History of the Qaraunah Turks in India c13.66

c13.66

on his government without punishments, for if he were not an avenger, God knows what evils would arise from the insurrections of the disaffected, and how many thousand crimes would be committed by his subjects.' He suggested seven cases for punishment as laid down in the law—(1) apostasy from true religion, (2) wilful murder of a believer, (3) adultery of a married man with another's wife, (4) proved conspiracy against the Crown, (5) leading a revolt or aiding or abetting rebels, (6) joining the enemies or rivals of the king, carrying news to them, supplying them with arms or aiding or abetting them in any way, and (7) disobedience which is likely to cause distempers in the state.³⁴ The Prophet, said the historian, had expressed himself regarding the first three and left the rest to the discretion of the civil authorities. Indirectly he hinted that the appointment of capable administrators conduces to the proper management of a large dominion, and good laws alone can make it unnecessary for a king to employ force against his subjects. But the Sultan emphasised the wickedness and turbulence of the times and expressed his determination to punish even the most trifling act of contumacy with death. The reason for severity is clearly expressed in what he added further: "I have no Wazir as will make rules to obviate my shedding of blood. I punish the people because they have all at once become unfriendly and disloyal. I have given away so much money and yet see hostility and ingratitude on all sides. The temper of the people is well-known to me and I see that they are disaffected and inimical to me."³⁵ When Taghi's revolt broke out and the Sultan hurried towards Gujarat, fearfully annoyed with the *amirs Sadah*, to whom he had shown great favours in the past, Barani says, he felt inclined to suggest to him the abandonment of his harsh policy and the adoption of gentler measures, but fear prevented him from doing so. Thus, on several occasions the historian made a compromise with his conscience and kept his views to himself. Devagiri was lost and all over the empire a spirit of lawlessness prevailed. The rapid succession of these troubles disheartened the Sultan and calling the historian one day he described to him the condition of his kingdom in these pathetic words: