The Early History of the Deccan (Parts I–XI) v2.c15.s2.t5.40

v2.c15.s2.t5.40

When Khusrau Khān reached the frontier of Telingāṇa, he dispatched a courier to Pratāparudra with a letter demanding the payment of arrears of tribute, threatening him with dire consequences in the event of refusal. When the courier arrived at Warangal, Pratāparudra received him with cordiality and respect. He sent a reply to Khusrau Khān affirming that he was a loyal vassal of the Sulṭān; that his failure to pay the tribute was not due to any attempt at evasion but to the insecurity of the roads which were infested with malefactors, and that he would send the tribute to the Khān who had arrived in his kingdom and would add presents for the general himself. He sent back the messenger with this reply, and immediately dispatched the stipulated amount of tribute, together with more than one hundred elephants, to the Khān’s camp. Khusrau was satisfied, and in accordance with the Sulṭān’s instructions he presented to Pratāparudra an umbrella, a durbash, and a qaba set with gems. Having successfully accomplished the task entrusted to him by the Sulṭān, Khusrau Khān then marched away with his forces in the direction of Delhi.¹