Mangú Káán treated Jalálu-d dín with great kindness, and ordered Sálí Bahádur to afford all the assistance which the Mughal army on the border was able to render; to escort him to his hereditary country, and cleanse his garden from the rubbish of the enmity of the slaves, who had realized the proverb of "flies have become rulers."

Jalálu-d dín returned, accompanied by Sálí Bahádur and his army, and reached as far as Hajnír (Ajmír) on the borders of Dehli, but beyond that they were not able to advance, and, therefore, retreated. Jalálu-d dín then took possession of the hills and the passes which led to them and Sodra, which were then in the occupation of the Mughals, and was there compelled to content himself with a small portion of the whole.

After some time, Ulugh Khán slew Sultán Raziya, and his son-in-law Násiru-d dín assumed the crown. After two or three years, during which Násiru-d dín held the name of king, while all substantial power was wielded by Ulugh Khán, he perfidiously cut off his son-in-law. When Ulugh Khán had cleared the country of his opponents, he himself placed his foot upon the throne, and assumed the title of Sultán Ghiyásu-d dín. He took possession of the treasures, and brought the army into subjection to his orders. He flattered himself that the whole world of disobedience would be repressed during his time, and that the country would find security under his protection; but suddenly death, the exposer of ambushes, attacked him and gave a reply to all the schemes which he had contemplated against others, for the arrow of destruction was discharged at him from the hand of one whose power cannot be resisted. His death occurred in the year 686 н. (1287 a.d.)

He was succeeded by his grandson, Mu'izzu-d dín Kai-kobád, the son of Bughrá Khán. Meanwhile Hulákú Khán issued an order to Famlak,' who was the ruler of Sind, to bring Násiru-d dín, the son (of Ghiyásu-d dín) into his presence; and on his

[So written in Sir H. Elliot's extract from Wassaf, but the real name is "Karlagh."]

arrival, Shamsu-d dín Kart and Prince Barghandí trumped up some accusation against him, and exposed the impurity of his conduct with such exaggeration, that he, as well as some of his chiefs and adherents, were brought to capital punishment under the law.

On receiving this intelligence, Malik Fíroz, who was governor of Khilj on the part of Násiru-d din, alarmed by his suspicions, went to Dehli, and entered into the service of Kai-kobád, whom he found in occupation of the throne, and endeavoured to ingratiate himself in his favour by the performance of many useful services. As many signs of wisdom and courage were observed in him, he was appointed to the government of Múltán, which is on the frontier of the kingdom, in order that he might preclude the possibility of any invasion by the Mughals. After he had been employed for some time, he was, according to the usual practice of the envious and inimical, accused of entering into a truce with the Mughals. In consequence of this he was recalled from his government, but refused to return, as he was apprehensive of the Sultán's anger.

Notwithstanding the frequent orders he received he made excuses and delayed his return. The Wazír became angry at his dilatoriness and opposition, and by orders of the Sultán, marched with a few followers towards Múltán to enforce his attendance. They met each other on the road, and as the Wazír addressed to him several harsh enquiries respecting the reason of his delay, Malik Fíroz answered his insolence by the tongue of his sharp sword, and slew the Wazír. He then hastened to the capital of the kingdom. The royal servants were alarmed at his approach, and the Sultán himself was disabled by sickness. The opportunity was favourable for Malik Fíroz, so he entered the royal apartments and slew the king. This happened on the night preceding the eighth of Shawwál 689 H. (October, 1290 A.D.).

In order to gratify the people, and silence the opposition of the army, he placed nominally upon the throne an infant son of the late king, by name Shamsu-d dín Kaiomars, and thus satisfied

the army; but a few days afterwards he sent the son to follow the father, and Malik Fíroz ascended an inauspicious throne on Friday, 25th Zí'l hijja (December) of the same year. He sufficiently provided for the defence of the frontier, and married his brother's son, 'Aláu-d dín Muhammad, whom he had himself brought up, to one of the princesses, and bestowed upon him the government of Oudh and Badáún. There 'Aláu-d dín remained for a long time, and, by degrees, collected a large army. It was reported to him that the Ráí of Hind, whose capital was Deogir, had immense treasures in money and jewels, and he therefore conceived an intense desire of securing them for himself, as well as of conquering the country. He appointed spies to ascertain when the Ráí's army was engaged in warfare, and then he advanced and took the country without the means which other kings think necessary for conquest. The prudent Ráí, in order to save his life, gave his daughter to the Sultán, and made over to him his treasures and jewels.

