History of the Qaraunah Turks in India c6.128

c6.128

was left in that position until he died. The rest of the Amirs fled out of fear to Sultan Nāsir-al-Din, son of Sultan Shams-al-Din of Bengal.⁵⁷ According to Barani a panic seized the army, and the rank and file followed the example of their leaders. The Hindus made a determined rally, and attacked and plundered the royal camp. The siege had to be raised, and the Prince, depressed in spirits, hastily retreated towards Devagiri with the remnant of his army, and was pursued all along the route by the enemy. Meanwhile letters came from Dihli contradicting the rumour, and quiet was soon restored. Malik Tamar with some of his followers was captured by the Hindus, and he ended his days in miserable captivity. Malik Tagīn was fitly rewarded for his betrayal; he was slain by the Marathas who sent his skin to ‘Ulugh Khan at Devagir. It is stated in the Tarikh-i-Mubarak Shahi that Malik Hisām-al-Din Abūrajā mustaufi-i-mamālik was sent to Devagiri to capture the followers and dependants of Malik Tagīn, Taj-al-Din Talqani, son-in-law of Tagin escaped from prison, but he was arrested on the bank of the Sarju river, where he was instantaneously beheaded. Malik Tagin's son and his family were brought to Dihli, where they were trampled under the feet of elephants. Other leaders of the conspiracy were brought to Dihli with their accomplices, and were impaled alive by the Sultan with the caustic remark that as they had buried him in jest he would bury them alive in earnest. These acts of ruthless vengeance, so inconsistent with the general tenor of the Sultan's character, were prompted by the first instinct of nature, the necessity of self-preservation, and were justified by sound reasons of state.