History of the Qaraunah Turks in India c11.274

c11.274

The revolution at Devagiri was an irreparable disaster. The news disquieted the Sultan beyond measure and he was grieved to see the administration fall into disorder on all sides. The empire had embarked upon its downward course and what could he do to arrest this progress of decline? Too late the futility of punishment dawned upon his mind, and during his stay at Nehrwālā he abstained from punishment.¹⁵² Among the Amirs who crowded his camp, he looked about for support to buttress up his tottering power, but they were all mediocrities without any plan or policy and could render him but little assistance. What seriously hampered him was the lack of capable governors and officers to carry into effect his plans. The inefficiency of the men on the spot emphasised the importance of the personal factor to such an extent that the Sultan's presence became necessary to restore order in disturbed areas. The local administrations, paralysed by persistent opposition and mismanagement, could make no stand against the rebels whose power was daily increasing. Neither at Devagiri nor in Gujarat the local administration displayed any vigour to check the forces of disorder and the Sultan alone had to bear the brunt of the opposition. The imperial army too does not seem to have shown any remarkable efficiency; probably the unusual severities of the Sultan had exhausted its patience and chilled its enthusiasm. In this unfortunate plight he wrote to Ahmad Ayāz, Malik Bahrām Ghaznīn, Amir Qabtah, and Amir Mahān to come down with an army to proceed against the insurgents at Devagiri. The nobles complied with the order and arrived at Devagiri with a considerable force. But the news came that Hasan Kāngū had organised a large army and had summoned all his amirs and chiefs to fight against the forces of the Sultan. Soon after his assumption of royal dignity Hasan had organised his government and sent the Khwajah Jahan, his minister and other amirs into the country to establish order. These circumstances delayed immediate action and the Sultan judged it impolitic to leave a disturbed province in the rear and resolved not to proceed to Devagiri until he had subdued Gujarat and brought to book the vile traitor Taghi who had given him so much trouble. The muqaddams of Devagiri, who had come to implore the Sultan's intervention in their affairs, returned to their homes disappointed by his decision. The affairs of Gujarat were seriously taken in hand, and the Sultan spent three years in the country collecting and organising his forces. The Rana of Girnar (modern Jūnāgarh) was humbled and all his dependencies towards the coast were conquered and a governor was appointed to hold the country.¹⁵³ The Rais and chiefs came to pay their homage and were treated with consideration. Firishta relying upon “certain authors of good authority” whom he does not name asserts that the Sultan desisted from the attempt on receiving homage from the chief of that place and the fort was not taken by the Muhammadans until it was captured by Mahmūd Shāh Bīghaḍa of Gujarat in 1468 A.D., but this statement is not supported by any contemporary annalist.¹⁵⁴ Khangar, the ruler of Girnar, was also subdued and brought as a prisoner to the Sultan.¹⁵⁵ Taghī was still at large and had successfully eluded the grasp of his pursuers. The Sultan set out on his journey towards Sindh and was obliged to halt at Gondal¹⁵⁶ owing to sudden illness. The news of Malik Kabīr’s death at Dihli caused him much anxiety. Ahmad Ayāz and Malik Maqbūl were sent back to administer the affairs of the capital. The Sultan summoned from