A Forgotten Empire (Vijayanagar): A Contribution to the History of India c10.60

c10.60

But perhaps the best known of his inhuman eccentricities was his treatment of the inhabitants of the great city of Delhi. Muhammad determined to transfer his capital thence to Devagiri, whose name he changed to Doulatâbâd. The two places are six hundred miles apart. The king gave a general order to every inhabitant of Delhi to proceed forthwith to Devagiri, and prior to the issue of this order he had the entire road lined with full-grown trees, transplanted for the purpose. The unfortunate people were compelled to obey, and thousands—including women, children, and aged persons—died by the way. Ibn Batuta, who was an eye-witness of the scenes of horror to which this gave rise, has left us the following description :—