History of the Qaraunah Turks in India c13.13

c13.13

The Sultan's humility was unsurpassed. Though guilty of parricide he wished to atone for the crime, for immediately after his accession to the throne he caused his father's name to be inscribed on the coins.⁹ This was probably the expression of a deep feeling of remorse. He tendered sincere respect and obedience to his mother Makhdūm-i-Jahan, the dowager queen, who enjoyed her regal state throughout her life. Barani and Ibn Batūṭah both are unanimous in praising the exalted lady and the Sultan's devotion to her. So respectful was he that he allowed her to exercise influence in matters of state and it appears that she enjoyed precedence over the queens of the Sultan, for no mention is made of any one of them by contemporary writers. She gave magnificent receptions to visitors to the capital and sanctioned large and valuable gifts. On one occasion she went on a tour with the Sultan, but he returned earlier and when she came back, he received her with great ceremony and alighted from his horse and kissed her feet. She was allowed to receive presents like the Sultan and to keep a regular staff of scribes and clerks to register her gifts and presents. Towards his brothers the Sultan behaved with great generosity and Mubarak Khan was appointed to one of the highest posts in the administration. His old tutor Qutlugh Khan was always treated with consideration and when he came to pay a visit to the Sultan, he rose from his seat to signify his regard for him. Even Barani feels constrained to admire these traits of the Sultan and remarks that there were two basic principles of his character—worship of God and respect for elders.¹⁰ He was fond of the society of faqirs and learned men and extended his patronage to them.