History of the Qaraunah Turks in India c11.8

c11.8

Though the old dynasties of the Hoysalas, the Kākatīyas and the Yādavas, which had stood for social order and the preservation of Hindu culture had struggled in vain against their Muslim invaders, the forces of reaction had not wholly died out in the Deccan. They only wanted time to develop strength. Just as a Muslim was impelled by his religious instincts to fight and die in a cause which he deemed sacred, in the same way the Hindu captains and leaders considered resistance to him a matter of pious obligation. The idea of defending their religion against the attacks of the Muslims fired them with an unconquerable enthusiasm, and the religio-political revolts, which were organised by the representatives of ancient dynasties, were meant not merely to recover their lost independence, but also to shield their faith from the attacks of its avowed enemies. The first few years of Muhammad Tughluq's reign represent the palmiest days of the Tughluq empire. The whole country was completely subdued, and, from Dihli to Dwarsamudra and Lakhnauti to Sindh and Multan, the overlordship of Dihli was acknowledged by all Princes and chieftains as is proved by the testimony of Barani and the author of the Masālik-al-absār. But Muhammad's reckless profusion, his merciless treatment of subordinates, his capricious behaviour towards the hereditary nobility whom he excluded from his favour, and his preferential treatment of the foreign amirs—all combined to precipitate the disruption of his empire. When political unrest spread over Northern India, the countries to the south of the Narbada found it hard to resist the temptation of throwing off the yoke of the imperial government and established for themselves well-defined principalities with their capitals at Madura, Warangal, Vijayanagar and Kulburga.