaves.⁹ According to Farishtah three to four hundred thousand Khokhars were converted to Islam by Muizzuddin;¹⁰ but this figure is inflated. More than a hundred years later, Amir Khusrau refers to Khokhars as a non-Muslim tribe, and the way they were constantly attacked and killed by Sultans Iltutmish and Balban confirms Khusraus contention.¹¹ Minhaj also says that the Khokhars were not annihilated in this affair (Muizzuddin-Aibak attack) by any means, and gave great trouble in after years.¹²