History of the Qaraunah Turks in India c10.134

c10.134

The capture of ‘Ain-al-Mulk caused much rejoicing in the royal camp. Ibn Batūṭah describes at length the indignities to which the vanquished Malik was subjected by the Sultan’s command and he is partially corroborated by the author of the Tarikh-i-Mubarak Shahi. Though Malik Bughra, the commander of the Imperial forces, suggested the penalty of death, the Sultan pardoned ‘Ain-al-Mulk, because he was not guilty of wilful rebellion, and because he had rendered great services to the state. Firishta alone says that the Sultan not only pardoned him but restored him to his former office, saying that he was a loyal officer who had been instigated to rebel by others. On reaching Dihli the Sultan appointed him superintendent of the royal gardens and bestowed robes of honour and allowances upon him. After the defeat of ‘Ain-al-Mulk the Sultan left Saragdwāri and proceeded to Bahraich in order to pay a visit to the shrine of Shaikh Sālār Ma‘sūd Ghazi.⁹³