History of the Qaraunah Turks in India c10.159.3

c10.159.3

The Khalifah was merely a figurehead, deprived of all political influence and power, but his patent legitimised the authority of the Mamluk Sultans in the eyes of the world. So great was the helplessness of the Khalifah that in 736 A.H. when a misunderstanding occurred between him and the Sultan of Egypt, the former was arrested and placed under surveillance.¹⁰⁴ All contact with the people was forbidden, and he was banished to Kus where he remained until his death in Sha'ban 740 A.H. (Feb., 1340 A.D.). The Muhammadan state in India was not affected by these catastrophic changes in the position and power of the Khilafat, and the name of Al-Must'asim continued on the coinage of Dihli long after his death.¹⁰⁵ Probably no other choice was left to the rulers of Dihli during the revolution at Baghdad, and they considered it safe to continue the old practice in order to avoid all suspicion. 'Ala-al-Din Khilji was a man of daring will and lofty ambitions and to the pompous title of Sikandar Sani he added that of Yamin-al-Khalifi (right hand of the Khalifah), but his profligate successor Mubarak himself assumed the title of Khalifah and styled himself Khalifah'aala in 718 A.H.¹⁰⁶ He took this somewhat extraordinary step in a fit of religious impulse or to hide the infamy of his life which was thoroughly depraved. Ghiyas-al-Din Tughluq was a modest and unassuming ruler who was satisfied with the simple title of Ghazi or Champion of the faith.