'Aláu-d dín Muhammad, having laden all the beasts he could procure with his spoils, and giving thanks to God, returned to his own province. When Malik Fíroz heard of this, he sent an envoy to communicate the expression of his pleasure and congratulations at the victory, and invited him to the presence. These invitations were frequently repeated, and as often declined, till a suspicion of his rebellion arose, and induced Malik Fíroz to advance against him with an army.

When 'Aláu-d dín learnt his uncle's intentions, he began to entertain evil designs, and went with a few personal attendants to have an interview with him at Dehli; and the two parties met on the banks of the Jumna. Malik Fíroz, abandoning the course which prudence dictated, and relying upon the terror which his frontier and power inspired, as well as the natural affection which he supposed his nephew to entertain towards him, crossed the river with only five attendants, and went to the camp of 'Aláu-d dín.

When news was received of the approach of Malik Fíroz,

'Aláu-d dín advanced to receive him; and when he neared the river he went bare-footed, and, as usual, kissed the earth in the presence of his uncle, assuming a deportment of humility instead of his previous opposition, and behaving towards him as a son does towards a father. They then sat down and held a conversation together, and after a time Malik Fíroz took Sultán 'Aláu-d dín's hand and invited him to come to his camp. When they reached the bank of the river Malik Firoz wished to enter the boat first, 'Aláu-d dín following him. Two of 'Aláu-d dín's servants, Ikhtiyáru-d dín and Mahmúd Sálim, went behind him and waited their opportunity. As Malik Fíroz had placed one foot on the boat, and was about to lift the other upon it, Ikhtiyáru-d dín struck at him with a sword and wounded his hand. Malik Fíroz, in alarm, tried to throw himself into the boat, but Mahmúd Sálim came up and dealt him such a blow that his head fell into the water and his trunk into the boat. This happened on the 18th Ramazán 695 H. (June 1296 a.d.). The period of his reign was nearly six years.

When the army of Malik Fíroz witnessed these transactions from the opposite bank, they were greatly excited, and to appease them 'Aláu-d dín distributed gold amongst the nobles and officers and thus gained their goodwill. Everyone felt himself compelled to proffer his allegiance, so they all returned to Dehli in company with him, and in the month of Zi-l ka'da 695 H. he arrived at the palace.

The garrison of the fort refused to open the gates, upon which 'Aláu-d dín placed bags filled with gold in his mangonels and discharged them into the fort, which had the effect of persuading them to abandon their resistance.

Two sons of Malik Firoz, Kadar Khán and Arkali Kháng who were at Múltán, were brought to Dehli and deprived of their eyes. So it is, that in this world the wise are depressed and the unworthy raised to honour and prosperity.

Sultán 'Aláu-d dín then ascended the throne in perfect security, and protected all the provinces of the empire by his great power.

Towards the beginning of his reign, Prince Katlagh Khwája, son of Dúá,1 advanced with a large army, like drops of rain, towards Dehli, in order to conquer, massacre, and plunder. Sultán 'Aláu-d dín advanced against him at the head of a large army for the purpose of carrying on a holy war, actuated by pure faith, sincere intentions, the hope of resurrection, and the determination to bring destruction on the infidels. Without placing his troops in array, he attacked the enemy, and put many to the sword; and the remnant, in sorrow, loss, and disappointment, returned to their native country. Pardon go with them!

The rest of the transactions of 'Aláu-d dín's reign shall be recorded in their proper place for the information of my readers. Praise be to God, who hath poured his blessings upon the good, and from whose worship advantages are derived!

The Conquest of Somnát.2

From Book IV. of the MS.

When Sultán 'Aláu-d dín, the Sultán of Dehli, was well established in the centre of his dominion, and had cut off the heads of his enemies and slain them, and had imparted rest to his subjects from the fountain of his kindness and justice, the vein of the zeal of religion beat high for the subjection of infidelity and destruction of idols, and in the month of Zí'l-hijja

1 Dúá, or Túá, of the Chaghataí branch in Turkístán and Transoxiana, was a celebrated rival of Kublái. He died in 1306. He had several sons, who are spoken of in Mongol history. Among the best known are Gúnjúk, who died in 1308; Guebck, who died in 1321; and Tarmashirin, who died in 1330. See D'Ohsson. Histoire des Mongols, Vol. II. p. 520.

2 [This does not mean the temple of Somnát, but as Zíáu-d dín Barní explains, 'an idol to which the Brahmans gave the name of Somnát, after the victory of Mahmud, and his destruction of their idol Manát" (Text 251). Guzerat was overrun and Nahrwála was taken in this expedition, but there is no special mention of the temple or town of Somnát.]